Commander in Chief
Mackenzie Allen has a lot on her plate -- she has twin teenagers, a 6-year-old at home and an ambitious husband at the office, and she is about to become the first female president of the United States. Before that happens, however; Mackenzie, who serves as vice president, has to decide whether or not to go against the dying wishes of the current president, who has asked her to step down and let someone "more appropriate" fill his shoes in the Oval Office. Not only does the president want her to resign, so does the entire party that elected her in the first place. But when the moment of truth arrives, Mackenzie isn't willing to be a mere footnote in history. Instead of allowing her detractors to keep her down, she decides to trust her instincts and accept the most powerful job in the world.
Trailers & Videos 1
Commander in Chief ABC TV Series Promo Trailer 200...
Episodes
Mackenzie Allen, who serves as Vice President of the United States, has a tough decision to make, whether or not to go against the wishes of the dying...
As Mackenzie begins the transition into the office of President, she has to select a Vice President, a situation in which Nathan Templeton tries using...
Faced with her first national crisis - the death of nine DEA agents in Latin America - Mackenzie shows strength and resolve in dealing with a corrupt...
All eyes are on Mackenzie Allen as she hosts her first official summit with the Russian President -- which is threatened to be overshadowed by Nathan...
In the middle of the announcement of her new National Security Advisor, Anthony Prado, Mac is caught off guard by the breaking news of a terrorist smu...
When a destructive hurricane hits Florida, Mac and Templeton fly to Florida to survey the damage. While there, Mac learns of an emergency situation wi...
When a tell-all book is published about Mackenzie Allen that contains confidential information suspicions arise. Meanwhile, the confirmation hearings...
After she announces new direction for her administration, President Allen finds herself in need of allies within the West Wing and decides that she ne...
Mac has more than Thanksgiving turkey on her plate. She juggles military base closures in her home town, a death penalty case the Supreme Court will n...
A submarine strikes a seamount just off North Korean waters and Mac must ask the Chinese for help. Meanwhile, Dickie's constant need for information h...
While trying to coordinate the rescue of the crew of a damaged U.S. submarine off the coast of North Korea with help from Chinese, Mac must deal with...
Mac and Templeton head out west to pay tribute to the dedication of former President Bridges' Presidential Library. While there Air Force One is held...
While Mac is busy working on her first State of the Union address, Rod becomes a tad tipsy and is found in compromising position with an intern for al...
Mac decides to stand by her friend and Attorney General nominee, Carl Brantley, after he gets hammered in his confirmation hearings. A cargo plane whi...
Mac wants her Attorney General to look into an urban situation in Maryland because it's where Gardner is from. Mac is also briefed on the situation of...
Mac suffers a burst appendix while aboard Air Force One. Since there is no Vice President in place, Templeton becomes acting President since he is the...
On Mac's birthday, she is faced with the fact that there are American hostages being held in Turkey by a militant Kurdish group. Meanwhile, she also h...
After a critic of the Equal Rights Amendment passes away and his wife takes over his seat, Mac believes she can amend the Constitution and pass the ER...
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7.6/10
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TMDB Reviews
misubisu
TMDB7 months ago
Review: Commander in Chief (2005)
Score: 7/10
Commander in Chief was a timely and boldly conceived political drama that arrived with great promise, offering a compelling "what if" scenario years before its time. The series follows Mackenzie "Mac" Allen (Geena Davis), the Vice President who ascends to the Oval Office after the President's sudden death, navigating the treacherous waters of Washington D.C. as the nation's first female Commander-in-Chief. It earns points for its landmark premise and a star-making, award-winning central performance, but is ultimately weighed down by network-TV conventions and a failure to fully capitalise on its own potential.
What Works & The Premise's Power:
- Geena Davis's Commanding, Award-Winning Performance: Davis is the undisputed anchor and highlight of the series. She brought a grounded intelligence, steely grace, and believable vulnerability to President Allen, masterfully portraying the immense weight of the office and the unique scrutiny of her position. Her work was rightfully recognised with the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama in 2006, a testament to her ability to carry the show's ambitious premise.
- A Prescient & Engaging Premise: In 2005, the concept felt both revolutionary and aspirational. The show's core conflicts—the tension with a scheming Speaker of the House (a deliciously antagonistic Donald Sutherland), the balancing of family and unimaginable duty, and the constant negotiation of respect in a male-dominated arena—were inherently dramatic and resonate even more strongly today.
- Solid Political Intrigue (Initially): The first handful of episodes effectively set up a compelling dynamic between the idealistic, independent President and the old-guard political machinery determined to undermine her.
Why It Stumbles to a Mid-Tier Score:
- Formulaic Network Drift: After a strong start, the series increasingly fell...
