Watch Commander In Chief

Name: Commander In Chief
Genre: Action & Adventure
Released: 2005-09-27
Cast: Geena Davis

TV-PG
2005
1 Season
6.8 (3,264)

Commander In Chief was a television show depicting the fictional story of the first female President of the U.S., Mackenzie Allen, played in the show by Geena Davis. Although similar in style to another political drama, The West Wing, Commander In Chief depicts not only the political life of The White House but also the private, family life of the First Family. Created for the ABC network in America by film and TV director Rod Lurie Commander In Chief ran for a single season of 18 episodes before being cancelled. The plot of Commander In Chief revolves around the character of Mackenzie "Mac" Allen, and independent politician who is chosen as Vice President by President "Teddy" Bridges. Upon reaching the highest office in the land President Bridges dies suddenly leaving his Vice President, Mac Allen as the new and first female President of the U.S. The drama of Commander In Chief comes in some cases from the prejudice and lack of confidence other politicians have in the new President; one of the major characters who often clashes with the new President is the Speaker of the House Nathan Templeton, played by Donald Sutherland. Playing a Republican politician from Florida Sutherland's character of Templeton often clashes with Allen over political decisions and his lack of faith in a woman to become the President. Other drama is found in the show through the actions and political views of the three children of Allen and her husband, First Gentleman Rod Calloway. The three children of the Calloway's are a pair of 16 year old twins, Horace and Rebecca, and a six year old daughter Amy. Throughout the show 16 year old Rebecca makes clear her unhappiness at her mother's political choices that are more liberal than her own. The production of Commander In Chief was difficult with many changes in production staff occurring through the first and only completed season. Series creator Rod Lurie acted as executive producer for the first eight episodes of the season before being replaced by veteran television producer Steven Bochco. The arrival of Bochco signaled a shift in the second half of the season to a more edgy political drama moving away from the focus of the show on the family of the President.

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Seasons

18. Unfinished Business

June 14, 2006

When a longtime outspoken critic of the Equal Rights Amendment passes away and his wife prepares to take over his Congressional seat, Mac sees the opportunity to amend the Constitution and finally pass the ERA. Meanwhile, she prepares to participate in a previously scheduled Get Out the Vote event with Templeton, which turns into more of a presidential debate. On the home front, Rod is approached about doing a story on his relationship with Mac a Presidential marriage and it turns out Kelly has a past with the writer. Rebecca continues her relationship with her IM buddy, but theyre each shocked at the others identity when they meet in person. And the differences between Mac and Dickies beliefs become glaringly apparent.

17. Happy Birthday, Madam President

June 7, 2006

It's Mac's birthday, but her celebrating is put on hold when Americans are taken hostage in Turkey by a militant Kurdish group. Meanwhile, Mac continues interviewing candidates for Vice President, and Dickie voices his opinion about who Mac ought to chose. Also, Rebecca's IM friend ends up to be someone unexpected.

16. The Elephant in the Room

May 31, 2006

When Mac's appendix bursts on Air Force One, Templeton becomes acting President since the Vice President is not on board. Meanwhile, the airline strike is taking a toll on Memorial Day weekend air traffic, one of the busiest travel times of the year, and Templeton, viewing his unique opportunity as a test-drive for his Presidential plans, handles the situation in a unique manner.

15. Ties That Bind

April 27, 2006

Mac has her Attorney General investigate the cause of the growing urban unrest in Prince George's County, Maryland. Mac learns that the county is where Chief of Staff Jim Gardner is originally from while Gardner has an unexpected visitor from the past who tells him about the situation in Maryland. Meanwhile, Mac must deal with a crisis when surface-to-air missiles that were lost in a military plane crash over Pakistan have resurfaced on the black market. Templeton continues to campaign for the Templeton Act, which Mac threatens to veto.

14. The Price You Pay

April 20, 2006

Carl Brantley, Mac's nominee for Attorney General, takes a hit from the Senate during conformation hearings due to his actions towards crime, but Mac remains sure in her nominee. Meanwhile, a plane carrying weapons goes missing over Pakistan and Vice President Keaton takes charge of the situation using his military experience. Rod begins to settle into his role as First Gentleman, but when Kate goes missing, Rod, and the rest of the family, become panicked.

13. State of the Unions

April 13, 2006

While Mac is busy preparing for her first State of the Union Address, Rod, after drinking at a reception, finds himself in a compromising position with an intern, with cameras around him all the while. When the photos are printed in the papers the next morning, the scandal threatens to overshadow Mac's State of the Union. Meanwhile, Templeton takes it upon himself to sabotage Mac's Homeless Initiative Bill.

12. Wind Beneath My Wing

January 24, 2006

Templeton and Mac fly out to the dedication former President Bridges Presidential Library. When they land in California, Air Force One is held hostage by a man who wants to speak to the President or he'll blow up the plane. Meanwhile, Kate allows Horace and Rebecca to throw a party while Mac and Rod are out of town, not realising the potential consequences of doing so.

11. No Nukes is Good Nukes

January 17, 2006

The situation in North Korea begins to escalate and Mac's leadership tried as the country worries about a potential nuclear war. In the midst of the crisis, Templeton's leadership is shown to be contradictory to Mac's, and the nation sees how having Templeton running the country may lead them a different outcome than Mac's administration.

