Now in stores the snappy crime show with political overtones ” Scandal” offering a look at the internal workings and dirt that surrounds the president of the United States.  A story of creative fiction, but not too far fetched from the real thing.  Now on DVD the ABC series has a very good cast under able direction.

The story centers on Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) a former political aid and consultant to the sitting President Fitzgerald Thomas Grant (Tony Goldwyn).  Having had an affair the President during Grant’s run for office, Olivia has kept her distance from the White House while she runs her private practice as a professional crisis manager.  During this season several damaging predicaments come about involving murder, pregnant woman who was an aid to Grant, a madam and many other sordid plots.

I actually found the series interesting although unrealistic at times.  Each of the episodes brought to mind past Presidents of the United States including President Clinton, Senator Ted Kennedy and even the secret exit that Presidents are believed used to go out on the town without bodyguards.

The acting by Kerry Washington is very good, but at times her role of the President’s back watcher gets implausible with her ability to contact the Leader of the Free World at will, walk through guarded gates of the White House without being searched, get evidence from crime scenes and many other nearly impossible tasks.

The supporting cast has some good acting including that of Harrison Wright (Columbus Short) as Olivia’s court litigator, investigator Abby Whelan played by Darby Stanchfield and a burned out ex-CIA operative Huck Finn (Guillermo Diaz) who Olivia pulled out of the gutter to do her bidding, even murder if she wants.  This support group makes the show intriguing most of the time giving the series some needed depth.

I would be remiss if I left out one of the best performances that makes the series worthwhile and that’s Bellemy Young as President Grant’s extremely supporting wife Millie who would do most anything to remain in the White House.  She makes her character marvelously smart, socially graceful, yet powerfully in control of her husband and his future decisions.

The series has some interesting bonus features that are worth the watch including:

• Scandal: Setting the Pace – This insightful piece allows fans to meet the cast of the show as they share their experiences playing such interesting roles and working on a show created by Shonda Rhimes.
• Scripting Scandal – Scandal’s storylines are both riveting and topical. In this piece, fans will meet the show’s writers and their inspiration, Judy Smith, who the lead character is based on. Also included is a conversation with Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers as they discuss the process of writing such a compelling show.
• Gladiators in Suits: Casting a Series – In this exciting piece, audiences have a chance to hear from Shonda Rhimes about how the production chose just the right actor for each role. The piece includes a look at screen tests and seeing the actors’ excitement upon learning the news that they’d been cast in the show.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Good acting by cast members save the show. (C-)

Specifications and additional film information:

• Cast: Kerry Washington, Henry Ian Cusick, Columbus Short, Guillermo Diaz, Darby Stanchfield, Katie Lowes, Tony Goldwyn, and Jeff Perry
• Directed by: Paul McGuigan (Pilot)
• Rating: TV14 DLSV
• Genre: Politics, Crime and Action Drama
• Running Time: 301 minutes
• Street Date: June 12, 2012
• Original TV Release Date: April through May 2012
• Language: English
• Format: DVD
• Audio: Dolby Digital Surround Sound
• Video: Widescreen, 1.78:1- Enhanced for 16X9 Televisions
• Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
• Number of Discs: 2 Discs, 7 Episodes
• Distributed by: Buena Vista Home Entertainment