Betrayal starts from within.

Kelsey Grammer, Boss: Season One - Boss is a riveting political drama full of non-stop intensity. Kelsey Grammer‘s acting is flawless as the fictional Chicago Mayor Tom Kane, who puts on a powerful face for his city to see while making shady backdoor deals that conflict with the interests of his public. In addition, Kane has a dysfunctional home life complete with a daughter who is addicted to drugs (Hannah Ware) he hasn’t spoken to for an extended amount of time, and a wife (Connie Nielsen) who is the daughter of the former mayor of Chicago. Their relationship exists solely to further Kane’s political goals. The mayor juggles his hectic professional and personal life while battling a vicious neurological disease.

Tom Kane is a man with many enemies as well as allies–the current governor of Illinois, McCall Cullen (Francis Guinan), is determined to win a second term against Ben Zajac (Jeff Hephner) who stands as Kane’s endorsed candidate. On the local level, city council member Ross (James Vincent Meredith) seeks to remove Kane from office by any means necessary. Sam Miller (Troy Garity) is a reporter for the major newspaper in the city pursuing information to reveal the vast corruption of his administration. Politics is shown to be a ruthless criminal game each player seeks to win against the well-being of their constituents.

The power couple.

This was an unexpectedly amazing program, and I was disappointed that the first season DVD contain eight episodes. Kane is an enthralling, no-nonsense city official who possesses more power than he should have. The side stories in Boss is just as entertaining as the main story, with Emma–Kane’s daughter–attempting to provide the low-income community of Chicago with affordable medical services while indulging in her demons. As politics isn’t a clean game, seemingly anyone that is involved (no matter how small the link) is corrupted by their professions or ties.

Special features hosted on the DVD:

• Episode Commentaries with “Boss” Executive Producer Farhad Safinia, Director of Photography Kasper Tuxen, and Executive Producer Richard Levine.
• Featurette: “The Mayor and His Maker” with Kelsey Grammer and Farhad Safinia

Enjoyable commentary of the behind the scenes folk is interesting and the passion they have for the show are evident, making sure every emotion conveyed in each scene is on point and believable. “The Mayor and His Maker” features Grammer setting down with Safinia discussing different aspects of the show, such as what sort of politician Kane would be, show location, etc. Safinia reveals in the scenes where Grammer’s character is yelling, editing isn’t present–it was filmed “in the moment.”

Overall, fantastic television series.

A STARZ Original Series, Boss: Season One was received as a courtesy for review from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. - Boss: Season One also stars Connie Nielsen (TV’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Hanna Ware (Shame), Jeff Hephner (TV’s The O. C.) and Kathleen Robertson (TV’s Beverly Hills 90210, Hollywoodland), the 2-disc DVD set contain all eight episodes in addition to special features, including the ones mentioned above; commentaries and as well as a featurette.

Source: Lionsgate Home Entertainment