Dirty Sexy Money

Dirty Sexy Money is a high-octane drama series that aired on ABC from 2007 to 2009. The series, primarily set in the energetic landscape of New York City, captivates viewers by offering a thrilling behind-the-scenes peek into the morally complex lives of an unimaginably wealthy New York dynasty, the Darling family. Along with their entanglements, cynicism, and underlying humanity, the program captures the dichotomy of a family that claims to hold traditional values, yet is continuously engaged in scandalous behaviors.

The Darling family is presided over by the patriarch Tripp Darling, portrayed by the esteemed actor Donald Sutherland. Tripp is a billionaire mogul who made his fortune from a myriad of business ventures. This affords him an extravagant lifestyle flanked by his troop of flawed, yet fascinating adult offspring.

Tripp Darling is married to Letitia Darling, played by Jill Clayburgh. She is a regal and sophisticated figure, yet beneath the surface, she is burdened by lavish lifestyle-induced challenges and family secrets she has been carrying for years. Their lives are led in an environment of high luxury that often masks the problems and scandals they face daily.

Their children - Patrick (William Baldwin), Karen (Natalie Zea), Brian (Glenn Fitzgerald), Jeremy (Seth Gabel), and Juliet (Samaire Armstrong) - all lead eventful lives filled with scandals, ranging from love triangles, illegal activities, political dilemmas, and tabloid-exposed shenanigans.

To manage the chaos that invariably emerges from their labyrinthine lives, the Darlings hire Nick George, portrayed convincingly by Peter Krause. Nick assumes the role of the family’s lawyer after his father's mysterious death. His role is one of moral compass and janitor of the Darling family messes, perpetually cleaning up scandals and putting out fires. Despite striving to distance himself from the endless drama, his life is inextricably linked to the Darlings, leading to him becoming an unwilling participant in their illicit escapades.

Adding another layer to the story is Zoe McLellan as Lisa George, Nick’s wife, who struggles with her husband's constant involvement with the Darling estate. Famous Lucy Liu graces the show as Nola Lyons, a cunning, strategic Manhattan District Attorney with ambitions and secrets of her own. Blair Underwood further deepens the dynamics as Simon Elder, a billionaire rival to the Darlings who has his own hidden motivations and connections with the family.

The show does a remarkable job of blending drama, irony, mild humor, and satire to tease a deeper moral conversation about money's corrupting influence. Through a sequence of entangled tales of power plays, mafia ties, political aspirations, infidelity, and unrequited love, Dirty Sexy Money paints an intriguing portrait of ethically ambiguous, filthy rich Americans.

The impeccable performances of the actors give life to a labyrinthine narrative that keeps the audience hooked episode after episode. The Darlings spectacularly embody a mixture of comical, tragic, pitiful moral bankruptcy, asserting that money may buy privilege but not necessarily happiness or virtue.

From its title to its premise, Dirty Sexy Money is an unapologetic exploration of the upper echelons of wealth, the complex politics of privilege, and the intricate family ties that link these deeply flawed yet lovable characters together. By creating a high-stakes environment shaded by greed, power, and family bonds, the show creates an immersive atmosphere that keeps viewers captivated.

In summary, Dirty Sexy Money is a concoction of power, wealth, deceit, and the tangles of high society life. More than a showcase of outrageous lifestyles and scandalous behaviors, it offers an insight into the complicated and fascinating lives of those who live behind the gold-plated doors of society's elite. The two-season journey is a captivating exploration of the phrase ‘money is the root of all evil,’ with the Darlings, Nick George, and the intricate network of relations that form an unmissable, intriguing television viewing experience.