The West Wing Season Four: Game On!

[Guest]

I'm sure Biz Buzz will have a better title coming to you later.  

 

Last night I watched the first episode (because I couldn't sleep after Season 3's finale).  I don't know if it was just coming off the energy of Season 3's finale, but it felt really... slow to me.  It just didn't feel right.  Maybe they're just building for things that will come later.  I really didn't like the sitcom-y, predictable plotline of Donna, Toby, and Josh missing a bus, running out of gas, time zone confusion, etc.  and how it led to them learning something new.  It felt very trope-y.

[SingleMaltBlonde]

Have you ever been to that part of Indiana with the time change?  It was a nightmare and crap like this would and did happen to people.

[eyebleach]

The 2nd half of "20 Hours in America" is some of my fav TWW.

 

"The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight."  The minister at my church (who was also a TWW nut) actually used that phrase after the horror of Sandy Hook Elementary.

[Guest]

Have you ever been to that part of Indiana with the time change? It was a nightmare and crap like this would and did happen to people.

Oh yes. Almost every Thanksgiving growing up we would have to figure out based on which aunt was hosting whether we were on "fast time" or "slow time."

[AriAu]

Last night I watched the first episode (because I couldn't sleep after Season 3's finale).  I don't know if it was just coming off the energy of Season 3's finale, but it felt really... slow to me.  It just didn't feel right.  Maybe they're just building for things that will come later.  I really didn't like the sitcom-y, predictable plotline of Donna, Toby, and Josh missing a bus, running out of gas, time zone confusion, etc.  and how it led to them learning something new.  It felt very trope-y.

 

Funny, I always liked those episodes a lot, altho admittedly, I like the 2nd one better. I was never bothered by the trope-y nature of it since AS often used Donna to speak as the "every man" and having her lead them around and talk some sense into them was totally in keeping with the show.... and was an attempt at "bringing the funny" as they used to say on TWOP.

 There were great quotes throughout the episode on top of the one mentioned above. "Ran in to the Fire". "Freak". "Admiral Sissy Mary"," I am, however, beginning to lean towards reducing our nuclear arsenal one at a time if you know what I mean."  And the line I use all the time "Good writers borrow from other writers, great ones steal outright." And now that you saw this, see how many meetings you I walk into  and say (under your breath) "Well, if it isn't the happy, fun bunch".

 

First one did bring us a very young Amy Adams, but the 2nd one brought us Mallory looking S M O K I N G hot in that green dress, so there is that.

 

And there are lots of great Sam moments and I am a Sam fan.

 

ETA that I love the music choices Snuffy made-I Don't Like Mondays was obvious, but worked.

Edited October 27, 2015 by AriAu

[ProudMary]

20 Hours is one of my favorite episodes.  

In addition to Amy Adams, it also gave us an early look at future Sorkinite John Gallagher, Jr..

Adding to the great quotes from this ep.:  "300 IQ points between them and I swear if it weren't for Donna, they'd have to buy a house."

[BW Manilowe]

Have you ever been to that part of Indiana with the time change? It was a nightmare and crap like this would and did happen to people.

I live in part of "that part of Indiana" which caused the screwup for Josh, Donna, & co. (only closer to the Ohio & Michigan borders than Indy--I thought Jed seemed to be speaking closer to Indy/Southern Indiana than my metro area in the ep; especially since they kept referring to getting to Indy as the fastest way they could get back to DC without having caught up to Air Force One/the Presidential Motorcade & Entourage). So I know these screwups well. I was also the responsible 1 for remembering when airline schedules, TV schedules, etc., changed when our part of Indiana didn't do Daylight Savings Time (& so we were on "Chicago" time for 1 part of the year; "NY" time for the other part) so we didn't miss things like favorite/important TV shows or taking someone to/picking someone up from the airport for a flight.

Thankfully, the Governor (or whomever) did the right thing & finally mandated the entire state (I'm pretty sure... Maybe there are some exemptions for the part of Indiana near Chicago, but I'm not sure) observe Daylight Saving Time a few years ago now.

So... No more 20 Hours in America transportation messes here, unless maybe you somehow missed the memo all of Indiana now observes Daylight Savings Time.

[Guest]

I watched the second part last night and thought it was much better. I loved the President's line about them needing to buy a house.

