Review of Bartlet for America
Written by Toniann
Well, that certainly packed a punch.
I really liked the first telephone conversation with Josh and Leo, where Leo told Josh that he acts the way he does because of his guilt over the fact that everyone he loves dies, and Josh tossed back that this was about falling in a hole and helping a friend out. Talk about summing a lot up in a couple of brief sentences.
You know, like Leo, breakfast is really my favorite meal to eat out, too. I'm more partial to V-8 than tomato juice, though.
I wish I could remember Leo's lawyer's name, I think her last name was Jordan. Or maybe that was her first name. Regardless, the interaction between the two of them was enjoyable, and in a way, sweet. I loved him answer when she asked why he kept asking her out. And I was happy she said yes.
I confess that I'm a sucker for these flashback episodes, especially when it's easy to tell when they're flashing back (that hasn't always been the case). Who were those poor two geeky guys talking to Governor Bartlet about tourism? Poor schmucks, they actually had good points. Good points, but a terrible slogan. And they need to pin down that information on goggles.
Mrs. Landingham!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Special Agent Mike Casper the guy Sam had a not-so-nice run-in with in "Somebody's Going to Emergency"? To be honest, it's just the "Casper" part that's reminding me. Agent Casper has a sort of Friendly Ghost appeal.
I love when television makes me laugh out loud. That moment where CJ shot the basketball through a window was, well, priceless. "We're going to need an intern in here!"
Speaking of flashbacks, though, I'm always intrigued by scenes showing Bartlet and Hoynes and how it is that these two fierce opponents came to be on the same ticket. Tonight's flashback scene was great, I thought. I think Bartlet really did mean to show Hoynes that he trusted him, or else he would have waited to tell him about the MS until after he'd accepted. Of course, I also think Bartlet's sense of fair play was at work -- I don't think he would have thought it was right for Hoynes to agree without full disclosure. And I also understand what that line about making him beg meant, so long ago.
I'm curious, though, why the president didn't tell Leo about the MS sooner. I've always been kind of curious about that, but specifically after watching tonight. I can see why he didn't tell him when the campaign began; Bartlet simply didn't think he had a chance of winning. But by the time he was telling Hoynes, he had the nomination. He told Hoynes because he trusted him, or wanted to show that he did (there may be a distinction). He didn't need to prove that to Leo. Still, it seems like he would have told him, at least to me.
Can I just interrupt with an utterly facetious remark: Sam has a really messy address book. This guy needs to invest in a Palm Pilot or something.
But the real point of this episode: Leo. For one thing, I think we can all be sure John Spencer will be a serious contender for an Emmy with this one, that's for sure. The actor showed a side of Leo McGarry I really don't think we've seen before, and it's something I, at least, have been unconsciously wanting to see. There is obviously such depth to Leo, but the wonder of Spencer's acting is that it's always just under the surface, only rarely seen. Tonight was an in-depth look.
Last but not least, I take back all of the times I called Cliff the Republican Lawyer Guy "smarmy", or anything else remotely derogatory. He certainly showed true decency and not a small amount of nobility tonight. And I think it was quite wise of Sorkin to stray from painting Republicans as uniformly ill-intentioned; those three men in that room, Cliff, Gibson, and the Chairman, showed a range of opinions and standards, a far more realistic depiction of any political party, and a fairer shake all around.
"Hang on -- this wall is curved."
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