I noticed a lot of people have compared this to The Wire. I think they must see it as yet another gritty urban reality series. Some have compared it to Houee of Cards. I think they must see it as yet another show about unbridled greed for political power. Certainly Boss has some of both in it, but to me the appropriate comparison is to neither of these series, because (based on the first season only), I don't think either one was at the core of this series, just part of the context.I think the appropriate comparison is to The Enemy Within.. Yes, yet another government takeover plot, but with an interesting twist. In this case, the enemy isn't a faction within the government, but within the brain of the government leader whose power is to be usurped. This is the role of power in this series, not over others, not simple greed for power, but power over the mind of the Boss himself. Essentially, the Boss begins to transform into his own imposter, and his core personality struggles to resist that takeover and retain its control...not over the government, but his own mind. Thus we see him act sympathetically one moment and cruelly another, as he wages battle with The Enemy Within.I don't know if the series continues to play out this way in the second season, and I may never know. I was so taken with the premise, I may just leave it there. Plus, in spite of the clever premise, and KG's tour de force performance, I didn't actually enjoy watching the series all that much. (But don't mind me. I wasn't especially impressed with The Wire, either, so what do I know.) Still, an astonishing performance + clever premise = 8 stars.

Tom Kane (Kelsey Grammar), the Mayor of Chicago, is secretly suffering from dementia. He is a powerful corrupt political animal. He relishes crushing his opponents, and expects nothing less than submission from his supporters. He doesn't let morality get into the way and his family is not above his wrath.For the first season, it was a compelling intense watch. The universe of political characters are interesting but the complete lack of any redeeming characteristics in Mayor Tom Kane really wore me down. Kelsey Grammar's performance is great but it's too much. The second season becomes unwatchable as it is clear that it's more of the same. It's a grind to watch a main character that you'd rather kill in real life. This show has no silver linings.

This show is one of the top shows out at the time of writing this review. It's not a show for everyone as it's political based, and I'm not really a guy to get into "serious" kind of t.v. shows, but the series catches you by surprise and after a few episodes I was hooked, Kelsey Grammar plays a great part and makes the show, the story is compelling and it twists and turns at any given moment which keeps the viewer on alert at all times, If your having doubts about watching this show, give it a few episodes and I guarantee you will love it. I'm half way through the second season now and really not looking forward to it ending! Great Show!

Is it possible that there is cross reference to Obama's political upcoming? The ward bosses of the ghetto, the lateral interaction towards city hall. Is this how Obama came up? Is there an actual ward in Chicago that existed? Does anyone know his political rise in detail and can cross reference? Is Kane only a symbolic figure of American corruption? Any one care to comment? The direct Chicago reference and that GVS is producing it makes me wonder if this is all Just a metaphor for something a little bigger. A more than meets the eye subplot. Lets discuss via a different angle. Looking forward. Ps I loved both seasons and hope there will be a third.