[Guest]

Oh and in the 2nd half of 20 Hours in America, I have to say I absolutely loved CJ trying so hard to keep it together and learning of the terrorist attack while briefing.  She is an amazing actor. 

 

One thing I love about the show is that I think they are all amazing actors.  Some stronger than others, but overall the core cast plus guest stars just.... bring it.

[BizBuzz]

Oh the perils of binge watching.

 

I am sure Part 1 of 20 Hours felt very different after a season to season hiatus, rather than just watching it right after Simon died.  I would think a person would expect a more detailed aftermath of the shooting.  And that we didn't get.

 

I love Mark Harmon, but all of his episodes are painful for me to rewatch.  Not because he died, but because I just didn't like the arc.

 

I love Part 1&2 of 20 Hours ... so many incredibly good lines (I love "freak" by Ron Silver) ... I loved Sam handling the President ... I loved how there were so many different story lines to keep track of.  I actually really like Donna (always have) being the voice of reason.  I loved Charlie's smackdown of Anthony in regards to CJ.

 

I absolutely LOVED the scene with Charlie and the President with the photo with the guy that met Truman ... "Toyko opens in three hours and you're going to drape your arm around the Mayor of Shantytown."

 

These two episodes I felt were kind of brilliant to set up the rest of the season, which I will just shut up now.

 

LOL

[Guest]

Another minor complaint - I thought it was super predictable that after turning down being Simon's Little Brother's Big Brother, Charlie sprung into action to give the kid a verbal smackdown when he heard him disrespect CJ.  And the kid just received it so well.  Really?

[txhorns79]

I thought it was super predictable that after turning down being Simon's Little Brother's Big Brother, Charlie sprung into action to give the kid a verbal smackdown when he heard him disrespect CJ.  And the kid just received it so well.  Really?

 

I think that's just a Sorkinism.  I think they repeat that type of scene a lot during the series, where someone says something rude or nasty about someone or an idea, another person will leap to that person or idea's defense with an impassioned speech, followed by the person who initially made the comment being cowed. 

[eyebleach]

"I LOVE dry rub" - I loved that CJ didn't know they were missing!

[SingleMaltBlonde]

So... No more 20 Hours in America transportation messes here, unless maybe you somehow missed the memo all of Indiana now observes Daylight Savings Time.

 

I live near Southern Indiana and things did get easier  when whoever fixed the problem...my understanding is areas go with the closest metro area...hence Gary follows Chicago.

 

I do always get made at "Sorkin" during the episode where CJ is in Dayton and can't find a flight like Dayton is a one stop light town and doesn't have a decent sized airport and an Airforce base (so I am pretty sure if POTUS needs you from Dayton...he or maybe she gets you pretty quick), plus multiple other airports within an hour or so drive.

[kassygreene]

Also at that time there was at least one daily non-stop between Dayton & DC (National, I believe) -- maybe not on a Saturday, but anyway the Dayton airport is much more than the jumped-up bus station they seemed to have filmed.  And that nearby air force base is Wright-Patterson, which when I lived there 20 years ago did nearly 80,000 take-offs and landings a year, is where the Air Force One planes were customized, incorporates the original Huffman Prairie (where the Wright Brothers refined their flyers after Kitty Hawk), and according to more than one of my co-workers who were long-term gummint contractors, a storage location for some of the Roswell stuff (no, I never believed that, mostly because no one came along to arrest them).  Dayton ain't no podunk town, not when CJ was Press Secretary, and not when she was growing up.

[betsyboo]

I do always get made at "Sorkin" during the episode where CJ is in Dayton and can't find a flight like Dayton is a one stop light town and doesn't have a decent sized airport and an Airforce base (so I am pretty sure if POTUS needs you from Dayton...he or maybe she gets you pretty quick), plus multiple other airports within an hour or so drive.

 

 

Also at that time there was at least one daily non-stop between Dayton & DC (National, I believe) -- maybe not on a Saturday, but anyway the Dayton airport is much more than the jumped-up bus station they seemed to have filmed.  .......... Dayton ain't no podunk town, not when CJ was Press Secretary, and not when she was growing up.

Can we take just a minute to recognize DLM Killer Brownies? #respect.

