S2e4- In This White House (Ginger, get the popcorn!)

Sam goes on "Capital Beat" and get's whooped by a Republican named Ainsley Hayes.  While he hopes that no one is watching, his hopes are in vain.  Josh is watching, and gets Toby.  Who asks Ginger:

The West Wing truly rolled out the red carpet for Ansley- there's an elephant in Gail's fishbowl in her honor.  Needless to say, Ainsley is very well qualified, but does possess a somewhat unique conversational style:

She's offered a job after kicking Sam's butt on "Capital Beat," and while it's going to take a while for her to be fully welcomed, she's a terrific addition to the show.  And yes, the fact that this episode gives us Toby's line: Ginger, get the popcorn.  It's a wonderful line, and gives me an opportunity to share a brief Q&A with Kim Webster that happened on twitter a few days ago:

Five Questions for Kim Webster:

1: How soon into filming the Pilot did you know The West Wing would be picked up?

2: Which line do you hear more: "Get the popcorn" or "stiletto feminism?"

3: Do you have a favorite episode?

4: Would you rather see a West Wing Reunion or West Virginia National Championship?

5: Did you keep anything from your time on The West Wing?

Some clarifications: "I'm hoping it's porn is from Season 3, episode 19.  I had forgotten completely about it!  Kim Webster is an alum of West Virginia University, and the fire she refers to happened back in 2009, when the apartment building she lived in caught fire.  

In the midst of all the fun of Ainsley, popcorn, and Sam's butt-kicking, there is a very serious part of this episode I'd like to briefly address: the cost and access to HIV treatment in Africa.  There isn't much that can truly be considered good news on this topic, given how much more needs to be done; but here are some quick facts:

• Access to HIV treatment has increased 100 fold in the last 10 years.
• In 2000, the cost of a year’s supply of first-line HIV treatment was about US $10 000 per person; today, it is less than $100 per person.
• From 2010 to 2011, there was a 19% increase in treatment among those eligible.  (source).

While there are still far too many people not able to access antiretroviral drugs, it is nice to know that watching The West Wing 16 years later, some progress has been made.   Because I'm afraid there's a far smaller chance of any bipartisan hiring being done anytime soon.

What's Next?  S2e5- And It's Surely to Their Credit

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