A definite letdown after some of the excellent episodes in the last few weeks. It seemed like they were trying to cram in a bunch of short plotlines so everybody would have some screentime (although Leo and Charlie got left out). And none of the stories were good - the Canada one was outright bad, and the other three were bland.
I can’t believe that such a plan by Representatives would work. Especially since Santos was one of them. The press should be following Santos around and if he disappeared for day that would be news.
How much time was supposed to have passed while the Democrats were hanging out?
The way the Arkansas congressman was portrayed would offend me if I were from that state.
They hid in the office overnight - which I agree is something a Presidential candidate is unlikely to get away with.
Especially since it was the office that the VP keeps over on the Hill.
There was a reference to Santos picking up good numbers in Arizona and New Mexico. Nothing specific, so I guess that this was just a way to keep his candidancy in play.
I’m looking forward to next week - it looks like Hoynes has been naughty again (although the implication was that Santos has to drop out.)
I am and I wasn’t.
Not much, anyway. At least he spoke with a realistic accent.
Santos couldn’t have hidden out there, but it made a good story.
The Canadian angle was a hoot.
I was more offended by the implication that if you oppose stem cell research that you’re possibly slow witted or at least haven’t thought out the subject all that much. As a liberal, I tend to share many of the show’s political views. It’s tendency to get preachy about them grates on me though.
I was watching with the TiVo, and the situation with Canada and Cmdr. Harper really had me itchy with my fast forward button. A stupid storyline with a character that I would prefer just went away.
Yeah, why did they stay in the VP’s office? Wouldn’t the Secret Service have shot them all immediately? I think it was just to set up the joke with Santos sitting on Donna. Lame.
And Harper being unaware of us having a contingency plan for Canada? I don’t buy it. We should have a contingency plan on file for every single country or entity out there - in fact, I believe this was a minor plot line a few seasons ago. The recycling continues, eh?
Frankly I was rooting for the Canadian ambassador to respond along the lines of:
“Yeah, right. A billion dollars a day in trade crosses that border, mostly in your direction, so look forward to losing 17% of your oil like that [snaps fingers], most of your lumber products and a lot of your water. Plus every nation in the world will turn on you in a heartbeat because they like us Canadians, largely because we’re not fond of making dumbass military threats when things don’t go our way. [turns on heel, walks out]”
I didn’t find him slow witted, but new at the job and not knowing how things worked. He was smart enough to discuss the issue.
The stem cell line I found realistic enough. I agree with carnivorousplant on it.
What bothered me was the little kid’s comment about Social Security. In season two or three, Social Security was fixed. In fact, Toby was one of the people that made that deal happen. Is it all screwed up again after only a couple of years? And I would expect better from the director of this episode, who was Richard Schiff.
I also didn’t like Cliffy taking Josh to school on the House vote. Sure, Josh is the Senate expert, and if the vote was won because of a procedural rule that applies only to the House, then I would buy it. But to have it won because of duplicity and a game of hide-and-seek, that’s something Josh would have come up with on his own, before anyone else.
Biggest peeve: Writers, STOP CALLING HER “COMMANDER”! She is not retired Navy, she is not active duty Navy, she’s not even doing Reserve time (like Will has done). She’s not entitled to be addressed that way, something that people who work in and with the military would know.
I did like the Canadian story, though. Especially with the former X-Files shapechanger as the tough military guy, and the third guy in Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy” video as his opponent in this.
“These guys are serious about their hunting.”
I thought she was former military of some sort who became a spook.
He was young, inexperienced and apparently didn’t understand the issue. What chafes on me is the show’s use of this point of view to lecture us.
Contrast this to the argument about the ERA between Sam and Ainsley from a couple seasons ago, where both points of view were intelligently stated. That is the kind of stuff I like from the show. What they did last night was weak.
Here, here, Bryan Eckers.
thwartme
Yes, former, not current, military. And as such, shouldn’t be called by the rank she held when she left (not retired) the service. Like I said, a pet peeve on my part that I don’t expect anyone else to care about. But I always lose my suspension of disbelief when she’s called “Commander.”
You are so right. That is one of my all-time favorite West Wing conversations.
Speaking of those two, shouldn’t we be hearing about one or the other during this election? (not necessarily an on-screen appearance, although Og knows Rob Lowe could use the work.) Ainsley is probably the most qualified person to be involved with a Republican campaign, and I can’t believe that Will Bailey or Josh haven’t spoken to Sam about working on their respective campaigns.
How so? She was assistant WH legal counsel. That doesn’t mean she would know anything about running a campaign. She’s more of a policy troubleshooter than a policy maker.
Thanks, I did not know that. If one reitires, may one still be called by the rank?
Wasn’t George Marshall always called “General” even when he held Cabinet positions?
George Washington was almost always called “General”, but that’s a much different era.
I actually liked the episode overall, especially Toby’s interactions with the kids, and Bartlett’s give and take with his Nobel peer. I really didn’t even mind the preachiness about stem cell research. With the exception of the balance provided during the brief Ainsely period, the show has always been preachy.
The one that jarred me was the not-so-subtle Bush reference. During the conversation with the Canadian ambassador, he made the implication that Canada should get something in exchange for intervening. There followed:
Kate: Guys, the United States does not make trade decisions based on the actions of amped-up cowboys.
Will: Unless they’ve been elected to office.
:eek:
As bizarre as it was gratuitous.
I think she was refering to the drunken hunters from Montana who decided to “invade” Canada.
And I thought Will’s response was more a shot at Reagan than Bush43.