This series wasn’t very well reviewed when it came out but I found it a hilarious and often pertinent look at government in the early 21st century. So many parallels with Kevin Rudd’s government it isn’t funny – the desperation to be on the front page, the changing of policy according to the polls. It doesn’t feel as spot on as Frontline and it also lacks a moral core which Frontline had in the form of the Emma character – Lachy Hume occasionally has outbursts of decency but they pass very quickly; I think the blonde girl Nikki would have been ideal for this, but maybe they didn’t want to repeat themselves. It would have given the show more conflict; as it is, most of the time the political advisers find themselves trying to sneak things past the public servants… who, while depicted as pompous and a bit silly, also come across very well. They’re pretty much always interested in doing what’s best for the country, whether it’s improving arts, maintaining defence standards, reducing welfare rip offs. Like all Working Dog productions, the casting is excellent – familiar faces like Merrick Watts, Hume and the bald public service guy are used in new ways brilliantly. The only real exception is Graeme Blundell who is too Graeme Blundell-y to be a scary Labor Party hack.
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