TV Review - Ambitions vs. Pearson

There are two new TV shows that premiered this summer that have a few similarities and bear some comparisons. Both star and feature women of color in leading roles and both involve almost the same story line. First off, it's good that both series exist. Having even more shows about  black women or women of color as the center and focus is a net good. That being said, I do think one series is better and deserves more attention or possibly even awards consideration. It certainly deserves better ratings. Ambitions began on June 18. Pearson began a month later on July 17. Ambitions received over a million viewers on average. Pearson received only half that, so it's perhaps in more danger, which is a shame, because it's miles above what it should be getting.

Ambitions focuses on the wife of the Mayor of Atlanta named Stephanie Lancaster, played by Robin Givens. She's a business woman who is in the middle of an issue involving gentrification. A real estate developer who is white tries to remove residents or even shop-owners who are black from where they live. The racial dynamic isn't as big of an issue though, but it's a strong undercurrent. It provides a bit, if not quite a bit of insight into the politics of a city. Of course, it's all laced with sexual intrigue and the presence of a criminal underbelly. The Mayor is having an affair and is linked to law-breakers looking for power. His wife is trying to be the puppet-master and pull the strings.

Pearson is essentially the same. It focuses on the female fixer for the Mayor of Chicago. The fixer is Jessica Pearson, played by Gina Torres. She's a former lawyer who is also in the middle of an issue involving gentrification. A real estate developer who isn't black is trying to remove residents of a property who are black. The racial dynamic is played up here more. It also provides insight into the politics of a city, laced with sexual intrigue and the criminal underbelly. The Mayor here is also having an affair and is linked to law-breakers. Jessica is herself trying to be the puppet-master and pull the strings but in a more honorable way.

The difference is that Jessica is more a hero, whereas Stephanie is an anti-hero. Both are complicated and nuanced women. The tone though for each series is its own. Ambitions is more of a soap opera in the vein of Dallas (1978) or Melrose Place (1992). Pearson is more a political drama in the vein of The Good Wife (2009) or House of Cards (2013), minus any problematic actors. A lot of it comes down to personal taste and which tone the viewer prefers. I enjoy both tones and types, but it's not just the tone. The writing, acting and direction for Pearson is incredibly better. The pacing for Pearson is also better, as the first, seven episodes have hooked me more than the first, eleven of Ambitions.

Like with most soap operas, Ambitions leans on the sexual intrigue and sexual backstabbing where the whole thing is really about who's sleeping with whom. This is of course not a bad thing. I just think it's imbalanced. The sexual intrigue isn't all that the show is. As mentioned, the gentrification and socioeconomic dynamics within black culture and identity are also a part of the show. It's not as large or as engaging a part. Ambitions leans into the campy and ridiculous, the melodrama as it were. As a result, it doesn't have the same emotional weight.

Like with good, political dramas, Pearson weaves a twisty plot that exposes the darker side of humanity, while also tapping into the graceful side as well. It's not just about yanking the audience up-and-down or back-and-forth. It's not simply trying to be shocking or titillating as the first step. It's smarter and more compassionate. I've certainly been taken in more by the performances here. Torres stars, again, as Jessica Pearson, a character that originated in the series Suits, now made famous due to Meghan Markle's role on it. Jessica was a lawyer. Now, she's the fixer for the Chicago mayor, helping him to forward his agenda and avoid scandal.

Morgan Spector (Homeland and Boardwalk Empire) co-stars as Bobby Novak, the mayor of Chicago, a Rahm Emanuel-type. Simon Kassiandes (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) also co-stars as Nick D'Amato, the brother to Bobby, a man who used to be on the police force. Bethany Joy Lenz (Colony and One Tree Hill) also co-stars as Keri Allen, the city attorney and mistress to the mayor. Chantel Riley plays Angela Cook, the sister to Jessica. Eli Goree plays Derrick Mayes, the press secretary to the mayor. Isabel Arraiza plays Yoli Castillo, the assistant to Jessica. All of them are really good in their own ways and the writing provides space for them to shine. It truly is my favorite show of the summer 2019.

It's not to say that Givens isn't awesome in her own ways. She leads a cast of great actors, including Essence Atkins, Brian J. White, Kendrick Cross, Brely Evans, Erica Page and Gino Anthony Pesi. They deserve a shoot-out. I am a particular fan of Brian White and Gino Pesi, but Pearson really gets my vote.

Ambitions.
Rated TV-14.
Running Time: 1 hr.
Tuesdays at 10PM on OWN.

Pearson.
Rated TV-14.
Running Time: 1 hr.
Wednesdays at 10PM on USA.