OTH: The West Wing- "100,000 Airplanes" / "The Two Bartlets"
A light return as serious diseases come up!
Season 3, Episode 11
Aired January 16, 2002
Directed by David Nutter
Written by Aaron Sorkin
Synopsis: Sam is watching the President give what could be his last State of the Union with Lisa Sherborne, a Vanity Fair writer (and, as we’ll later discover, Sam’s former fiancé) who is doing an article on the Deputy Chief of Speech. The speech goes well, but it could have been bigger, as Sam mentions that they nearly discussed curing cancer. We flashback to around two weeks ago when President Bartlet was announced to become censured, when we see the senior staff learn about the news. One thing this means is that if they don’t want this to be his last State of the Union, Toby and Sam need to work on a truly immaculate speech.
Cancer doesn’t come in just yet, as we’re going back to Josh’s story with Amy Gardner, as they’re planning a second date. Josh has trepidation has he learns that Amy has currently been attached to John Tandy, a potential Congressman who appears to be chasing women to make his run appear stronger. Donna’s warning that Josh’s second dates tend to be where his experiences are cut short comes true as he brings this up, which she rejects, noting that Tandy is more feminist than the White House. Luckily, though, Josh’s date is cut short when President Bartlet asks his senior staff (along with Joey Lucas and Kenny, her interpreter) to return to the White House for a special announcement. While having dinner with some of the First Lady’s professional friends, he learns of the possibility that cancer can be cured within ten years thanks to a breakthrough in medicine that can make the disease chronic without removing any vital blood cells. He invites the staff to let them know that he wants to bring this up during the State of the Union, asking his crew to come up with a reason not to. They deliver in spades- the science isn’t hard enough on this breakthrough, he’ll look like a fool if this doesn’t go through, and it appears like Bartlet is trying to deflect both his MS reveal as well as his censure. Sam, however, gives the President a thumbs up, noting that it will make him look appealing to the public, who tend to recognize big proclamations more than anything. Although Sam pens up a worthy draft in no time, he ultimately tells the President that they can’t go through with this promise, noting that there’s too much policy to deal with for such a process.
So we return to the present day, and while Joey’s initial polling numbers don’t appear promising, things look quite good from who they’ve been able to gage responses from, with a notable increase in numbers in their favor revolving the President’s efficiency, trustworthiness, and leadership. All in all, this looks good, although by the end of the night, Lisa insists that it’s for the best if she gives this story to someone else, noting that there’s still tension between the two of them. Before she leaves, however, Lisa asks Sam to read the section about cancer that was dropped.
The titular 100,000 airplanes President Bartlet refers to comes from President Roosevelt’s stated intent to turn the U.S.’s air force from the 12th strong nation in 1940 to first, which he would more or less deliver on. This is one of a couple of comparisons Bartlet makes with his decision to discuss the eradication of cancer, which he brings up alongside President Kennedy’s promise to put man on the moon by the end of the decade.
Lofty, admirable goals, and Bartlet’s desire to rid the world of cancer is a noble one, if a highly ambitious promise to make. As mentioned by basically everyone, however, it’s not like anyone will say no to the prospect of curing, or at least dulling cancer. But without the hard science to back up the prospect, this just sounds like poll baiting, which our leader should be better about.
Still, polling is important, especially as crucial primaries are around the corner, so I understand the desire to load up the big guns. And the prospect of curing cancer is an exciting one, even in this show’s fictional political world. I understand why Bartlet would want to pull the trigger, but yeah, I wouldn’t have gone for that angle.
I can’t help but notice how Sorkin likes his framing devices, which “100,000 Airplanes” has by leading Sam into a high-profile Vanity Fair interview… being conducted by his ex-fiancé. Juicy material, which the episode leans into. A notable element about the Bartlet administration’s senior staff is that none of them are especially successful with relationships- none of the crew are married, and the only two we know were, Leo and Toby, had their marriages end abruptly and somewhat bitterly- so getting a chance to see how Sam’s one that got away was wise to get away is fun, as well as telling. As dedicated as Sam and his crew are to making the world a better place, they’re largely not as great at making their love life run as smoothly.
See: Josh and Amy, who even after kissing in the previous episode, cannot come to an amicable agreement as Josh tries too hard to shut down his supposed opponent to her affection. Is John Tandy really more feminist than the entire Bartlet administration, or is he trying too hard to appear that way? The show wisely doesn’t answer that question, making Josh’s pushing appear as desperate as possible. And that’s always the right look for Josh, coming as a fan.
As for Sam and Lisa, sparks aren’t really flying here. If there was a connection, it’s long gone, and I can’t tell if Rob Lowe is doing great or poor work to make the two feel so distant. There is a touch of disappointment, at least, that I think leads to the former. While Sam was initially conceived as the main character, I don’t tend to think of the character or Lowe’s acting among the show’s finest (spoiler- he’s one of the few OG cast members to never win an Emmy), but I think he does well as this episode’s focus, both with the wraparound segments and as the only one willing to help the President sell his speech.
Ultimately, though, President Bartlet doesn’t need to cure cancer to receive acclaim, nor does he need to do so to make “100,000 Airplanes” land as an entertaining episode. Maybe it’s nothing too special, but it’s a good time all the same.
