Amph "Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc" : The West Wing Discussion Thread

Very little? But if they're only using Democrats, then I suppose it might work?

 

Wait, is there a lemon-sj website?

 

Just to be sure, do you know the actual backstory behind that plot? I'm assuming you do ('cause... Hollywood) but it's hilarious (if others don't know)...

And, of course there is: Outer Rim Sieges...

 

Wow.

Did not know that. 20 minutes well spent on Google. Thanks!

 

Just throwing this out there. if we did 3 episodes a week, we could do a group re-watch and discussion over the course of the year. Anyone up for such shenanigans?

 

Um, or just listen to The West Wing Weekly with Josh Malina and Hrishi Hirway?

We're so far behind on other TV (and in the middle of a quasi--rewatch with a friend who comes down and stays with us about every 2 months) we couldn't participate right now...

 

Slightly off-pace, but easy to catch up.

Episode 01:01 - "Pilot"

I had hoped to review and give thoughts on each episode as a stand-alone, but for me in Pilot this proved nearly impossible. So much of what happens in this episode is linked to how the show goes forward, and works (or doesn't) because of how I know the series will play out and the characters develop. It's an almost perfect pilot episode, because it's the series in a nutshell - President Bartlett doesn't have many scenes, but he's a total badass, winning the day through his superior intellect and care; Sam is such a big thinker, hamstrung by his own naivety; Josh is a loud mouth jackass who could get a lot more accomplished if he would take time to listen and not insist his ideas are the only ones that matter (he sure is a nice allegory for modern politics, isn't he?). This first introduction we get to Toby - that he is arrogant and believes that rules don't apply to him - is the perfect introduction to Toby. CJ is the only major character who struggles in the pilot, and IIRC, she struggles for a bit before finding her feet on the show.

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the story arch between Sam and Laurie. Again, it's quintessential Sam. He thinks he's going to do only good with the Call Girl he loves, and doesn't think about the big picture, or about the impact his words and deeds have on her. Time and again, we see a similar lesson from Sam, but that's okay, because it works. Sam doesn't do much with Laurie in the pilot, but I know what's coming, and I'm excited to see the good, and fearful to see the bad, ignorant, and misguided.

On a similar note, I'd forgotten how much I don't like the character of Mandy. She so ... forgettable. Amy Gardner, once introduced, plays a similar role so much better.

As to the episode itself - fairly straightforward for the West Wing. Nothing special in this one.

I'm going to be tracking a few things through the rewatch. Not sure what all will end up on this list, but we're starting with:

Josh Lyman Firing is threatened/hinted/implied - 1

 

Heelsie



As long as it's Sorkin writing it.

 

I imagine Sterling is locked into This is Us given its already renewed for another two seasons. And honestly Allison Janney is doing well with Mom and CBS sitcoms rarely die until the creator is bored. Richard Schiff is doing great with new show The Good Doctor and Martin himself is in Grace and Frankie. Joshua Malina is looking for work though. Not sure what Rob Lowe and Bradley Whitford are up to aside from Bradley's role in Get Out. That means our best shot is a mini series or movie and not a full series. I can live with that.

 

I'm planning on this fall (probably later when I'm moved into a new place) to watch The American President again (the prototype to TWW and one of my favorite movies) and full re-watch of the show. It's gonna be great.

 

Sorkin has also said he'd need a full idea first, which he doesn't have.

I'd be 100% up for President Sterling K. Brown, but I really love the idea of Sam being president. Bartlet tells him it will be him one day. He also tells the designated survivor that one time "You got a best friend? Is he smarter than you? That's your chief of staff" and in 20 Hours in America when Sam is staffing the President he says he always knew Josh was smart, but he didn't realise how much smarter than Sam he was until that moment. Sam President, Josh CoS.

I wouldn't be mad about S.K.B. though, he is amazing and I'd watch him in anything.

Bradley Whitford is going to be in a major recurring role in The Handmaid's Tale for season two and I think Rob Lowe is still on Code Black.

But with that being said, every single one of them said they'd be willing to do it if Sorkin is doing it.

 

What I love about that 'motherboard/technically I outrank you' scene is that she is yelling at him, clearly mad, and then they say 'okay' and then they decide to walk to a meeting together. They do this more than one time in the show, have it out and then it's over. I just love it.

But I agree, that's a great episode. I use this gif quite often:

 

free photo uploading site

 

bracket filled out under protest. I can't believe Marion Cotesworth-Haye didn't get a bid. Terrible bias from the selection committee.

 

Honestly, I think Leo vs. Mrs. L was the hardest call for me... Charlie / Leo was also tough, but less so...