Review of The Red Mass
Written by Toniann
So it is the Stackhouse of the filibuster. I wasn't sure. For all I knew,
it was the one referred to in "The American President" instead. Anyhow, I
liked him -- I liked him before too.
"I know how Ritchie's going to win this election." Well, I'll tell you
what I know: James Brolin is doing the best no-show guest spot I've seen in
a long time. I mean, isn't it kind of funny how he's this looming figure
that's such a big part of the current plot, yet we don't see him? I'm not
complaining about that, I'm just saying, he's starting to remind me of Vera
on "Cheers".
And why would they be iffy about the President in Maine anyhow? I haven't
been to Maine, personally. I'd like to.
I thought that sending Donna to a self-help seminar was a risky move,
actually. You never know what she'll come back with. But they decided to go
the other route. I'm glad. I don't think I would have enjoyed seeing her
babble about the light and the corner and joining the There But For The
Grace of God Society. But they seem to be going in a less ditzy direction
with Donna. Good.
I heartily concur: out of all the staffers in the West Wing, I feel
positive that Josh should not fly things.
Amy Gardner carries balloons around with her?
Actually, despite the nasally voice and weird mannerisms, I liked what she
said and did in this episode. Heck, who knows. I didn't like Maura Tierney's
character when she first appeared on ER, and now she's my favorite. Stranger
things have happened. But she's got to lose that weird side ponytail hairdo
thing she was doing. What the heck.
There's a certain dynamic between Charlie and Anthony that reminds one of
Bartlet and Charlie, don't you think? I mean, certainly it's different on
many levels, but it seemed to me like Charlie is trying to get Anthony to
think for himself, and that's something Bartlet does with everyone.
You know, for a guy that's leaving the show, they've given Sam some nice
moments in the last couple of episodes. That bit last night with him asking
Leo about Shareef, and then knowing he shouldn't have, that was nice. Going
out with a bang, I guess. I still think they're going to have him go into
public office, somehow. It's what would make the most sense.
I don't know a lot about the Red Mass, aside from what we were told last
night ("Big deal"). Actually, I'm used to the "big deal" rule, so to
speak -- I guess the part that surprises me is that it's a Catholic mass,
more than anything else.
Aaron Sorkin is many things, but politically, he's not exactly subtle. The
comments and doubts raised by CJ about how Ritchie would end up winning the
debates simply by meeting low expectations... well, that doesn't ring a bell
at *all*, does it?
Speaking of CJ, was she taller than usual, or just her usual height? I
think it's that they don't often show her standing next to the President
like that.
Who was that young woman in the office, working with Charlie? Ellen? Have
we seen her before? She almost seemed to be Charlie's assistant -- and
frankly, the guy could probably use an assistant. But hey, no Debbie Fiderer
this week.
This is completely off-topic, but can anyone explain to me while Donald
Trump is doing McDonald's commercials? Surely it's not for the money. Unless
he owns McDonald's or something.
"The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which is what they called my dorm
room in college."
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