west wing picspam
Jun. 18th, 2006 11:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dianora2I'm so sorry this is so late; hellish, hellish family type day that resulted in me getting home about FOUR HOURS later than I'd hoped. Grumble. Luckily, tonight's episode is "The Crackpots and These Women," which is guaranteed to cheer me up, seeing as how it includes two of the greatest scenes ever.
All caps by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
_jems_, who deserves much praise and thanks.
First off, let's just take a moment, shall we? *stares*
TOBY: Oh, this is perfect, you know that? This is a perfect metaphor. After you're gone, and the poets write, "The Legend of Josiah Bartlet," let them write you as a tragic figure, sir. Let the poets write that he had the tools of greatness, but the voices of his better angels were shouted down by his obsessive need to win.
BARTLET: You want to play or write my eulogy?
TOBY: Can I be honest with you, sir?
Then the president cheats and brings in a ringer. But would you rather look at the ringer, or Josh's arms? I know my answer.
Heeeee hee hee. This shot never fails to make me laugh.
Unfortunately, the basketball game must eventually come to an end. Look at how young Janel looks in this shot. Awww.
DONNA: You have a staff meeting.
JOSH: That's... where I'm going.
DONNA: I'm just telling you.
JOSH: Yes, but you see that's obviously where I'm going, and yet you tell me anyway.
DONNA: And you don't find that adorable?
JOSH: That you seek to control me?
DONNA: Yeah.
JOSH: Love it.
Meanwhile, everyone eagerly awaits Leo's Big Block of Cheese Day speech. And by "eagerly awaits," I mean "dreads."
"Andrew Jackson, in the main foyer of his White House, had a big block of cheese. I am making a mental list of those who are snickering, and even as I speak I'm preparing appropriate retribution. The block of cheese was huge -- over two tons. And it was there for any and all who might be hungry."
Sam gets on the list.
LEO: Jackson wanted the White House to belong to the people, so from time to time, he opened his doors to those who wished an audience.
MANDY: And then he locked the doors behind them and made them eat two tons of cheese.
LEO: It is in that spirit...
SAM: Hang on. Mandy doesn't go on the list?
LEO: Mandy's new.
SAM: So it's just me... on the list?
LEO: Yes. It is in the spirit of Andrew Jackson that I, from time to time, ask senior staff to have face-to-face meetings with those people representing organizations who have a difficult time getting our attention. I know the more jaded among you see this as something rather beneath you. But I assure you that listening to the voices of passionate Americans is beneath no one, and surely not the people's servants.
JOSH: Sorry we're late. Is it "Total Crackpot Day" again?
LEO: Yes, it is.
Josh gets his NSA card, and assumes half of the White House (okay, really just Donna) is going to be able to come with him. NSA guy is all, "We're not running a Motel 6, yo."
Josh is discomfited by this. I think he's going to need to talk to his shrink and then have a mild nutty while listening to classical music, but that's just a guess.
Sam pretends to be various female reporters during a mock press conference. Sam is either very secure in his masculinity or is wearing women's underwear.
Jed starts to get pissy.
Toby gets pissy right back and says one of my favorite lines. "By changing some words?? The world can move, or not, by changing some words."
Everyone else gets to stand around uncomfortably. Yay.
Sam listens to some geeky dude who wants the government to spend more money on researching UFOs. I actually just like this shot for the DoJ hat in the background. I like to think Sam wears it out on the town because he thinks it makes him look cool. And you just know that trophy is for Most Improved Lacrosse Player or something.
BARTLET: Charlie. My youngest daughter, Zoey, is down from Hanover. I'm making chili tonight. It's her favorite.
CHARLIE: Uh, sir, you know the first lady does not want you to eat...
BARTLET: The first lady's in Pakistan. I can eat whatever I want.
CHARLIE: Yes, sir.
BARTLET: I'm gonna need some ingredients.
CHARLIE: Like what?
LEO: Well, he'll need some chili.
The senior staff is SO EXCITED that Bartlet is making chili. See?
Bartlet makes them look at the rug in the middle of the floor to remind them where they're standing. NOW they're excited. Sam's thumbs-up makes me pee.
Josh finds out that Sam's not going to be in the bunker, either. Just because he's not carrying around enough angst as it is. Also:
JOSH: Listen, you're close with Cathy, right?
SAM: I haven't seen her naked, if that's what you're asking.
