This two part episode is essentially two episodes separated by four weeks-starting directly after President Bartlet's announcement that he would run for re-election, and four weeks later, as the whole staff goes to Manchester to make a more formal campaign announcement. Shake up sections from each episode, blend it together, and you have a two-part season premiere.
Though there are several sub-plots in this episode, in my mind these two episodes circle around C.J.- which makes a whole lot of sense. After the President's announcement, C.J. is the one member of the staff who is going to constantly face questions and pressure in the wake of his medical disclosure. We see the impact of this news, whether in stories that didn't get covered (an agrigultural deal with Argentina), or more disastrously, on how stories get covered- as in the case of the military action in Haiti to restore the democratically elected government.
CARL- C.J., would you say that the President's situation makes it harder for him to focus on the situation in Haiti?
C.J.- To be honest with you, Carl, I think the President's relieved to be focusing on something that matters.
Bam.- and just like that, C.J., the person who was among the last to be told about the President's illness, the person who had shouldered the brunt of all the press questions, broke under the pressure and gave in to the frustration that must have been mounting (for sure, there was a ramp-up). The quote isn't terrible at face-value, except when you consider the implication that he's relieved to be sending troops into harms way; not the most sensitive message given the circumstances. Then, Leo decides that from that point forward, Nancy McNally will be briefing the press on the Haiti situation. After several hints, C.J. tells the President that she will submit her resignation shortly after the announcement. Thank goodness, the President starts to lecture C.J. and she gets in his face, which reminds him how much he needs her. So, that crisis averted and C.J. once again back in the fold, let's check in on everyone else:
Josh continues to be Aaron Sorkin's Freudian Slip Machine- trying to fix the FDA's approval of RU-486; the very real Mifepristone, and confusing that with his misstep with the Tobacco Lawsuit. I've got to say, I'm surprised that Josh actually asked everyone about leaking the memo and did it anyways, unless it is an expression of his frustration after learning about the President's illness. Also, Josh needs to not make Donna get their bags. Come on, man!
Don't play pool with Charlie for money.
Toby didn't want to do an announcement, and these signs are why. But don't worry, he's fixing it:
Toby also has a new nemesis, and so do you. Sensing, perhaps, that the audience missed the opportunity to loath a character to the extent that they disliked Mandy, Aaron Sorkin introduces Doug- the political consultant from hell.
Doug.
Thankfully, Doug has a jerk-idiot translator in Connie- the imaginatively named political consultant played by Connie Britton. Seriously, it could only be worse if she spoke with a Cockney accent.
Connie, played by Connie
But wait- those aren't the only guest stars! We also get Bruno- the political consultant brought in to help the campaign:
Bruno (who Leo doubts has ever voted in his life)
Most importantly, at the end of Part 2, we get a terrific pep talk from the President, who reminds them that not only do they want to win, they want to be right. So, we're going to write a new book, and it starts here: Break's Over. Cue the Band, it's time to run for re-election!
While it's clear that reelection is going to be a major focus in this season, these two episodes are very issue-light and character-conflict heavy. I just read an interview with the producer of another television series talking about one of the benefits of placing a time difference between seasons is that you don't have to tie up every loose end. Starting Season 3 with the last 3 minutes of Season 2 ensured that those each of those loose ends needed to be addressed, and after these two episodes, it feels like the show is ready to move forward into a new ark; no longer how he will reveal and what will happen after he does, but now how does he run for re-election, and what will the fall-out be, both politically and legally.
What's Next? S3e3- Ways and Means
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