Review of Game On
Written by Toniann
I can't get past the fact that "Horton Wilde" sounds like a Dr. Seuss
character.
It's kind of charming that CJ walked in with the ten dollar bill already
on her clipboard, knowing she and the rest of the staff would lose the bet.
Then again, it was more paid entertainment than a real wager -- I think we
all knew Toby was too keyed up not to fall for it. Priceless. Call
MasterCard.
And you know, this is why Hal Holbrook is worth his weight in gold -- he's
the one I like, too, in this episode. I for one thoroughly enjoyed that
little subplot that he and CJ enacted. Good writing.
So, I wish I could remember the name of the actor playing Will Bailey (not
George, Sam -- though wasn't there a Billy Bailey? Uncle Billy? The one who
lost the money? I've seen "It's A Wonderful Life" often enough, I should
know this). He's the guy from "The American President" who worked for Sidney
Ellen Wade. You know, didn't it seem odd that they always used her middle
name when they referred to her? Who does that, unless your name is Peggy
Sue, or Joe Bob? Or if you're an assassin or serial killer, of course. It
strikes me as odd every time I watch that movie. Anyhow, Will was that guy.
He must keep in touch with Aaron or something.
Did I hear CJ call Toby "Phyllis" at one point? Right before she commented
on the roundness of his head? And, I believe, after he'd made some comment
about the femininity of tall, competitive women?
Team Toby has not gained an inch of ground, I see. I think Donna should
get involved in this one. As CJ once said, she has a criminal mind. That
might be needed here. And maybe she can do something about two unfortunate
children destined, now, to be named Beatrice and Bluto. Or was it Bloto?
Either way, Team Toby has their work cut out for them.
What can I say, it's all about the ties -- game ties, bow ties, and many
of Josh's ties. I think my favorite bit was the high-powered meeting making
the selection ("Does anyone have digital?") that carried all the weight of a
snowball in Antarctica. Not to take away from that terrific hallway scuffle,
post-snipping. Frankly, all but the most obnoxious ties look the same to me,
really. I can't say it's something I pay much attention to, no matter how
many pixels I've got to work with.
Don't know how I feel about the "live" camera action on the debate. I do
know it was distracting to me, at least, having Victor Kiriakis (sometimes
known as John Aniston) as the moderator. But then, I was pretty addicted to
"Days of Our Lives" when I was a pre-teen.
Not only is "unfunded mandate" two words, neither of them is very "big",
as Ritchie claimed. Well, that was surely one way to come out swinging. And
as a word geek, I like to see someone stand up and win one for the Vocab
Gipper.
When Ritchie leaned in and said, "It's over", and the president said
something about he'd be back someday, I was kind of surprised. Ritchie did
that bad that even he knew he'd been defeated so soundly he was going to
lose the election? I mean, Bartlet sounded great, but we didn't hear much of
Ritchie's stuff, really. Though... okay, what we heard wasn't too suave.
Really, I think it just never occurred to me that presidential candidates
ever gave up the fight that early, no matter what. In to the bitter end, and
all that. Or maybe it's that I didn't expect Ritchie to be smart enough to
know when he's done.
What can I say? I guess we know, now, how Rob Lowe will be exiting the
show. I'm still not happy he's leaving, obviously. But I'm pleased that he's
doing so in a way that's true to the character, which I think this is. Game
on, Sam.
"I think maybe you and the president are obsessing on the tie."
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