The big question is whether the President's illness will be as C.J. suggests (responding to the concern that putting a poll into the field will give the impression that they revealed his MS in response to that poll):
"You guys are like Butch and Sundance peering over the edge of a cliff to the boulder-filled rapids 300 feet below, thinking you better not jump 'cause there's a chance you might drown. The President has this disease and has been lying about it, and you guys are worried that the polling might make us look bad? It's the fall that's gonna kill ya!"
C.J.'s position is considerably more jaded that Josh's because she is the one who had delivered the results of the President's physicals, and confides in Mrs. Bartlet that she saw her inject her husband with something during the campaign, and that she only ever asks the President if there's anything else she "needs" to know- a wording designed to maintain deniability. Which doesn't bode well for C.J., who ends the episode not exactly feeling like a part of the gang.
OR!
Will the revelation of the President's MS be like Donna's Chinese Satellite- one of 17,000 pieces of man-made space junk that have returned to earth, but miraculously never hurt anyone. In another words- does it just seem like the sky is falling, but it will all be ok? Maybe the whole senior staff doesn't realize that this is all very benign- happens every day and isn't a big deal. We're going to be looking to Donna a lot for optimism in the coming episodes.
The lowest hanging fruit available to me currently is to compare this whole space objects crashing safely/death by falling off a cliff metaphor chain that "The West Wing" is working to the nomination of Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for President. Unfortunately, the mere fact that he has been nominated indicates that we are already a political Jackson Pollack painting on the rocks below the cliff- that is to say, we have already gone "splat."
The next rung of fruit available that might provide some insight into the multitude of ways that "The West Wing" imitates life as a whole would be to compare it to the end of a school year- some students rushing to leave everything behind them that they crash on their way out; others hurdle themselves through and truly commence at Commencement without so much as a scratch. However, that's only an interesting analogy if you happen to be a teacher of high school students, and are thinking about anything besides dragging yourself across the finish line (by the skin of one's teeth) yourself!
So instead, I will get out my ladder, and from such a lofty perch, I'm going to talk about parenting. My one year old started to walk this past month, and in the short amount of time he's been moving on his own, it has been a study in risk management. First, let's be clear on the fact that from an engineering standpoint, it would be better if he were not both upright and mobile at the same time. With a head that is large even by our high standards as Irish people with big heads, approximately 60% of his body's weight sits above his shoulders. He has pudgy feet that are cute, but clearly not the most stable foundation upon which to stand, much less perambulate. He is also unable to resist joining in applause; if he hears clapping, he must join in- whether it is on the tv, one of his toys (thanks, Fisher Price) or a parent congratulating him on his newfound mobility. In most ways, every time he initiates movement, we are watching him enter a process that will either end in an amazingly miraculous safe (albeit clumsy) landing or a cataclysmic tumble leading to tears (mostly by us).
Why does all this matter? Because while I would love it if he were safely earth-bound and unwilling to move that giant noggin more than a safe torso-length away from the floor, the truth is that he won't get very far in either our living room or life doing so. I talk to those students who are about to graduate about the inherent risk involved in choosing to try something new- and my son is a wonderful example of that. Watching this episode, you can't help but hope that these wonderful characters will find a safe resting place, and that their faith in each other won't be crushed in the process.
Also, heaven help us if "He Who Must Not Be Named" (my new moniker for Trump) is elected. Sorry- that low-hanging fruit is just so tasty.
What's Next? S2e21-18th and Potomac
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