Watergate: Blueprint for a Scandal

An engaging, if brisk, examination of the Watergate affair, likely among the last of its kind to involve any of the principal players. Contains a few new insights that many may not be aware of, and should now rank among the better Watergate docs out there (for more details see the definitive Discovery/BBC doc with the full cast of characters, among others). Caveat: The comparison to Trump may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but only detracts from the main story itself (and many with even a modicum of a knowledge of politics can draw their own parallels anyway); that subject would be better left to (undoubtedly countless) future documentaries.

This is obviously an important part of history. Unlike some other reviewers, I can see the parallels to today regarding official attacks on democracy and don't have a problem with that. However, I gave up after 30 minutes because of the awful, annoying music and loud sound effects constantly playing over the talking heads, which seems to be the modern style for some bizarre reason. Is it necessary to have a loud "Whoosh!" or "Boom!" when there is a cut? Does John Dean have to talk like he's inside a dance club? Network documentary makers, stop this!

Hoping to learn some inside details about Watergate, but what a total waste of time! It's sleazy and sordid and I feel like I'm learning nothing. Then i started watching this. OMG, it is so great!! Best way to get an education about this horrible event in our nation's history.

Interesting information about watergate. However to keep bring president trump into it is just a bashing piece. They just can't let it go any new documentary about anything political is just going to be a bashing piece. They are digging their own graves and wonder why the people don't trust the media. One of the persons speaking on this talks about where are the brave people in congress that they had back in the 70s when this happened. Well I'll say it they are still in congress and are rich and comfortable and so will keep toeing the line to keep there pockets padded. This is such a tripe show.

I was hoping for a thorough, historically grounded documentary on Watergate, but CNN couldn't resist inserting modern political commentary-specifically references to Trump. Unfortunately, these comparisons felt forced and out of place, disrupting the flow of the narrative rather than enhancing it. The documentary had potential, but the decision to inject present-day politics into a story that stands strongly on its own weakened the overall impact.