I know there’s some fans around here. Could someone brief me on the whole Middle East thing that was going on? I was entirely too busy calling up my friends and family seeing if they were watching all the Notre Dame things that were going on.
By far the best episode yet! Just love seeing Michigan fans get their just dues!
In a nutshell, there was a tanker full of Iraqi oil, in violation of UN sanctions owned by an American oil company. Procedure was to test the oil for its origin, and if from Iraq, fine the oil company about 2 mil, which wasn’t anywhere near the profit they’d make. Prez wanted to confiscate the oil, Leo talked him out of it–this time.
I’d love to help you out Connor, being a brand new fan of the show…unfortunately, I was having to choose between watching WW, Gypsy Soul perform in concert on LiveOnTheNet.com or the Mighty Ducks play the Avs.
…after wrapping up the concert, I ended up falling asleep.
Damn.
Stofsky pretty much hit the nail on the head.
However, I believe they were intimating that that confiscated oil would be just the solution they were looking for to fund the pilot teachers program they were talking about.
So it’s either a)foreshadowing for how to find needed revenue, which will obviously cause a major ruckus, or b)a comment on how unfair shit can be {oil companies sticking it to us, while we can’t generate teaching positions for our children}.
By the way, was anybody else biting their nails waiting for Leo to fall off the wagon?
No, I don’t expect Leo to fall of the wagon until the 4th season, or when they go for re-election. It’ll be good sweeps material.
And as for the teaching program, I’m a little disappointed in our beloved writer, as Notre Dame already has a post-graduate volunteer teaching program set up, that is spreading across the country.
Sheesh. If you’re going to drop the ND name, go all out…
For those Michigan and ND-haters, was last night a little too much?
Are they setting it up for Josh & Donna to get together? I really hope they don’t do that.
Damn, I’m pissed I missed it.
C3:
I noticed that, too. And I agree with you. That would be trite.
I was amused by the conversation Donna had with Ainsley (the new Republican staffer), about whether she thought they looked alike. I’m sure that was a little wink at all the critics who have listed that among their complaints about the new character.
I didn’t think last night’s was a particularly strong episode, myself. And although they may want Charlie’s character to have increasing prominence in the series (anyone else notice they have been recently downplaying his relationship with Bartlett’s daughter big-time, for some reason?), I think it’s a bit much for him to be making policy suggestions to the president that are followed.
Why don’t they stop the “special guest star” crap with Stockard Channing and Tim Matheson and give the first lady and veep more play on the series?
Because it’s too costly. They already have 8 title characters: Sam, Charlie, Donna, CJ, Toby, Leo, Josh, and the Prez. They probably get $30-50,000 per episode. They’ve already dropped Mandy, and it looks like they’re going to add Nancy McNally (national security advisor). Also, President Bartlet was only supposed to be a supporting character (!), even though Sheen was in the title credits. Then when the ratings indicated that he was a major draw, his part became bigger.
I think eight to ten is about the limit for any ensemble cast show. Star Trek: Voyager has 9, ER has 11 (pushing it), etc.
Since it’s about the West Wing and the neither the First Lady nor the VP has consistent official business there, guest star status is probably all they’re gonna get.
Plus, Stockard Channing probably is busy otherwise and/or an expensive guest star to boot.
Tim Matheson is the Veep? How cool, I’ve never seen an episode with him in it.
“Eric Stratten, Rush Chairman, damn glad to meet ya”
Hmmm…I just realized they have been downplaying the Charlie-Zoe relationship a bit, but they’ll come back to it, I guess.
I really liked Donna’s chat with Ainsley. It cracked me up. “Have you ever thought about dying your hair red?” “No.” “Cause it would look nice…” “We don’t look alike, Donna.”
I also noticed the Josh-Donna thing. I’ve suspected that for a while now but I don’t think they’re (screenwriters/characters) gonna go through with it, simply cause Donna doesn’t strike me as the type who would date her boss. She’s very proper.
My guess is that the Charlie-Zoe thing has been downplayed because it was such a focus last season and in the premiere. They just need to keep everyone involved, and they pulled back from that stroy line before it got stale and annoying. Smart move I’d guess, and it’ll be there when they’re ready to come back.