tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post114466515959332351..comments2024-03-25T19:18:14.047-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Bye, Leo, we'll miss you. Now LET'S DANCE!Alan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1145022418898224992006-04-14T09:46:00.000-04:002006-04-14T09:46:00.000-04:00But you see, John Wells has always tried for a "re...But you see, John Wells has always tried for a "realistic" approach to this show, which was his excuse for all of the senior staff to suddenly hate each other for his first two seasons, and for the Republican Congress to defeat every one of the administration's grand plans. <BR/><BR/>Of course, realism doesn't really explain the nominations of either Santos or, especially, Vinick (no way in hell does an agnostic, pro-choice, socially moderate Republican survive Super Tuesday), but I just have a feeling Vinick's going to wind up with a cabinet post while either a former veep or, maybe, Nancy McNally winds up replacing Leo.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1145020745492803322006-04-14T09:19:00.000-04:002006-04-14T09:19:00.000-04:00I think you underestimate how wacky TWW writers ar...I think you underestimate how wacky TWW writers are willing to be -- how can the veep be anyone other than Vinick? Any other choice doesn't Send A Message about our partisan politics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1144777922005875142006-04-11T13:52:00.000-04:002006-04-11T13:52:00.000-04:00The season-opening glimpse of the future, in which...The season-opening glimpse of the future, in which Leo was absent, to me suggested that Santos was going to win, but then die in office so that Leo would be revealed as the President. I doubt they'll want to kill Santos now-- way too morbid-- but revealing that Sam somehow becomes Vice-President would seem to be the only good way to end that scene. Not terribly realistic that Santos would pick such an inexperienced VP, but then again this is a show in which a Democrat won South Carolina.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1144731094068714012006-04-11T00:51:00.000-04:002006-04-11T00:51:00.000-04:00I tended to disagree. I think that this was the e...I tended to disagree. I think that this was the episode where Josh grew up. His father figure died, and so he had to stop being the "guy screaming randomly at people and always wanting to be on the attack just because he could." His sorrow mixed with his need to be more professional was, I thought, a great tribute to Leo. And the scene in the hotel room?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1144700789970708492006-04-10T16:26:00.000-04:002006-04-10T16:26:00.000-04:00I think your headline best described the episode. ...I think your headline best described the episode. It seemed everyone sure got over the most tragic event in American electoral politics awfully fast. Just hours later the acceptance speech focuses on the challenger instead of the fallen colleague.<BR/><BR/>I think they are setting up a Vinnick VP as the series fades away. That would be in keeping with current discussions that pair McCain with Leiberman as a way to stake out the center of the electorate. The debate show seemed to announce that WW wants to promote a centrist view. Santos nominating Vinnick would create some dramatic tension for the final weeks and provide some speeches about the need for centrism in a split nation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1144700678432182602006-04-10T16:24:00.001-04:002006-04-10T16:24:00.001-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Brent Thompson, PhD, RNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01794223833261279657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1144700647496362192006-04-10T16:24:00.000-04:002006-04-10T16:24:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Brent Thompson, PhD, RNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01794223833261279657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1144700582711647502006-04-10T16:23:00.000-04:002006-04-10T16:23:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Brent Thompson, PhD, RNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01794223833261279657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1144687978320037842006-04-10T12:52:00.000-04:002006-04-10T12:52:00.000-04:00I've enjoyed reading your comments about The West ...I've enjoyed reading your comments about <I>The West Wing,</I> but I'm not quite in agreement. I'm also a long-term fan and have been looking forward to seeing how they deal with the loss of Leo. On the face of it, I agree that tying Leo's death in with election night ran a risk of cheapening the death of the character and the actor. Given your review of the episode, I was expecting to be annoyed with the creative team for making the episode less about him than about the election.