Good TV shows have a way of capturing politics in a way those talkinghead, news cable shows can only dream about.

Remember how “M*A*S*H” caught the Vietnam War era – even thought the show was about Korea?

Or how about “Buffy,” a high-school girl who had secret, supernatural powers – but couldn’t tell anyone – and how that metaphor spoke to a whole generation of young girls?

Watch closely and you’ll recognize real-life politics in some of the new fall shows this year, too.

Here are dramas about the first female president, a group that looks suspiciously like the Bush administration Pentagon and a gung-ho female prosecutor who some think is reminiscent of Westchester DA Jeanine Pirro.

Of course, the networks swear these shows are purely fiction. So you’ll have to decide that for yourself.

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FAMILIAR FACES

“COMMANDER IN CHIEF” (ABC) TUESDAYS AT 9

Hillary Clinton vs. Geena Davis

With Sen. Hillary Clinton preparing for a run at the White House in 2008, “Commander” seems like it is getting us used to the idea of a woman (in this case, Oscar-winner Geena Davis) as president. OK, so Davis is a reluctant president. There has to be some fiction on TV.

“CLOSE TO HOME” (CBS) TUESDAYS AT 10

Jeanine Pirro vs. Jennifer Finnigan

A starchy prosecutor with a perfect trial record moves back to her hometown to fight injustice. But family life seems to have a way of intefering. On the surface, “it’s a female law drama,” says Mediaweek’s Marc Berman. But we in New York know different.

“E-RING” (NBC) WEDNESDAYS AT 9

Donald Rumsfeld vs. Dennis Hopper

Dennis Hopper stars as a Pentagon colonel – “a take-charge kind of guy who likes to be in control,” Berman says. “And he’s been around a long time.” Remind you of anyone else currently running the Pentagon, Mr. Rumsfeld? The first episodes are apolitical, but you wait.