tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post4241495464250809931..comments2024-03-18T21:20:17.786-04:00Comments on Doux Reviews: The West Wing: The Crackpots and These WomenBillie Douxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-49776962164009675012014-05-11T22:36:55.027-04:002014-05-11T22:36:55.027-04:00There's a lot of uncharacteristic goofiness in...There's a lot of uncharacteristic goofiness in this one. It wouldn't work all the time but I loved it -- the big-block-of-cheese and the UFOs and the wolves-only highway and the chili party. Also loved the b-ball scene. These people work such long hours that they're family. <br /><br />But mostly this episode made me care about Josh. He was so upset about the N.S.C. card that he couldn't stop thinking about it and eventually had to give it back. And he still carries the loss of his sister with him without acknowledging that he does. He's special, and there really is something sweet about him.Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-37897562773048581352013-04-30T16:34:11.299-04:002013-04-30T16:34:11.299-04:00I'm not so sure the "speech" was tru...I'm not so sure the "speech" was truly sexist or misogynistic. In 1998, the federal government had just release a report detailing how women were underrepresented in the Federal workforce. At the same time, a worldwide report listed the US with only around 20% of government decision making jobs going to women. I think this was Aaron Sorkin chiding the federal government on not doing enough to support capable women. Bartlet's tone is one of love and respect for what these women have accomplished -- and he's not broadcasting to the world, he's having an intimate conversation with his best friend when he decides to include Josh. And the series is replete with instances of how much the President loves, respects and trusts Josh.<br /><br />I will readily admit that, in a vacuum, 15 years later, this doesn't look very good on the surface. But if you can't put the show in its historical context, shows like I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners and Leave it to Beaver would be wretched examples of race and sex relations today.Iceboxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10029117767860203568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-16413058888887343382013-04-29T07:40:56.733-04:002013-04-29T07:40:56.733-04:00I always love BBOC episodes because they are so re...I always love BBOC episodes because they are so revealing of character. This one is no different.<br /><br />The obvious example is Josh. I thought it was an interesting choice that we learn such a significant part of his backstory so early. In effect, we learn what makes him tick before we learn who he is. We go into the episode knowing that he is intelligent and ambitious; we leave it knowing that he has had tragedy in his life that makes him overly sensitive to his friends. What we haven’t seen yet is how else this tragedy affects him. It may have made even more of an impact later in the series.<br /><br />We also learn quite a bit about the President in this episode. As the basketball game (and you, Juliette) point out, his need to win is so excessive that he cheats to do it. Yes, it is a funny scene, but it is revealing. Not only does he need to win, however, he needs to be loved while he is doing it and he needs the love of the people who work for him.<br /><br />Much in the way that Josh obsesses about the card throughout the episode, Bartlet obsesses about Toby’s comment on the basketball court. The difference is that we don’t see it until the dinner. It is not unusual that people that work as hard as Bartlet’s staff might be less than pleased about having their day extended even further with their boss. When they respond to the chili invitation with an understandable lack of enthusiasm, Bartlet’s response is to order them to join him. He says at the end that he likes to see colleagues relaxing and enjoying themselves. While I am sure this is true, it may have more impact if they were all there by their own volition.<br /><br />Bartlet also needs to the smartest person in the room. While he is wiling to accept help, he is going to do things he feels are beneath him with contempt and scorn. The prep for the press conference is a perfect example. He shouts at Toby; he snarks at Sam and he is dismissive of Mandy. Once his mind is made up, he can’t hear any other points of view, even when they make sense. Toby’s speech about Hollywood and guns is valid, but Bartlet can’t allow himself to admit that he would rather have Posner’s money than take a true stand.<br /><br />We learn less about Sam and C.J., but we do learn that Sam is a pedant and dismissive to the point of rudeness to the man who has come to talk to him. C.J., on the other hand, is also laughing, but she is able to see the passion the wildlife people have for their work and respect that.<br /><br />The sexism in the final scene is an unfortunate coda to this episode. I think Sorkin’s heart was in the right place; he was trying to show us that, in spite of all his flaws, Bartlet truly cares about the people that work for him. It does so, but not in the right way.<br /><br />The best thing about this episode? It taught me to put cumin in my chili. If you don’t, try it. It works.ChrisBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843864158239536750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-6714377117776172902013-04-26T13:20:28.871-04:002013-04-26T13:20:28.871-04:00Definitely not. My one issue with Aaron Sorkin is ...Definitely not. My one issue with Aaron Sorkin is the sexism he lets into this show, particularly in early seasons. I always expect Bartlet to go on with "these women" and how they tie their shoes by themselves and have figured out how to drive themselves to work.sunbunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08553429350476841139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-40447182886612100172013-04-26T07:15:44.297-04:002013-04-26T07:15:44.297-04:00I was worried I was being too negative about that ...I was worried I was being too negative about that speech, I'm glad it's not just me that finds it gut-wrenchingly horrible! (Along with poor Josh's insanely traumatic story about his sister!)Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-62934985656048136152013-04-25T20:11:21.941-04:002013-04-25T20:11:21.941-04:00You're considerably more forgiving of the sexi...You're considerably more forgiving of the sexism in this episode than I am. "These women" aside, it was a good episode. I always like Big Block of Cheese Day episodes, because everyone always starts out making fun of it but gets obsessed with their issue by the end of the episode. And I love that Ron Swanson was campaigning for government spending. Because that's hilarious.<br /><br />Josh's story about his sister always makes me sad.<br /><br />Bartlet's first choice for Toby's job was David Rosen, which is the name of Joshua Malina's character on Scandal. Joshua Malina, of course, plays Will Bailey in later season of The West Wing. :)sunbunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08553429350476841139noreply@blogger.com