State of Affairs

I was hooked at the beginning but gradually realized I was watching a vanity piece for Ms, Heigl, which was produced by her and her mother. After the opening scene and it's implications the plot very quickly became shallow and contrived. I just as quickly got tired of Heigl's permanent perkiness and endless wardrobe statements. Compared to Tea Leoni (Madam Secretary), Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) or even Kerry Washington (Scandal) she simply doesn't convey the gravitas the role demands. The one thing the pilot episode has going for it is pacing. Perhaps the producers can build in some character development around her in the coming episodes, (Shonda Rhimes where are you?), but given the two Heigl's involvement, I'm not optimistic. Catherine is a beautiful woman, and I hope she eventually finds a role that suits her, but this is definitely not it.

i like this show despite its inherent weaknesses the writing is good. First off its way better than the crap Tea Leoni is doing on Madam Secretary, a single woman who is leading a show without the ever saving hubby in the background. The writing on this show is really good because it carries someone like Katherine Heigel a less than stellar actor. The rest of the characters need more development that would help to offset Heigel's weakness. We need to acknowledge progress here, a black female president I love her don't care what other critics are saying.....a female lead yeah okay she's white and a blond, we could have dropped some stereotypes but lets face it its America and capitalism we have to sell corporate advertising so let us give in to the stereotypical male fantasies here ... one more time.

This show was dead for me seconds after I started to watch the pilot.

Introducing a character by having him/her discussing their life with a therapist is a trite, pedestrian old trick that bears the hallmark of sloppy script-writing.

To underline how unimaginative this is, I would like to mention how I very recently gave up on another show (Black Box) for the exact same reason.

This show is obviously aimed at a dumb audience, and will therefore go on to be just as pedestrian and dull as it is at its opening until the very last episode. Don't waste any more time on it.

I'm not sure why so many people have left bad reviews for this show, there truly are a lot of snobs writing reviews here. It seems like a lot of them are from people who dislike Katherine Heigl as well. Who cares! The plot is great and it has picked up pace in the most recent episodes. No it is not Homeland, but what do you expect from a show on NBC? The main reason I watch movies and television is for an escape from reality and I really could care less if a show doesn't accurately portray the government and CIA. If I wanted this, I would watch a documentary, which I do quite frequently. If you take it for what it is, a fun, entertaining action/drama, then you will enjoy it.

I'm not sure why everyone are blindly hating this show because of Katherine Heigl, I'm sure she is a Good actresses than others that we most commonly see in current TV Shows. the shows has the right script and plot and enough to keep you engaged. Somebody said something about she laughing loudly when the situation didn't need it - this is just silly. Most of all we have Alfre Woodard on the show, which is a good thing to look forward, and also, you cannot decide on a show just by one episode.. give it a chance.. I"m sure it will be good.!!......... ...................... ............... ........................... ............ ..................... ............ ............................. ....................... ....................... ................................ ........................................ ........................