Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc- translated from Latin, it means: "after it, therefore, because of it (according to Leo, anyways)". The title of this episode is a logical fallacy that remains a key part of the political landscape today, especially when you're arguing against something.
For example:
Since out-of-pocket costs has risen for health insurance since the Affordable Care Act was
enacted, it must be because of the Affordable Care Act.
This seems incontrovertible, but in reality, it is trickery under the guise of simplifying a complex issue. The truth is that out-of-pocket costs had been rising for many years before the ACA was signed into law, and also put into place limits on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses; something that didn't previously exist. Take a listen in the debates, watch commercials for candidates, and read mailers- these logical fallacies don't just exist to explain how President Bartlet's joke about not looking good in big hats led to him not taking Texas in the election (he lost the election long before that- as CJ put it- when he learned Latin).
Picking a favorite line from this episode is a true challenge- Mrs. Landingham has some terrific lines, including a wonderfully sarcastic comment that the President has so much free time, he is watching Regis and Kathie Lee while eating Cheerios. More on my love for Mrs. Landingham soon, I promise- but my pick for this episode's best, most quote-able dialogue is:
Josh Lyman: Victory is mine, victory is mine. Great day in the morning, people, victory is mine.
Donna Moss: Morning, Josh.
Josh Lyman: I drink from the keg of glory, Donna. Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in all the land.
Donna Moss: It's going to be an unbearable day.
Yes, that's Josh in the background beating his chest. In moments like this, you really do remember that Bradley Whitford (who plays Josh Lyman) was in "Billy Madison." I don't see much from his work in "Robocop 3" or "Revenge of the Nerds 2: Nerds in Paradise," but I might just be missing the nuance. Nevertheless, I encourage everyone to celebrate like this. Request the finest baked goods in the land, pound your chest, and ask if there any rivers that need forging or serpents that need slaying. You deserve it.
Josh's victory leaves Mandy a consultant without any clients, but she gets hired by the White House to consult on media matters, despite Josh's protests (his reasoned argument why she shouldn't work at the White House? She used to be his girlfriend. Well argued, Josh). If you're wondering, she answers to Josh, and she answers to Toby. Josh is having some instructional charts drawn up for Mandy, to provide clarity.
In this episode, we meet John Hoynes, the Vice President for the first time. I might dislike him because he's speaking french in this initial onscreen appearance, but it's probably because he clearly doesn't like the President, and that means I clearly won't like him. He tries to go toe to toe with Leo, and while Leo puts Hoynes in his place, it's clear that this isn't the first or last time he will be making things difficult for the Bartlet administration, and is a frontrunner for arch-nemesis of the show.
Quick update on Sam and Laurie (the call girl from "Pilot"- Sam likes Laurie, and dislikes the notion that he can't be friends with Laurie because he works in a profession where "adults aren't given the benefit of the doubt." A neat opportunity for Sorkin to chime in on the dangers inherent in the unrealistic standards we hold political figures to (well, some of them). Sam hasn't broken any laws, and isn't doing anything wrong, but it's made clear that he is bringing risk to the administration by continuing his friendship with Laurie.
President Bartlet's doctor plays a prominent role in this episode- they have a touching interaction, during which the President shares his discomfort with violence and concern over his ability to lead the Joint Chiefs. I love this doctor, Morris Tolliver- his clear eagerness to share pictures of his newborn and pride in his family are two things that every new parent feels, and I continue to feel as our son nears his first birthday. I'm reminded in this episode that the President believes that both the future and the past of a family should be sources of pride, and that a good father will teach their child to whistle. Morris is a picture of selflessness; taking a break from his job (Captain, MD in the Navy) serving the president to work in a teaching hospital in the Middle East. When his plane is shot down en route to Jordan, we see a transformation to a President who is visibly shaken by his death, and promises to "blow them off the face of the earth with the fury of God's own thunder." This doctor serves as the spark for a larger conflict within the President, but at the heart of it, he is angry that a new father has been taken away from his wife and ten day old child. The question is, how much room is there for Bartlet's humanity in the Office of the President?
My wife teared up two separate times in this episode- both at the beginning and the end of this transformation. Wouldn't it be amazing if we had politicians who could move us so deeply, and who wouldn't stoop to oversimplification and false logic to prove their point rather than the truth? Who could convince us of the purity of their intentions like Sam? Who would surround themselves with people who would challenge their decisions to achieve new heights of compassion, justice and service like President Bartlet has?
Ask yourself those questions, and then look around at the reality of our political landscape- now, maybe you see why I'm watching this show instead of whole-heartedly diving headfirst into all the messy reality of our own electoral process.
What's Next? S1e3- Proportional Response
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