Written by Lauren Schmidt
Directed by Mimi Leder
“He said a lady with crazy eyes and liquor breath told him to open the gym.”
And so they do!
Part 1 is all about release, pressure, adrenaline, worry, and satiated desires. We have people who are exhausted, people in a frenzy, and people who are so horny the TV screen all but implodes from the oozing sexuality.
Part 1 is fun and frightening. Donna and Josh finally fall into bed together, in spite of the world conspiring to stop them. People try to sleep and rest the night before the election…only to get up at 3am and pick up exactly where they left off. Exit polling numbers confound Republicans and Democrats alike — leading to Josh all but exploding in front of his own people, and Bruno rumbling like Vesuvius before eruption day.
It’s up to the sexy, intelligent blondes to save the day. Donna tells Josh to leave it in the hands of fate…and the people of the United States. Meanwhile, Mrs. Santos takes Mr. Santos upstairs, and leaves him sleeping like a baby for the first time in over a year! If you need more explanation, you haven’t reached puberty yet.
Part 1 is raucous, joyous, funny, exhausting and touching. And then it ends with the most horrible, terrible event that we’ve been planning for, thanks to a final bitch slap from fate…
9
Written by Eli Attie & John Wells
Directed by Christopher Misiano
“Sometimes voters don’t decide. Circumstance decides. History decides.”
Shock, sadness and confusion marble this episode.
Shock at the death of Leo, in spite of knowing for months that it was coming. Characters we’ve known back to front, walking around as if the universe suddenly has a gaping hole in its very fabric. Josh, trying to somehow cope with the reality of his dear friend’s passing, while simultaneously trying to manage the passing from one administration to another…
Sadness. The dead silence of the crowds…Annabeth’s tears and make-up smears…Margaret trying hard not to totally break down at the White House…the President suddenly looking and feeling centuries old… “I was ready then,” he says for all of us, “I’m not ready now.”
Confusion at the inexplicable poll results. Confusion at whether or not to issue a statement and appoint a new Vice-Presidential candidate. Even the constitution seems confused by the circumstances…
Confusion about whether or not to mount a legal challenge. Confusion as hours stretch on and on into an unknown future…
Finally…acceptance. Acceptance of a Santos victory. Acceptance of loss and concession on Vinick’s part. Acceptance by Josh that Leo won’t be around to help this new team in the future…
…and the dawning acceptance that The West Wing — a dramatic creation of sublime poetry that stretches back seven glorious years — is finally coming to an end.
Santos will be the new President. Leo — and, by proxy, John Spencer — will be mourned properly in the next episode. Life will continue…and for the next six, wonderful weeks, so will The West Wing…one last time.
9