 

[BizBuzz]

The campaign in full swing, Toby, Josh and Donna are left behind by the motorcade and, through a series of missteps, spend 20 hours getting back to D.C. And that's just the first of many challenges facing Bartlet and his staff.

 

The ramifications of the Bartlet administration's decision to assassinate Qumari Defense Minister Abdul Sharif start to become apparent, as Qumar seeks to use the death to accuse Israel and instigate hostilities.

 

Meanwhile, everyone is worried about the campaign, as Gov. Ritchie may wind up winning because the public has such low expectations ofhim, which he can only beat. Bartlet, on the other hand, has the reverse problem. It all comes down to a debate that Bartlet has to win, and win handily.

 

Sam, on the other hand, has problems of his own. He goes to California to persuade a congressional campaign manager named Will Bailey to end a campaign where the candidate has died. When Will refuses, Sam makes a promise to run should the late candidate win, which seems highly unlikely. Sam isn't counting on Will's brilliance, though, and he finds himself in sticky situation that may force him to leave the West Wing.

 

Finally, all hell breaks loose as Zoey, about to embark on a trip to France, is abducted by parties unknown. With the nation on high alert in wake of the kidnapping, Bartlet makes the most fateful decision of his presidency, and his fatherhood.

 

Summary via West Wing Wiki

 

Episodes

 

20 Hours in America (Parts 1 & 2)

College Kids

The Red Mass

Debate Camp

Game On

Election Night

Process Stories

Swiss Diplomacy

Arctic Radar

Holy Night

Guns Not Butter

The Long Goodbye

Inauguration (Part 1)

Season 4 Cast Inauguration: Over There

California 47th

Red Haven's on Fire

Privateers

Angel Maintenance

Evidence of Things Not Seen

Life on Mars

Commencement

Twenty Five

[eyebleach]

I was so confused what you guys were talking about - I always skip the reunion episode.  

[betsyboo]

I was so confused what you guys were talking about - I always skip the reunion episode.  

me, too. barely survived watching it the first time.

[AriAu]

I was so confused what you guys were talking about - I always skip the reunion episode

 

Me too.

Are skipping right to that mess because there is so much good stuff before then?

"Once again we are one bad bottle of tequila from all out war in West Asia". "Anyone else do a good Bartlett" and of course "Bite me".

Yes, I like Debate Camp, but not as much as I like the always quotable Game On, other than the ridiculousness of Abby saying "Game On boyfriend".

I often quote Toby "I'm not sure I can watch any more. No, wait - I can, I can." I am smiling just thinking about it. As a matter of fact, I am having a crappy day and will need to go home and watch it tonite to make myself happy!

[Guest]

I'm going to watch it tonight too, Ari!

[eyebleach]

I think I shall join in!  The only bad moment of "Game On" is the boyfriend line.  It's just so not them.

[AriAu]

I love Game On and I recalled that the recapper at TWOP hated it, and not just because of the "boyfriend" line or the entire out of character interaction between the two. How can you not love "Ten Bucks/1 square foot of real estate" cold open, CJ's laugh, Sally and the Suffragette routine from Will (which I quote every election day to the chagrin of my family and friends), Albie Duncan!!! and sewing soccer balls with their teeth (and a  Schwepes Bitter Lemon), "The candidate died, not the ideas", "It's not one big word, it's 2", Leo giving another "Leo speech" (altho not as good as a man is walking down the street...), Jordan's "meeting of godless infidels down the hall", Toby's absolute glee and Sam's speech at the end. And yes, every rental car would be at Niagra Falls and the Tropicana

So I went to TWOP and somehow the site is working and I was able to read more than Page 1. I am afraid to touch the machine-it is like when the guys got free porn on Friends.

Well, there goes my billable hours today.

[BizBuzz]

So I went to TWOP and somehow the site is working and I was able to read more than Page 1. I am afraid to touch the machine-it is like when the guys got free porn on Friends.

Well, there goes my billable hours today.

 

OMG ... It's taking forever to load, but it's actually working.  An unbelievable rush of nostalgia and longing for days gone by just rushed over me.  I am back 10+ years reading and smiling at my computer screen for awesome WW Recappers.  

 

Clients can wait, right? 

[Guest]

IT'S LIKE A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE ONLY IN OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sorry for the all-caps. I couldn't contain myself.  West Wing recaps..... it's a beautiful thing.

