S02E17: The Stackhouse Filibuster

...or to give it my alternate title, A Tale of Three Letters (see how I shoehorned in a Dickens reference as a nod to Stackhouse there?).

While the backbone of the episode is the eponymous filibuster, there's still plenty of other things going on. Cat goddesses, Winifred Hooper, French haute cuisine and the unusual behaviour of John Hoynes all figure too, if only for a few minutes at a time.

The thing I really like about using the plot device of characters writing letters is that it allows you to throw in a huge amount of exposition without feeling like you're being hit over the head with it, and said exposition can be run over footage of stuff actually happening as opposed to filming a load of people sat round a table talking. As a result the running time absolutely flies by, and the various sub-plots weave in and out of each other almost seamlessly. The plotting is so dense it almost feels like a TV movie as opposed to a 45 minute show.

If there's a compliment that I give the show more than any other it's that it's endlessly rewatchable, and this episode is a prime example of that. There isn't a single plot point that takes me by surprise; I know CJ's going to put the cat together with crazy glue, I know why John Hoynes is giving big oil a beating, I know they're going to bring in Senators to ensure the filibuster is successful and I even know the name of the intern who's going to suggest Sam come to her for a job before she says it. None of that matters. When the writing is as assured as it is here and when the performances are as skilled it's simply a joy to watch. There was no way this episode could reach the dizzying heights of the previous one, but it gives it a remarkably good try.

Random observations:

If there's any sequence that may have given the indication Martin Sheen was leaving the show it was the series of clips in the "Previously on The West Wing" segment for this episode.

The main Sorkin regurgitation in this episode is the style of telling a story using the "letter to family member" plot device. He'd previously used it in the Sports Night episode Dear Louise. A lesser one is Sorkin's obsession with dangling modifiers which he mentions all the time, and in this episode manifests itself in a comment from Josh while he's farming out jobs in his office.

Why is it that every time we see Hoynes talking to the press as a West Wing staffer goes to see him he always signs off with a really awful joke?

If Sam's favourite non-fiction writer is Toby and his favourite fiction writer is Dickens then either he just isn't reading enough or he has dreadful taste (though it appears Winifred Hooper sets the bar even lower).

The comment from CJ about confiding in someone with a criminal mind equal to her own followed by a jump cut to a walk and talk between her and Donna is brilliant.

Does anyone else have any idea why Stackhouse would have a Norwegian flag in his office? I'd have quite liked it to have been a Dutch one as a foreshadowing of the filibuster.

I can suspend disbelief as well as the next guy, but I draw the line at Leo not understanding the idea Donna floated in order to give Stackhouse a breather.

The conversation between Toby and Hoynes towards the end of the episode is wonderfully done and sets things up beautifully for the next episode.

Is this the first time we find out CJ's first name is Claudia? My memory's failing me.

EDIT: Forgot to mention Gail, who has a cat in her bowl, in reference to the statue CJ broke.

Episode grade: A+

So what did you all think?

S02E16: Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail

After the disaster that was Ellie, we immediately afterwards get one of the best episodes of the season. I always love big block of cheese shows and this is easily my favourite. In addition to the real emotional strength of the episode we also have my favourite oddball appeal of the entire show.

It turns out that Sam's block of cheese person is the most intriguing (and has the most emotional resonance given what Sam's been going through). It gets really interesting when we find out that Daniel Gault has been something of a project for Sam, dating back to his college days. I love the way Sorkin pulls us into the story here. He sets the scene with a sympathetic figure (the granddaughter) and follows it up with another one (the dying son). Sam's a pretty switched on guy, so the fact he wrote 23 pages of his thesis defending him means he has to be a good guy, right? The somewhat slippery performance of the FBI agent doesn't give us doubts, but when Nancy McNally wants to see him the brakes come on. As the whole story is relayed to him and he actually sees the file confirming it, another little piece of Sam dies (the last time was when he offered Laurie $10,000 not to go home with her john). In some ways this time things are even worse - he can't do anything about his father's infidelity so he was determined to do something to help this wrongly-accused father, only to find out his failings were even worse, and over just as long a period.

