Belatedly, a The West Wing double bill
May. 9th, 2021 08:23 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shallowness2.7 The Portland Trip
I enjoyed the different, out-of-hours vibe of this ep. The ‘Previouslies’ set things up like a romantic comedy, particularly if you believe that Sam’s one true love is writing. (I’m not saying I do, but his, Toby’s and even Danny’s takes on writing obviously came from Sorkin’s experience.)
I wasn’t entirely sure why Josh insisted that Donna had to stay, because she just answered the phone for him once, which anyone could have done (although there was hardly anyone around) and bugged Ainsley and walked around the corridors of the White House looking stunning in her red dress. But then, I know why Donna didn’t click with the date, and Josh’s belated compliment (although the reason she can’t keep the dress is she can’t afford it, Joshua, so that last line was unhelpful). And I the conversation with Ainsley was funny in an ‘oh Donna’ way, because apart from hair and skin colouring, no, they look nothing alike, network TV can probably cope with two blonde women, and it isn’t Donna’s role that Ainsley is challenging.
So, my take was nothing like the podcasters’. I didn’t feel that Josh was as vicious as they did, I’m not sure whether that was my shipper goggles or a different take on women’s views on selfhood and relationships (especially in the same decade as Bridget Jones was created). But I wished I too had picked up on the contrast between Donna wearing a dress she fully intended to return the next day and CJ being able to afford Max Mara.
Josh and Leo’s conversation about the President on the long flight and what he’d be like after was prophetic, but the ep left us with a note of hope that, despite all the other things that didn’t go Bartlet’s way, Charlie’s idea got traction (believe in your ideas, Charlie!) I like that the show acknowledges that Charlie does have a different perspective from all the others (I know they’ve done it before, but I still like it) and he’s smart. Toby played his role as the voice of reason (mostly) over Sam’s writing issues and putting a policy they’d only considered for a moment into action. Also, no, probably best not to quote Mao and yay on calling out Sam’s privilege with regard to coming in and claiming he could solve education.
Sam’s wobbles of course, had their impact on CJ who was already on the flight as a sort of punishment – the cap was inherently funny. The byplay between him and obstreperous Danny landed on the right side of acceptable, because it seemed he too wanted to punish her for dissing Notre Dame, rather than being disgruntled because she’d vetoed their relationship.
Leo, of course, had got away with dissing them to the President’s face. And aww, the recognition that Margaret worried about him over the divorce. She seemed to have shared her worries with everyone, which everyone in their work family thought was reasonable. I noticed the reference to wine in Leo’s description of the ideal meal at the restaurant, although it wasn’t as though he emphasised it above the food.
Ainsley’s presence felt natural, I liked how the gay Republican congressman stood his ground with Josh and was spiky to the other congressman. What a lovely moment when Bartlet told CJ that he’d meant to be a priest until he met Abbey, underscored by his teasing admission that he liked making life difficult for his Press Secretary.
2.8 Shibboleth
A more normal few days at the office (as in everyone’s in suits), although the absurdity of the Thanksgiving celebrations, especially as regards CJ, were played up, as she most conveniently hadn’t been around for them last year. Which of course the boys had forgotten, but Donna had not. That was contrasted with the plight of the asylum seekers and Toby’s crusade, which had a personal edge. The backstory about wee!Toby and ‘voluntary’ prayer is one of the moments that have stayed with me from first watching it. On the introduction of Leo’s sister as the controversial candidate who would stir up the debate on school prayer, I did think ‘where has she been?’ given that Leo has been through A LOT personally of late (was she mentioned in the great Christmas card flurry last season?) Just a minor niggle.
I liked that they didn’t overplay the comparison with the Pilgrims and the asylum seekers; it was there, no need to overstate it. And Sheen had some very good high points to play with. As the podcast pointed out, it’s staggering given the quality of his work that he didn’t get an Emmy. The only possible justification may be the dichotomy of his being the most powerful character in an ensemble where the staff supporting him are slightly more the protagonists? So, you feel he ought to be up for lead actor, but his role isn’t quite that on the show?
Anyway, those high points were, of course, Bartlet giving Charlie his paternal knife (bet he doesn’t think much of his only actual son-in-law, and so there are no grandsons?) Especially after being so pernitecky about knives all ep (yay! Mrs Landinghm was back.) I was reminded by the podcast that he did seem to have some superpower of knowing everything about a carving knife as soon as he laid eyes on one. And that moment where he said that he’d have done the same hin for the Chinese immigrants even if he hadn’t been convinced of their faith. And the ending, which nicely tbrought together many of the strands of the episode.
