Starz’s new six-part period drama Gaslit is trying to show a new angle on the Watergate scandal by focusing on Martha Mitchell, the “mouth of the south” and the wife of Richard Nixon’s attorney general, John Mitchell. And thus far it’s doing a great job! In my spoiler-free review I explained how, despite checking a number of boxes for insufferably performative “prestige” TV, Gaslit never sacrifices sheer watchability. It’s already creating a lot of buzz online, at least in part thanks to its buzz-worthy all-star cast and whatever it is they’ve coated Sean Penn in, so interest should be pretty high by the time Gaslit season 1, episode 2 rolls around next week. Here’s where we are:
- Members of Nixon’s administration, as part of The Committee for the Re-election of the President, or CRP (or CREEP) drew up plans to spy on the Democrats, with particularly enthusiastic suggestions given by Shea Whigham’s insane version of G Gordon Liddy.
- John Dean, a White House counsel, finds himself embroiled in the above, mostly as a way to get close to Nixon. In the meantime, he also begins a relationship with Mo, a woman he meets through a dating app.
- Elsewhere, Martha Mitchell’s relationship with her husband is rapidly deteriorating because all of his attention is going to Nixon and she can’t stop making headlines by talking to the press. Towards the end of the episode, we see her begin to get wind of the plans that are being cooked up.
- The very end of the episode hints at the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Washington, D.C. Watergate Office Building being imminent.
Gaslit season 1, episode 2 release date
“California” is slated for release on May 1, 2022, exclusively on Starz. It’ll be the second of a planned eight episodes. Here’s the full schedule:
Gaslit season 1, episode 1, “Will”, aired on April 24, 2022.
Gaslit season 1, episode 2, “California”, will air on May 1, 2022.
Gaslit season 1, episode 3, “King George”, will air on May 8, 2022.
Gaslit season 1, episode 4, “Malum in se”, will air on May 15, 2022.
Gaslit season 1, episode 5, “Honeymoon”, will air on May 22, 2022.
Gaslit season 1, episode 6, “Tuffy”, will air on May 29, 2022.
Gaslit season 1, episode 7, “Year of the Rat”, will air on June 5, 2022.
Gaslit season 1, episode 8, “Final Days”, will air on June 12, 2022.
Where to watch Gaslit online
As mentioned above, Gaslit airs on TV and online exclusively through Starz, which can be added to existing services such as Hulu and Amazon Prime for an additional fee.
Does Gaslit have a trailer?
Yes! And here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ-uyTbsWJw
Preview and predictions for “California”:
The episode’s official synopsis is as follows:
Martha and John rekindle their love and their power-couple working relationship at a campaign event in California, overshadowed by G. Gordon Liddy and his team bungling the break-in at the Watergate.
And here’s a video preview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4vRQjspbY0&ab_channel=STARZPLAYUnitedKingdom
- From the above, it seems pretty obvious that the Watergate break-in is going to take place next episode, and its repercussions will be immediately felt.
- There’s no mention of John Dean above, but one assumes he’ll be close by, probably trying to figure out how to keep his involvement from Mo.
