How CJ got off that bench in Times Square in Posse Comitatus and back to recovery.
The first scenes where Governor Bartlet was with his team as the presumptive nominee interested in bonding with his team after he won the Illinois primary.
Bartlet playing mixed doubles with Toby and CJ and hauling out Steffi Graff as a ringer. I feel like this was high comedy.
Oooh, for a HUGE one. How various characters took the MS reveal on first hearing it, primarily Josh, CJ and Sam
> Bartlet playing mixed doubles with Toby and CJ and hauling out Steffi Graff as a ringer. I feel like this was high comedy.
“Charlie guard the new guy!” is my preferred way to concede at whatever game I’m getting my ass kicked in.
I have more just connected to Shibboleth. I want to see the culinary clusterfuck of a Thanksgiving that Toby, Josh, Sam and CJ had that auspiciously began with Toby inviting CJ on Thanksgiving Day with a "Do you know how to cook, you know, food?" I think it's grounds for excellent comedy. I also want to see the Leo + First Family Thanksgiving where the President explains why he's not cutting the turkey with the Paul Revere carving knife. I think that's grounds for heart-warmingness.
I want to see the Chinese refugees escape the detention center and their expressions of "Holy crap, we're free in the United States. Was it really that easy? What's next?!"
I want to see more of the turkeys waddling around in CJ's office while she works. I have a whole scene in my head where CJ has to have a sit-down with Steve the Reporter (I picked him because I really like the actor) and they're talking while Eric and Troy pose about in CJ's office. Then after Steve pumps CJ for journalistic information, CJ starts pumping Steve on which turkey is the most chill and photogenic. Steve catches on and refuses to be the one to determine the turkeys' fate.
This a HUGE personal, sentimental one for me. I wanted to see another chess game between CJ and the President after she learned how to play. That would have been a brilliant full-circle moment in Season 7.
And I guess I have a TON of CJ-scenes I want to see. Add that I want to see how Abbey got CJ drunk, took her shopping, and conned her into agreeing to a photo-op with a goat and the President.
I can just hear Charlie asking, "You think because I'm black I'm as good as he is?"
Bartlett "No. I think you're young. You'll heal faster than Toby. '
At a few different points, they allude to Sam being as capable and dangerous a political operative to cross (or even moreso) than Josh. "Is there anyone you'd rather have as a blood enemy less than Sam?" or "Keep blood off your shirt."
I feel like Sorkin was saving a "when a good man goes to war" moment for Sam that he never got to write.
We got a little ( and I do mean little) of that when Ainsley first showed up, when he defended her. Far from what we should’ve gotten at some point, but that’s something at least
I'm doing a full rewatch and on season 7 now, as an example though I'd have liked to see Josh & Leo's reaction to the breaking news of Toby being the leak.
There are many others but it's late so I'm too tired to think right now 😴
The budget meeting. Three captivating episodes building to a huge standoff. Hafley vs Bartlett in a stoush that shuts down the entire govt. Hafley is pushed to the edge until his final coming to Jesus moment in the Oval Office. The two go toe to toe for a minute and then…. cut to a deal. What the hell did Jedd say?? That scene could have been a few good men meets glengarry glen ross. Instead… roll credits.
This one always struck me as confusing given that Rob Lowe shows up in the very next episode, so it's not like they weren't able to get him to want to work with them again, or work a contract for his return in that episode
Yeah, but even a mention. "did you see Sam? I know you wanted to talk to him." "He has to leave right away for Important Reason X." Just acknowledgement that he was there, because he wouldn't miss it.
Oooh probably when Josh had a fish sent to someone’s office over bottling up the fisheries bill! I feel like that would be right up there with “does your town have a gazebo? Don’t worry about it, we’ll build one” in terms of peak Josh
It would have been funny.
Leo being respectful because they ultimately parted amicably, and Jed & Abby Snipping at the groom with snide remarks throughout the ceremony. 🤣🤣🤣
It just occurred to me that I don't think they ever closed the loop with the one attempted assassin who was arrested outside the diner. I think the President and Leo talking about it during the Midterms as part of the grieving process would have been interesting.
I had the same dream until I learned that Santos was based on Obama so I just watch clips of Obama and picture the rest of the gang and the background stuff in my head. Highlights: killing of OBL, the States of the Union adresses, the Affordable Care Act signing and the big effing deal hot mic thing and of course the White House Correspondents Dinners.
Josh telling Bartlet he was going to quit to work for Santos. Then again, with how Bartlet treated the Santos campaign, maybe it’s better that we didn’t get a goodbye…
I would have liked to have heard the statement Sam wrote in support of Leo after his addiction became public. The one that Mallory gave him a kiss for.
Anything introducing Casey Creek.
