Review of Let Bartlet Be Bartlet
Written by Toniann
The opening teaser for this episode is one of my all-time favorites. Sam's forgetting to
change the opening line of the speech, due to his faith in the weather report from Lt.
Emily Lowenbrau; the president asking CJ if she's taller than she usually is; Mrs.
Landingham lecturing the president about getting enough roughage in his diet. I'm not
sure which part was my favorite.
Well, do it, baby. I liked Donna is this episode. I have to further add that I especially
liked that she spoke up for herself when Josh unnecessarily snapped at her. All the joking
and put-downs are fine and fun, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't snipe at her now
and then. Secretaries and assistants unite! I used to be one, and still champion their cause.
Ah, Mandy and her memo. Oh, I suppose there are some good points to be made about
why she was within her rights to write that memo, and how CJ and Toby and the rest of
the staff should've asked for something exactly like it when they rehired her. Yeah,
maybe it wasn't all her fault. But who really wants to stick up for Mandy, anyhow?
Margaret the Hacker: she's crazy, but I like her. Very little has ever tickled me more
than Toby telling her that yes, he will take a muffin down to the lab for her. "Be careful
not to handle it yourself."
I loved the writing in Sam's scenes, and the meeting regarding gays in the military.
Some really excellent points were made, not the least of all by Fitzwallace. But the truth
is, this issue never really will get resolved until a president puts their full weight behind
it. Don't hold your breath, anyone.
You know, I really don't like the majority leader's aide, Steve. And part of the reason is
because I think he played a bit part in a favorite movie of mine, "Playing By Heart", as
this sleazy guy who tries to pick Angelina Jolie up in a bar, using *really* sleazy lines.
That, and, his character on TWW is kind of sleazy too.
Watch that picture in Toby's office, of he and Bartlet in the Oval Office. You'll see it
again in "Celestial Navigation"...
You know I love CJ, but I have to concede that she was wrong to blame Danny for
running the story about the memo. Come on, CJ. It *is* news, and there's no way it
wasn't going to be reported by someone. Give the guy a break.
Final scene: "I serve at the pleasure of the president." I'll be honest with you, I thought
it was a little over the top. But, you know, just this once I'll let it slide. :)
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