<BR/><BR/>But I found myself being impressed with the result. Yes, we missed out on a few reaction shots. But Leo seemed to be present in every scene, every moment. We didn't see Margaret finding out, but we saw her face, her thoughts, in a brief glimpse, and that seemed enough. Yes, the staffers danced and were excited about developments, but I could practically feel Leo in the room with them, celebrating the victory, while I could also feel the sense of incredible loss from those who knew him best.<BR/><BR/>The president's phone call with the first lady. Josh's reflection in Leo's room. Vinnick's reaction to hearing about the death of a man he respected. All of these bits resonated with me. If we didn't have an episode coming up devoted to memorializing Leo, I might feel differently, but I thought that the juxtaposition of his death and the election fever was handled pretty gracefully. <BR/><BR/>I'm sorry you were disappointed, but I, at least, really enjoyed the episode.<BR/><BR/>On another note, I tend to agree that, as a practical matter, the new VP might well be the Gary Cole character. But I have a feeling that the writers are going to go another way. My money right now is on Sam, despite the lack of experience, but I could see it being someone else. And my wife and I were wondering, after CJ's conversation with the president about whether he would have run again, continued to serve, if he'd been able, if perhaps they were suggesting that <B>he</B> might be the vice president. I'm not sure if that would even be legal, and I think it would really be a silly, implausible stretch. But I wouldn't be absolutely shocked if they went that route.Rob Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17446903261816405382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1144687160454658352006-04-10T12:39:00.000-04:002006-04-10T12:39:00.000-04:00If they hadn't gone and haphazardly killed off Adm...If they hadn't gone and haphazardly killed off Adm. Fitzwallace a couple of seasons ago he'd have been the perfect choice. I believe he was even talked about as a possible replacement for Hoynes during the reelection campaign. <BR/><BR/>But since that's not gonna happen I'm gonna add my vote to Gov. Baker or Nancy McNally. They've been mentioning Nancy a whole lot lately too...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1144682834397522552006-04-10T11:27:00.000-04:002006-04-10T11:27:00.000-04:00My guess for the new VP is either current VP Russe...My guess for the new VP is either current VP Russell (Gary Cole), Governor Baker (Ed O'Neill), NSA Nancy McNally (Anna Deveare Smith), or former DNC Chairman Barry Goodwin (John Aylward). Out of those four I doubt it will be Russell - they will want someone better. McNally would be a great choice, but it could seem like the show wants another minority on the ballot. Plus, she is not really into the politics. Choosing Goodwin could be seen as choosing someone like Leo which could be good and bad. Goodwin is old and questions of his health (which we have no history of) would have to be raised. Therefore, my money is on Baker. He made a strong one at the Democratic nomination until word of his wife's illness came out. Regardless of that, I think he would make an interesting nominee and a solid one. The only problem with him is a potential lack of foreign policy experience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1144679577437138772006-04-10T10:32:00.000-04:002006-04-10T10:32:00.000-04:00Excellent description of what many long-time viewe...Excellent description of what many long-time viewers were feeling about the death/party juxtaposition. As for replacement Veep, I think they'll dig into the (not too distant) past and pull CJ into the job. Wouldn't be the first time she replaced Leo and placing her in the position wouldn't be any more unbelievable than her promotion from press secretary to chief of staff. The first election night episode might have even hinted at the idea with the focus on CJ's job offers, Charlie's comments about how CJ could rule the world and Charlie's desire to keep working for her. Going that route would tie up the loose ends for at least two characters (though it might create some continuity problems with the opening scene from this season)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1144676874238209352006-04-10T09:47:00.000-04:002006-04-10T09:47:00.000-04:00Jeff Greenfield wrote a good novel a number of yea...Jeff Greenfield wrote a good novel a number of years back called <I>The People's Choice</I> where the President-elect died just after the election, but before the electors voted. In the novel, which was very well researched, the eventual President was decided by the the electors (as, remembering way back to 9th-grade civics, voters are not technically voting for a candidate, but an elector who is promising to vote for that candidate [and running mate]). <BR/><BR/>It will be interesting to see how the <I>West Wing</I> handles the constitutional question.<BR/><BR/>More importantly, I want to thank you for your articles and weblog entries. Watching a lot of (and reading a lot about) television, I can say without caveat that you are one of the absolute best commentators out there. You get it. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com