Season 3, Episode 12
Aired January 30, 2002
Directed by Alex Graves
Story by Gene Sperling, Teleplay by Kevin Falls and Aaron Sorkin
Synopsis: Amy surprises Josh at his apartment at 5 am, where the two begin another Tracy-Hepburn-esq argument, resulting in the revelation that John Tandy proposed to Amy. She declined, but this is still a shock to Josh, and before he can try to fix the situation, Leo calls him in early. While President Bartlet is on a flight to Iowa with C.J. and Toby (caucus time), the Chiefs of Staff are needed as a friend of Josh’s is leading a radical protest in Vieques, Puerto Rico and Leo thinks it’s best for Josh to contact him. Josh isn’t happy about the arrangement, not only because this is his friend, but also as he recognizes that this will make the Bartlet candidacy look weak to Hispanic voters. Nevertheless, he tries to stand strong when Billy, said friend, contacts him, although he’s still thinking about Amy and how he isn’t able to properly woo her. To make up for already and further lost time, he books tickets for the two of them to Tahiti for the day after tomorrow. Somehow, Josh is able to both secure the time with Amy and settle a deal with Billy and his protestors. However, when Josh learns that the meeting Billy and Leo have will conflict with his trip, he decides to cancel it, even though Amy had the availability. Instead, he tries to make it up to her by inviting her to a mini-Tahiti experience at his apartment, as he ignores the caucus results so the two can spend a passionate evening together.
On Air Force One, C.J. is on the phone with her father as she struggles to keep him updated with what’s going on, while Toby tries to come up with a response to a rival senator’s comments on affirmative action. President Bartlet doesn’t seem stressed about it, and when Sam faxes a draft on affirmative action, Toby sees a nothingburger of a statement, which reflects the President’s desire to not recite anything quotable. Rather than repeat Sam’s comments, when confronted about affirmative action during his time at the University of Iowa, Bartlet chooses to deflect the question, further inciting Toby. Back at the White House, Toby meets with the President in the Oval Office after winning the caucus, where the two butt heads and the conversation soon turns to President Bartlet’s relationship with his late father.
It’s not Big Block of Cheese Day, but Sam still has to meet with a crackpot, this time Sam Lloyd’s (now of Scrubs fame- he would have started playing Ted the lawyer in the show’s first season at this point) Robert Engler from US Space Command returns as he attempts to convince Sam and the White House to let him explore Fort Knox. A welcome return, as the late Lloyd always had a knack of getting a laugh out of sympathy, although the scene ultimately goes his way as Sam can tell that this is a personal quest for Mr. Engler to validate his late father’s work.
I think this scene would really land if “The Two Bartlets” had a stronger connection to the fatherhood angle the last act tires to ring up, but it’s just not there for most of the episode, particularly Josh’s leading material. The bulk of the episode is standard West Wing fare, which isn’t a problem in and of itself, but the ending doesn’t land for me.
And it should. We’ve seen Jed’s violent father in action before and heard C.J. talk to her father, but the former’s supposedly impactful sequence doesn’t quite land as it should, as the lineage doesn’t come up at any prior point in the episode. Toby’s frustration at the President’s inability to counter claims for or against affirmative action have little baring on Bartlet’s family history, or even his health, which makes the move come off as almost manipulative.
There’s a little more to dig into with C.J.’s father, however. Alzheimer’s is a serious disease, and it’s clear that her father’s diminishing mindset is taking a toll on C.J. for the majority of the episode. Even thinking of the buttered Last Supper is barely enough to keep her afloat. It may help that we’re expected to see more of C.J.’s world and her day-to-day life, while even at this point, President Bartlet is largely kept at a distance from us, only opening up when necessary. That helps to make her moments land a little more thoroughly.
And none of this comes up with Josh, who is struggling with friendship and his love life. I don’t think the Vieques material offers much in terms of new material for the character or series at large, but it’s not supposed to- having Josh’s former friend, one we don’t even meet, cause a rock between his and Amy’s blooming relationship is meant to be enough worthwhile conflict. Does it work? I guess.
It works well enough to reinforce how cute Josh and Amy appear so far, especially their time in “Tahiti” at the end. Mary Louise Parker has been a welcome addition to the cast and works well with Bradley Whitford, matching his awkward, if assured energy with a notable lack of bullshit. If he didn’t work just as well with Janel Molony and Marlee Matlin, it would make all the sense in the world for the two.
I thought “The Two Bartlets” was cute, but not much else. That’s not the worse way to feel about a television episode, but The West Wing can and should be better. Is this just a hiccup, or are we in some kind of trend? We’ll see as the show goes on.
Presidential Records:
Apologies for the late post, my schedule only allows me one day off a week, if that. I’m hoping to try non-OTH posts in the interim, as these will be harder to pull off with my timing.
As for how I feel about the show’s on and off romances, I like C.J. and Danny well enough, looking forward to his return. As for Donna, Joey, or Amy, I feel like each have their own qualities that are a perfect match for Josh, but I don’t see him ever finding a marriage that lasts, even compared to the rest of his coworkers.
Speaking of Joey Lucas, she’s back! She’s blonde now, too. Cool!
Lisa Sherborne-Seaborne. I would have nixed the wedding if that was going to be my name, too.
How does Toby know how many words are in the Gettysburg Address and the Ten Commandments on the top of his head? Additionally, from what I can look up, this is inaccurate. English translations of the Ten Commandments have it at around 310 words or 99 in its original Hebrew vs Toby’s take of 173.
Notice how despite her friends being invited for dinner, Abbey is MIA. I guess Stockard Channing wasn’t available that week.
If I accidentally told my boss the ways I fell in love with my girlfriend expecting them to be her, I’d probably kill myself.
Of course Josh plays UB40 during his “Tahiti” trip. Cod reggae at its worst.
Next Week (or whatever): Returning to one of Sorkin’s favorite framing devices, President Bartlet seeks help for his sleeping problems and then Bartlet practices his chess skills while engaging in conflict with China.