Toby's group of nutters are protesters, who he wouldn't be happy to meet at the best of times, but the fact that in his opinion they're useless at protesting makes it even worse. At one point he even gives tips on doing a better job to their ringleader, something we know he'd only do if he knew for a fact that he had they hopelessly outmatched. There was a really lovely moment for me during this sequence where Toby gives a mini speech writing lesson. "We did repetition, we did floating opposites, and now we end with the one that's not like the others: Free trade stops wars!" As someone who's done a fair bit of public speaking I've never forgotten that sentence. Speeches shouldn't just inform, they should move people, and in seven years of listening to some stunning speeches in this show, what Toby said there was hands down the best piece of public speaking advice I ever picked up from it.

As interesting as both of these are, my favourite ever block of cheese appeal simply has to go to the Cartographers for Social Equality. As they pile reason upon reason why the Mercator map is awful they just sucked me in, and when CJ and Josh lean in to look at the (let's be frank here, bizarre) Peters Projection Map they were only mirroring what I was doing sat in my armchair at home. They almost had me, then they flipped the map upside down and I was out. Even so, thanks to this episode my absolute favourite map of the World even now is the Peters Projection map (even though it means my favourite web comic hates me: http://xkcd.com/977/ ).

You know why this episode is so great? You can watch it a dozen times and never get bored. If you get to the end of it and someone you're with says "Wanna watch it again" you're not adverse to the idea. Even though the only thing that connects the various sub-plots is that block of cheese, they still fit together perfectly, giving every main character a moment to shine. In one sentence it's heart breaking and in the next it's laugh out loud funny. There is literally (Chris Traeger alert) nothing I would change about this episode because I can't think of a way it could be improved; even Jed's unease is a wonderful piece of foreshadowing. This episode is as efficient as it is beautiful, and for that reason probably my favourite one of season two.

Random observations:

In this episode we get probably the first great example of music used to set the tone in The West Wing (I'm not including any specifically composed stuff here), and it also gives us the episode title. Talking of that, Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail is the longest episode title in the show's seven year run.

Margaret's shake of the head as Leo states she spent a great deal of time assigning the crazies quickly followed up with a nod as he turns his head is comedy gold.

The main Cartographer for Social Equality is better known as Dr. Phlox from Enterprise.

Sam's rant on the staircase where he quotes Lincoln is stunning, simply stunning.

After the emotional intensity of Sam's plot to have the nous to finish it with the latitude/longitude crack is brilliant.

Loads of Sorkin crossover stuff can be found in this episode:

(1) Leo goes on about the dreadful traffic on DuPont Circle, which is lifted straight from The American President.

(2) It turns out Sam's father has been having an affair for the past 28 years. This is ridiculously similar to the plotline in Sports Night where Jeremy's father has been having an affair for 27 years (seriously, even if you're not a Sports Night fan, go and watch the episode The Sword of Orion, because even the coping mechanism the two men employ is pretty similar).

(3) Special Agent Casper is Sports Night's saviour in the final two episodes of that show.

(4) When Sam says "This girl's going to find out who her father was" and Donna corrects him with "Sam, you meant grandfather" is reminiscent of an exchange in The American President where Michael Douglas says "She deserves a chance" and Michael J. Fox corrects him with "You mean it deserves a chance; the legislation". Both times the person is being reminded that they can't allow emotions to stop them from doing the right thing.

Episode grade: A+

So what did you all think?

S02E15: Ellie

I'm about to review what is, IMO, by quite some margin the worst episode of season two of The West Wing, and quite possibly the worst one in the show's run so far (Mr Willis From Ohio was my least favourite episode of season one, but I think this one is probably worse).

There are several issues I have with this particular episode. It probably doesn't help that I raise an eyebrow when Sorkin puts drug policy front and centre on the show given his somewhat interesting history with banned substances. He believes in treatment over punishment? I'd never have guessed [sarcasm mode off].

Another issue is our title character. In the pro category we have the fact that she's being played by a moderately well known actress, and a pretty one at that (yes, I'm hopelessly shallow when it comes to that kind of thing). In the con category... well there's no easy way of saying this, but she's just an awful character. I thought Zoey was annoying, but Ellie puts her in the shade (in fact, by far my favourite Bartlet daughter is the one we sadly see least of). Yes, I can grasp that there are certain inconveniences that come with being the daughter of PotUS, but I'd have to guess the advantages monumentally outweigh those inconveniences. With that in mind she just comes across as a spoilt little rich kid. If you think that's just me ranting then you'll probably want to avoid the other eight episodes she appears in, as I'll likely just be copy and pasting this paragraph to save time.

