Best episode of the season. The writing is top-notch with powerful tension and complications between relationships. Almost felt like a bottle episode with one small set being used for most of the episode, but the acting and dialogue kept the interest alive for sure. Awesome stuff.
11 Reviews
What they did to Monica was an outrage
Piedradura13 October 2021
Ken Starr is a fascist masquerading as a pious do-gooder. The abuse of power for political purposes that he unleashed to coerce Monica into testifying is a sobering reminder of what is to come if we allow these people take power again. Whether she blew Clinton or not is irrelevant. She was an innocent who became a pawn in a game about which she knew nothing.
Linda Tripp was beneath contempt. Another evil person masquerading as a moral crusader. The betrayal she perpetrated against Monica was Greek tragedy-level. Beany Feldstein did a great job of conveying the hurt that Monica felt at her friend's betrayal.
Colin Hanks did a nice job as the FBI agent who obviously was torn between doing his job and empathizing with a terrified and hurting young woman. The scene where her father's lawyer unleashed a stream of profanities at him was terrific.
Linda Tripp was beneath contempt. Another evil person masquerading as a moral crusader. The betrayal she perpetrated against Monica was Greek tragedy-level. Beany Feldstein did a great job of conveying the hurt that Monica felt at her friend's betrayal.
Colin Hanks did a nice job as the FBI agent who obviously was torn between doing his job and empathizing with a terrified and hurting young woman. The scene where her father's lawyer unleashed a stream of profanities at him was terrific.
Sick of This, But Engrossed
caramia200213 October 2021
The Versace season was what you'd expect from network TV. Melodramatic, padded, etc. But the Impeachment season, so far (Ep 6 just aired) is a huge improvement. Everything is better, from the direction to the casting to the writing. Except for the dark grading or poor lighting direction. And I watched in HD.
Ep 6 made me very emotional. I lived through this mess and was very informed, even read much of Ken Starr's report. And even though I was very sick to death of this whole mess, I find this season engaging. I was disgusted with Clinton, although being a fan then, at least of his epic campaign and political skills. But I was more disgusted with Ken Starr's report and his obsession to "get" Clinton. When he couldn't prosecute Whitewater, he just kept going to the lowest common denominator. Making blow jobs, etc, something the country now freely talks about, that little kids heard all over TV. That tells me that Ken Starr's office and the GOP operatives didn't give a cold damn about this country, or their so-called "family values", but only their ambitions. Just like Trump, Clinton was a known philanderer WAY before he was elected. Many women came out during the campaign, but no one cared. A scathing book by Anonymous came out, with damning accusations, but no one cared and he was elected anyway. Just like Trump. MeToo didn't phase Trump or his faction of the party, like it wouldn't have phased Clinton now. Trump is probably too smart to use someone like Monica, et al, or we would have had the same deal. And too smart for the quid pro quo.
As far as the lying part goes, that he and Monica never had "sex", well, in my personal definition, just like Clinton's, they didn't. In the early 70s, as a teen and young woman, I claimed to be a Christian virgin, as did many (and do now, I know some), but I think my fiance and I put Bill and Monica to shame as to our activities. "Anything but..." But we NEVER had sex during that time lol.
They ALL destroyed a young woman's life, at least in the shorter term. Glad that she's come out somewhat on top by now, but I'm sure she would rather have had a normal life, able to date freely, work freely, socialize freely, just BE free. They took all of that from her. Who was going to hire her, date her, marry her, befriend her? Clinton used her, as many men use women, young and naive or not, to get sexual favors. Not really news. It happened to me many times, and from slicker than Bill. It's always been the norm! I thought at the time that Linda Tripp was the lowest form of life on the planet and still do. She is portrayed so well here, just as I remember her.
IF this was a coup attempt, as the Anne Coulter character says (I never heard that then, not sure about it), then there are few depths some in the GOP won't sink to to take lawful power from the elected.
Anyway, the characters are all exactly as I remember, although some of them may be a media stereotype. But I'm trusting Monica as a producer, to approve of the characterizations. Plus I heard about many of these exchanges and characterizations, later if not sooner (everyone wrote a book or talked to Diane Sawyer!). And Paula Jones *was* a dumb redneck, another naive woman Clinton used, then was used by the other side, styled, coached, and put under the knife to be more credible/hot (why does attractive mean more credible?).