JOSH: No, Sam. Well, that's not what I'm asking.
SAM: I mean, she's like my younger sister, but she gets paid, and...
JOSH: Right.
SAM: And she frightens me.
JOSH: Yes.
SAM: But I love her.
JOSH: Yeah.
SAM: It's like you and Donna.
JOSH: Right. (said in a way that indicates it's not like that at all)
CJ finds out about Pluie and wolf highways. CJ is so cute here I just want to give her a hug.
Toby tries to use psychic powers to read CJ's mind. I think he was jealous of her Magic 8 Ball trick last week.
Josh goes to see Stanley the First. I love the Hollywood rendition of what a therapist's office should look like.
And here's where we find out that Joanie died in a fire while babysitting wee Josh. Mmmm, angst.
So then Josh goes and listens to Schubert's "Ave Maria" because Joanie used to love it and pretend to conduct along with the music. Josh has issues, in case you haven't noticed.
CJ comes to check on him because everyone else is drinking and waiting with trepidation for chili.
JOSH: Hang on. Listen. Listen. There, right there. It's...miraculous. Schubert was crazy, you know.
CJ: Yes.
JOSH: Do you think you have to be crazy to create something powerful?
DIA: No, but it helps.
"You really are very sweet sometimes."
Also: hot.
This shot reminds me of that bit at the end of Return of the Jedi, when Lando is animatedly talking to Chewie about blowing up the Death Star.
BARTLET: Mrs. Landingham, are you drunk?
MRS. LANDINGHAM: No, sir. Now why would I...
BARTLET: I just like asking.
CJ is a Pluie Proselytizer.
I'd kind of forgotten about this bit with Bartlet and Toby, which is awesome. "I couldn't live without you, Toby. I mean it. I'd be in the tall grass. I'd be in the weeds. I know I disappoint you sometimes. I mean, I can sense your disappointment. And I only get mad because I know you're right a lot of the time, but you are not the kid in the class with his hand up and whatever it was you said to CJ. You are a wise and brilliant man, Toby." Reading that, and then thinking about the leak scene...god.
Zoey! Also, Josh looking vaguely stalkerish.
Josh introduces Charlie to Zoey and an OTP is born. Although Josh is still looking vaguely stalkerish. Like he doesn't have enough issues in this episode.
Jed and Leo are talking about the women. And Jed likes seeing colleagues enjoy each other outside of work, but unfortunately I don't think he's suggesting an orgy.
Josh makes his decision about the NSA card. "I serve at the pleasure of the President, and it's a great privilege that I will never forget. I can't keep this. I think it's a white flag of surrender. I want to be a comfort to my friends in tragedy. And I want to be able to celebrate with them in triumph. And for all the times in between, I just want to be able to look them in the eye. Leo, it's not for me. I want to be with my friends, my family, and these women." Of course, not everyone would then take that as a cue to write apocasmut, but I like to think that I'm special.
In any case, Jed and Leo understand, because women are awesome.
See?
"You know, when smallpox was eradicated, it was considered the single greatest humanitarian achievement of this century. Surely, we can do it again. As we did in the time when our eyes looked towards the heavens, and with outstretched fingers, we touched the face of God. Here's to absent friends, and the ones that are here now." Okay, let's eat!
And we leave with Josh confident that he made the right choice, and the audience aware that he's kind of fucked up. Awesome.
All caps by
_jems_, who deserves much praise and thanks.First off, let's just take a moment, shall we? *stares*
TOBY: Oh, this is perfect, you know that? This is a perfect metaphor. After you're gone, and the poets write, "The Legend of Josiah Bartlet," let them write you as a tragic figure, sir. Let the poets write that he had the tools of greatness, but the voices of his better angels were shouted down by his obsessive need to win.
BARTLET: You want to play or write my eulogy?
TOBY: Can I be honest with you, sir?
Then the president cheats and brings in a ringer. But would you rather look at the ringer, or Josh's arms? I know my answer.
Heeeee hee hee. This shot never fails to make me laugh.
Unfortunately, the basketball game must eventually come to an end. Look at how young Janel looks in this shot. Awww.
DONNA: You have a staff meeting.
JOSH: That's... where I'm going.
DONNA: I'm just telling you.
JOSH: Yes, but you see that's obviously where I'm going, and yet you tell me anyway.
