Based on A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President by Jeffrey Toobin, this third season of the famous anthology series takes us to the late nineties during the time of Clinton administration. Rather than concentrating on the administration and governance, this season is all about the not-so-private affairs of the heart of then president.

Although the story begins with the allegations and subsequent lawsuit filed by Paula Jones; it subsequently shifts its focus on the infamous Monica Lewinsky scandal. Across all episodes, we witness the starting, continuing and eventually ending of an affair between Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. As the story is told from Monica’s perspective, it’s indeed an insight into such a complicated and tumultuous relationship.

However, it’s not all about the affair with an intern. Rather it’s more like looking a cyber weaving its web around the presidency by using the sordid details and intimate relationships of those women who happened to be victims of the president’s passions. So, it’s not surprising to see many opponents, opposition party leaders, media personnel and even people in judicial branch working almost in unison to reach their final goal of impeachment.

Unfortunately Linda Tripp becomes a key person whose direct actions lead to strengthening of the aforementioned spiderweb. On her part, Linda Tripp is setting the records straight for shutting her out of the White House and sending her on a demotion. So she takes matters in her own hand to fulfil her patriotic duties but ultimately comes out as a villain in the eyes of American people.

We are all too familiar with what happened with all these people who have been portrayed on the screen- before, during and after the impeachment hearing. Hence, what makes it a compelling watch is how this entire saga unravels on the screen just like a giant jigsaw puzzle. We all know how the ending picture should look like but eventually we become familiar with the backstories of all those pieces contributing to it.

So what starts from Paula Jones and ruins lives of other women who have also came forward to raise their voice against the behaviour of the most powerful man in the nation, eventually ends with a fallout arising from an affair with a young intern.

It’s heartbreaking to watch the fall from grace of Paula Jones who came from nowhere and then was pushed to the brink of despair. Then there are other women whose voices get lost in media battles and changing political scenarios. And of course, we have to look at Linda Tripp who suffered both personally as well as professionally on account of her crucial role in speeding up the fall of the executive leadership.

Well, after watching this I gather that only two women survived this massive upheaval in their personal lives and ironically both happened to be connected with Bill Clinton. Of course I am referring to the one whose affectionate relationship made this impeachment process possible i.e. Monica Lewinsky and the other one who managed to chart out a successful political career after such ugly personal fiasco i.e. Hillary Clinton. It’s suffice to say that both of these women have moved far ahead in their individual lives and careers, leaving behind the shadow of that unfortunate incident.

This is highly recommended watch especially for the ensemble cast of the talented women actors.