Review of Manchester Part 1


Written by Toniann

I hate two-parters. Well, actually, the fact that I feel anxious and dying to see the next episode means they've done their job, I suppose. But still, you know, way to leave me hanging out there.

  • Huh. Maybe it's just me, but somehow I expected something other than "Yeah. And I'm gonna win." Usually this guy's a lot more eloquent, is all I'm saying.

  • On first impression, I'm not sure if the flashback nature of this episode really worked for me. It seemed like there was a lot to keep track of-- what had been foreshadowed in the previous scene, what related to something we were about to see, and so on. I'm not convinced it was necessary to tell the story that way.

  • One thing I do know is, now I totally want M&M's with the seal of the President. How cool is that?

  • Okay, who are these new people? Call me xenophobic, but I don't like having them around. I'm guessing they're political operatives brought on board for the reelection, but I think they could have done a better job of saying so. Did anyone else get the impression that Toby and whats-his-name, the bald guy, have a past history?

  • Ah, Toby-- if only I could make myself believe he really is smiling on the inside.

  • So who is Nancy? The aide? We got this glimpse of her talking to Sam at one point. Is she a new assistant or have we seen her before? And she looked a lot like what's her name, from "The American President". Am I imagining that?

  • Why can't I remember anyone's name?

  • That was kind of surprising, that round of applause in the Situation Room. But a nice touch, I thought. And in a way, you'd like to think that the top military advisors and the Commander in Chief have that kind of relationship. Whoever the CiC is.

  • Speaking of, I thought the scenes set in the Situation Room were marvelously executed. Often, I confess, I find those scenes dull. Full of drama, always, since in the Situation Room you would expect important things to be going on. But it's usually so much strategic talk that I'm busy following along, not doing much else. These were different, somehow. Kind of fascinating.

  • One thing I noticed, to continue with the Situation Room, is that they're finally giving Anna Devere Smith something else to do-- something other than reciting strategic plans and giving military orders. Her brief exchange with Leo was something that's been missing from her character, I think, a sign that she fits into the Bartlet administration a little more closely than we'd seen before.

  • So in the past "week" since we last saw her Joey got a haircut. Well, it's nice, in a Melrose Place meets Ally McBeal kind of way. While we're at it, I loved how when she finally burst in the room, having missed her ride from the press conference, Kenny's interpretation of her signing was suitably out-of-breath. Gosh I just love Kenny.

  • So, the thing with Charlie. Talk to me, folks who know more about such things than I do. In his position he'd really need a $100,000 lawyer? Doesn't that seem, I don't know, just unfair? Seriously, bear with my naivetH, I'm just saying, how can that be justice at work? Obviously someone with that job couldn't possibly afford that kind of representation. If that's what he needs, isn't there something unfair about the system, penalizing him for being a lowly government worker? How do such things work out in the real world? Would such a lawyer perhaps take his case, I don't know, for the publicity? Would that be a good thing, then, or a bad idea? Beats the hell out of me. Help me out here, guys.

  • What can I say about CJ? I'm torn up for her. I loved that Sam came to her defense, after what seemed to be some tension between them last season. Everything he said was true, and I think he had a very valid point when he said to Leo that "some of us have had more time than others". At the same time, though, she really did make a huge mistake. We all know Allison Janney isn't leaving the show so I'm guessing the president won't want her to resign. Even knowing that, though, her performance was extraordinary this week, I thought. Nice job, as always.


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