Review of 17 People


Written by Toniann

Whew. Let me catch my breath.

You know, the last couple of episodes have not, admittedly, been stellar. I'm such a "West Wing" fan that my honeymoon phase with the show hasn't ended; I'm still entranced by every episode. But let's just say I wasn't "wowed" by recent showings. Can't say that about this week, though. I'm still blown over.

  • I loved the opening scenes, with the flashes of Toby over six days, figuring it all out. The rhythmic bouncing of the ball which sped up at the end to sound eerily like a heartbeat, the silences. Loved it. And for the record, if they did something just like it on "Sports Night", I don't give a damn.

  • Also noticed: in almost every scene set in the Oval Office, you could hear a clock ticking loudly in the background. How appropriate.

  • You know, I've noticed a change in the air regarding audience perception of Toby. I've heard him called mean and pissy and overall folks have seemed annoyed with him lately. I wasn't one of that crowd to begin with; my love for his curmudgeon-ly, crabby, dry manner has only grown. Frankly, I feel just as pissy as Toby does sometimes; maybe I'm even envious that he gets to let it show. In any case, though, I have no problems with Toby tonight. Even when Bartlet was furious with him, I identified with Toby and the way he had clearly been rocked to the core. I usually take notes while I'm watching, to write this post later, but during much of the Toby/Bartlet interaction I didn't write a thing, remaining riveted to the screen instead.

  • More on this: Bartlet's anger at Toby for not expressing concern about his health was a powerful moment. But I understood why Toby had reacted the way he had. Toby's not Leo. He's not going to throw an arm around your shoulder and tell you a story about a guy in a hole. He's a deeply feeling man; in "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen", Toby was the only person who physically comforted another staffer, Ginger. (I notice these things ) But in general, he's a pragmatic guy; that's how he handles crisis. And man, do I identify.

  • Do we have the 17 people now? Leo named the First Lady, their three daughters, a doctor, a specialist, and a radiologist. Later we mentioned the anesthesiologist. Plus Bartlet, and Toby, and Leo, and Hoynes. That's 11. Now, some other names were tossed out there but I listened carefully and it was unclear which of them actually knew: the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Secretaries of Defense and State. Naval doctors. The National Security Advisor. Which of them know?

  • Huh. Well, I thought those rumors about the First Lady and Bartlet were just speculation, but something seems to be going on. Charlie certainly knows there's trouble in the air, though he's wisely not saying much. Which in a roundabout way brings me to how I've been wondering if there's any chance Charlie knows. There are two things that make that a possibility to me: the obvious one, ZoN, of course. And, his close day-to-day contact with the president. I'm sure Charlie would never say a word, but I wonder.

  • And, Toby said the magic word: impeachment. That's another rumor I thought was just speculation. Now I'm not so sure.

  • Correct me if I'm wrong: Toby told Leo he thought five things could happen. The president could not run again. The president could run and lose. The president could run and win. Or, the story could break and the president could face charges. What's the fifth thing? Did I miss a step?

  • Briefly onto lighter fare: the Josh/Donna 'Ship-O-Meter is finally getting a workout. I'm sorry, non-ship fans, this episode was chock full of tingly little moments. The flowers, the anniversary thing, the banter (I especially liked when she called him the prince of passive-aggressive behavior; also, Josh's bit about the Catholic school uniform). And mostly, Donna telling Josh he's better than her ex-boyfriend and that if Josh were in an accident she wouldn't stop for red lights. Listen. I'm not saying anything should happen between them. I'm not saying anything will happen between them. I'm not saying... well, you get the picture. But guys, they're obviously nutty for each other. I'm giving this episode an all-time high score of 6.

  • An off-topic comment: you know that FedEx commercial where the guy is rushing to get a package out and falls into the banquet hall, interrupting the CEO's speech? Is anyone else bothered by how very *dead* or at least *paralyzed* that guy would be if he fell like that, from that height?

  • Lastly, we had a powerful ending to a gripping episode. I love Toby's pointing out that 17, not 16 people knew. It was such a simple, quiet, Toby-like way of saying that he *did* understand that this illness was far more devastating to Bartlet himself than it was to anyone else, his way of acknowledging and expressing concern. It was so in-character I wanted to cheer. And Bartlet knew what Toby was saying, and *that's* why he apologized, when he had just said he wasn't going to. Wow.


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