Two more weeks, folks. September 19 is the season premeire. Which means next week will most likely be a repeat of last season’s incredible finale. I’m getting all patriotic and misty-eyed just thinking about it!
So, any cursory predictions? I have a few:
Donna will be Pres. Bartlett’s new secretary. It sure as hell won’t be Margaret, the most annoying person on the show. I think the President has taken a fatherly liking to Donna, and Donna has dealt with two tragedies incredibly well (Josh being shot, and Bartlett having MS). I’m not sure how this will affect her relationship with Josh, and I’m going to miss their reparte. Possible opportunity for a romance now that Josh won’t be her boss?
Hopefully we’ll see more Zoe Bartlett
I have a small crush on Zoe, as I find her adorable. She’s not nearly as attractive as Ainsley or Donna, but she’s a good Catholic girl ;).
More Corbin Berson
I don’t think I spelled that correctly. However, I think he makes a great Republican counterpart, and will provide a good deal of adversity for the cast. The fire and vitriol on the show, the better.
More Otter
While I don’t want to see him take too much screen time away from Sheen, I think the VP storyline is incredibly intriguing.
President Bartlet’s secretary will be replaced by a minority actor
I expect a long story thread to find a replacement for Mrs. Landingham, but the powers that be at NBC will probably press Sorkin to hire on an Asian or Hispanic actor/actress after the first year flap about a dearth of minority characters. Donna will stay with Josh.
I would’ve like to have seen more problems between Bartlet and Tim Matheson’s VP as the probability of Bartlet seeking another term becomes more apparent, but isn’t Matheson starring in another (new) show on another network? Dual roles on different shows aren’t unheard of, but due to the quality of this program, I doubt if Sorkin will be fleshing out Matheson’s role very much this season.
And isn’t it common for someone in an ensemble show to develop a substance abuse problem around the third season or so?
We already have a substance abuse problem - Leo. But I also wouldn’t be suprised to see a few seasons down the line that Josh has kept his pain killer prescriptions from his gunshot wound.
Yeah, I thought I saw Matheson on a commercial. It will be interesting to see what will happen. If he’s killed off, who do you think would replace him? Leo? Toby? Dr. Bartlett?
Charlie will be Bartlett’s secretary. Why shouldn’t he be? He’s the personal assistant, he understands the President’s schedule and there’d be no break-in period.
Since they’ve already done a couple of substance abuse plot lines, I think it’s time for a good campaign finance scandal.
Here’s my question, do you think it would make for stronger stories if the Administration had one consistent (recurring character) nemesis, or a more “bad guy of the week” orientation?
I was disappointed to see John Laroquette replaced. I really liked his loud and aggressive demeanor as White House counsel. I admit the new guy has done very well.
There seem to be several small instances that could be used as an excuse to open a “leak in the inner circle” story line.
I feel like such a late comer because I only started watching about mid season. What a great show.
I love Oliver Platt. I hope we see more of him. I also read that the first lady will have a more prominent role this season.
What I especially like about the show is that it’s not preachy. It really doesn’t matter what the issues are, it’s the interaction among the staff that draws me in. As a conservative/libertarian, I’m skeptical of politics on TV but this show doesn’t bother me at all. That is why I avoided it at first, I figured it would be like The American President or that movie from last summer, with Glen Close as Veep. But I find the show incredibly well written where the line isn’t drawn into a good guy/bad guy showdown.
I don’t recall, how close are they on the show to the election? A scenario involving Matheson’s exit would be that he runs against Bartlett for the nomination. I understood it to be that he kew of the MS and expected him to serve one term so it would be his turn.
I don’t know the background on the show but is if continues to be great will they continue on with other administrations? Can we really expect Martin Sheen to leave?
I don’t think Charlie will be the president’s secretary. There is a huge difference between being the body man, and being a secretary. Scheduling is a very minor part of a secretary’s job, and I just don’t see Charlie behind a desk. I’m putting my money on Donna, or a minority as poohpah says.
I agree with the opinion of Oliver Platt. I think he’s a great actor, and love him in everything he’s done.
Oblong, don’t feel bad - I just started watching around the time the MS thing kicked off. A friend and I got tapes of the first 2 seasons from someone online, though, so we’re all caught up now.
Anyway, SPOILERS for the new presidential secretary down below!
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Sorkin said a while back that he hadn’t invented Mrs. Landingham’s replacement yet, but he didn’t mention Donna or Charlie. Kathryn Joosten - the actress who played Mrs. L. - has said that she hopes it’s a middle-aged minority actress, since there are so few roles available to them.
It’s a shame - I really liked the Donna idea, as it seems like it might give her a wider role on the show.
I love the show. And I want to see more Otter too. I actually like the VP character a lot and sort of resent it that they bash and exclude him so much. Deep down, a small piece of me wants to see him beat the crap out of Bartlet in the election and fire all the regulars. Ha ha, that’ll show 'em.
While I really enjoy the show and never miss an episode, I have a few problems with it – foremost the pacing… the speed at which the one-liners are fired back and forth reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer…
What I want to know is who Sam is going to be sleeping with this year… what ever happened to the call-girl/law student and the flirtation with Leo’s daughter.
If they go for an Ainsley/Sam romance it is going to be like watching Barbie and Ken make out…
If they had a sense of humor, Sam would get in trouble for video taping himself during sex… art imitating life LOL
sorry, but I think the premiere is being delayed. Sorkin came up with a one episode stand alone West Wing that deals with terrorism and that was shot and will be shown this week or next.
The local paper said Oct. 10 will be the premiere.
Shoot, you’re right. Did that just happen? Oh well, nbc.com says that the Christmas episode from a couple years ago is on. That is probably my favorite episode. It is certainly my favorite Mrs. Landingham episode.