Yeah, this is the first television show that has ever tried to make the an episode out of the Census. What's more important and impressive: it's actually informative and entertaining. Once again, this is an episode about the Census, and not only do we learn about the Census, but we learn about the arguments for and against sampling as an alternative to the door-to-door Census. Sorkin presents both sides' points of view fairly- in fact, the strongest reservations against sampling are issued by the Toby, who was arguing for it.
This argument ends up being for the benefit of the titular character- Mr. Willis of Ohio, who has taken his deceased wife's seat in Congress. Toby is greatly impacted by this man, because he walks into the meeting without having his mind made up, and makes his own decision, rather than just following along with what he was told to do. This shouldn't be a rare occurrence, but turn on any news program on tv: Mr. Willis is the political version of a unicorn. Read up on re-districting and voter I.D. laws and try to say the last line he delivers without choking: "Fair is fair. This is who we are. These are our numbers."
Aaron Sorkin is an incredible writer; truly, I think he's a master craftsman. However, I'm just going to say right now that while he is able to create characters to argue in courts, presidents, news anchors and social media moguls, he has a blind spot in his writing- these three guys who would harass Zoey at the bar. Here's an example:
CHARLIE: Yeah. I’m just saying, I’m looking out for you.
GUY 1: I understand what you’re saying. You just want me to be cool alright?
CHARLIE: Can I buy you guys a round?
GUY 3: Like LL Cool J man, like Ice Tea.
GUY 2: Ice cube, Ice tray man.
Didn't Josh say there would be graduate students at this bar? Thankfully, after enduring the terrible writing and acting of these three dumbasses, Charlie got an opportunity to be a badass, protecting Zoey's virtue and delivering a killer walk-off line ("NOW I’m having a good time."). Josh flips the panic button up in the air, and the crisis is averted. Coming on the heels of a disturbed person hopping the White House fence with a gun to go after Zoey, the President decides to increase the Secret Service protection for her. We also get to meet Ron Butterfield, who I actually think is a Secret Service agent. I feel safer now that he's been introduced.
One more example to share from the script of this episode:
BARTLET: I would like unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks.
LEO: Without objection.
Do the President and Leo always use Robert's Rules of Order to mend fences in their friendship? Because I would love that. Almost as much as I would love seeing the President play the role of the Stage Manager in "Our Town."
To liven up an episode about the Census with a side dish of harassment, Josh and Donna spend the episode arguing the merits of tax cuts vs. tax rebates. It's wonderful- Donna gets to tell a little parable, and while she doesn't get her DVD player, she does keep the change from the sandwiches, and reminds Josh, over and over again, that she wants her money back.
What's Next? S1e7- The State Dinner
Like what you've read? Click on those little buttons to share this blog via facebook, twitter, email, etc!
I think our friendship should become Robert's Rules-based. And I, too, TOTALLY think Ron Butterfield is a REAL secret service agent. He's a badass. After all, he makes sure the president is later tucked into bed before he gets an aspirin or something.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the dumbass dialogue doesn't bother me nearly as much as it bothers you. They're supposed to be dumbasses after all.
Why don’t you do some of that hip-hop for us G-Funk?
DeleteGUY 2
Dr. Huffy Puffy dread man, Dr Dolittle Man?
Terrible...