Written by Lawrence O’Donnell Jr.
Directed by Laura Innes
“For every vote I gain in Alabama, I lose two in California.”
We’re getting close to the end game, and Two Weeks Out is pretty much The West Wing taking a deep, slow breath…in advance of the madness — and closure — that is about to descend upon the series.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT:
(1) It should have been called fracture, as that’s how it starts — with the small but painful fracture in Senator Vinick’s hand (making for an exceptional teaser). I enjoyed watching the relationships inside Republican command (nee, EVIL HQ) fray, stretch, and strain from the pressure. Not only was it a gorgeous character study of moderation vs. zealousness, it was also a quiet yet damning portrayal of what the modern-day Republican Party has become. Another middle finger to the neo-cons of the real world’s White House.
(2) I also like the conflict over whether or not to use what Bruno found in Santos’ forgotten briefcase. The final conversation between Santos and Vinick, as the briefcase is returned, is another metaphorical debate about the values of American society: who sets the terms of democracy, and what does it mean to make a proper, informed decision. What should and shouldn’t be private…?
(3) Toby! In an increasingly-rare appearance by Richard Schiff, we get vintage Toby: unable to stay out of the fight, he sticks his oar in…even though he’s dismissed the candidate he’s now supporting from the side lines. Beautiful!
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT IT:
(1) The pace seemed very pedestrian at times. Laura Innes usually has a much more intimate, fluid style to her West Wing episodes…and that was lacking here on many occasions. The episode felt very…ordinary.
(2) Vinick’s press conference gambit is set up as a monumental piece of electioneering, but (in all honesty) the script, the direction, even the acting (a rare mis-step for Alan Alda) seem not up to the importance of the scene. Everyone reacts as if it were a brilliant move — but it comes off as tepid on screen.
It’s a solid outing, but a come down from the heights of last week. What we have here is an episode treading water…and doing it rather successfully, even powerfully, at times. However, like anything that treads water, it isn’t going anywhere very fast.
7
