I think you might be mistaken–Larry and Ed were both there.
I thought at the end of the program that they were showing the bombing of Qumar that Walken had ordered and that the news reports were referring to that attack as the retaliation for Zoe’s kidnapping.
To give the writers the benefit of the doubt–perhaps Abby meant that, because the assasination of a supposedly friendly diplomat could have ramifacations to the Preseident’s family (such as increasing the odds of an kidnapping or assasination), Abby would have liked to have been in on the discussion. Bartlett’s actions put the whole family into play and Abby was pissed that her views on that aspect of the mission were not considered.
Yeah, it’s weak, but it is a possible explanation for her actions.
Kallessa, that’s what I was thinking Abby’s reasoning was. She was worried about the family. But the President’s decisions for the country shouldn’t be influenced by his family. IMO.
And I hate this “new” technique, style, whatever, where the last few minutes of the show is music and a montage. WW’s done it before, ER’s done it more than once and I do not like it.
And I confess to being filled with righteous anger at French Guy along with Charlie when Bartlett was talking to him in the hallway. And I was a little choked up as well, worrying about a fictional chracter on the TV. <sigh> Being a parent changes a person.
Trion nailed my feelings on the direction. Nothing more to add to that.
And I agree that it’s absurd that PotUS should have conferred with his wife, or even told her after the fact, that he offed the Qumari. There were some hints earlier that the Qumaris were suspicious of the plane going missing, and in an episode last year an Israeli official’s plane went down on the way back to Tel Aviv. We discussed it in an earlier thread, but I’m too lazy to link to it now.
Kunilou, I don’t think that the retaliation bombing has started yet, that was just the News graphic for the kidnapping and the Turkish theater bombing.
Kallessa, your theory on Abby being upset might hold some water, but if that’s what they were going for then the new writers failed the writing clarity test.
Overall, I thought the episode was okay, but they really need to resolve some of the issues that people have brought up here or viewership is going to fall way off. And I really hope that every week is not going to be “a very special West Wing”. Too much melodrama would really put me off. Whatever shortcomings Sorkin may have had, he did know how to maintain balance over a long haul. My viewings of the first couple seasons reruns on Bravo has really confirmed that for me.
Prince Smarming is in lockdown right now, so they can’t beat him down. Did everyone catch the reference that his dealer for the GBH (not X) was one of the terrorists?
Okay, I missed the first 20 minutes…update me with Prince Smarming, please.
I think there’s way too much emphasis on the “Sorkin isn’t writing anymore, how is the style different” analysis. Don’t analyze the writers (or the writing) – analyze the effect. IOW, this is a tense and moving and stressful situation, was it a tense and moving and stressful episode?
I think it suceeded on that level. I was wiping away tears at the end. And Sorkin did use that “montage” technique before – for the ep. where they’re going to Mrs. Landringham’s funeral and the tropical storm is moving in, for instance. It is an effective technique if not overdone (although it is easy to overdo it).
That said, the interpersonal relationships of some of the characters seemed off. Abbie and Jeb have been mentioned, but also Leo and Margaret. Only time will tell if this is because of the stress of Zoe’s kidnapping or because the writers don’t understand those relationships. Because of the continuity of actors and directors, I’m willing to believe that it is the former (for now).
Oh, and ShibbOleth, I didn’t catch that. In fact, they said that Philippe’s dealer is Algerian, but I don’t think any of the names announced were supposed to be Algerians. Kuwaitis, Saudis, Qumaris, and a Morroccan, IIRC.
Word on the end montage, paperbackwriter. Did anyone notice (maybe I’m wrong) that this is the first time we’ve seen Jed back in a church since he cursed off God after Mrs. Landingham’s funeral? Made his hesitation (as I read it) in accepting the communion all that much more wrenching…
And someone mentioned earlier the writers messed up Ellie. I disagree. Give her rapprochement with her dad in that previous episode, I viewed her utterly dialogue-less but loving reassurance of her father as completely believable and touching – I have a sibling just like her.
I happened to read a review of the season opener in the NY Times the day before the show (or possibly the morning…can’t really remember, but it was clearly well before the show aired).
And boy, was I pissed!!
The review all but told me the whole storyline! I hate hate hate anyone telling me what is going to happen in an episode/movie etc. In fact I try to stay away from trailers because they deter from the enjoyment of the episode/movie.
The review not only outlines the entire plot line (the trailer comes close to hinting that too) but quoted some key line verbatim. Wish I had never read it. I am thinking of writing to the editor … maybe I should.
(probably requires registration… even if it does, it’s free)
Not sure if it was. Showed the difference between Walken and Barlett. Barlett treats the office with a higher respect it seemed to say to me. I was waiting for that dog to crap on the floor of the Oval Office ;).
Though the same thing could be said of LBJ… who also was a Congressional Leader type :D.
Put yourself in the character’s shoes. Your daughter has been kidnapped and she is in great danger because of that assasination. Any mother would have been pissed off and probably blamed her husband, even if deep down, she understood why.
I think we are reading too much into it. Think about the situation the characters are in. It’s something that’s never happened before. Based on that, you won’t see the usual banter and conversations that we are used to. It’s not a normal west wing right now.
At first I was a bit put off by how unsure Walken seemed to be once he got into the Oval Office. That was different from when we saw him last time. But then again, once you get the job it can be daunting. The decisions he’s facing are immense. he can be forgiven for being a little nervous.
I just hope the show gets rid of the stereotypes. Too often I thought Sorkin put everything in the light of “These are the good guys and the good guys think this way so…” It wasn’t as bad as some say but there were times where it went overboard. Apparantly they are making a concerted effort to make it more bipartisan.
About the VP, remember-the VP technically doesn’t report or even work for the President. He can’t be fired, unless he’s impeached and removed office by congress. Congress will flex their muscles. They did it in real life with Gerald Ford. He was as non-offensive as a politician could be when Nixon “picked” him.
My favorite line was Leo to the Democratic leadership complaining about Bartlett relinquishing power. Leo said “Harry Truman put this in place for a reason.” Someone said “That’s because he drank bourbon every morning with the speaker of the house”. Leo: “What surprises me about that is that someone from the Executive branch wanted to share a drink with a member of Congress”. meeting over.
My favorite element of the show is the loyalty. Leo to the President. The President to Leo. Josh to Leo. Charlie to the President.
Just saw the episode.
I thought it was well done. Some of the “snap” was missing, but given the subject matter, even if Sorkin had wrote this one there probably would have been little “snap.”
With regard to Abby (The First Lady). I think people are getting it wrong. I don’t think she was mad that he made the choice to kill the Qumari leader with out her. That would be, of course, unreasonable. I think that she was mad that he didn’t tell her after Zoey was kidnapped since it would be an obvious motive. Also she may have been a bit disappointed in him for choosing to go that route in the first place.
And if it turns out my interpretation is wrong, give the woman a break, her kid is missing! 