In his classic study, In Defence of Politics, Bernard Crick argued the case for a messy but flexible political discourse underpinned by ethical beliefs. The art of politics maintains both social order and personal freedom, standing guard against those ideologues who seek to pervert the process. One can only wonder what Crick, who died in 2008, would make of American politics today.

Nanette Burstein’s 4-part series, Hillary, screening on SBS On Demand, is a rollicking overview of just how messy politics can get, as seen through the story of one of the most prominent female politicians of our time. Each episode includes part of a long interview with Hillary Rodham Clinton; behind-the-scenes footage of the 2016 Presidential campaign, and a progressive account of a life lived in the public eye.