The tempest of C.J.'s life is winding down...or is it, as Santos offers her a job in the new administration? Does she want to slow down? Does she have any idea how? She keeps on saying and doing the wrong thing with Danny. He's patient and understanding, and their story arc becomes the most compelling part of the series' end. The producers could have done more with Charlie & Zoey, or Jed & Abbey, or Will & Kate, or Santos & Josh & Sam, or Toby's trial(s), or Annabeth & Charlie (sorry, my mind wandered there). Any of those might have been fascinating, but i daresay none would have topped C & C. Janney and Busfield can do no wrong. C.J. also has a scene with Toby that almost redeems the crappy season he's had. And she's offered the chance by a charismatic tycoon (Xander Berkeley - POISON IVY II, 24) to take ten billion dollars and fix the world. Brilliant dialogue, in the final episode written by Deborah Cahn.
3 Reviews
Highways!
Sonatine9719 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Another wonderfully written episode by the much under-rated Deborah Cahn.
Very much centred on CJ and her career options now that the Bartlet administration is coming to a close. Everyone wants her, from bland private corporations and their 6 figure salaries and private jets; to president-elect Santos, wanting her to stay in the White House as some special advisor. None of which genuinely has much appeal to a woman who has probably had enough of government and the public sector.
But just to complicate matters for her, Danny is very much back in her private life, and he very much wants that to be a long-term thing rather than the on-off flings they had during the early years of the West Wing. And yet even after all this time she tells him she is not ready for a relationship.
Fortunately, Cahn doesn't fall into the usual soap-opera trap of turning this troubled affair into a whole episode of cheap drama. All Danny wants is for them to talk about things in order that they can still stay together and do whatever they want; and Cahn's writing is beautifully choreographed for them both.
But for me, the most touching scene was her conversation with Frank Hollis - a billionaire with a conscience. I would guess this character was written with former Microsoft's founder & CEO Bill Gates in mind, as they both have lots of money and both want to be a bit more philanthropic with it.
He wants to fix the world, but doesn't know where to start. But CJ tells him to look at highways in Africa - fix that and you fix the problem of food distribution to more remote parts of the country. She tells him its not sexy, and probably won't make the frontpage headlines, but there it is - highways.
Holis looks at her with a hint of disbelief, but then says "If you think that needs fixing, I'll give you $10bn to fix it!"
The look on CJ's face is a delight.
Very much centred on CJ and her career options now that the Bartlet administration is coming to a close. Everyone wants her, from bland private corporations and their 6 figure salaries and private jets; to president-elect Santos, wanting her to stay in the White House as some special advisor. None of which genuinely has much appeal to a woman who has probably had enough of government and the public sector.
But just to complicate matters for her, Danny is very much back in her private life, and he very much wants that to be a long-term thing rather than the on-off flings they had during the early years of the West Wing. And yet even after all this time she tells him she is not ready for a relationship.
Fortunately, Cahn doesn't fall into the usual soap-opera trap of turning this troubled affair into a whole episode of cheap drama. All Danny wants is for them to talk about things in order that they can still stay together and do whatever they want; and Cahn's writing is beautifully choreographed for them both.
But for me, the most touching scene was her conversation with Frank Hollis - a billionaire with a conscience. I would guess this character was written with former Microsoft's founder & CEO Bill Gates in mind, as they both have lots of money and both want to be a bit more philanthropic with it.
He wants to fix the world, but doesn't know where to start. But CJ tells him to look at highways in Africa - fix that and you fix the problem of food distribution to more remote parts of the country. She tells him its not sexy, and probably won't make the frontpage headlines, but there it is - highways.
Holis looks at her with a hint of disbelief, but then says "If you think that needs fixing, I'll give you $10bn to fix it!"
The look on CJ's face is a delight.
Integral and perfect (but not really integral)
gcorken-275-42419728 March 2023
So, The West Wing is, to my mind at least, the most important and complete television show ever made.
I am both very certain and open about this, it's that damn good.
I rated this episode as a 9/10 because there are way better and more entertaining episodes available to you (and thankfully to me) should you desire.
This is the penultimate episode. They're tying up loose ends. The drama, y'all, well... it's bloody happened. Do not start here. It no longer matters.
But.
But.
But.
This tied up the CJ loose ends. Anyone who likes, loves or has ever seen the West Wing knows CJ is basically what it's about and she's amazing and blah blah blah.
The scene when CJ visits Toby (don't get me started on Toby) is my all time favourite scene of television.
So yeah. There's more comedy, drama, romance, banter, craic, substance etc etc in a lot of other episodes but this one just hits different.
CJC & DK 4ever (<3)
I am both very certain and open about this, it's that damn good.
I rated this episode as a 9/10 because there are way better and more entertaining episodes available to you (and thankfully to me) should you desire.
This is the penultimate episode. They're tying up loose ends. The drama, y'all, well... it's bloody happened. Do not start here. It no longer matters.
But.
But.
But.
This tied up the CJ loose ends. Anyone who likes, loves or has ever seen the West Wing knows CJ is basically what it's about and she's amazing and blah blah blah.
The scene when CJ visits Toby (don't get me started on Toby) is my all time favourite scene of television.
So yeah. There's more comedy, drama, romance, banter, craic, substance etc etc in a lot of other episodes but this one just hits different.
CJC & DK 4ever (<3)
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