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A young fresh-faced Hill staffer gets her first job in Washington, D.C. and discovers two things: 1. The government has stopped working, and 2. alien spawn have come to earth and eaten the brains of a growing number of Congressmen and Hill staffers.
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Episodes
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- E1 The Insanity Principle: How Extremism in Politics Is Threatening Democracy in the 21st CenturyNext upJun 13, 2016 · 44 min · ★ 6.7
Synopsis
When Laurel Healy returns home to Washington, D.C. to work for her brother, Senator Luke Healy, on Capitol Hill, she is caught in the midst of two huge problems: the government has stopped working due to budgetary disagreements, and mysterious bugs are eating the brains of a growing number of Congress members and Hill staffers.
Guest stars: Zach Grenier (Dean Healy), Lily Cowles (Germaine Healy), Jack Dimich (Dr. Lagunov), Michael Potts (Dr. Daudier), Megan Hilty (Misty Alise), Beth Malone (Claudia Monarch), Ching Valdes-Aran (Claire), Don Guillory (Chuck)
- E2 Playing Politics: Living Life in the Shadow of the Budget Showdown -- A CritiqueJun 20, 2016 · 43 min · ★ 7.4
Synopsis
Laurel continues to investigate the death of esteemed Dr. Daudier, while bugs infect more citizens of Washington, D.C. Rochelle Daudier, the deceased doctor’s daughter and Gustav Triplette, an eccentric genius, both encounter the bugs separately and begin to question exactly what is happening.
Guest stars: Megan Hilty (Misty Alise), Beth Malone (Claudia Monarch), Paige Patterson (Scarlett Pierce), Nikiya Mathis (Stacie Zara), Brooke Bloom (Abby Summers), William Ragsdale (Hank), Ripley Sobo (Annie), Richard Poe (Senator Householter)
- E3 Goring Oxes: How You Can Survive the War on Government Through Five Easy StepsJun 27, 2016 · 44 min · ★ 7.8
Synopsis
When a bizarre and deadly incident takes place on live television, Agent Onofrio's investigation into it causes Laurel, Gustav and Rochelle to dig deeper into the bug mystery. Luke attempts to cover up his affair with his Chief of Staff, Scarlett, before his opponent for the minority whip position, Senator Ella Poundstone, can make it public.
Guest stars: Zach Grenier (Dean Healy), Lily Cowles (Germaine Healy), Megan Hilty (Misty Alise), Beth Malone (Claudia Monarch), Paige Patterson (Scarlett Pierce), Nikiya Mathis (Stacie Zara), Stephen Kunken (Matthew Maizen), Glenn Fleshler (FBI Agent Aaron Blades)
- E4 Wake Up Grassroots: The Nine Virtues of Participatory Democracy, and How We Can Keep America Great by Encouraging an Informed ElectorateJul 11, 2016 · 44 min · ★ 7.7
Synopsis
Laurel and Rochelle try to persuade Laurel’s friend Abby to get an MRI so they can uncover the real cause of the strange behavior taking over Washington, D.C. Luke attempts to reopen the government through a secret deal with the Republicans
Guest stars: Jack Dimich (Dr. Lagunov), Megan Hilty (Misty Alise), Beth Malone (Claudia Monarch), Paige Patterson (Scarlett Pierce), Brooke Bloom (Abby Summers), Natalie Gold (Jules Mooser), Michael Esper (Noah Feffer), John Procaccino (Douglas Tabak)
- E5 Back to Work: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Congress and How It Gets Things Done (and Often Doesn't)Jul 24, 2016 · 44 min · ★ 7.1
Synopsis
Laurel asks her brother, Luke, for his help to get the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the bugs, but he insists she first consult Dr. Joanne Alaimo, a leading entomologist, for her perspective on the invasion. Laurel’s relationship with Anthony takes a drastic turn.
