BrainDead

I watched this series when it first aired in 2016 and rewatching it again this year because it became relevant again in many different ways.

The premise? Alien mindcontroll ants invade Washington D. C., and the real horror isnt the invasion but how much humans ignore it or a completely oblivious to it.

Laurel Healy played wonderfully by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, stumbles into this mess while trying to fund her documentary career. What follows is a chaotic mix of exploding heads, political backstabbing, and an annoyingly catchy use of The Cars "You Might Think."

It has good cinematography, a great concept, a good plot and the acting is great aswell. Plus, ants as villains? Thats both ridiculous and terrifying in all the right ways. I love the concept of ants as intelligent aliens.

There were 4 seasons planned subsequenty taking place in different cities with a new focus on different aspects of American culture. S2 would be about Wall Street S3 about Silicon Valley and S4 Hollywood.

But CBS cancelled BrainDead after just one season. Reportedly the cancellation was due to low ratings.

They should see it now with a solid 8.

For me tho on rewatching this series is about a 6.7.

I mainly watch Netflix or Amazon shows lately. Saw this on Amazon and decided to give it a try. Wasn't expecting much. I don't enjoy political shows as such. I was hooked within the first 10 minutes. One of the best pilots I've seen. The protagonist Laurel, an idealist documentary film maker, gets caught in the web of politics & mystery during her casual visit with her political brother & dad in D.C.

We follow her as she discovers the crazy politics mixed with some sci-fi mystery. We quickly identify with her as she navigates the capitol like a fish out of water, yet can see underneath the surface with her astute mind. The characters & their interaction is really fun to watch.

I hope many people watch this brilliant show. It's really like nothing TV right now. I'd say it's a combination of Veep & The X-files done in the most brilliant way.

Braindead bites the jugular as a science fiction satire of the US political vascular system in a way that leaves the viewer with a disturbing lust for blood. The mercilessly savage portrayal of the current chaotic culture which holds the world's number one power in its thrall is populated by finely chiseled deeply flawed characters who exude privilege, narcissism and cunning as they wrestle each other for every breath in the unannounced fight to the finish. And just when it couldn't get any worse, an alien insect invading force inveigles its way into the brains of the protagonists and they have their own agenda. It is unimaginable and yet it is real. The CGI intentionally positions us at a distance so that we knowingly suspend our disbelief and in this way we consume a product of that very culture we are watching and as we do so we know ourselves to be consumers.We are consuming ourselves. The message is clear. Braindead is the actual truth disguised as satirical allegory. The horror is here, dribbling down from your open mouth down your shirt front. Watch Out! Your brain isn't your friend.

This show was better than 99 percent the CBS lineup so of course it had to be canceled. I guess I can take solace in the fact that brilliant shows like "Man With A Plan" will probably be renewed for a fourth season. And we wonder why no one watches network TV anymore.

This show is amazing! It's an entertaining mix of satire, suspense, sci-fi, horror, and of course, the possibility of romance, with the story set on a political stage. And did I mention ants? No need to be into entomology or politics to enjoy it, but for the political tragic, there are appearances from wannabes Clinton, Trump and Bernard someone or another, with plenty of wheeling and dealing along the way.

Don't be put off by the stupefying title of the first episode, ("The Insanity Principle How Extremism in Politics is Threatening Democracy in the 21st Century").

Give this show a go!