They basically created an incarnation of Trump on the liberal's side. At least somebody they wish that would pull his same stunts in their favor.Not really sure this contains spoilers. Only got through three episodes to post this review. Slightly amazed about the lack of reviews. The show carries a clear message about what they consider good and evil. If you want to be on the side of good, act cool by smoking pot, hanging with young people, play an impromptu guitar on stage, endorse defense cuts, and invite illegals to live on your property.Slick, nice-looking production. Sela Ward is beautiful and solid, as always, but in a straight role. Nick Nolte is not really funny or very endearing. Reminds me of his turn in 48 Hours as a grumpy, sloppy cop. Getting kneed in the groin made me laugh a little, in particular because it keenly - and not intentionally - captured the intolerant traits of liberals.In my opinion, Portlandia and Veep pull off biting satire far better, without clunking you over the head with their agenda. Four out of ten based on Sela, some cool cameos, top notch production, and some random destructiveness.

I went into this series thinking that with the combined talents of Nick Nolte and Sela Ward as the two main stars it would offer something insightful, thought provoking and offer a wonderful satiric look at Washington, D.C. and those who inhabit that location. I got none of that. Oh sure, the performances of all involved and in particular Nolte are wonderful to see. But this ended up being no meat and all low brand instant potatoes.The concept of the show GRAVES is pretty simple. Nolte plays ex-President Richard Graves, a cross between a Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush style Republican. Out of office for over 20 years he's been relegated to making speeches for other politicians and just causes and he's grown weary of it all. Graves feels his life has no meaning and hates all the things his past duties have forced him into now from making these speeches to being surrounded by Secret Service agents.Now if you are to believe this series a single night of getting high with a millennial waitress who lives in a trailer coupled with his visiting several website that proclaim him the worst President ever causes Graves to wake from his self-imposed moral coma and his way of thinking doing a complete 180. Yes, that's all it takes. Suddenly he complains about defense spending saying the solution to cure cancer is to use that money there, he stands up for illegal immigrants, he supports though doesn't endorse gay marriage, etc. This is the main crux of the series.Along the way we also find that his wife Margaret (Ward) is approached to run for the Senate and possibly the Presidency itself down the road. She may be a little more flexible on the issues but her husband's antics are not helping any. We also have Richard's new assistant Isiah Miller (Skyler Astin) on hand, an idol worshipping conservative of Graves who is seeing his hero in the flesh for the first time. Add to that their daughter Olivia who has recently split with her cheating Rockefeller husband, son Jeremy the spoiled brat who's just returned from the military and a myriad of other obstacles and you have what is supposed to be a comedy. At least that's how it's described at IMDb.com The problem is…it just isn't funny no matter what your political viewpoints are. For liberal viewers I would think that a show that offers little depth on any issue and glosses over each this way would be insulting. For conservatives the attack on any and all things you believe in depicted through the eyes of someone who was supposed to represent you offers nothing humorous. This has been a problem of late with political comedy. Whereas comedians of the past made a point of poking a stick into both sides it has changed to focusing only on one these days. David Frye made a career out of making fun of both LBJ and Nixon. Today only Nixon would get the barbs. The worst thing is that this conscious decision to play an us versus them mentality in entertainment as well as news was what gave rise to the whole Trump movement. Not trying to see and depict that there are two sides to every issue and slamming anyone who disagrees does not sow the seeds of compromise.This series is unlikely to reshape the hearts and minds of anyone it decided to skewer. It will most likely find praise and adulation from those who agree with the sentiments it expresses rather than taking a critical eye at just how badly it is done. In reading reviews posted online I've found that those that praise it also tend to slam anything that leans right at the same time. It offers a smug "My way of thinking is the only correct way to think and if you think differently then you're stupid and a joke" mentality. Again, more preaching to the choir and altering no one.Technically speaking it looks great and is well acted. Thematically it lacks a ton.

I was apprehensive about another political series, but politics are not the focus here; life and maturity are. There are moments of pathos and moments of laugh-out-loud comedy. Nick Nolte has always been an underrated actor. He is fantastic!! Sela Ward is perfect as the strong matriarch. The entire cast are great actors and they work so well together. They are so comfortable in their roles. They are like those chance meetings of people in your life that turn into lifelong friendships. You look forward to spending time with the Graves family every week. The 1st episode didn't grab me, but I hung in there and I am so glad I did!

If Graves were a one-man show starring Nick Nolte it might be okay; Nolte's demeanor and delivery are, perhaps, not so much entertaining as fascinating. Unfortunately, the rest of this dud acts an albatross around Nolte's neck. A ridiculous plot and tortured writing combine with an amateurish cast who have the acting chops of a community theater troupe. The show ultimately tries to bank on the novelty of a revolving door of cameos by also-ran, real-life politicians like Michael Steele and Rudy Giuliani who deliver their lines - no matter what those lines are - with permanent rictus grins etched into their faces. They are apparently just so delighted to have been asked to appear on an Epix TV serial that they can't stop smiling and the show's producers don't care enough to ask them to desist.