So given that I feel like the entire main plot line is a wash, what else is there to be entertained with during this particular 43 minutes of TV? Well there's a film called Prince of New York which apparently Charlie feels the President wouldn't like as much as Dial M For Murder (and based on the synopsis Charlie gives Mrs. Landingham, who would?). It's a non-issue, merely there to fill time. The same can be said for Toby's discussions with his ex-wife, which seems to be inserted purely to tie up the Seth Gillette issue without having to pay Ed Begley Jr. another appearance fee.

I'll come clean - the first time I saw it I actually thought it was kind of OK. We get to see another of Jed's daughters, and anything that fleshes out his character and backstory has to be good right? Toby's ex is always good value for money, as every time we see her it seems to emphasise that the Democratic party isn't some happy family that never falls out, something we don't see often enough in the show. However, it has a really poor re-watch value, and I'll confess that when I saw it was the next episode to watch I groaned a little inside. Never mind, I'll console myself in the knowledge that the last seven episodes of the season are all corkers.

Random observations:

You know you're watching a pretty risible episode when an argument about time zones is the highlight.

Sam's reporter "friend" is T-Bag from Prison Break.

It must be cool having a bona fide cinema in your house.

Episode grade: D-

S02E14: The War at Home

Last time on West Wing: DEA Agents in mortal danger! Poll numbers soon to come in! Police officer in PR foul up! Abby annoyed with Jed! See all these plot strands tied up in the next exciting instalment. OK, so maybe The War at Home isn't all that fast-paced but it is nice to get a West Wing mini-movie.

Early on we get a scene where Bartlet has a scene with Josh and Sam which initially seems quite quirky and nice - it's a change of pace and it gives an insight into the various unofficial conversations PotUS may have during the course of the day. Unfortunately after a short time it becomes evident that it's merely an opportunity for Sorkin to give us a lecture on drug policy (pro tip: nothing Bartlet tells Josh and Sam would be news to them, so it's clearly aimed at us). I don't mind Sorkin preaching once in a while, I just which he'd do it with a bit more subtlety. We get another mini-sermon from Leo towards the end too.

When they're in the situation room at the start of the episode and there's one dissenting voice concerning sending people in I remember thinking when I originally watched the show "that guy's going to turn out to be right". For the life of me I can't tell you why I thought that; maybe it's the way the line is delivered, perhaps it's the fact that the camera lingers on this previously unseen character just a little longer than normal. Whatever the reason, it's very well done.

The resolution of the DEA situation is one of a relatively small number of instances in the West Wing where Bartlet clearly does the wrong thing (dealing with a terrorist) because he can't stomach the consequences of doing the right one. Throughout the episode it's repeated again and again that it would be a dreadful move to make, and if that isn't enough Josh spells it out in a conversation with Donna that leaves us in no doubt that under no circumstances can Aguilar be released. By the end of the episode, that's exactly what CJ's announcing at the briefing. Bartlet may be a good president, but he's not infallible.

Random observations:

The "You don't live longer, it just seems longer" quote is actually by Clement Freud.

Is this the first time we see Jed playing chess? I can't think of an earlier occurrence off the top of my head. By the way, considering what we learn further down the line about his prowess at the game, Leo's tutoring of him here seems really off.

Ed Begley Jr. does a really good job as Seth Gillette, junior senator from North Dakota. When he drops the boom on Toby by floating the idea of running as an independent it comes out of nowhere, though in Toby's defence he rallies reasonably well.

We get a trademark Sorkinism in this episode, where a piece of bad news is followed up by the rumble of thunder.

I really like that when Donna leaves for home she says bye to Joey's interpreter, not Joey. She identifies with the subordinate more.

It's a really poignant moment when we see Jed looking at the coffins coming back, heightened by having the man who gave him counsel that could have spared all their lives being stood right next to him.

Episode grade: B-

So what did you all think?

Spoilers for the future follow.