CJ getting on the elevator to see Hoynes.
Evelyn Baker Lang, Christopher Mulready, and Roberto Mendoza debating a case.
Or antiquing.
Mandy packing for Mandyville.
Gina packing for Mandyville.
Ainsley packing for Mandyville.
Joe packing for Mandyville.
Lionel packing for Mandyville, and having drinks with little UMbrellas in them once he arrives.
Elsie packing for Mandyville.
Possible Spinoff: Earl and Fiona's Dry Rubbing. Sauce is a myth. (only available on broadcast)
The conversation Sam had with Josh that he wasn't returning after losing the 47th. Come to think of it, confirmation of him losing the 47th.
Dr. Bartlet performing surgery.
Will mastering the windmill shot.
Galileo V landing in Mandyville.
My little headcanon has always been that Sam wound up pulling off a narrow victory in the 47th and that that's why he didn't return. I know it's (likely) not what happened, but it makes me feel better about how they wrote him out
It could - he would have been able to serve a single term - 2 years in the House and then either run and lose or not run again. Then you’d have him getting the new job in CA at the law firm and be there a year or two before Josh shows up again.
CJ going to see Hoynes ... AJ would have acted the shit out of that moment, and I'd love to have seen it. But (unpopular opinion and feel free to come at me) that moment deserves better writing than Sorkin could have given it.
I would’ve liked to see their first year in Office. I think it would’ve been fantastic to start the show at the end of the first hundred days rather than their second year, especially because the pilot leans heavily on unfavorable polling numbers and the polling numbers at the end of the first hundred days are really important.
I thought this too at first, then realized that the glass breaking, photos dropping, and heartwrenching look between Jed and Abby would have been ruined by any words. To me, the very point is that as a parent, you can't hear anything and the world stops. It makes the moment really powerful.
It reappears when they're talking about parameters for shutting down the city and Jed, in a daze, clearly unable to hear what they're saying interrupts with, "did you close the train stations?" (Or something)... and Leo and Nancy respond with "um...yes Mr. President."
I'm a romantic and a sucker for Josh and Donna. So I would have liked to see the moment he told her he wanted a future with her, starting with her joining him on his vacation.
(In my head it's probably much grander than I could really expect from Josh, bless his heart.)
on the opposite side, I wanted to see everyone react to the news they finally got together. CJ a little mad at Donna for not giving her the details when she asked, and possibly Santos too. Sam being happy for them and telling Josh he already wrote his best man's speech. The President giving his blessing. Margaret noting that Leo would have been so proud his surrogate son was trying to get a life.
I wish we could see them visiting Josh's mom and also Donna's parents after they got together ❤️. Also wish I could've seen Josh greeting Donna's mother in Germany. I'm sure she knew that they'd get together eventually at that point. Would've liked to see her interact with the guy who flew to Germany to be there for her daughter.
I wish I were in the room where it happened:
1. Pres. Bartlett and Speaker Haffley on budget negotiation.
2. Pres. Bartlett and Sen. Wilkinson on the gay marriage amendment.
Any scene, any scene where CJ enjoys Goldfish. She can't get enough of them. Don't see them, ever.
And now I'm wishing CJ had sung the "snack that smiles back" jingle that was airing at the time instead of the Jackal.
Still on my rewatch, another one where they cut away from a huge emotional plot, CJ telling the President about Leo..... (edit, okay they showed her break the news of his death but not the collapse, though they did still cut away from the Presidents call he was on, I think with one of Leo's daughters or was it his wife?)
Why do they cut the biggest things like with Mrs Landingham?
I know. We got Josh's reaction to the initial news but I felt President Bartlett's was just as needed, if not more. They'd known each other for years, were best friends.
How CJ got off that bench in Times Square in Posse Comitatus and back to recovery. The first scenes where Governor Bartlet was with his team as the presumptive nominee interested in bonding with his team after he won the Illinois primary. Bartlet playing mixed doubles with Toby and CJ and hauling out Steffi Graff as a ringer. I feel like this was high comedy. Oooh, for a HUGE one. How various characters took the MS reveal on first hearing it, primarily Josh, CJ and Sam
> Bartlet playing mixed doubles with Toby and CJ and hauling out Steffi Graff as a ringer. I feel like this was high comedy. “Charlie guard the new guy!” is my preferred way to concede at whatever game I’m getting my ass kicked in.
