Writer Tom Rob Smith convinced Richard Gere make his television return since an episode of Kojak he did back in 1976.
Gere was attracted to the Shakespearean elements of his media mogul character Max. Like Citizen Kane he can make or break governments.
Tom Rob Smith has gone for the grotesque, like he did in American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace.
If episode 1 is to go by. This is not going to be a straight psycho drama. I think it will twist into a murder mystery and maybe more.
Max has flown into London because a General Election is due to be called. The Prime Minister wants to see him, Max is disappointed that he has only been offered shortbread biscuits by the PM. Max expected more without the need to ask.
Max's son Cadence (Billy Howle) is troubled. He runs his father's news operations in Britain but he is not Max. Cadence takes copious amounts of cocaine and engages in a weird sex ritual to make up for his shortcomings.
There is a scene where Max explains to a studio director how he wants the chairs to be placed and fixed. He wants the interviewee to be uncomfortable.
The third element is the mother, Kathryn (Helen McCrory) who is Max's ex wife. She spends her time working with the homeless now she is out of the loop of wealth, privilege and power. A tragedy brings her and Max together.
Episode 1 does not get out of the blocks with a bang nor is it a slow burner. It is oddly tilted and strangely compelling. Gere is on top gear.