Review of Election Night
Written by Toniann
Well, as stated elsewhere by other posters, I must confess that
this was one of the most unsuspenseful elections I've ever seen. But
on the other hand, we all knew Bartlet was going to win, so perhaps
it's for the best that Sorkin didn't attempt to drum up some sort of
uncertainty about the election's outcome. There's no way it would
have been convincing.
Let's start every episode with a practical joke and see how long it
takes me to catch on. I'm slow on the uptake where that kind of thing
is concerned. I got it when the woman in red started talking to
Josh. But I still thought it was pretty funny. "I voted for your guy
three times!"
I wonder how much campaigning goes on on Election Day. I mean to
say, how much effect does any sort of last-minute campaigning have,
or are the voters decided at that point? Have you ever changed your
mind, or made up your mind, on the day? And was it due to some sort
of campaign strategy? Just curious, I've never seen numbers on
something like that.
Sam didn't want balloons? At all? Or just until they'd won?
Because, no balloons at all? People like the balloons, even at
conventions, as we've heard before. I especially liked the bit with
the staffer scurrying by in the hallway with balloons, running from
Toby.
So, speaking of Toby. Well, that was actually sort of touching, the
sonogram and all. And it's the oldest mushy scene in the book, the
bickering prospective parents sniping at each other until they see
that image on the screen, and hear the heartbeat -- heartbeats, in
this case. Still, I'm a sucker for mushy Toby moments. And I've
always liked Andy. Plus, I think it gives some variety to the main
characters. We've got Leo, CJ, Sam all doing that "married to the
job" thing. Josh stumbles into women who date him for awhile (and
into football players, but that's a different story), but it's not
the same thing. I don't mind having one of the senior staff have a
serious relationship storyline. If it were all of them, I'd start to
get disenchanted with the idea.
I, too, laughed out loud at the Visa Check Card commercial
featuring Charlie & Martin. I think my favorite moment was when
Martin also turned to the blonde and said, "How's it going?".
Josh, as usual, seemed to often not have enough to do in this
episode -- he seemed to me to spend a lot of time wandering the
hallways and sometimes babbling to Donna about the ionization
blackout period (did she call him "Pumpkin Patch"?) or having a much-
too long debate about briefing memos with Debbie Fiderer.
I liked Sam's storyline in this episode -- I liked that he told
Donna about what was going on. He had to tell someone and I think she
actually was the best person for him to tell. He's obviously not sure
what he really wants to have happen here, with Horton Wilde bound to
come out the winner next week. And I think, obviously, he's
underestimating his chances at winning as a result of that
indecision. Very curious to see how that unfolds next week.
I would comment on Christian Slater, aka Lt. Commander Jack Reese,
except blink and you missed him in this episode. I'm assuming his
guest spot will be expanded a bit in the next couple of weeks.
Getting back to Debbie Fiderer... I thought the scenes with Josh
were interminably long, though I got later why they were setting up
that whole thing about her making changes in the president's workday.
Now, that scene I liked -- between Bartlet and Debbie. Does she know
he's ill? I mean, everyone in the country knows he has MS, but as the
president asked her, has she noticed the signs? Despite her claim
that one has nothing to do with the other? I think she may have, or
that perhaps Charlie has said something.
Overall, at the end of this episode, my biggest questions had
nothing to do with the election, but rather about Bartlet and his
health. Something seems to be going on, obviously, and I'm not quite
clear what. I read an interesting post from Bill Van on the newsgroup
this morning, talking about MS and "exacerbations", which is
apparently what is happening to Bartlet (thanks for the info!). I,
too, am curious about what route this storyline will end up following.
"You don't want to tempt the wrath of whatever from high atop the
thing!"
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