BrainDead or Nah?

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Or Nah? is a feature where we watch and review the first episode of a new TV show. We’ll let you know if it’s worth checking out. As always, these reviews are the opinion of the reviewer, but we’ll try to adequately explain why you should or shouldn’t give the show a chance and provide shows for comparison.

BrainDead - S1E1 - The Insanity Principle: How Extremism in Politics is Threatening Democracy in the 21st Century| Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Beth Malone, Jan Maxwell, Danny Pino, Aaron Tveit, Tony Shalhoub, Zach Grenier, Lily Cowles | CBS | Mondays

What’s It About?

Documentary filmmaker Laurel Healy (Winstead) agrees to work for her senator brother (Pino) in exchange for her father funding her next film project. While trying to appease her brother’s constituents and work a bipartisan deal with the Republicans to avoid a government shut down, Laurel uncovers a conspiracy involving a mystery shipment (containing a meteor) sent to the Smithsonian and the strange behavior of anyone who has come into contact with it.

What’s Good? 

This show is surprisingly dark (exploding heads) and twisted for CBS. It has a quirkiness that - while not as colorful - reminds me of the dearly departed Pushing Daisies on ABC. Tony Shalhoub as an alcoholic Republican senator who sobers up after being infected by the alien meteor bugs (crazy, right?) is a definite highlight in the first episode. We’ve long since suspected the politicians in Washington, D.C. are out of their minds; mind control by alien brain worms is as good as an explanation as any. The satirical take on politics and media is a plus.

What’s Bad?

It moves a tad slow, but it could be chalked up to table setting. I’m intrigued enough to watch another few episodes.

The Verdict

Watch If You Like: Pushing Daisies, dark humor like Orange is the New Black

Don’t Watch If: you like your political thrillers a bit more serious