Well, no- by Sorkin's own reports, he was frequently barely turning in scripts on time, working without season "bibles" and not really plotting out the show long-term. This isn't bad per se, but it was often cited as a factor in the show's budget problems and the toll it took on the actors.

Well, no- by Sorkin's own reports, he was frequently barely turning in scripts on time, working without season "bibles" and not really plotting out the show long-term. This isn't bad per se, but it was often cited as a factor in the show's budget problems and the toll it took on the actors.

This is because "working ahead" wasn't one of Sorkin's strong suits.

This is because "working ahead" wasn't one of Sorkin's strong suits.

The whole plot just falls apart as soon as you give it a second thought. Bartlet would not have acted the way he did, CJ would not have come so obviously unglued, and hell, Toby wasn't even in that story arc until the SHOCKING REVELATION.

Oh man, really? I thought the "joy cometh in the morning speech" was the first example of The Studio 60 Problem.

Oh man, really? I thought the "joy cometh in the morning speech" was the first example of The Studio 60 Problem.

In addition, they turned Bartlet's dial up too much toward "fop", and Toby was dialed too much toward "crank". Granted, both characters are, actually, really hard to nail…but they're also kinda the heart and soul of the series.

In addition, they turned Bartlet's dial up too much toward "fop", and Toby was dialed too much toward "crank". Granted, both characters are, actually, really hard to nail…but they're also kinda the heart and soul of the series.

S6-S7 are kinda what I think you'd expect a network TV show about the President to be- all terrorism and scandal and close elections with underdogs coming out on top and dramatic personnel changes. As far as that goes, it's alright- a close election really is just a good plot line- but it misses quite a bit of the…

S6-S7 are kinda what I think you'd expect a network TV show about the President to be- all terrorism and scandal and close elections with underdogs coming out on top and dramatic personnel changes. As far as that goes, it's alright- a close election really is just a good plot line- but it misses quite a bit of the…

I think it was the best move he coulda made with the hand he was dealt. Any kind of actual tension regarding Bartlet's reelection was going to feel contrived, it was a foregone conclusion that he was going to win. So, steer into the swerve- state pretty explicitly that Bartlet will win, show a clear polling lead at…

I think it was the best move he coulda made with the hand he was dealt. Any kind of actual tension regarding Bartlet's reelection was going to feel contrived, it was a foregone conclusion that he was going to win. So, steer into the swerve- state pretty explicitly that Bartlet will win, show a clear polling lead at…

@avclub-9b3eca27b368c5a2a7efc94dc5c4afc5:disqus Yeah, Hoynes is kind of a master class in creating a lot of character out of a little material. It's actually really interesting- all the characters talk shit about Hoynes, but when he's actually on screen, he usually ends up being right, or at least defensible.

@avclub-9b3eca27b368c5a2a7efc94dc5c4afc5:disqus Yeah, Hoynes is kind of a master class in creating a lot of character out of a little material. It's actually really interesting- all the characters talk shit about Hoynes, but when he's actually on screen, he usually ends up being right, or at least defensible.

This episode seemed like a pretty pleasant return to form after the often straining Season 3. There would be some dips again (as I recall, the next two episodes are nothing to write home about), but basically, Sorkin ably ends his run on the show, I think.

This episode seemed like a pretty pleasant return to form after the often straining Season 3. There would be some dips again (as I recall, the next two episodes are nothing to write home about), but basically, Sorkin ably ends his run on the show, I think.

7. Yeah, FUCK THIS SHOW for wanting to continue and giving a shout out to it's fans.

7. Yeah, FUCK THIS SHOW for wanting to continue and giving a shout out to it's fans.

"
Troy jumping around isn't a joke."