10. Sub Enchanted Evening

January 10, 2006

A sub disaster forces a joint rescue mission with China and North Korea.

9. The Mom Who Came to Dinner

November 29, 2005

As Thanksgiving rolls around, Kate Allen, Mac's mother, comes to the White House for the holiday. Mackenzie invites Templeton and his wife for dinner, which Kate insists on cooking. Meanwhile, Rod brings in Richard "Dickie" McDonald, a media consultant, to help with Mac's image and lagging poll numbers. Mackenzie also must decide the fate of a woman on death row.

8. Rubie Dubidoux and the Brown Bound Express

November 15, 2005

Mackenzie decides to change the direction of her administration - from reaction to action - and appoints Rod as Strategic Planning Adviser, much to the disgust of Chief of Staff Jim Gardner. Meanwhile, Vince's drug test reveals that he's HIV positive and Templeton plots to use this to his advantage. Mac is presented with scandalous information about Templeton's past and has to decide how to use the information. Later, Horace almost gets into a fight with Rebecca's boyfriend when he learns about the rumor he's spreading.

7. First Scandal

November 8, 2005

A book is released about Mackenzie, and when confidential information is exposed, suspicions begin to arise. Warren Keaton begins his confirmation hearings, but his confirmation becomes at risk when events from his past are revealed. Meanwhile, Horace worries about his bad grades while Rebecca and her new boyfriend get closer.

6. First Disaster

November 1, 2005

A hurricane strikes the Florida coast and Mac and Templeton fly to the scene to survey the damage. In Florida, Mac learns of an emergency situation involving an oil tanker that could have potentially devastating results. Meanwhile, Rod debates taking the Baseball Commissioner position and Rebecca convinces the Secret Service to give her space so she can spend time alone with the boy she likes.

5. First Do No Harm

October 25, 2005

Mac must deal with a potentially deadly situation when she learns that terrorists have smuggled explosives across the Canadian border. Mac's course of action conflicts with the Attorney General's, and Templeton enjoys being able to publicly second guess Mac. Meanwhile, Amy is sad to learn that she'll have to have a Halloween party instead of trick-or-treating, due to security concerns, and Horace has a hard time dealing with Rod being poked fun at for being First Gentleman.

4. First Dance

October 18, 2005

Mackenzie hosts her first official summit with the Russian President, but Templeton's plan to force cabinet resignations threaten to overshawdow the event. Templeton goes after Mac and vows that he will win against her in the next presidential election. Meanwhile, Rod has to host his first state dinner for the Russian President, since it is a duty of the First Gentlemen.

3. First Strike

October 11, 2005

When Mackenzie is faced with her first crisis - the death of nine DEA agents - she is able to show her leadership and strength to the nation. Templeton meets with a congressman, Warren Keaton, who wants to damage Templeton's nomination. Meanwhile, Mac's twins return to public school, but must attend this time with secret service, which Horace loves, but Rebecca hates.

2. First Choice

October 4, 2005

Mackenzie Allen begins her transition into the office of the President. Her first order of duty is to select a Vice President and Nathan Templeton tries to use the situation to his advantage. Meanwhile, Rebecca's diary goes missing and she worries that the information about her mother in the diary will hurt Mac. Also, Mac's speech writer has a tough time learning the ropes.

1. Pilot

September 27, 2005

Mackenzie Allen, the 45 year-old Vice President, has to chose whether or not to grant the final wish of the dying President: step down and let someone else take office when he passes. Mac's entire party agrees with the President, but Mac is determined to be President despite the obstacles and judgment she'll face.

Description

The plot of Commander In Chief revolves around the character of Mackenzie "Mac" Allen, and independent politician who is chosen as Vice President by President "Teddy" Bridges. Upon reaching the highest office in the land President Bridges dies suddenly leaving his Vice President, Mac Allen as the new and first female President of the U.S. The drama of Commander In Chief comes in some cases from the prejudice and lack of confidence other politicians have in the new President; one of the major characters who often clashes with the new President is the Speaker of the House Nathan Templeton, played by Donald Sutherland. Playing a Republican politician from Florida Sutherland's character of Templeton often clashes with Allen over political decisions and his lack of faith in a woman to become the President.

Other drama is found in the show through the actions and political views of the three children of Allen and her husband, First Gentleman Rod Calloway. The three children of the Calloway's are a pair of 16 year old twins, Horace and Rebecca, and a six year old daughter Amy. Throughout the show 16 year old Rebecca makes clear her unhappiness at her mother's political choices that are more liberal than her own.

The production of Commander In Chief was difficult with many changes in production staff occurring through the first and only completed season. Series creator Rod Lurie acted as executive producer for the first eight episodes of the season before being replaced by veteran television producer Steven Bochco. The arrival of Bochco signaled a shift in the second half of the season to a more edgy political drama moving away from the focus of the show on the family of the President.Commander In Chief is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (18 episodes). The series first aired on September 27, 2005.

Where to Watch Commander In Chief

Commander In Chief is available for streaming on the ABC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Commander In Chief on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon, Vudu, Google Play and Apple TV.