Anne Coulter really is this reprehensible (just watch the innumerable clips of her), another butt skirted, bleach blonde bimbo operative of the GOP. Like she never went under a desk in her rise to pundit and presidential advisor/excuser? And, esp at the time of this scandal, congress was still considering female staffers free game. How many of those hypocrites who voted to impeach or backed Starr, had done the same or worse, in government offices, on govvy planes, in govvy hotel rooms, on govvy confabs on exotic islands?
The Bill Clinton portrayal is not so good, but so far, he's not in it much. I don't see the wisdom in Clive Owen as Clinton. I think Monica truly was a very, very sheltered, lonely, naive young woman (perfect prey for Clinton), used and abused by everyone (bears saying again). But Clinton, bright as he was, didn't count on the power of a crush/love of such a girl and she didn't have strong female attorneys backing her up like the other high profile accusers. I have always figured that the FBI and Starr abused her worse than Clinton EVER did (after all, Monica thought they were expressing love). I would normally not say that, being someone who had too many MeToo moments (and much worse than this), but this is exactly why women (including me) don't like to report rape, sexual assault or harassment. No one believes you, it's too public, and the cost is too high. At that time, we hadn't progressed beyond that. Not so sure we have improved much now, even with MeToo.
This series, just like the real life scandal, shows some of the very worst of our country and the dark levels it has failed up to. It is not hard to see a path from this to our own times and division. Talk about division! I remember my office, when Starr's report came out, and how polarized everyone was. Most against Clinton and Monica ("stupid bimbo"), esp men. I was thoroughly disgusted by Clinton, but at the same time saw it all as one giant hypocrisy whose time had passed before the election. I sadly admit that I voted for Clinton, even in the face of everything that was known (and also his re-election), but I'm more sad that he turned out to be a damaging, deregulating, overly centrist Democrat than I am that he had a consensual happy ending in the Oval Office and was the 4 billionth man in history to string a woman/girl along for sex or abuse his position for sex. If people put as much time into actual politics and activism as they did into Monica, we'd have a much better country today. And I hope that's the lesson taken from this and the OJ story. But I doubt it, as people continue to watch the Jenner/Kardashians' latest reality show, and cling on their every insipid word in social media...
Ep 6 made me very emotional. I lived through this mess and was very informed, even read much of Ken Starr's report. And even though I was very sick to death of this whole mess, I find this season engaging. I was disgusted with Clinton, although being a fan then, at least of his epic campaign and political skills. But I was more disgusted with Ken Starr's report and his obsession to "get" Clinton. When he couldn't prosecute Whitewater, he just kept going to the lowest common denominator. Making blow jobs, etc, something the country now freely talks about, that little kids heard all over TV. That tells me that Ken Starr's office and the GOP operatives didn't give a cold damn about this country, or their so-called "family values", but only their ambitions. Just like Trump, Clinton was a known philanderer WAY before he was elected. Many women came out during the campaign, but no one cared. A scathing book by Anonymous came out, with damning accusations, but no one cared and he was elected anyway. Just like Trump. MeToo didn't phase Trump or his faction of the party, like it wouldn't have phased Clinton now. Trump is probably too smart to use someone like Monica, et al, or we would have had the same deal. And too smart for the quid pro quo.
As far as the lying part goes, that he and Monica never had "sex", well, in my personal definition, just like Clinton's, they didn't. In the early 70s, as a teen and young woman, I claimed to be a Christian virgin, as did many (and do now, I know some), but I think my fiance and I put Bill and Monica to shame as to our activities. "Anything but..." But we NEVER had sex during that time lol.
They ALL destroyed a young woman's life, at least in the shorter term. Glad that she's come out somewhat on top by now, but I'm sure she would rather have had a normal life, able to date freely, work freely, socialize freely, just BE free. They took all of that from her. Who was going to hire her, date her, marry her, befriend her? Clinton used her, as many men use women, young and naive or not, to get sexual favors. Not really news. It happened to me many times, and from slicker than Bill. It's always been the norm! I thought at the time that Linda Tripp was the lowest form of life on the planet and still do. She is portrayed so well here, just as I remember her.