DONNA: And you don't find that adorable?
JOSH: That you seek to control me?
DONNA: Yeah.
JOSH: Love it.
Meanwhile, everyone eagerly awaits Leo's Big Block of Cheese Day speech. And by "eagerly awaits," I mean "dreads."
"Andrew Jackson, in the main foyer of his White House, had a big block of cheese. I am making a mental list of those who are snickering, and even as I speak I'm preparing appropriate retribution. The block of cheese was huge -- over two tons. And it was there for any and all who might be hungry."
Sam gets on the list.
LEO: Jackson wanted the White House to belong to the people, so from time to time, he opened his doors to those who wished an audience.
MANDY: And then he locked the doors behind them and made them eat two tons of cheese.
LEO: It is in that spirit...
SAM: Hang on. Mandy doesn't go on the list?
LEO: Mandy's new.
SAM: So it's just me... on the list?
LEO: Yes. It is in the spirit of Andrew Jackson that I, from time to time, ask senior staff to have face-to-face meetings with those people representing organizations who have a difficult time getting our attention. I know the more jaded among you see this as something rather beneath you. But I assure you that listening to the voices of passionate Americans is beneath no one, and surely not the people's servants.
JOSH: Sorry we're late. Is it "Total Crackpot Day" again?
LEO: Yes, it is.
Josh gets his NSA card, and assumes half of the White House (okay, really just Donna) is going to be able to come with him. NSA guy is all, "We're not running a Motel 6, yo."
Josh is discomfited by this. I think he's going to need to talk to his shrink and then have a mild nutty while listening to classical music, but that's just a guess.
Sam pretends to be various female reporters during a mock press conference. Sam is either very secure in his masculinity or is wearing women's underwear.
Jed starts to get pissy.
Toby gets pissy right back and says one of my favorite lines. "By changing some words?? The world can move, or not, by changing some words."
Everyone else gets to stand around uncomfortably. Yay.
Sam listens to some geeky dude who wants the government to spend more money on researching UFOs. I actually just like this shot for the DoJ hat in the background. I like to think Sam wears it out on the town because he thinks it makes him look cool. And you just know that trophy is for Most Improved Lacrosse Player or something.
BARTLET: Charlie. My youngest daughter, Zoey, is down from Hanover. I'm making chili tonight. It's her favorite.
CHARLIE: Uh, sir, you know the first lady does not want you to eat...
BARTLET: The first lady's in Pakistan. I can eat whatever I want.
CHARLIE: Yes, sir.
BARTLET: I'm gonna need some ingredients.
CHARLIE: Like what?
LEO: Well, he'll need some chili.
The senior staff is SO EXCITED that Bartlet is making chili. See?
Bartlet makes them look at the rug in the middle of the floor to remind them where they're standing. NOW they're excited. Sam's thumbs-up makes me pee.
Josh finds out that Sam's not going to be in the bunker, either. Just because he's not carrying around enough angst as it is. Also:
JOSH: Listen, you're close with Cathy, right?
SAM: I haven't seen her naked, if that's what you're asking.
JOSH: No, Sam. Well, that's not what I'm asking.
SAM: I mean, she's like my younger sister, but she gets paid, and...
JOSH: Right.
SAM: And she frightens me.
JOSH: Yes.
SAM: But I love her.
JOSH: Yeah.
SAM: It's like you and Donna.
JOSH: Right. (said in a way that indicates it's not like that at all)
CJ finds out about Pluie and wolf highways. CJ is so cute here I just want to give her a hug.
Toby tries to use psychic powers to read CJ's mind. I think he was jealous of her Magic 8 Ball trick last week.
Josh goes to see Stanley the First. I love the Hollywood rendition of what a therapist's office should look like.
And here's where we find out that Joanie died in a fire while babysitting wee Josh. Mmmm, angst.
So then Josh goes and listens to Schubert's "Ave Maria" because Joanie used to love it and pretend to conduct along with the music. Josh has issues, in case you haven't noticed.
CJ comes to check on him because everyone else is drinking and waiting with trepidation for chili.
JOSH: Hang on. Listen. Listen. There, right there. It's...miraculous. Schubert was crazy, you know.
CJ: Yes.
JOSH: Do you think you have to be crazy to create something powerful?
DIA: No, but it helps.
"You really are very sweet sometimes."
Also: hot.
