Ep 1. House of Saddam - Part I

House of Saddam is a captivating drama that takes us back in time to the days of the former tyrant of Iraq. The first episode, titled "House of Saddam - Part I," starts with a flurry of activities that eventually give us a glimpse into the life and times of Saddam Hussein.

The episode opens with Saddam's famous speech in 2003 on the eve of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. We see the dictator recite a poem that he believes will inspire his troops and rally the people of Iraq to his cause. The scene is riveting, and we get a sense of Saddam's charisma and his unwavering belief in his own power.

From there, the show takes us back in time to Saddam's early days as a young revolutionary fighting against the British-backed monarchy in Iraq. We see a young Saddam, played by actor Igal Naor, as he plots and schemes with his fellow revolutionaries to overthrow the monarchy and take control of the country.

As the story progresses, we see Saddam rise through the ranks of the Ba'ath Party, a socialist political organization that used to rule Iraq, and eventually become the country's president. The show portrays Saddam as a charismatic and powerful leader who is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain his grip on power.

The episode also introduces us to Saddam's family, including his wife Sajida (played by Shohreh Aghdashloo) and his sons Uday and Qusay (played by Said Taghmaoui and Mehdi Dehbi, respectively). We see how Saddam's family and close associates are fiercely loyal to him and are willing to help him in his quest to maintain power.

Despite their loyalty, however, the show also reveals the darker side of Saddam's regime. We see how Saddam's security forces, led by his fierce cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid (played by Amr Waked), engage in brutal tactics to quell any dissent within the country. We also see how Saddam's regime uses propaganda and censorship to control the flow of information within the country.

Overall, House of Saddam is an intriguing look into the life of one of the most controversial leaders of the 20th century. The show does an excellent job of balancing the good and the bad aspects of Saddam's regime and leaves the audience wondering what will happen next. If you're looking for a gripping political drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat, be sure to check out House of Saddam - Part I.