Finally the mutual attraction between Josh and Donna get acknowledged, even though we're still about five years away from them acting on it.

I wonder how many of us watching the conversation between Abby and Jed about his MS really wondered whether it would ever take hold to the degree it did in season seven.

S02E13: Bartlet's Third State of the Union

First up, my apologies for the very delayed nature of this review. Partially the holiday and partially a horrendous virus have conspired to put me way behind schedule. Hopefully over the next month or so I'll catch up on at least a couple of episodes.

If there's one thing Americans know how to do it's put on a show. Make no mistake, this episode is about a speech. As a British person I tend to think "so what"? Probably the most famous political speech over here in the UK isn't even delivered by the Prime Minister, but the Chancellor of the Exchequer (it's the Budget speech). Now there's no denying, the UK has history on its side (for instance, it's quite cool that the Budget speech is the only time someone is allowed to take a drink into parliament (it's the Chancellor who gets it, and he normally chooses whisky)). Sadly, Americans have us beat when it comes to pomp and circumstance. "The State of the Union" has such a great ring to it, and the idea that millions of people around a country sit on the edge of their seats as their head of state sets out a plan of action for the next 12 months is almost romantic when you think about it.

Of course, all those viewers mean the reaction to the speech is pretty important, hence Joey Lucas being bought in to handle polling. It's always nice to see Josh thrown off his game somewhat, and he's even more frantic than usual around Joey. While the power cut pushes the envelope of believability it's certainly entertaining.

I don't know how realistic the idea of a three hour news programme involving senior staffers debating various Republicans following the speech is, but I love the notion of it. While all of the debates are interesting, the real stand out is the one involving Toby where they discuss the second amendment. What with Sandy Hook so recent in the memory it's amazing how often you'll find yourself watching an episode of West Wing only to hear a snippet of dialogue which relates to something currently in the news. I can't think of another show which has aged nearly so well (and Toby's argument would have been just as effective if he'd given an accurate figure for gun deaths instead of the ridiculously exaggerated 32,000).

The main non-speech related plot is the capture of DEA agents in Colombia. It seems to exist mainly in order to give something for Leo to do while Josh, CJ, Sam and Toby stress over the fallout to the speech. It also means Jed doesn't really get much of an opportunity to bask in the glory of his rip-roaring speech which virtually launched his re-election campaign...

...which brings us to Abby. She's not just a pretty face, she knows what's just happened, and she's not a happy bunny. Sorkin does a bit of a juggling act here because he gives us about three reasons for Abby being upset with Bartlet, but saves the real one for the final scene. She clearly doesn't think he's up for another four years of political hoopla, and it means tension on the home front for Jed.

On the plus side, this episode had decent performances, some nice one-liners and quite a cinematic feel to it. On the downside, it felt like a little too much was going on and it could really have done with being a two-parter as the DEA situation doesn't get resolved and Josh never gets his numbers... hang on, this effectively is a two-parter, because The War At Home is going to give us all that and more. Hooray!

Random observations:

Josh gets so bored waiting for polling figures he reads Vogue.

Emily Proctor dancing to Blame it on the Bossa Nova = Awesome. Martin Sheen delivering Sam's line to Ainsley straight after = Awesomer.

Episode grade: B+

So what did you all think?

S02E12: The Drop In

The episode title refers to the (not-so) last minute change in the President's speech, but I'll get to that in a minute because quite frankly, when you have Lord John Marbury in the show he deserves the first paragraph. If you don't have a massive smile on your face during his first scene (in the office with Leo and Josh) then there's something wrong with you. His slapdown of the missile shield is particularly entertaining, and manages a level of condescension even Jed struggled to reach; I love it! He also gets the best line in the episode when he comments that even if the shield is successful people will simply build a better missile, while at the same time coming off warm enough towards Leo that even he thaws a little towards the new Ambassador. The one weird thing is that seemingly from nowhere CJ and Donna are swooning over him all of a sudden. I don't recall them indicating that during the India/Pakistan crisis last season.

And so to the drop in. The really interesting thing about this is that it highlights cracks in relationships between the senior staff that up to now have gone largely unmentioned in the show. We've always had the impression that Toby felt like he was just that little bit better than everyone else in the room, viewing everyone else with a mild disinterest. Notwithstanding that, the picture has definitely been painted thus far that they're all one big happy family who would walk through fire for any of the others. Here though, it's made abundantly clear that Toby is essentially backstabbing Sam.

