Review:  Boss – Season 1, Episode 8 – “Choose”

Air date: Friday, December 9 at 10pm ET/PT on Starz

Rating: ★★★★★

A screenwriter once told me everything you need to know about what is going to happen in a movie unfolds in its first five minutes. I’ve been noticing the same pattern with Boss as the beginning sequence encompasses all the main themes of the entire episode. The season finale of Boss is appropriately called “Choose” because by the time a primary election winner is declared, lines are drawn via tough and personal choices; loyalty is demanded and only a few remain standing.   Will Mayor Kane (Kelsey Grammer) retain his power hold over Chicago and if he does, what price will he have to pay?

“Choose” is a case study in Chicago’s powerful political machine and election management as Kane’s enemies look forward to exploiting key vulnerabiltities.

We finally see Kane campaigning and once decisions are made about key precincts to target, Team Kane’s efficiency is impressive. Stone (Martin Donovan) and Kane have it down to a science in terms of the numbers and where they need to win. The selling messages are carefully chosen but consistent to what their allies want to hear: the illusion of change on the surface is maintained while there’s continuity beneath it. The appeal of that specific message will cause the younger of the McGantrys to make the tough choice of adhering to the family party line: a discreet and historical power alliance with the Mayor’s office.

Kitty (Kathleen Robertson) will have some tough choices to make during Season 2.

More difficult decisions await others. Kitty (Kathleen Robertson) is going to have to decide soon whether she’ll continue to work for Kane as well as whether she’s going to have Zajac’s (Jeff Hephner) baby. Zajac has huge problems of his own—his campaign is in trouble but wife Maggie (Nicole Forester) saves the day. She pushes Ben out of his rut and reminds him how to best use his strenghts. It is priceless to see Alderman Ross (James Vincent Meredith) finally snap out of his numbness and make a decision on where he stands. It’s even better scene when he gives Zajac what he deserves – well partially only!

My biggest challenge with “Choose” pertains to “Rosebud” but it’s not related to the unveiling of “Rosebud’s” identity but the motives behind the betrayal. I suspect it’s one of those situations in which a scene works out better in theory than the actual execution.  It’s a nice twist to have Stone be the mastermind behind the leaks. In hindsight, he’s the only person around Kane with the expertise and knowledge to pull it off and how the revelation comes about is nicely unpredictable.  However, I don’t buy his elaborate explanation of why he did it, especially the meek “I-tried-to-talk-to you-about-this” excuse. Being a true public servant, a man of Stone’s vision and intelligence should have seen the big picture of still having a say and a hand in crafting the succession plan for Kane to continue running the city as he seemed so devoted to doing. I agree with Stone that Kane would never willingly leave the Mayor’s office but his hang-up on the disagreement of choosing Zajac over Cullen (Francis Guinan) and then strategizing and executing the approach to save Kane’s neck seem like contradictory busy work – especially when the possibility of an egotistical short-lived reward may play a part. But Stone doesn’t come across as an egotist. With his proven ability to make things happen, Stone’s decision doesn’t fully make sense to me unless, of course, I have the wrong impression of what type of man he is. I guess the fact that he nearly fooled Kane makes me feel less inadequate. Since Stone already considered himself a dead man in body and conscience, the quickly growing red flower of blood blooming all over his shirt is a respectful way to bid adieu to his character. The entire scene is solidly edited and beautifully executed by Grammer and Donovan as their characters’ conversation encases what the show is all about and circles back to give meaning to its title.

Emma’s (Hannah Ware) arrest reverts to her old ways.

Emma’s (Hannah Ware) storyline is the most pleasant surprise of the episode. I was captivated by Emma’s determined but angry questioning of her faith and I didn’t anticipate her quick slump into her old ways. Ware’s portrayal of a high but heartbroken Emma is really moving and realistic. She completely steals the thunder from Grammer in that scene and it appears her ministry will no longer be able to serve as a cover for her addiction.

By the end of “Choose,” we loop back to where it started —another critical and revealing scene involving Kane and Meredith (Connie Nielsen) but at post-election time. Meredith proves her loyalty to Kane and the sexual favor it requires takes a terrible toll on her. Nielsen does a terrific job in transitioning her character from collected ice queen to broken woman seeking the paternalistic comfort of Kane who is unable to comfort her due to the seizure he suffers. My guess is the week long build-up of stress causes the seizure as a complication of his degenerative disease but the scene also provides massive sympathy points for Kane. After the trail of destruction and deathly rampage he’s unleashed, we’re reminded of his vulnerability and humanity. How sad and pitiful Kane looks as he lies on the floor shaking with his hands curled inwards to his body—a mere shell of his former powerful self.

As far as finales are concerned, this is an impressive orchestration of the season-long story arcs that were on a collision course leading up to election night.  Grammer has really captivated me as Mayor Kane and his realistical portrayal of the Jekyll and Hyde sides of Kane’s personality is of Emmy^® caliber. Grammer transitions well from the emotional and vulnerable man who knows death waits for him around the corner to the ruthless monster Kane is. The quality of the writing and attention to details in Boss have been remarkable, particularly from a historical standpoint and at the Chicago level.

Based on the rich story lines and how the episode ends, I see extremely fertile ground to explore a number of story lines and intriguing ways to start Season 2. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing where editor Sam Miller (Troy Garity) takes his Chicago Sentinel staff as he’s made it clear he has a long term vision for chipping away at Mayor Kane to bury him in the court of public opinion and exposinge his reign of corruption. I look forward to the drama next season, especially with Dr. Harris potentially providing evidence to uncover the best kept secret in Chicago – one that I anticipate will continue to be tainted in blood. With Zajac winning the primary, will Stone’s words prove to be prophetic?

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