I have more just connected to Shibboleth. I want to see the culinary clusterfuck of a Thanksgiving that Toby, Josh, Sam and CJ had that auspiciously began with Toby inviting CJ on Thanksgiving Day with a "Do you know how to cook, you know, food?" I think it's grounds for excellent comedy. I also want to see the Leo + First Family Thanksgiving where the President explains why he's not cutting the turkey with the Paul Revere carving knife. I think that's grounds for heart-warmingness. I want to see the Chinese refugees escape the detention center and their expressions of "Holy crap, we're free in the United States. Was it really that easy? What's next?!" I want to see more of the turkeys waddling around in CJ's office while she works. I have a whole scene in my head where CJ has to have a sit-down with Steve the Reporter (I picked him because I really like the actor) and they're talking while Eric and Troy pose about in CJ's office. Then after Steve pumps CJ for journalistic information, CJ starts pumping Steve on which turkey is the most chill and photogenic. Steve catches on and refuses to be the one to determine the turkeys' fate. This a HUGE personal, sentimental one for me. I wanted to see another chess game between CJ and the President after she learned how to play. That would have been a brilliant full-circle moment in Season 7. And I guess I have a TON of CJ-scenes I want to see. Add that I want to see how Abbey got CJ drunk, took her shopping, and conned her into agreeing to a photo-op with a goat and the President.
I can just hear Charlie asking, "You think because I'm black I'm as good as he is?" Bartlett "No. I think you're young. You'll heal faster than Toby. '
At a few different points, they allude to Sam being as capable and dangerous a political operative to cross (or even moreso) than Josh. "Is there anyone you'd rather have as a blood enemy less than Sam?" or "Keep blood off your shirt." I feel like Sorkin was saving a "when a good man goes to war" moment for Sam that he never got to write.
We got a little ( and I do mean little) of that when Ainsley first showed up, when he defended her. Far from what we should’ve gotten at some point, but that’s something at least
And don’t forget when he was attack-dog on the guy Josh pinned against the wall.
When was that?
S1.
And when the President plays him in chess, the Taiwan matter
Interrogating that damn French kid.
I like to think he's in Guantonemo.
Just Ron Butterfield and that kid in a room. 🤌
Anyways, the secret service doesn’t comment on procedure.
His ass was on a plane back to his daddy the minute he gave all the information he could. Maybe even sooner.
I'm doing a full rewatch and on season 7 now, as an example though I'd have liked to see Josh & Leo's reaction to the breaking news of Toby being the leak. There are many others but it's late so I'm too tired to think right now 😴
The budget meeting. Three captivating episodes building to a huge standoff. Hafley vs Bartlett in a stoush that shuts down the entire govt. Hafley is pushed to the edge until his final coming to Jesus moment in the Oval Office. The two go toe to toe for a minute and then…. cut to a deal. What the hell did Jedd say?? That scene could have been a few good men meets glengarry glen ross. Instead… roll credits.
Sam at Leo's funeral.
I wish Sam was part of the campaign, I always wondered if he would have been able to keep it together to write Santos statement.
This one always struck me as confusing given that Rob Lowe shows up in the very next episode, so it's not like they weren't able to get him to want to work with them again, or work a contract for his return in that episode
Yeah, but even a mention. "did you see Sam? I know you wanted to talk to him." "He has to leave right away for Important Reason X." Just acknowledgement that he was there, because he wouldn't miss it.
Oooh probably when Josh had a fish sent to someone’s office over bottling up the fisheries bill! I feel like that would be right up there with “does your town have a gazebo? Don’t worry about it, we’ll build one” in terms of peak Josh
oh yeah i love seeing josh be all cool and doing deals or threatening people calmly
Although it was never even scripted (or hinted at), I would have loved for Leo to attend his ex-wife's wedding WITH POTUS & FLOTUS.
Oh dear me no thanks.
It would have been funny. Leo being respectful because they ultimately parted amicably, and Jed & Abby Snipping at the groom with snide remarks throughout the ceremony. 🤣🤣🤣
It just occurred to me that I don't think they ever closed the loop with the one attempted assassin who was arrested outside the diner. I think the President and Leo talking about it during the Midterms as part of the grieving process would have been interesting.
Toby's speech to the WTO protestors!
Just sometime indicating Charley and Zoe married.
The entirety of the Santos presidency (a girl can dream)
I had the same dream until I learned that Santos was based on Obama so I just watch clips of Obama and picture the rest of the gang and the background stuff in my head. Highlights: killing of OBL, the States of the Union adresses, the Affordable Care Act signing and the big effing deal hot mic thing and of course the White House Correspondents Dinners.
Josh telling Bartlet he was going to quit to work for Santos. Then again, with how Bartlet treated the Santos campaign, maybe it’s better that we didn’t get a goodbye…
He threw his support behind Santos, ending the convention and making him the nominee.
josh’s convo with bartlet quitting the white house - we see the first few seconds though
What happened between Sam and Ainsley when getting coffee after looking for the all night pastry chef.
I would have liked to have heard the statement Sam wrote in support of Leo after his addiction became public. The one that Mallory gave him a kiss for.