 

By the way, I didn't watch last night. I fell asleep putting my baby to sleep. I will try again tonight. 

[betsyboo]

IT'S LIKE A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE ONLY IN OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sorry for the all-caps. I couldn't contain myself.  West Wing recaps..... it's a beautiful thing.

 

By the way, I didn't watch last night. I fell asleep putting my baby to sleep. I will try again tonight. 

Deeja -- if I can go off topic for a moment - in my real life my family and I have a SIDS organization. Charlie's Kids Foundation. Feel free to check us out on Facebook where we are a running a campaign for SIDS Awareness Month - post a pic of your wee one practicing safe sleep. #IAmSafeSleep.

 

(Mods- if this is inappropriate, please remove! Sorry!)

 

So I went to TWOP and somehow the site is working and I was able to read more than Page 1. I am afraid to touch the machine-it is like when the guys got free porn on Friends.

Well, there goes my billable hours today.

OMG! I'm in, too!  ACK!

[AriAu]

By the way, I didn't watch last night.

 

From all my quotes, I think you can guess that I did watch it last night, along with Debate Camp and I'll save the next 2 for tonite!

I went back and read the one for B4A-oh how I miss the snark!

However, Deborah did hate Game On...a lot.

[AriAu]

Sorry for the all-caps. I couldn't contain myself.  West Wing recaps..... it's a beautiful thing

 

Deaja: You have no idea the treat that you are in for. If only the forums had stayed alive!

Anyone want to play Six Degrees of West Wing Separation.

[BizBuzz]

Anyone want to play Six Degrees of West Wing Separation.

 

Sure ... I suck at it, but start a new thread and I will participate!

[AriAu]

By the way... we should have named the thread "What, do you want to tempt the wrath of the...whatever, from high atop the thing?"

[Guest]

"I'm supposed to be using this time to ask a question so here it is. Can we have it back?" Lol

DAVID ROSEN!!!! Fine. Josh Malina. Either way, yay!!!

I don't particularly like the First Lady.

I loved them all messing with Toby at the beginning.

[Guest]

Okay, in Election Day, I didn't immediately realize they were pranking Josh. I thought he was having some kind of nightmare.

[Guest]

Ok, I'm not really feeling Season 4 so far. I don't like the Sam storyline in part because

I've heard he leaves after Season 4, so I'm guessing this leads to his departure.

. I love Sam. Other than Game On, the plots haven't wowed me either.

I'll keep watching, but so far this season is not my favorite.

[eyebleach]

Keep watching.  There are some less than wonderful days ahead but it is worth following through until the end, I promise :)
 

[BizBuzz]

Keep watching.  There are some less than wonderful days ahead but it is worth following through until the end, I promise :)

 

What she said ...

 

I might be in the minority, but

Inauguration Parts 1&2

are my favorite of this season.

[Bastet]

Ok, I'm not really feeling Season 4 so far.

 

That may be partially influenced by the binge watching.  Seasons three and four, as compared to all of television, I love.  But as compared to seasons one and two, I don't like as much.  That didn't matter when spread out over the course of years.  But if I was watching this era of the show for the first time, with the earlier seasons still so fresh in my mind, I would probably be thinking that very thing.

[Guest]

I KNEW IT AS SOON AS I HEARD "GOLDFISH PIN!!!!"

I'll stop shouting now. I'm on "Holy Night." I'm glad Danny's back. CJ needs him.

[Guest]

I don't think I like Zoe's new boyfriend. She and Charlie were way cuter together.

[Guest]

Okay, now that I've watched the whole episode "Oh Holy Night" I still don't understand some of it.  Can anyone explain the beginning scene?  It seems to me that Toby's dad was in the car while one guy killed another.  Did they ever explain why?  What is Murder Inc.?  I understood it to mean that his dad had done some bad things, but the beginning just seemed so abrupt. Like, did Toby's dad know they guy was going to kill the other one?  

[BizBuzz]

Okay, now that I've watched the whole episode "Oh Holy Night" I still don't understand some of it.  Can anyone explain the beginning scene?  It seems to me that Toby's dad was in the car while one guy killed another.  Did they ever explain why?  What is Murder Inc.?  I understood it to mean that his dad had done some bad things, but the beginning just seemed so abrupt. Like, did Toby's dad know they guy was going to kill the other one?  