I have to say, I don't entirely buy that subplot. Firstly, if there's one thing that Toby doesn't do it's duck a fight. He really doesn't do it when he thinks he's right. Second, Toby isn't dumb enough to give Sam enough evidence to figure out the drop in was planned. Third, if there's one person who Toby does show some affinity for it's Sam, which makes the move even worse. Finally, and most importantly, it's just a really mean-spirited and downright nasty thing to do. To steal Toby's own line here, "Friends are honest with each other". Thankfully Sorkin's a good enough writer that he doesn't push the reset button at the end of the episode, and it's clear from the scene in the bar that things aren't going to be back to normal with them for a while.

Honestly I don't know how I feel about the development we're given here. On the one hand it certainly injects a little realism into the show as I can imagine this is a pretty common occurrence in real life politics. On the other hand, isn't the whole point of The West Wing that it's a look at politics through rose coloured glasses, and that for the most part these people are the best versions of themselves they can possibly be? While characters make mistakes, and from time to time make calls that err on the side of political expediency as opposed to doing what's right, this is probably the nastiest thing that any of the main characters has done so far in the show.

Random observations:

Fancy Leo not picking up the Charlie Brown reference; shame on him! Having said that, given that information it's hardly worth Bartlet's effort adding the "Oh, good grief" line at the end.

It's not often that we know stuff before CJ does, but if you don't figure out who the British Ambassador to the US is going to be from the "previously on..." sequence alone then you're just not paying enough attention.

Gail is in a totally different bowl in this episode when compared to her normal one. Maybe that in itself is a reference to the replacement ambassador. It looks like a mobile phone has been "dropped in" the bowl too, which could just be a play on the episode title.

Episode grade: B

So what did you all think?

S02E11: The Leadership Breakfast

This is one of those place-holder  episodes. Nothing much happens, but it doesn't happen so nicely that we don't really care. There's some nice comedy, some geek trivia from Jed, some Machiavellian political manoeuvring in which Toby gets outplayed (several times) and some guest stars who do some really good work.

In some ways I feel like it's an opportunity missed. Small spoiler warning: It kind of feels like they're setting up both Felicity Huffman and Corbin Bernsen for recurring roles. By the end of the episode we're looking forward to round two between Toby and Ann and we've had Shallick's card marked as a probable opponent for Bartlet a couple of years down the line. Neither of those things happen (Felicity never appears again and Corbin is in one more episode a couple down the line). I think both of those things are bad. Bartlet's eventual opponent is no better a character than Bernsen's, who disappears without a trace, yet another continuity mis-step. Meanwhile the one thing the show could have done with is someone really good on the other side of the aisle (see spoiler section), and Felicity could have filled that role excellently.

The one thing that does happen which is concrete is the handshake between Leo and Toby where they form the "committee to re-elect the President". That plot-line does pick up over the next few episodes, leading to probably the best half season in the show's entire run.

Random observations:

There's nothing better to get me in the mood for an episode of West Wing than some Sam and Josh tomfoolery.

Sports Night crossover alert #1: Ann Stark is played by Felicity Huffman, who played Dana Whitaker in Sports Night (she was effectively the Leo of that show if you've never seen it).

Sports Night crossover alert #2: Sam screws up with a woman he wants to impress (Karen Cahill) by confusing Kurdistan with Kazakhstan. In Sports Night Dan Rydell (the Sam of that show if you've never seen it) screwed up with a woman he wanted to impress (Hillary Clinton) by confusing secular schools with non-secular schools.

Congressman Shallick is played by Corbin Bernsen, better known as Arnie Becker from LA Law.

Episode grade: A-

So what did you all think?

Spoilers for the future follow.

If there's one thing the post Sorkin era writers managed to do better than Sorkin himself, it was bring some really meaty Republicans to the show. Haffley is a weasel, but he's a talented one who keeps the administration on their toes. Vinick is probably the best example, and the season seven campaign is far more in-depth and well rounded than the season four version, which is all wrapped up in just a few short episodes.