IF this was a coup attempt, as the Anne Coulter character says (I never heard that then, not sure about it), then there are few depths some in the GOP won't sink to to take lawful power from the elected.
Anyway, the characters are all exactly as I remember, although some of them may be a media stereotype. But I'm trusting Monica as a producer, to approve of the characterizations. Plus I heard about many of these exchanges and characterizations, later if not sooner (everyone wrote a book or talked to Diane Sawyer!). And Paula Jones *was* a dumb redneck, another naive woman Clinton used, then was used by the other side, styled, coached, and put under the knife to be more credible/hot (why does attractive mean more credible?).
Anne Coulter really is this reprehensible (just watch the innumerable clips of her), another butt skirted, bleach blonde bimbo operative of the GOP. Like she never went under a desk in her rise to pundit and presidential advisor/excuser? And, esp at the time of this scandal, congress was still considering female staffers free game. How many of those hypocrites who voted to impeach or backed Starr, had done the same or worse, in government offices, on govvy planes, in govvy hotel rooms, on govvy confabs on exotic islands?
The Bill Clinton portrayal is not so good, but so far, he's not in it much. I don't see the wisdom in Clive Owen as Clinton. I think Monica truly was a very, very sheltered, lonely, naive young woman (perfect prey for Clinton), used and abused by everyone (bears saying again). But Clinton, bright as he was, didn't count on the power of a crush/love of such a girl and she didn't have strong female attorneys backing her up like the other high profile accusers. I have always figured that the FBI and Starr abused her worse than Clinton EVER did (after all, Monica thought they were expressing love). I would normally not say that, being someone who had too many MeToo moments (and much worse than this), but this is exactly why women (including me) don't like to report rape, sexual assault or harassment. No one believes you, it's too public, and the cost is too high. At that time, we hadn't progressed beyond that. Not so sure we have improved much now, even with MeToo.
This series, just like the real life scandal, shows some of the very worst of our country and the dark levels it has failed up to. It is not hard to see a path from this to our own times and division. Talk about division! I remember my office, when Starr's report came out, and how polarized everyone was. Most against Clinton and Monica ("stupid bimbo"), esp men. I was thoroughly disgusted by Clinton, but at the same time saw it all as one giant hypocrisy whose time had passed before the election. I sadly admit that I voted for Clinton, even in the face of everything that was known (and also his re-election), but I'm more sad that he turned out to be a damaging, deregulating, overly centrist Democrat than I am that he had a consensual happy ending in the Oval Office and was the 4 billionth man in history to string a woman/girl along for sex or abuse his position for sex. If people put as much time into actual politics and activism as they did into Monica, we'd have a much better country today. And I hope that's the lesson taken from this and the OJ story. But I doubt it, as people continue to watch the Jenner/Kardashians' latest reality show, and cling on their every insipid word in social media...
WOW
mls418213 October 2021
It is hard to improve upon the post made by Pietrurra, but I will add my two cents anyway.
I think it is good for the public to see this story. The double standards for women, the unhappiness caused all around by infidelity, the filth of politics, etc. Our president should be held to high standards, but those going after Clinton weren't worried about the dignity of the office or morality. They were completely self serving. It was painful seeing a young lady ganged up on and mercilessly intimidated.
Thank goodness for the needed bits of comic relief. "It's a dammned Ritz Carlton! Of course they gave a fax machine!"
I think it is good for the public to see this story. The double standards for women, the unhappiness caused all around by infidelity, the filth of politics, etc. Our president should be held to high standards, but those going after Clinton weren't worried about the dignity of the office or morality. They were completely self serving. It was painful seeing a young lady ganged up on and mercilessly intimidated.
Thank goodness for the needed bits of comic relief. "It's a dammned Ritz Carlton! Of course they gave a fax machine!"
No matter what they tell you, call your lawyer!
evening121 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode has poor Monica held hostage at a DC hotel by a dozen men in black, half of them seemingly good cops and the others foaming at the mouth.