 

That whole scene was to show how Toby's Dad was involved with nefarious people back in the day, with Murder, Inc ... giving the two of them some angst to work through.  And I guess to give Toby even more reason to be the person who he is.  

 

Josh set up the meeting between the two, and I love how Josh works it out with Toby on why he did it:

 

JOSH

All right, it was desperation. It wasn't out of a desire to do evil. He had a young family and he barely spoke the language. He went to jail. He went to jail and you went to school, and it was all a half century ago. Look what he did in two generations.  What room did you just walk out of?

 

TOBY

I appreciate that that's what you think. Do I get to think what I think?

 

JOSH

No, you don't, 'cause you don't know what I know.

 

TOBY

What?

 

JOSH

That I would give anything to have a father who was a felon, or a sister with a past.  That's it.

 

 

I always took the scene as that he didn't know what was going to happen, just was starting out with this group, in a new country and all that. 

 

Someone else might have a different take.

[betsyboo]

I don't think I like Zoe's new boyfriend. She and Charlie were way cuter together.

He gets worse the more he talks. it's like someone told him to start every sentence with the "zhhh" sound.

[AriAu]

What is Murder Inc.?

 

Murder Inc is/was the hit squad of the New York Mafia, with a strong contingent of Italian and Jewish gangsters.

 

The opening scene is very confusing, but all that matters is that he was in the Mafia/Mob/what ever other term you like.

[eyebleach]

I'm not sure if Toby's father knew or didn't know.  I always took it as he knew but was just doing what it took to get by as he'd just had a baby and had to find a way to make his family work.  That exchange between Toby and Josh is one of my favorites.  That and the way that Toby's father says "little Toby" - I use that accent when I talk to my cat Toby sometimes.  

[GaT]

I just watched "Life on Mars" again, what a great episode that is. I really wish they had Matthew Perry on for more than 2 episodes, he would have made a great addition to the show.

[Guest]

Still not sure how I felt about The Long Goodbye. CJ is my favorite character, but it felt like a totally different show. Hmm.

[SingleMaltBlonde]

I think a lot of stories around CJ showed how isolated she was as the only high ranking women.  I understand the frustration at the cliche relationship with Simon (Mark Harmon).  Unlike her male colleagues her power and position didn't attract attention in a positive way (except for Danny and even his motives were questioned).

[betsyboo]

Still not sure how I felt about The Long Goodbye. CJ is my favorite character, but it felt like a totally different show. Hmm.

Dear Deaja,

 

Please, I'm going to need an update as to where you are so I can plan my forum-stalking appropriately as you get to certain eps. By all means, please stop working and caring for your children so that I (we?) can live vicariously through you as you careen through the second half of season 4. :-))  thankyouverymuch

 

Best,

ZoeLieFan4Evah

Edited November 10, 2015 by betsyboo

[Guest]

Dear Deaja,

 

Please, I'm going to need an update as to where you are so I can plan my forum-stalking appropriately as you get to certain eps. By all means, please stop working and caring for your children so that I (we?) can live vicariously through you as you careen through the second half of season 4. :-))  thankyouverymuch

 

Best,

ZoeLieFan4Evah

 

I have watched the first half of the inauguration episode.  Actually, I should instead say I watched Part I and there is a Part II.  For scheduling purposes, I'll probably watch Inauguration: Over There, The California 47th, and possibly Red Haven's on Fire tonight. (What... there's nothing wrong with watching three episodes in one night!)

 

However, I feel it fair to say that someone posted a major spoiler for Season 4 in the Season 1 thread (it has since been redacted) so when that event occurs, the good news is I won't have a total freak out like I did when Season 3 ended.  ;)

 

But about your signature, I don't like Zoey's new boyfriend and I don't even remember her breaking up with Charlie!  

 

In other season 4 news, knowing it is Sam's last season, I would prefer to see a little more of him.  He's been missing. :(

[betsyboo]

 

However, I feel it fair to say that someone posted a major spoiler for Season 4 in the Season 1 thread (it has since been redacted) so when that event occurs, the good news is I won't have a total freak out like I did when Season 3 ended.  ;)

BOO!!

 

PS - no judgment here for watching 3 eps in one night....

[eyebleach]

Wait - isn't 3 eps in one night just a regular Tuesday? :)