The Goon
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|  #1 Posted on 10.10.05 1833.17 | Instant Rating: 8.08 | I really enjoyed last night's episode, which was focused 100% on the campaigns of Vinick (Alan Alda) and Santos (Jimmy Smits). I thought it demonstrated that the show would still be strong once the old guard leaves in a few months.
Great seeing the back-and-forth of a campaign, from both sides. The best scene was when Ray Sullivan, Vinick's VP candidate (not sure who the actor is), easily handles the Christian coalition fella.
They'll be doing the "live episode" gimmick on November 6, as Smits and Alda will be engaging in a live debate on the show that night. It'll be done twice-once for the East coast, once for the West.| Promote this thread! |           | Kevintripod
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|  #2 Posted on 10.10.05 2109.08 | Instant Rating: 2.65 | Originally posted by The Goon
They'll be doing the "live episode" gimmick on November 6, as Smits and Alda will be engaging in a live debate on the show that night. It'll be done twice-once for the East coast, once for the West.
I don't really watch the show, but that sounds interesting enough to get me to watch that night.
"Oh it's on like Donkey Kong !!!" - Stifler, American Wedding | EddieBurkett
Andouille
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| #3 Posted on 10.10.05 2136.22 | Instant Rating: 4.46 | I haven't been watching religiously, but I've been enjoying what I've caught. I'm glad (and surprised!) that the rumours that this season was going to open with election day weren't true, as the campaigns look to be fun.
That said, did they really need to have Santos say "I voted for it before I voted against it?" The ripped-from-the-headlines feel of that and the White House leak story are a bit too blatant for my tastes.
Admittedly I haven't seen alot this season, so if I don't know something obvious I apologize, but are we supposed to think that C.J. is the leak? And if so, does that mean she probably isn't? Who else could it be? I suppose they can afford to 'fire' whomever it winds up being, since the whole staff is going to be unemployed shortly thereafter anyway.
I could really see them building a cast around either campaign. I'm not even sure myself about who I want to win.
"Now that you've built up the courage to get into the gym, let me give you five reasons why you should put in the time to train with consistency: 1. Increased strength 2. Improved self-confidence 3. Injury prevention 4. Self-discipline 5. Sex (Trust me, you'll have a better shot with the ladies if you're in shape.)" -- Making the Game, pp. 14 - 15 | ekedolphin
Scrapple
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| #4 Posted on 10.10.05 2140.48 | Instant Rating: 2.29 | I think Santos attempted to explain that he voted for it in the committee, and then voted against the version put before the House because the special-interest groups destroyed it, but that kind of subtlety was apparently lost on the reporter. They're doing the live episode twice?! I'm not even convinced they should be doing it at all, but if they're doing it twice then dammit I want to see both versions of it.
"I am here to use my frabjulitulity to mictifarcate your giltooney! Lo! My junurtiquity is most biollorky! Bask in the power of my meckalecka-hi, meckahiney-ho!"
--Elan, The Order of the Stick Four-Time Wiener of the Day (5/27/02; 7/3/02; 7/30/04; 8/28/04) The Only Five-Time (and Last) N.E.W. World Heavyweight Champion Certified RFMC Member-- Ask To See My Credentials! | General Zod
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| #5 Posted on 10.10.05 2210.15 | Instant Rating: 1.97 | We are supposed to think C.J is the leak. She was very forceful in her belief that the U.S. should send up the military vehicle to save the astronauts. If it is not her it could be Toby (his now dead brother was a former astronaut, though not one of those trapped in space) or possible the NSA aid (I can never remember her name).
In general this is a good show but it has lost a step from the Sorkin years.
"Kneel before Zod" | redsoxnation
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| #6 Posted on 10.10.05 2344.43 | Instant Rating: 3.85 | Considering it is struggling in the ratings and is in a time slot that will house Sunday Night Football next year, I think this is probably the last year of the West Wing.
Does Vinick just hire his staff from 1990's ABC shows?
Moving C.J. from press secretary to chief of staff will probably be deemed the "Jump the Shark" moment for the West Wing. Dynamic of the show has never been the same. | Matt Tracker
Scrapple
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| #7 Posted on 11.10.05 1053.47 | Instant Rating: 6.05 | Originally posted by redsoxnation
Moving C.J. from press secretary to chief of staff will probably be deemed the "Jump the Shark" moment for the West Wing. Dynamic of the show has never been the same.
I say it was a much-needed shakeup of the regular cast's rhythm, and it caused some sharp story progression. It also forced Josh to pull up stakes, a positon Hoynes tried to exploit for his campaign. Didn't help that Donna quit, another shock to Josh's stability. The Santos/Josh subplot was developed beautifully that season after all this.
Toby had to adjust as the press secretary, a job he's mentally qualified for but emotionally, he's the worst possible choice. Working with the Kristen Chenowith character allowed someone from outside the show to boss him around and lead him to a mindset to do the job. Also, he had to adjust to his former most distanced employee (C.J.) now becoming his boss.
