West Wing 7.10: "Running Mates"
Written by Peter Noah
Directed by Paul McCrane
In which Leo seems to have issues preparing for the Vice Presidential debate, while Santos deals with some unwelcome revelations at home and romance blossoms at the West Wing…
I knew better than to expect that the episode itself would be devoted to the fate of Leo McGarry, but I had the feeling that the producers would do something at the very beginning to mark John Spenser’s passing. Even expecting it, it was a kick in the gut. It was very difficult watching the episode knowing that John is dead. But it was certainly a great episode to highlight his acting ability.
Even though I found it a little odd and forced at times, I liked the idea of Leo playing things his own way for the debate, knowing how to deliver a victory out of a moment typically left to the footnotes for the footnotes of history. OK, maybe not a victory, but certainly something worthy of note, and therefore useful to the campaign. I got the impression that this was one way that Leo was helping Josh with the overall effort.
On the side of the wacky, Annabeth is getting a little bizarre, especially with the constant comments of attraction to Leo. I can’t stop thinking of those horrible Old Navy commercials, which is, as you might expect, rather distracting. I do appreciate the funny, but it’s also creepy.
The other side of the episode was the last visit home for Santos, which revealed some problems on the home front. Helen seems to have some issues with reality, even if she never was entirely pleased with the idea of the campaign and her husband’s possible presidency. But does it make sense for her to act like the concept of looking like a potential First Lady is such a shock within weeks of the election?
The writers have long since revealed that Matt and Helen are of the frisky sort, so I wasn’t too shocked by the idea of Helen in a thong. That, and Teri Polo is a fit young woman who can carry it off. Now, personally, I would have thought that the whole “broken bedframe” business back at the beginning of the season would have been more mortifying, but perhaps the issue now is the bunker mentality.
That cold, however, is going to make for one very convenient metaphor, especially if it worsens down the stretch. Santos’ chances will falter as his health reflects the state of his candidacy, and I imagine the plan was for Santos to resurge at the end as his health returns. Will that still be the case, now that the writers have to account for Leo’s absence? Unfortunately, I get the feeling that John Spenser’s death is going to overshadow whatever story the writers had in mind. Some may not mind the idea, I would be saddened if naysayers used this situation to jump down Wells’ throat.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
Directed by Paul McCrane
In which Leo seems to have issues preparing for the Vice Presidential debate, while Santos deals with some unwelcome revelations at home and romance blossoms at the West Wing…
I knew better than to expect that the episode itself would be devoted to the fate of Leo McGarry, but I had the feeling that the producers would do something at the very beginning to mark John Spenser’s passing. Even expecting it, it was a kick in the gut. It was very difficult watching the episode knowing that John is dead. But it was certainly a great episode to highlight his acting ability.
Even though I found it a little odd and forced at times, I liked the idea of Leo playing things his own way for the debate, knowing how to deliver a victory out of a moment typically left to the footnotes for the footnotes of history. OK, maybe not a victory, but certainly something worthy of note, and therefore useful to the campaign. I got the impression that this was one way that Leo was helping Josh with the overall effort.
On the side of the wacky, Annabeth is getting a little bizarre, especially with the constant comments of attraction to Leo. I can’t stop thinking of those horrible Old Navy commercials, which is, as you might expect, rather distracting. I do appreciate the funny, but it’s also creepy.
The other side of the episode was the last visit home for Santos, which revealed some problems on the home front. Helen seems to have some issues with reality, even if she never was entirely pleased with the idea of the campaign and her husband’s possible presidency. But does it make sense for her to act like the concept of looking like a potential First Lady is such a shock within weeks of the election?
The writers have long since revealed that Matt and Helen are of the frisky sort, so I wasn’t too shocked by the idea of Helen in a thong. That, and Teri Polo is a fit young woman who can carry it off. Now, personally, I would have thought that the whole “broken bedframe” business back at the beginning of the season would have been more mortifying, but perhaps the issue now is the bunker mentality.
That cold, however, is going to make for one very convenient metaphor, especially if it worsens down the stretch. Santos’ chances will falter as his health reflects the state of his candidacy, and I imagine the plan was for Santos to resurge at the end as his health returns. Will that still be the case, now that the writers have to account for Leo’s absence? Unfortunately, I get the feeling that John Spenser’s death is going to overshadow whatever story the writers had in mind. Some may not mind the idea, I would be saddened if naysayers used this situation to jump down Wells’ throat.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
posted by John Keegan | 18:57
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