Show Me a Hero
A six-part miniseries from the creator of The Wire and the director of Crash depicts the true story of a young mayor (Oscar Isaac) whose attempt to fulfill a federal court order to build low-income housing in white neighborhoods tears his city apart.
- Metascore85
- 2015-2015
- 1 season
- HBO
- Drama, Documentary
- TV-MA
A six-part miniseries from the creator of The Wire and the director of Crash depicts the true story of a young mayor (Oscar Isaac) whose attempt to fulfill a federal court order to build low-income housing in white neighborhoods tears his city apart.
Season 1 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2015
Episode 1
Episode #1.1
Sun, Aug 16, 2015 56 mins
It's 1987. The city of Yonkers, NY (pop. 200,000) has been sued by the NAACP because it has no (zero) public housing. This is because Yonkers' elected officials are obedient to the majority of voters who fear that public housing will attract swarms of Black and Latino Sec. 8 tenants who will "leech" off Yonkers' property-tax-payers. The federal courts have already decided in favor of the NAACP. But after 7 years, Yonkers has failed to submit a Housing Plan to demonstrate compliance with the ruling that Yonkers build 200 units of public housing. In fact, it has filed an appeal. While awaiting the decision on the Appeal, the Mayor is up for reelection. Several of the City Council members run the newest (and at 27 years old, the youngest) Council member against the popular six-term incumbent Mayor Angelo Martinelli (played by Jim Belushi). Nick Wasicsko launches his mayoral campaign during the heated City Council meetings -- protests -- which are attended by over-flow crowds. Despite being heavily policed, the crowds are so unruly they have to suspend the council meetings. In this political climate, Wasicsko runs his campaign, benefitting greatly from the political fall-out. Meanwhile, the Judge-ordered housing consultant for the City has the brilliant idea of building scattered site housing -- to lessen the housing's impact on any one single neighborhood (i.e., election district).
Episode 2
Episode #1.2
Sun, Aug 16, 2015 58 mins
All hell breaks loose as the Yonkers mayor and City Council are given an ultimatum by a federal judge weary of further delay. Meanwhile, public housing residents trapped in the deteriorating projects of West Yonkers watch and wait as the white residents of East Yonkers make clear just how opposed they are.
Episode 3
Episode #1.3
Sun, Aug 23, 2015 57 mins
Mayor Wasicsko finally achieves some consensus and rams through a housing plan with a tough vote, and housing officials finally begin to plan to build the new town-homes. But even as they do, the political costs to Wasicsko become apparent.
Episode 4
Episode #1.4
Sun, Aug 23, 2015 58 mins
Spallone proves to be a much tougher opponent than Nick expected, Carmen makes plans for the future, Billie faces a crisis, and Doreen's life begins to spiral out of control.
Episode 5
Episode #1.5
Sun, Aug 30, 2015 58 mins
In 1991, Nick plots his next political move. Meanwhile, Mary learns about the other side of the housing argument, and Doreen plans to give something back to the community.
Episode 6
Episode #1.6
Sun, Aug 30, 2015 71 mins
A comprehensive orientation process awaits the incoming residents, and many have second thoughts about moving into neighborhoods that don't welcome them. At the same time, Mary Dorman, long a vocal opponent of the housing, is recruited to serve the incoming residents in a way that even she finds startling. Meanwhile, Nick Wasicko begins the long road back to political viability even as the residents take possession of their new town-homes. But in the end, a second act for the wounded young politician proves elusive.
