‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ Ep. 8 Review

Impeachment: American Crime Story is back with a brand new episode this week after yet another fantastic previous episode. The season continues to deliver in its late stages, as it just introduced another key player into the fold. Regarding the quality of the episode though, it was a bit of a letdown in some regards.

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In this episode, titled “Stand by Your Man,” the President must admit the truth to the Nation and to The First Lady. Impeachment: American Crime Story has done a fantastic job in recreating famous moments in American history. This was no exception yet again as it finally touched on Bill Clinton’s infamous “I did not have sex” rant. That, and Edie Falco as Hillary Clinton, were really the only standouts in a pretty average episode.

In what seems to be a common occurrence this season, the eighth episode served as yet another acting clinic. This time, it was Falco’s turn to teach the class. Although heavily teased throughout the season, it took eight episodes for Hillary Clinton to take center stage in the season’s story. She did not disappoint, as Falco’s performance is pretty much the only saving grace of this episode.

The build-up towards her appearance and impact seemed very stagnant at times. It felt like it was going nowhere many times. The portrayal of the cold and meticulous character traits Clinton is known for is in full display here. Every scene keeps viewers glued to Falco’s performance. It isn’t a surprise, seeing as to how Falco is a TV veteran at this point with many iconic roles in her portfolio. The best showcase of her talent came in the dinner scene, where Bill mentions what she had said regarding an ex-boyfriend of her. “If I would’ve married him, he would’ve been the president.” With this line delivery, she cements herself as a standout of the season.

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This episode of Impeachment: American Crime Story is definitely a weak offering overall, but it still manages to be captivating nonetheless. In part, it comes from the great, witty writing that has come consistently throughout the season. Even a moment that may seem to be dull in essence is entertaining due to the sharpness of the dialogue. It’s been a strength of the season and an anchor point for what have been weaker entries so far.

Overall, the eighth episode of Impeachment: American Crime Story took a dip in quality, something that has happened a bit too often. However, Falco’s scenes make the episode worth watching, along with the usual sharp and witty banter. If the season wants to end on a memorable note, it has to deliver some great television and that includes more appearances from Falco. – Kenneth Colon

Rating: 7/10

New episodes of Impeachment: American Crime Story premiere Tuesdays at 10pm/9c on FX.

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