This shot reminds me of that bit at the end of Return of the Jedi, when Lando is animatedly talking to Chewie about blowing up the Death Star.
BARTLET: Mrs. Landingham, are you drunk?
MRS. LANDINGHAM: No, sir. Now why would I...
BARTLET: I just like asking.
CJ is a Pluie Proselytizer.
I'd kind of forgotten about this bit with Bartlet and Toby, which is awesome. "I couldn't live without you, Toby. I mean it. I'd be in the tall grass. I'd be in the weeds. I know I disappoint you sometimes. I mean, I can sense your disappointment. And I only get mad because I know you're right a lot of the time, but you are not the kid in the class with his hand up and whatever it was you said to CJ. You are a wise and brilliant man, Toby." Reading that, and then thinking about the leak scene...god.
Zoey! Also, Josh looking vaguely stalkerish.
Josh introduces Charlie to Zoey and an OTP is born. Although Josh is still looking vaguely stalkerish. Like he doesn't have enough issues in this episode.
Jed and Leo are talking about the women. And Jed likes seeing colleagues enjoy each other outside of work, but unfortunately I don't think he's suggesting an orgy.
Josh makes his decision about the NSA card. "I serve at the pleasure of the President, and it's a great privilege that I will never forget. I can't keep this. I think it's a white flag of surrender. I want to be a comfort to my friends in tragedy. And I want to be able to celebrate with them in triumph. And for all the times in between, I just want to be able to look them in the eye. Leo, it's not for me. I want to be with my friends, my family, and these women." Of course, not everyone would then take that as a cue to write apocasmut, but I like to think that I'm special.
In any case, Jed and Leo understand, because women are awesome.
See?
"You know, when smallpox was eradicated, it was considered the single greatest humanitarian achievement of this century. Surely, we can do it again. As we did in the time when our eyes looked towards the heavens, and with outstretched fingers, we touched the face of God. Here's to absent friends, and the ones that are here now." Okay, let's eat!
And we leave with Josh confident that he made the right choice, and the audience aware that he's kind of fucked up. Awesome.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 04:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 04:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 06:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 04:22 am (UTC)And I love that you've decided to insert yourself into the script.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 04:30 am (UTC)Also, yay! I heartily enjoyed this! (Charlie and Zoey are totally gonna get married and stuff, right?)
no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 06:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 04:45 am (UTC)That last shot of CJ and Donna is the cutest thing ever, heee!
no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 04:45 am (UTC)Soooo glad you survived the weekend!
no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 05:02 am (UTC)True, sad story: I missed this episode when it was first run for an episode of Survivor. I know, I know. It's the only one, and I don't like to talk about it.
I love the Hollywood rendition of what a therapist's office should look like.
And I love how completely ineffectual Stanley the First is, given that Josh has apparently been going to him for some time.
Of course, not everyone would then take that as a cue to write apocasmut, but I like to think that I'm special.
On the internet, you're never the only one! /motto.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 07:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 01:01 pm (UTC)and how is it so many of us never noticed Sam giving the thumbs up?
now i'm going to stare at josh's arms some more.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 03:14 pm (UTC)Like many others, I never noticed Sam's thumbs up (probably because Josh is in the centre of the shot which means I wouldn't have been looking at the peripheries - naturally!).
SAM: It's like you and Donna.
JOSH: Right. (said in a way that indicates it's not like that at all)
Yes. Even back then.
Thanks for this :)
no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 03:29 pm (UTC)haha, brilliant. :)
no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 08:00 pm (UTC)And you know what? I don't think I ever noticed Sam's thumbs up before! He is such a dork.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-19 08:51 pm (UTC)I was watching this last night (in anticipation!) and noticed that Snuffy worked "Ave Maria" into the background music when Bartlet's talking about smallpox and touching the face of God. Brilliant.
Thank you for lovely picspam!!
no subject
Date: 2006-06-22 09:39 pm (UTC)And as everybody else, I had never noticed Sam's thumbs up either.
I love CJ/Alison's laugh. everyone else is drinking and waiting with trepidation for chili. LMAO Oh, and that card thing, so sweet. Well, that whole episode is love. <3
no subject
Date: 2006-06-23 06:41 pm (UTC)Sam is either very secure in his masculinity or is wearing women's underwear.
Can't he be both? ;)
no subject
Date: 2006-06-25 01:57 am (UTC)