Guest stars: Zach Grenier (Dean Healy), Ito Aghayere (Veteran Sheila), Margo Martindale (Dr. Joanne Alaimo), Brandon J. Dirden (Brett Middleton), Wayne Duvall (Senator Andre Amarant), Steve Routman (FDA Commissioner Finn Babin), Jill Abramovitz (Other Republican Senator), Kelli Barrett (Polly Savident)
- E6 Past as Prologue: Notes Toward a Post-Reagan Theory of Party Alliance, Tribalist, and LoyaltyJul 31, 2016 · 44 min · ★ 7.4
Synopsis
When Laurel is infected by the bugs, Gustav and Rochelle work quickly to figure out if there is any way to save her. When the Centers for Disease Control has its funding temporarily cut, Luke attempts to reach a compromise to have the money reinstated, but Red’s political machinations undermine him at every turn.
Guest stars: Megan Hilty (Misty Alise), Nikiya Mathis (Stacie Zara), Natalie Gold (Jules Mooser), Marcus Ho (Dr. Dexter Wu), Wayne Duvall (Senator Andre Amarant), Michael McCormick (Rod Pakula), Gerry Vichi (Gary Brewster), Alana Arenas (Red’s Receptionist)
- E7 The Power of Euphemism: How Torture Became a Matter of Debate in American PoliticsAug 7, 2016 · 44 min · ★ 7.3
Synopsis
Laurel comes under investigation about her potential involvement with the bug infestation. Also, Gustav and Rochelle discover a unique way to communicate with those infected by the bugs.
- E8 The Path to War Part One: The Gathering Political StormAug 14, 2016 · 44 min · ★ 7.3
Synopsis
Rochelle and Gustav capture and question a man they suspect is infected by the bugs. Also, Luke and Red face off in a Senate Intelligence meeting about a potential war.
- E9 Taking on Water: How Leaks in D.C. are Discovered and PatchedAug 21, 2016 · 44 min · ★ 7.2
Synopsis
Senator Red Wheatus hires a special investigator to dig into the Healy family’s financial and personal history. Also, when Gareth learns some sordid details about Laurel’s romantic past, it puts a strain on their budding relationship.
- E10 The Path to War Part Two: The Impact of Propaganda on Congressional War VotesAug 28, 2016 · 42 min · ★ 6.5
Synopsis
Laurel must work alongside an old boyfriend, Ben Valderrama, when Luke enlists her help in putting together a political documentary to support his anti-war initiative. Also, Laurel worries about the health of Luke and Germaine’s baby.
- E11 Six Points on the New Congressional Budget: The False Dichotomy of Austerity vs. Expansionary PoliciesSep 4, 2016 · 44 min · ★ 7.4
Synopsis
Luke and Laurel rush to uncover Red's secret agenda, which is buried in a massive new budget bill. Also, Gareth inadvertently witnesses an unsettling bug encounter in Red's office.
Guest stars: Spencer House (Gary the Intern)
- E12 Talking Points Toward a Wholistic View of Activism in Government: Can the Top Rebel?Sep 11, 2016 · 44 min · ★ 7.1
Synopsis
When Laurel discovers that a senate bill is not what it appears, she implores Luke to help, leading to a dramatic Senate sit-in. Also, Red and Ella battle for control of the bug agenda, and Laurel questions whether or not she should leave Washington, D.C. for good
- E13 The End of All We Hold Dear: What Happens When Democracies Fail: A Brief SynopsisSep 11, 2016 · 44 min · ★ 7.5
Synopsis
Laurel discovers the secret to driving the bugs out of a person's brain and tests the tactic on her father. Armed with new knowledge, Laurel and Gareth attempt to expel the Queen bug out of Red's head once and for all. Laurel and Gareth progress in their romantic relationship.
Guest stars: Spencer House (Gary the Intern)
Cast & crew
Created by Michelle King, Robert King
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Danny Pino
Aaron Tveit
Tony Shalhoub
Nikki M. James
Johnny Ray Gill
Charlie Semine
Jan MaxwellVideos
Featurettes
Images · 14
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Reviews · from TMDB members
avoidparadox2Apr 28, 2025
A surprisingly funny show that I'd never heard of until recently. I can see why it didn't catch on though. The concept of alien bugs taking over American politics is a funny enough concept but they make it a bit more complicated than it needed to be. Plus it came out at the wrong time. American politics changed a lot around when the show came out and in many ways what is presented in the show seems oddly tame today. It's a nice bit of nostalgia though from a simpler time. The… Read more
re's a few really laugh out loud moments too. Tony Shalhoub steals the show. Definitely worth a watch.