West Wing almost on. Saying goodbye to LEO

[greenbriar]

should be very moving and heartbreaking

[AngryOldDem]

1. That was one of the worst episodes in a long, long while

It pains me to be that blunt, but there it is, made even more so by perhaps the most misleading show title in the series' history -- Requiem. Perhaps John Spencer would not have wanted a big sendoff. But I was expecting much more than a fast-forward through his funeral Mass, used as a run-up to the credits. I also did not expect the reception to be like a cocktail party with cameo appearances by former cast members. I did not have a problem so much with Santos conducting business as usual because that is the nature of the game, especially during a transition. But I could have done without the CJ/Danny repartee -- totally out of place. I would have liked to have seen Mallory more. It was clear that she and Leo had a close relationship --it would have been touching if Jed had had a few moments with her and her son. ("Let me tell you about your grandpa...") And frankly, I also could have done without Amy Gardiner showing up. Not so much the character, but the way Mary-Louise Parker performed. Very brittle and forced.

The past several episodes have been outstanding, which makes this one even more disappointing. I think they could have done better to honor John Spencer the man, and Leo the character, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they kept it low key for a reason. I just wish the show could have been more of a retrospective. The storyline could have been put on hold for one week.

(And does anybody want to make a bet -- based on next week's preview, anyway -- just how many more times Josh and Donna will hit the sack? Please. I like them as much as anyone, but let's not turn the show into a soap opera with only three episodes to go.)

[MaineDem]

2. Certainly not up to the standard of this year's episodes

But I gather it was written at the last minute and had to be tough for the actors and crew.

I did think the Danny/CJ dilemma and the Josh/Donna dilemma (same dilemma) was comical. I've never liked the M-L Parker character.

It seemed an awkward episode.

[AngryOldDem]

3. I watched the episode again...

...and am even more unimpressed, especially with the funeral. It was like playing "How Many Former Cast Members Can You Spot?" I think about the only one missing was Moira Kelly (Mandy) from the first season. Roger Rees (Lord John Marbury) should have been on the guest list, too; guess he couldn't make it. The bottom line is, even at the funeral, the focus was not on Leo.

I would have appreciated the Danny/CJ Donna/Josh subplots more if they weren't set in the context of a beloved staff member's death. Just seemed out of place.

I always found Amy Gardiner to be a "likeable bitch." She and Josh obviously had no connection/chemistry, but her character was smart and believable, and I liked the way M-L delivered her lines. But last night -- ye gads.

"Awkward" is a perfect description -- especially in light of the episode's promo that set just WAY too many expectations.

[mandyky]

4. I thought it was gonna be another tearjerker

very anticlimatic after last week's episode.

What was that "look" on Stockard Channing's face? Even my hubby noticed it, and he is usually blind to other people's emotional expressions.

[AngryOldDem]

6. Combination of shock/fear

I noticed that, too. It was like she was half expecting Jed to have a nervous breakdown, or physical collapse, or something. I wonder if that is the last epsiode she'll be in.

[truebrit71]

5. I am personlly glad they didn't go the obvious route...

I actually thought that this was one of the best episodes of the season. The banter between Danny and CJ was brilliant, and then to top it off having to call it off because Donna was crashing at CJ's place and CJ freaking out about how she would have to lie to Donna about where she was...and then Josh asks Donna to spend the night and Josh tells her to blow it off, Donna gets all freaked out about having to lie to CJ about where SHE was....capped off by both Danny and Josh sitting on a a bench looking at each other, not knowing that neither of them was getting any loving because neither of their ladies wanted to face the prospect of being found out by the other..I thought that was classic!

I also liked the continuing maturity of Josh as Santos's COS. He liad it on the line with Santos, and Santos eventually deferred to Josh's call...

Now that the election is over, it is a REAL shame that the series isn't going to continue, ESPECIALLY now that the Dems have a majority...