OTH: The West Wing- "The Stackhouse Filibuster" / "17 People"
"And the walls came tumbling down."
Season 2, Episode 17
Aired March 14, 2001
Directed by Bryan Gordon
Story by Pete McCabe, Teleplay by Aaron Sorkin
Synopsis: It’s Friday night and everyone has plans for the weekend, but no one is able to leave as Senator Stackhouse is leading a filibuster in Congress. As we discover, the Senator is fighting to add an addendum on autism research to the Family Wellness Act, which we discover has already been passed through and isn’t able to add anything else in time to vote for Congressional recess. While it seems like he’s doing this to be a stickler, Donna notices something when she watches b-roll from a news report and sees him with six grandchildren, when he supposedly has seven. She informs Donna, and they have some research done and discover that the missing grandson is on the spectrum. After informing Leo and the President, they come up with an idea to stop the filibuster while still helping out Senator Stackhouse- thanks to Josh mansplaining the filibuster to Donna (this is the first in President Bartlet’s administration), the senator on the floor can yield for a question without yielding the floor. Barlet and Leo call up some of their senator friends, preferably the grandfathers, to inform them and come up with some questions.
Meanwhile, Toby has to meet with Vice President Hoynes to talk about a matter regarding emissions standards, needing the Energy Security to come up with a rebuttal regarding the matter. Instead, Hoynes volunteers to deliver it himself, which isn’t necessary- in fact, it’s surprising given his prior push from big oil- but still welcome. While Toby wonders what he’s gaining from this, we learn later when President Bartlet tries- and eventually fails- to have a private dinner with Leo, where he confesses that he promised Abbey that he would only run for a single term, which is something Hoynes also knows and why he’s pushing for some good press right now. Toby confronts Hoynes after his speech, but he remains silent.
I have no intention of running for Senate, but I like the idea of starting a filibuster and reading the Wiki article for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, particularly the “Michael Jackson’s involvement” section.
But seriously, the concept of standing straight for hours on end without taking any kind of sustenance, even water, just to prove a point or have a vote go your way no matter how unlikely the scenario, sounds intimidating. And it’s something that many don’t love, which is why the left has been fighting to end the practice. Whether that happens remains to be seen.
Senator Stackhouse, played commendably by George Coe (who will always be remembered as Woodhouse on Archer for me) proves to have the balls needed to use the practice for a subject near to him. It’s especially worth admiration, as it’s mentioned more than once that Stackhouse is hardly a favorite member of the Senate, the kind of old-school lefty that appears to be too honest and judgmental for his own good.
The episode is framed uniquely with letters written to various staff member’s parents- C.J. writing to her dad starts things off, then we see Josh and Sam write to their moms, although Sam’s subplot with the intern is so inessential that I hardly factor it in. The best material tends to come from C.J.’s side, especially when Donna plays detective and becomes the episode’s hero. It’s almost kind of refreshing to see the show’s two major women team up for once, even if they have seldom need to.
“The Stackhouse Filibuster” ultimately feels like part one of a two-part event, and probably the less popular half to boot, but a tight and enjoyable half. Definitely good enough to keep audiences around for what’s next.
Season 2, Episode 18
Aired April 4, 2000
Directed by Alex Graves
Written by Aaron Sorkin
Synopsis: Following the previous episode, Toby is still trying to figure out what Hoynes meant, and it haunts him for the next few days. Without mentioning the Vice President’s comment, he asks Leo what Hoynes would gain from taking control of this speech, which Leo shrugs off as another example of the Veep’s need for control. Still, Toby thinks that he’s up to something, and a day later, he discovers that Hoynes is giving a speech in President Bartlet’s hometown in New Hampshire, which is conveniently scheduled around a camping trip in the area. This has to mean something, and Toby is convinced that he’s running for election in 2002, and demands to know why. Leo decides to stop hiding this and asks President Bartlet if it’s okay to tell him the truth. He agrees and invites Toby into the Oval Office to have a drink and come clean- Toby is now the 16th person to know about the President’s MS, which includes the First Lady, their children, the doctor and his crew who first discovered the diagnosis, and yes, Vice President Hoynes*. Leo meets with Toby to tell him about when he first learned of Bartlet’s diagnosis (last year right before his State of the Union, in case you forgot) and after taking some time to process the information, Toby has a slew of questions. He wants to know if the President’s MS is truly in remission and if he’s medicating. As the questions become more personal and tensive, both men start to lose their temper, with Bartlet accusing Toby of being upset that fifteen other people found out before he did. Toby insists this isn’t the case, as he’s worried that the President can be impeached if the news becomes public, as he’s concerned for his safety and goodwill. He suggests that the President looks into hiring some lawyers to protect him, while also acknowledging that there are actually 17 people who know about his diagnosis- Jed himself, who he forgot to add to his tally.