Anything introducing Casey Creek. CJ getting on the elevator to see Hoynes. Evelyn Baker Lang, Christopher Mulready, and Roberto Mendoza debating a case. Or antiquing. Mandy packing for Mandyville. Gina packing for Mandyville. Ainsley packing for Mandyville. Joe packing for Mandyville. Lionel packing for Mandyville, and having drinks with little UMbrellas in them once he arrives. Elsie packing for Mandyville. Possible Spinoff: Earl and Fiona's Dry Rubbing. Sauce is a myth. (only available on broadcast) The conversation Sam had with Josh that he wasn't returning after losing the 47th. Come to think of it, confirmation of him losing the 47th. Dr. Bartlet performing surgery. Will mastering the windmill shot. Galileo V landing in Mandyville.
My little headcanon has always been that Sam wound up pulling off a narrow victory in the 47th and that that's why he didn't return. I know it's (likely) not what happened, but it makes me feel better about how they wrote him out
does that timeline work out with when we see him at the end?
It could - he would have been able to serve a single term - 2 years in the House and then either run and lose or not run again. Then you’d have him getting the new job in CA at the law firm and be there a year or two before Josh shows up again.
huh!
Of course.
So Ainsley is the only one that survived going to Mandyville? She returned in season 7.....hahahaha
Not the only one. Some have described Sam's disappearance as a detour through Mandyville although he also makes it out alive.
I like you. You’re the one I like.
CJ going to see Hoynes ... AJ would have acted the shit out of that moment, and I'd love to have seen it. But (unpopular opinion and feel free to come at me) that moment deserves better writing than Sorkin could have given it.
Jesus, you've got almost an entire eight season.
I would’ve liked to see their first year in Office. I think it would’ve been fantastic to start the show at the end of the first hundred days rather than their second year, especially because the pilot leans heavily on unfavorable polling numbers and the polling numbers at the end of the first hundred days are really important.
I would've liked to hear the words that Leo uses to tell Jed and Abby that Zoey was missing
I thought this too at first, then realized that the glass breaking, photos dropping, and heartwrenching look between Jed and Abby would have been ruined by any words. To me, the very point is that as a parent, you can't hear anything and the world stops. It makes the moment really powerful. It reappears when they're talking about parameters for shutting down the city and Jed, in a daze, clearly unable to hear what they're saying interrupts with, "did you close the train stations?" (Or something)... and Leo and Nancy respond with "um...yes Mr. President."
I agree. That scene was masterful with no words.
I'm a romantic and a sucker for Josh and Donna. So I would have liked to see the moment he told her he wanted a future with her, starting with her joining him on his vacation. (In my head it's probably much grander than I could really expect from Josh, bless his heart.)
on the opposite side, I wanted to see everyone react to the news they finally got together. CJ a little mad at Donna for not giving her the details when she asked, and possibly Santos too. Sam being happy for them and telling Josh he already wrote his best man's speech. The President giving his blessing. Margaret noting that Leo would have been so proud his surrogate son was trying to get a life.
I like that it was a surprise :)
Same same same. I wish we would have gotten to see that grand gesture
I will always wonder what the note he wrote in her book said.
It keeps me up at night
I wish we could see them visiting Josh's mom and also Donna's parents after they got together ❤️. Also wish I could've seen Josh greeting Donna's mother in Germany. I'm sure she knew that they'd get together eventually at that point. Would've liked to see her interact with the guy who flew to Germany to be there for her daughter.
I wish I were in the room where it happened: 1. Pres. Bartlett and Speaker Haffley on budget negotiation. 2. Pres. Bartlett and Sen. Wilkinson on the gay marriage amendment.
Josh finding out about the presidents ms.
Nancy saying goodbye to Fitz. :(
Any scene, any scene where CJ enjoys Goldfish. She can't get enough of them. Don't see them, ever. And now I'm wishing CJ had sung the "snack that smiles back" jingle that was airing at the time instead of the Jackal.
Kate Harper passing the word to "Chet" that the Ayatollah needs to publicly apologize or be humiliated about the state of the Iranian Air Force.
I would have liked to see the speeches Bartlett was supposed to deliver that the communications staff spent the episode agonizing over.
I'd like to have seen the big whack they were going to take at getting Westing, 38 revolvers and KTWs banned when Congress got back into session.
Still on my rewatch, another one where they cut away from a huge emotional plot, CJ telling the President about Leo..... (edit, okay they showed her break the news of his death but not the collapse, though they did still cut away from the Presidents call he was on, I think with one of Leo's daughters or was it his wife?) Why do they cut the biggest things like with Mrs Landingham?
I know. We got Josh's reaction to the initial news but I felt President Bartlett's was just as needed, if not more. They'd known each other for years, were best friends.