Their communications have not left it clear to Monica that she has an inalienable right to an attorney, so she white-knuckles it for 12 grueling hours until her mother arrives by train from New York. Mom favors cutting a deal, and bars Monica from tipping off the Clinton team. Monica fleetingly considers suicide or running off to Canada.
Her apprehension in the Pentagon City food court has at last revealed Monica's betrayal at the hands of Linda Tripp.
"Linda, what did you do?" she screams, once cornered at the Ritz Carlton and told she could face a generation in jail.
"I'll never have kids," she realizes. "No one will want to marry me."
"It's only 28 years if you face it without us," Monica's assured. "We are on your side."
The viewer bites her lip and feels Monica's pain.
Their communications have not left it clear to Monica that she has an inalienable right to an attorney, so she white-knuckles it for 12 grueling hours until her mother arrives by train from New York. Mom favors cutting a deal, and bars Monica from tipping off the Clinton team. Monica fleetingly considers suicide or running off to Canada.
Her apprehension in the Pentagon City food court has at last revealed Monica's betrayal at the hands of Linda Tripp.
"Linda, what did you do?" she screams, once cornered at the Ritz Carlton and told she could face a generation in jail.
"I'll never have kids," she realizes. "No one will want to marry me."
"It's only 28 years if you face it without us," Monica's assured. "We are on your side."
The viewer bites her lip and feels Monica's pain.
The Grilling and holding hostage of Monica!
blanbrn21 October 2021
This episode 6 of season 3 of "American Crime Story: Impeachment" called " Man Handled" is one tense one filled with drama and high tension of doubt, struggle, and worry. Here the federal government, FBI, and office of the independent counsel finally get around to question Monica, with much of the info provided from Linda Tripp. As it's a cat and mouse game of wanting Monica to admit to her affair, only she wants a plea bargain and yet the feds want it their way. So Monica gets mommy and daddy to hire a lawyer to help get her out of it. Still the episode is filled with high drama especially the questioning scenes with Monica as she was held in a D. C. hotel room for over 12 hours! Another great super episode of the series as the acting of the cast and the direction make it so believable!
Bottle episode.
fede448813 October 2021
One hour of Monica crying and begging to make phone calls. She's old enough to know what she was getting into and who she was dealing with. She was no teenager.
Her lawyer's bluntness was a much needed breath of fresh air.
Her lawyer's bluntness was a much needed breath of fresh air.
Great episode
allysondiane23 March 2022
Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky are both garbage people. Anyone who feels bad for any of the two are blind. Monica and Bill already had a pattern of doing things like this...both her and Clinton should have faced jail time.
Man Handled
Prismark101 January 2022
Obviously the title of the episode Man Handled signifies how Monica Lewinsky was treated by Kenneth Starr's cronies.
The episode goes back to how the series started. Monica is held by Starr's goon who tell Monica is in real trouble and tell her that she will go to jail for a long time.
They offer her a plea bargain but she needs to be wired up when she talks to Clinton and others.
This was a way for Starr to bring the President down.
The episode works better as a black comedy. Of course Monica is frightened as she realises the depth of Linda Tripp's betrayal.
The so called feds not allowing Monica to call a lawyer, telling her rights. She could had walked out of the room at any time. When she is allowed to call a lawyer, they make sure that it is after office hours.
There are too many scenes of Monica crying, acting confused. Maybe her dad's lawyer should had talked to the feds much earlier. Ginsberg sweary rant was a much needed tonic.
The episode goes back to how the series started. Monica is held by Starr's goon who tell Monica is in real trouble and tell her that she will go to jail for a long time.
They offer her a plea bargain but she needs to be wired up when she talks to Clinton and others.
This was a way for Starr to bring the President down.
The episode works better as a black comedy. Of course Monica is frightened as she realises the depth of Linda Tripp's betrayal.
The so called feds not allowing Monica to call a lawyer, telling her rights. She could had walked out of the room at any time. When she is allowed to call a lawyer, they make sure that it is after office hours.
There are too many scenes of Monica crying, acting confused. Maybe her dad's lawyer should had talked to the feds much earlier. Ginsberg sweary rant was a much needed tonic.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