I was really impressed by the representative’s proficiency with English – we were led to wonder how well he spoke English with the repeated ‘yes sir’s – but Bartlet didn’t hold back on the level of his English or the quasi catechism. For me, the use of ‘shibboleth’ in the big speech about faith was a tad contrived, but overall the scene and the arguments were powerful after all the build up: we’d have the INS’s more cynical or cautios advice, faithfully reported by Josh, as was the stuff from the Christian organisation leaders. I really liked that they were returning figures, (or Mary Marsh and Al Cauldwell) from the pilot. Also interesting that Josh was trying to play the restraining role, while Sam was hopping mad – understandably so.
Leo’s comment about an undisciplined White House gave me food for thought – I mean Toby was so busy trying to have this fight that it was to the detriment of winning it.
My first reaction at the guys saying that the turkeys ought to go to CJ’s office was kneejerk horror: animals other than a goldfish in an office? I imagined carnage, but they didn’t go there. Neither the show nor the turkeys, and it was her responsibility to decide which was the most photogenic. Which she faithfully discharged, which was amusing, as was her getting emotionally invested. It’s also notable, and has been for several epsodes, that now Janel Moloney is in the credits, there’s been much more assiduousness about Donna interacting with other characters as her own person, and not just as Josh’s assistant, as there was here, for CJ could have asked Carol to teach her the songs.
But it was the boys ganging up on The Girl in their gang, and it was duly noted that they invited her at the very last minute to their do – but I went OF COURSE at Bartlet having heard about the Latin for yam thing and their not wanting to be invited by him.
I enjoyed the different, out-of-hours vibe of this ep. The ‘Previouslies’ set things up like a romantic comedy, particularly if you believe that Sam’s one true love is writing. (I’m not saying I do, but his, Toby’s and even Danny’s takes on writing obviously came from Sorkin’s experience.)
I wasn’t entirely sure why Josh insisted that Donna had to stay, because she just answered the phone for him once, which anyone could have done (although there was hardly anyone around) and bugged Ainsley and walked around the corridors of the White House looking stunning in her red dress. But then, I know why Donna didn’t click with the date, and Josh’s belated compliment (although the reason she can’t keep the dress is she can’t afford it, Joshua, so that last line was unhelpful). And I the conversation with Ainsley was funny in an ‘oh Donna’ way, because apart from hair and skin colouring, no, they look nothing alike, network TV can probably cope with two blonde women, and it isn’t Donna’s role that Ainsley is challenging.
So, my take was nothing like the podcasters’. I didn’t feel that Josh was as vicious as they did, I’m not sure whether that was my shipper goggles or a different take on women’s views on selfhood and relationships (especially in the same decade as Bridget Jones was created). But I wished I too had picked up on the contrast between Donna wearing a dress she fully intended to return the next day and CJ being able to afford Max Mara.
Josh and Leo’s conversation about the President on the long flight and what he’d be like after was prophetic, but the ep left us with a note of hope that, despite all the other things that didn’t go Bartlet’s way, Charlie’s idea got traction (believe in your ideas, Charlie!) I like that the show acknowledges that Charlie does have a different perspective from all the others (I know they’ve done it before, but I still like it) and he’s smart. Toby played his role as the voice of reason (mostly) over Sam’s writing issues and putting a policy they’d only considered for a moment into action. Also, no, probably best not to quote Mao and yay on calling out Sam’s privilege with regard to coming in and claiming he could solve education.
Sam’s wobbles of course, had their impact on CJ who was already on the flight as a sort of punishment – the cap was inherently funny. The byplay between him and obstreperous Danny landed on the right side of acceptable, because it seemed he too wanted to punish her for dissing Notre Dame, rather than being disgruntled because she’d vetoed their relationship.
Leo, of course, had got away with dissing them to the President’s face. And aww, the recognition that Margaret worried about him over the divorce. She seemed to have shared her worries with everyone, which everyone in their work family thought was reasonable. I noticed the reference to wine in Leo’s description of the ideal meal at the restaurant, although it wasn’t as though he emphasised it above the food.
Ainsley’s presence felt natural, I liked how the gay Republican congressman stood his ground with Josh and was spiky to the other congressman. What a lovely moment when Bartlet told CJ that he’d meant to be a priest until he met Abbey, underscored by his teasing admission that he liked making life difficult for his Press Secretary.
2.8 Shibboleth
A more normal few days at the office (as in everyone’s in suits), although the absurdity of the Thanksgiving celebrations, especially as regards CJ, were played up, as she most conveniently hadn’t been around for them last year. Which of course the boys had forgotten, but Donna had not. That was contrasted with the plight of the asylum seekers and Toby’s crusade, which had a personal edge. The backstory about wee!Toby and ‘voluntary’ prayer is one of the moments that have stayed with me from first watching it. On the introduction of Leo’s sister as the controversial candidate who would stir up the debate on school prayer, I did think ‘where has she been?’ given that Leo has been through A LOT personally of late (was she mentioned in the great Christmas card flurry last season?) Just a minor niggle.
