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Season 1 – Commander in Chief

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Commander in Chief Sep 2005 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 13 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Mackenzie Allen has a lot on her plate -- she has twin teenagers and a 6-year-old at home and an ambitious husband at the office, and she is about to become the first female president of the United States. Before that happens, however, Mackenzie, who serves as vice president, has to decide whether or not to go against the dying wishes of the current president, who has asked her to step down and let someone "more appropriate" fill his shoes in the Oval Office. Not only does the president want her to resign, so does the entire party that elected her in the first place. But when the moment of truth arrives, Mackenzie isn't willing to be a mere footnote in history. Instead of allowing her detractors to keep her down, she decides to trust her instincts and accept the most powerful job in the world.
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Commander in Chief — Season 1

Commander in Chief — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Though Commander in Chief is not always committed to reality, its empowering female-centered narrative is opportune, and made even better by Geena Davis' excellent performance.

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Critics Reviews

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Neal Justin Minneapolis Star Tribune Aug 14, 2025
2.5/4
The show's biggest draw, other than the fact that Davis looks great in a red blazer, is Donald Sutherland as her rival. He's not nearly the slithery snake you want him to be. He's more like a salamander. Go to Full Review Robert Bianco USA Today Sep 12, 2019
3/4
Commander in Chief's principal achievement tonight is that it bleeds all the first-blush absurdity out of that introduction. Go to Full Review Dana Stevens Slate Sep 12, 2019
It's less a vision of what a real female presidency might be like than an extended allegory about gender politics in the workplace. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Go to Full Review Mark Washburn Charlotte Observer Aug 14, 2025
3/4
Geena Davis shines. Go to Full Review Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sep 12, 2019
Although "Commander in Chief" deals with serious matters, Lurie's writing allows for lighter moments. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Craig C @RT24635836 Oct 13, 2024 I've tried watching 2 episodes from season 1. It's predictable and boring. See more Debbie A @RT88020530 Jun 8, 2024 Firstly Geena Davis is just one of those iconic actresses that has that something special and she made this show great as well did the rest of the cast. Really wish they had made more seasons, coz this show deserves more credit. Short lived, but always remembered! See more steve d @RT35616104 Jul 25, 2020 The cast made this series really interesting. To think that this got one year and Madam Secretary got a million disappoints me. See more Read all reviews
Commander in Chief — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Rod Lurie

Creator

Rod Lurie

Director

Bobby Roth

Director

Jesse Bochco

Director

Vincent Misiano

Director

Daniel Minahan

Director

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 27, 2005 Pilot Vice President Mackenzie Allen unites the nation in the wake of the president's death, quelling her critics, who wanted her to resign to allow the Speaker of the House to succeed to the office. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 4, 2005 First Choice Nathan attempts to manipulate new President Mackenzie's first order of business, to pick a vice president. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 11, 2005 First Strike Mackenzie faces her first national crisis when nine DEA agents are killed in Latin America; Nathan Templeton is offered potentially damaging information on Mackenzie's nominee for vice president (Peter Coyote). Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 18, 2005 First Dance Nathan Templeton plans to engineer a series of Cabinet resignations to overshadow Mackenzie's first official summit with the Russian president. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 25, 2005 First ... Do No Harm The attorney general opposes the president's response to news of explosives smuggled across the Canadian border, and Templeton publicly ridicules it. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 1, 2005 First Disaster While surveying hurricane damage in Florida, Mac learns of an emergency situation with an oil tanker off the coast, which could have devastating consequences. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 8, 2005 First Scandal MacKenzie's people suspect someone in the inner circle of leaking confidential information about her; events from Warren Keaton's past come to light and jeopardize his confirmation as vice president. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 15, 2005 Rubie Dubidoux and the Brown Bound Express After announcing a new direction for her administration, President Allen finds herself in need of allies within the West Wing and decides to appoint her closest adviser, Rod, to an official position. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 29, 2005 The Mom Who Came to Dinner As the president attempts to enjoy Thanksgiving, she must deal with military base closures in her hometown, a death penalty case the Supreme Court will not hear and a visit from her mother (Polly Bergen). Details Episode 10 Aired Jan 10, 2006 Sub Enchanted Evening When a U.S. submarine on a covert mission off the coast of North Korea runs into trouble, Mac must find a way to diffuse the international crisis before things get out of hand. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 17, 2006 No Nukes Is Good Nukes The escalating situation in North Korea puts Mac's leadership to the test as the country faces the possibility of nuclear war. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 24, 2006 Wind Beneath My Wing On the ground in California, a man holds Air Force One hostage and demands to speak directly with the president, or he will blow up the plane. Details Episode 13 Aired Apr 13, 2006 State of the Unions While Mac prepares to deliver her first State of the Union Address, Rod is caught in a compromising position with an intern. Details Episode 14 Aired Apr 20, 2006 The Price You Pay Mac stands by her longtime friend and attorney general nominee Carl Brantley, who takes a beating during confirmation hearings; a cargo plane carrying sensitive military weapons goes missing. Details Episode 15 Aired Apr 27, 2006 Ties That Bind Mac asks the attorney general to look into urban unrest in nearby Maryland while she tries to keep missing surface-to-air missiles from falling into the hands of terrorists. Details Episode 16 Aired May 31, 2006 The Elephant in the Room Templeton handles an airline strike in his own way when, as Speaker of the House, he becomes acting president after Mac's appendix bursts midflight on Air Force One. Details Episode 17 Aired Jun 7, 2006 Happy Birthday, Madam President Mac spends her birthday dealing with a hostage crisis in Turkey and interviewing candidates for vice president. Details Episode 18 Aired Jun 14, 2006 Unfinished Business Mac seizes an opportunity to get the Equal Rights Amendment passed; Templeton and Mac participate in a Get Out the Vote event that becomes more like a presidential debate. Details

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Commander in Chief — Season 1

Commander in Chief Commander in Chief Commander in Chief Commander in Chief View more photos

Season Info

Director
Rod Lurie, Bobby Roth, Jesse Bochco, Vincent Misiano, Daniel Minahan, Chris Long
Creator
Rod Lurie
Executive Producer
Rod Lurie, Marc Frydman, Dee Johnson
Screenwriter
Steven A. Cohen, Rod Lurie, Alison Cross, Alex Berger, Anya Epstein, Dee Johnson, Joel Fields, Stuart Stevens, Cynthia J. Cohen, Tom Szentgyorgyi
Network
ABC
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 27, 2005
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