“Show me a hero and I’ll write you a tragedy.”  When F. Scott Fitzgerald penned these words, he certainly was not thinking about the Mayor of Yonkers, New York.  Yet, no quote is more fitting to describe the life of Nick Wasicsko and the other characters portrayed in the new HBO miniseries “Show Me a Hero.”

“Show Me a Hero” begins in 1987, with a federal judge ordering the City of Yonkers to build new units of low-income public housing in white neighborhoods, much to the dismay of the majority of Yonkers’ working class white residents.  When the housing dispute first arises, Nick Wasicsko is a young and ambitious city council member.  Wasicsko is recruited by Democratic Party elders to run against the long-time mayor on the platform of fighting the court order.  The anger in Yonkers sweeps Wasicsko into office, and at age 28, he is now the youngest mayor of a major American city.  However, soon after the election, Yonkers is held in contempt of court for failure to comply with the order, and faces monetary sanctions that will bankrupt the city in short order.  When Wasicsko realizes that compliance is his only option, he embraces the public housing.  From that point on, Wasicsko is vilified by the people of Yonkers and must work to save not only his public housing plan, but also his political career.  Ultimately, Nick pays an existential price for his short-lived political success.
This riveting and true story is impeccably well made and acted.  “Show Me a Hero” is based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Lisa Belkin, adapted to the screen with the help from the writers of HBO’s wildly successful dramas “The Wire” and “Treme.”  Two-time Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis crafts the story into a six-part miniseries.  The masterful script and creative vision for the show elevate it to a level rarely seen on television.

Replete with a talented cast, the show is an immersive look at a volatile time in relatively recent history.  Oscar Isaac portrays the deeply troubled Wasicsko.  Isaac gained critical acclaim for his stellar performance in the terribly underappreciated 2014 film “A Most Violent Year.”  Isaac strikes a perfect balance between the raw ambition and courage that shape Wasicsko.  Support from actors LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Alfred Molina and Winona Ryder enhance the powerful story.  While the focus is on Wasicsko, enough time is given to the supporting characters to allow them to develop in a meaningful way.
“Show Me a Hero” is an unflinching portrayal of the political and personal agendas at work, and the imprint they leave on the lives of its characters.  While the show centers on Wasicsko, it also delves into different characters who are impacted by the public housing fight.  From various tenants of public housing to the most passionate protestors of the new housing, no voice is left unheard.  The show works on many levels, from the factually informative about urban planning, i.e., how low density, single family housing units are preferable to high-density multifamily units, to the socio-economic implications of public housing.  An interesting dimension is how most of the legal residents of public housing in Yonkers are single black and Hispanic women with children.  Young males are generally portrayed as a transient and criminal element for lack of other opportunities.
Any preconceived opinions that the viewer might have are fully challenged.  For example, one character who truly undergoes a hero’s journey is that of Mary Dorman, played beautifully by actress Catherine Keener.  Dorman is a middle-aged Yonkers resident who is active in the protests against the housing plans.  However, once she meets in person the residents who will occupy the new subsidized townhouse units, she is able to relate to them as women who simply want a safe place to raise their children.  While other shows might be tempted to put a positive spin on the debate or even promote a political agenda, “Show Me a Hero” remains balanced and informative.  As the show makes clear, answers to such difficult problems are complex and often messy.

“Show Me a Hero” is a prime example of how thought-provoking television can also be fascinating and enjoyable when done right.  HBO should be applauded for mining such powerful stories and telling them with craftsmanship. Unfortunately, HBO did not invest in marketing this gem, so “Show Me a Hero” is likely destined to be a little watched masterpiece.  Embrace these heroes now before they disappear.