The Politician's Wife

One of my (requested) presents this year was the DVD of The Politician's Wife. Now this series came out when I first moved to Oxford but, for a number of reasons, (including a total lack of interest in TV) I never saw it. However I heard Good Things about it (including from my nominated godmother who died two years later) and always wanted to see it. Consequently the mini-series made it onto various Xmas lists for years, but was always rejected in favour of more findable presents. However this year was different and I spent Saturday and Sunday nights watching it (three hours in total).

Firstly, it's aged rather well. At the time it was produced in response to the actions of John Major's colleagues and, frankly, very little has changed in the political world. Secondly, it stars Juliet Stevenson (along with Trevor Eve and Minnie Driver) which in my book is always a plus. Thirdly, the script is great. The political world seems realistically devious and the characters all come across as intelligent people. The plot is consistent and definitely creates an air of suspense. Even better, the kids aren't annoying and there's an occasional comedy line (the most memorable being in Flora's speech to the Christian Women of the Conservative Party) which doesn't seem out of place. If I have a criticism then it is that I felt there were rather too many sex scenes.

All in all, recommended.