The past season wasn't perfect, by any means, and I'm referring to the almost slapstick physical collapse of the president. I wish Charlie had some more TV time as well. But overall, this is again a very entertaining show that pushes a capable cast with demanding scripts. They've managed to humanize the Republican candidate and his team to the point that I wouldn't mind at all if he were to win.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker | Big Bad
Scrapple
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| #8 Posted on 13.10.05 0029.42 | Instant Rating: 4.36 | The jump the shark moment for WW occurred the minute Aaron Sorkin stopped being involved. The show had a crappy fifth year, a good comeback last year with the 'brand extension' with Josh, Donna and Will out on the campaign trail and the rest of the bunch back at the White House. This season, I think, should be it, given the aforementioned low ratings and the show's increasingly expensive cost. It's obvious that Santos will win the election, so they can go out on the high note of a new Democrat moving in and Bartlett's legacy being established.
CJ isn't the mole.....we saw that in the season premiere and the "three years later" flash-forward at the opening of Bartlett's library. If she was really the leak, no way would she be out of prison by then. The same with Kate, too. My dark-horse (unwitting) mole prediction is Margaret.
The bottom line on TWW is that in its prime, it was one of the best shows on television. Season Two was the best episode-for-episode season of any show I've ever seen.
On the flip side, congrats to ABC for hiring Tim McGraw to tailor the lyrics to "I like it, I love it" for every halftime highlight show throughout the "Monday Night Football" season. Just last week, my buddy House and I were discussing Cosell's classic highlight narratives in the '70s, and how nobody had approached them since, and I told House, "Only one thing could ever come close, and I know it's a long shot, but what if ABC hired Tim McGraw to tailor the lyrics to 'I Like it, I Love It' for each week of NFL highlights throughout the season?" And wouldn't you know, it happened! See, dreams can come true. --- Bill Simmons, www.sportsguy.net
| Zeruel
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| #9 Posted on 14.10.05 1446.13 | Instant Rating: 4.05 | Originally posted by Big Bad
The jump the shark moment for WW occurred the minute Aaron Sorkin stopped being involved. The show had a crappy fifth year, a good comeback last year with the 'brand extension' with Josh, Donna and Will out on the campaign trail and the rest of the bunch back at the White House. This season, I think, should be it, given the aforementioned low ratings and the show's increasingly expensive cost. It's obvious that Santos will win the election, so they can go out on the high note of a new Democrat moving in and Bartlett's legacy being established.
CJ isn't the mole.....we saw that in the season premiere and the "three years later" flash-forward at the opening of Bartlett's library. If she was really the leak, no way would she be out of prison by then. The same with Kate, too. My dark-horse (unwitting) mole prediction is Margaret.
The bottom line on TWW is that in its prime, it was one of the best shows on television. Season Two was the best episode-for-episode season of any show I've ever seen.
I think it's Toby, by the way he had to thank the Prez for the invite.
"You want to tempt the wrath of the whatever from high atop the thing?" --Toby, West Wing
| Matt Tracker
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| #10 Posted on 14.10.05 1516.28 | Instant Rating: 6.05 | Originally posted by Zeruel
I think it's Toby, by the way he had to thank the Prez for the invite.
I can only remember one episode where they mention Tobey was in the Marines, and that's the Christmas episode where he manages a military burial for a homeless vet. But he DOES have a military connection.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker | General Zod
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| #11 Posted on 14.10.05 2131.22 | Instant Rating: 1.97 | Are you sure Toby was in the Marines? He arranged the funeral for the Korean War vet, but I don't think he was in the service himself.
"Kneel before Zod" | Matt Tracker
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| #12 Posted on 14.10.05 2214.20 | Instant Rating: 6.05 | Originally posted by General Zod
Are you sure Toby was in the Marines? He arranged the funeral for the Korean War vet, but I don't think he was in the service himself.
I found the script for that episode online and Toby, while never saying he was in the Marines, displays specific knowledge:
OFFICER
An ambulance will come by. It’s not a high priority.
TOBY
And then you’re gonna call the V.A. right?
OFFICER
The V.A.?
TOBY
[points] Tattoo on his forearm is Marine Battalion Second of the Seventh. This guy
was in Korea.
OFFICER
Huh... Thanks.
and this:
BARTLET
Toby, you’re not responsible...
TOBY
An hour and twenty minutes for the ambulance to get there. A Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps, Second of the Seventh. The guy got better treatment at Panmunjong.
I made the assumption, and I may be wrong, but I'd like to know how Toby knew this stuff if he wasn't in the Marines. Otherwise, this subplot could have been easily given to Leo.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker | ekedolphin
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| #13 Posted on 16.10.05 2203.58 | Instant Rating: 2.29 | After tonight's episode, we know for a fact... it's Toby. Holy shit. He was always near the top of my suspects list (I figured it couldn't be C.J., since that would be too obvious), but... wow. Can't wait to hear the explanation next week. In other news, Santos is drillin' Vinick hard.
"I am here to use my frabjulitulity to mictifarcate your giltooney! Lo! My junurtiquity is most biollorky! Bask in the power of my meckalecka-hi, meckahiney-ho!"
--Elan, The Order of the Stick Four-Time Wiener of the Day (5/27/02; 7/3/02; 7/30/04; 8/28/04) The Only Five-Time (and Last) N.E.W. World Heavyweight Champion Certified RFMC Member-- Ask To See My Credentials! |
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