I liked that they didn’t overplay the comparison with the Pilgrims and the asylum seekers; it was there, no need to overstate it. And Sheen had some very good high points to play with. As the podcast pointed out, it’s staggering given the quality of his work that he didn’t get an Emmy. The only possible justification may be the dichotomy of his being the most powerful character in an ensemble where the staff supporting him are slightly more the protagonists? So, you feel he ought to be up for lead actor, but his role isn’t quite that on the show?
Anyway, those high points were, of course, Bartlet giving Charlie his paternal knife (bet he doesn’t think much of his only actual son-in-law, and so there are no grandsons?) Especially after being so pernitecky about knives all ep (yay! Mrs Landinghm was back.) I was reminded by the podcast that he did seem to have some superpower of knowing everything about a carving knife as soon as he laid eyes on one. And that moment where he said that he’d have done the same hin for the Chinese immigrants even if he hadn’t been convinced of their faith. And the ending, which nicely tbrought together many of the strands of the episode.
I was really impressed by the representative’s proficiency with English – we were led to wonder how well he spoke English with the repeated ‘yes sir’s – but Bartlet didn’t hold back on the level of his English or the quasi catechism. For me, the use of ‘shibboleth’ in the big speech about faith was a tad contrived, but overall the scene and the arguments were powerful after all the build up: we’d have the INS’s more cynical or cautios advice, faithfully reported by Josh, as was the stuff from the Christian organisation leaders. I really liked that they were returning figures, (or Mary Marsh and Al Cauldwell) from the pilot. Also interesting that Josh was trying to play the restraining role, while Sam was hopping mad – understandably so.
Leo’s comment about an undisciplined White House gave me food for thought – I mean Toby was so busy trying to have this fight that it was to the detriment of winning it.
My first reaction at the guys saying that the turkeys ought to go to CJ’s office was kneejerk horror: animals other than a goldfish in an office? I imagined carnage, but they didn’t go there. Neither the show nor the turkeys, and it was her responsibility to decide which was the most photogenic. Which she faithfully discharged, which was amusing, as was her getting emotionally invested. It’s also notable, and has been for several epsodes, that now Janel Moloney is in the credits, there’s been much more assiduousness about Donna interacting with other characters as her own person, and not just as Josh’s assistant, as there was here, for CJ could have asked Carol to teach her the songs.
But it was the boys ganging up on The Girl in their gang, and it was duly noted that they invited her at the very last minute to their do – but I went OF COURSE at Bartlet having heard about the Latin for yam thing and their not wanting to be invited by him.
no subject
Date: 2021-05-09 02:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-05-12 07:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-05-10 01:21 am (UTC)I love Donna in The Portland Trip, even when she is being silly over Ainsley. I'm inclined to think Josh kept her there mostly because he could (ie, he was jealous), but that may be my shipping goggles being on too tight. He certainly isn't nice to her at several points in the ep, but like you, I felt they were a bit too harsh on him in the podcast. I think we as viewers are supposed to feel that he's gone too far, in his typical brash Josh way, but also that he's more or less correct about why Donna chooses the wrong men.
What a lovely moment when Bartlet told CJ that he’d meant to be a priest until he met Abbey
One of my very favorite bits of the whole show. Martin Sheen plays it so well - and yes, it's a crime he never won an Emmy for the part!
Anyway, those high points were, of course, Bartlet giving Charlie his paternal knife (bet he doesn’t think much of his only actual son-in-law, and so there are no grandsons?)
There is one grandson who would be a baby at this point, I think? But I don't think he's mentioned as existing until years later in the show, so probably in Sorkin's mind no, there was only the granddaughter Annie, mentioned in the pilot. Either way, to quote the podcast, "He gave him the kniiiiiiiiiiiiife!!"
It's been my Thanksgiving tradition since I've lived alone to watch this ep (and the S3 Thanksgiving ep, The Indians in the Lobby) while I make and eat dinner. I never get sick of this one. From CJ and the turkeys to Toby's caring just a little too much to get something done, to the president always knowing just what to say - it's all great.
no subject
Date: 2021-05-12 07:23 am (UTC)With the caveat about the goggles affecting me too, I don't think there's much other reason. If he'd stopped and thought when the conflict clash came up, he might have reflected on what was she meant to assist with, really? It was so late, they ended up having the meeting informally in the mess, there weren't many calls that wouldn't have waited until the morning. Maybe liaising with Ainsley, but Josh steamed on, automatically feeling that Donna should be there for him, not with some other man.
I think we as viewers are supposed to feel that he's gone too far, in his typical brash Josh way, but also that he's more or less correct about why Donna chooses the wrong men.
Yes, I agree.
And I yield to your point on the knife. The way that reveal plays out after all that's come before did land.
Oh, wow, the fact that the ep can stand up to such repreated watching (but the humour is so strong, that'll help) is a real compliment. Actually, that sounds like a nice tradition.