WEST WING - Episode 12/1 **Spoiler**

[dr.strangelove]

Okay, is Josh going to work for Hoynes or Santos? Hoynes may get laughed out pretty quick, but he has lots of friends and money. Bingo Bob has some backing too. This may be fun to watch.

I can;t wait to see Alan Alda. I love him, even if he is playing a repuke.

[Mojambo]

1. I missed the episode

Would you care to recap it for me?

[Beaverhausen]

2. It was a great episode. almost too much to recap

Bartlet's MS is coming back. he accepted a flag from Taiwan and caused an incident with the Chinese. He actually lost sight in one eye and didn't see the flag.

Hoines put his book out, went on the talk show circuit and is going to run for Pres. He wants Josh to work with him. Josh may be looking to get out of the WH due to being pissed about CJ (This may be just my guessing)

It was a great episode. I can't even summarize the rest.

[Mojambo]

3. Thanks

I'll have to download it I guess.

[Mojambo]

4. Just saw it.

Wow.

A powerful return to political theater as only the West Wing can offer. This episode ranks as one of the top ten all-time, IMO.

It's amazing where they're taking this primary campaign storyline. The chess match of the different candidates (Russell, Hoynes, Baker, Santos) is shaping up, and I loved the casting of Ed O'Neill. I thought that Josh was going to work with Santos, so the prospect of him joining Hoynes is interesting. What I would love to see happen is for Josh to hook on with Hoynes, Will working for Russell, and have Toby seek a top job with another of the candidates (Santos.) This would leave CJ, Leo and Charlie to manage the Bartlet lame duck-illness storyline while the other senior staff members find their friendship strained by the primary battles to see which prospective candidate gets to face the powerhouse republican, "Alan Alda."

This would maximize the drama of the campaign game which is very interesting. It would also completely obliterate the established dynamic of the show. Still, they did do some of that style tonight. Perhaps they will go that way?

The clincher tonight was yet another brilliant use of a vocal track to underscore a powerful scene. That James Taylor song at the end complimented the drama of Bartlet's situation brilliantly. It reminded me very much of the usage of Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits in "Two Cathedrals." Very moving.

And Martin Sheen's performance? Bravo!

Overall, an exceptional episode.

[dr.strangelove]

5. IT WAS GREAT

I loved Josh's dilemna. The difficult decision was clear on his face. I don't think that he will wind up with Hoynes. The reason he left Hoynes the first time was because Hoynes is a politician, not a leader. Hoynes is the "flip flopper" that Kerry was unfairly branded as. Josh knows he has no place in the Bartlet administration, after CJ gave him the door. Josh will have to leave the administration, but he can't go to Hoynes, who Josh likes, but does not respect.

Josh will go to Santos one night to convince him to run. He will be Santos' Leo. He will get him elected. Will will stay with Veep Bob, who will have no chance. Governor Al Bundy will be a fun candidate to watch, but he will bow out. Though I think that would be a hell of a character as a VP under Santos.

The idea of a republican on the West Wing will be interesting for the NBC execs. I hear John Goodman has a one episode deal in the works for Feb sweeps, so Alan Alda may not be unopposed.

I think in the end Jimmie Smits will prevail.

[Killarney]

6. Good post.

I think you're right.

I can't see Josh selling out to Hoynes. I see him convincing Jimmy Smits to run because he's the real deal (whereas Hoynes is not) and then Josh running his campaign. Clashes with Will, etc. Then Smits will win. That's what I hope, anyway.

[Longhorn]

7. And realistically,

Jimmy Smits has more star power than Tim Matheson with television viewers (though I've always liked Tim Matheson.) And assuming the Republican (Alan Alda's character) doesn't win, it would sure be cool to have a Latino president!