While Toby is in the Oval Office, Sam and Josh are working on the President’s correspondence dinner speech, which is meant to be a comedic affair except for one problem- there’s no jokes. While they’re working on the speech, Josh is dealing with an upset Donna, who isn’t happy that Josh likes to celebrate the anniversary of her starting to work for him… two months after she really started, and Sam argues with Ainsley Hayes about the Equal Rights Amendment, which she opposes. Donna is upset because Josh seems to still hold resentment that she quit her job right after starting to return to her ex-boyfriend, and only came back after they broke up. Josh thinks that he dumped her again, but as he later finds out, she left him and returned. She doesn’t like being reminded of this, especially as Josh was welcoming to take her back immediately, so they make up. As for Ainsley, she objects to there being a special amendment suggesting that she has every right to be considered equal as a man despite being a woman, when she already has the degree to prove that she is.
I’ve seen “17 People” counted as an example of a bottle episode, but I’m not entirely sure if it qualifies, since we do switch between sets throughout the episode, most notably the Oval Office and the Roosevelt Room. Generally a bottle episode keeps the action contained to one story and set for at least the majority (I think it can still qualify if the opening and ending sequences take place elsewhere), but I can see it qualify if you count the White House as one solitary location.
The stories do compliment each other, at least, as these are each about respect. Going from least to most important, Sam and Ainsley show the two try to work in a bipartisan setting… or at least Sam tries to, as Ainsley intently sticks to her point of view and doesn’t back down. I do like that Sorkin is trying with the character again, as a conservative voice is worth having in such a liberal mindset, and Emily Procter continues to have strong chemistry with Rob Lowe. But Sorkin’s problems with writing for women continue to show, as she remains adamant in a seemingly uncharming way.
Josh and Donna, meanwhile, focus on respect for each other. By this point, their relationship is one of the show’s cores, as they help each other find the best in each other. Personally, I find their material a little draining this week, though. The show seems to be aiming for a Sam and Diane-esq will they/won’t they (I picked those two in particular not just because Cheers remains the prototype for this romantic storyline, but because Sam and Diane are also a boss and employee situation), but that’s just not the most interesting thing going on this week, nor is his material for Donna the best he can do, as much as Janel Molony is trying.
What truly stands out this week, however, is Toby’s story. Sorkin offers strong work for the character, as his detective work leads him to something bigger than he’d expect and takes Toby to a place he never expected to reach- possible contempt for the President, his boss. Richard Schiff has proven himself to be right for the role of Toby time and again, with an Emmy to prove it, and here he gets his chance to really prove this as he stands next to an ever-impressive Martin Sheen, who doesn’t hold back his own undeniable talent.
In terms of this week’s theme, Toby is after respect, but not for himself- he’s considering respect for the common people, the ones who voted for Bartlet and the ones who didn’t, the ones who will not like learning that their President has a brain-altering disease. And he’s not wrong- while his diagnosis may have been private before running, he’s no longer a private figure. People will find out, and it will look bad. And it will be even worse if he runs for a second term as he’s considering. The one-off that Hoynes appears to think this is would be one thing, but Jed’s no spring chicken. His MS can return, and Toby is right to call out the bullshit.
Director Graves does terrific work in making the familiar sets feel as quaint and claustrophobic as possible. We see more of the Oval Office than usual, and it’s clear from more than just the dimmed lighting how exhausted the vibe is. Everyone’s ready to go home and get rest. The staff is tired and no one is impressed with their position. Incredible framing here.
“17 People” doesn’t end nicely, as Toby has to sit with the bombshell he’s uncovered on his own. He’s notably tense and dismayed at what he just learned, thanks to incredible cues from Schiff. And we’re not out of the woods yet.
Presidential Records:
“I’m all for bipartisanship as long as we win.”
So Senator Stackhouse read from a cookbook, some Dickens, and then the rules of blackjack.
I was wondering why the assistant Sam was arguing with looked familiar, and it’s because she’s Cara DeLizia, Fi from So Weird on Disney Channel. That was from right before I got the channel, but I recall the face.
While the show is still struggling to find something to do with Ainsley, I appreciate that they’re sticking to food being a running motif for her. She’s going back to her alma mater partly for pizza, and she’s enticed to work for Sam for some Chinese.
*The other people who know the President’s diagnosis besides those already mentioned- his brother, Admiral Fitzwallace, and the anesthesiologist on call when he was shot, recalling “In the Shadow of Two Gunmen”.
C.J. is missing in the latter episode as she was shooting The Hours in London during filming. Honestly, the episode doesn’t totally need her, anyway.
I want to see the sock puppet John Wayne impersonation.
In “17 People”, the President discusses security clearing for airports and try to bring up the downsides. Just a reminder- this episode aired more than five months before 9/11.
Next (Other) Week: After this, I think we can go back to weekly for both shows. Anyway, President Bartlet’s diagnosis might leak, and Joey Lucas returns. Gonna keep things vague for right now, but we’re gonna be eating good.