And even Dr. Who is, arguably, a new show with every new Doctor or companion, and CERTAINLY a new show when the Doctor, companion, and show-runner all leave at once (as it did before Season 5).

I still don't buy it. Maybe if they'd actually made those points, let Richard Schiff act all of that out, it coulda persuaded me. But that's not how it went down; the "absentee dad" thing scanned like an excuse for why they failed to mention the kids for 3/4ths of a season (and then weren't mentioned again until…Toby…

I still don't buy it. Maybe if they'd actually made those points, let Richard Schiff act all of that out, it coulda persuaded me. But that's not how it went down; the "absentee dad" thing scanned like an excuse for why they failed to mention the kids for 3/4ths of a season (and then weren't mentioned again until…Toby…

The moment when Bartlet's voice catches while saying, "They also come with those little baby lojacks- man, don't ever let 'em take 'em off" is the moment when Martin Sheen earns all the paychecks.

The moment when Bartlet's voice catches while saying, "They also come with those little baby lojacks- man, don't ever let 'em take 'em off" is the moment when Martin Sheen earns all the paychecks.

Yeah, but that's one of the more bullshit choices made by the Wells-era writing staff. Leo's right about Toby, hell, TOBY'S right about Toby when he says he'd get a different job if it meant not being there for his kids. I don't buy it.

Yeah, but that's one of the more bullshit choices made by the Wells-era writing staff. Leo's right about Toby, hell, TOBY'S right about Toby when he says he'd get a different job if it meant not being there for his kids. I don't buy it.

I suspect that Steve's expectations are so low for S5 now, he won't really mind it. There's certainly a watchable quality to it.

I suspect that Steve's expectations are so low for S5 now, he won't really mind it. There's certainly a watchable quality to it.

I don't think that's true. Yes, his primary relationship on the show is with Leslie- so is everyone's. She's the main character. But he has a well-established long-term friendship with Chris, he's got a nascent friendship with Tom, a weird quasi-sibling thing with April and Andy…hell, he's even got a plotline with…

I don't think that's true. Yes, his primary relationship on the show is with Leslie- so is everyone's. She's the main character. But he has a well-established long-term friendship with Chris, he's got a nascent friendship with Tom, a weird quasi-sibling thing with April and Andy…hell, he's even got a plotline with…

How much has the mole been mentioned? I wonder if they could just sweep it under the rug from here. Either way, I agree- at this point, the only possible moles with enough cache on the show are Saul and Estes, and they're both far more interesting if they're playing it straight.

How much has the mole been mentioned? I wonder if they could just sweep it under the rug from here. Either way, I agree- at this point, the only possible moles with enough cache on the show are Saul and Estes, and they're both far more interesting if they're playing it straight.

@avclub-f0a25fc22f6198ce61fe90730dc075e1:disqus Right after hitting "Reply" I thought of that one. D'oh.

@avclub-f0a25fc22f6198ce61fe90730dc075e1:disqus Right after hitting "Reply" I thought of that one. D'oh.

@avclub-080acdcce72c06873a773c4311c2e464:disqus Yeah, I think a lot of Presidents would've preferred to put in someone who can run their third term. But not all. In general, Bartlet always seemed a lot more interested in getting through the day rather than setting up the party.

@avclub-080acdcce72c06873a773c4311c2e464:disqus Yeah, I think a lot of Presidents would've preferred to put in someone who can run their third term. But not all. In general, Bartlet always seemed a lot more interested in getting through the day rather than setting up the party.

I think it makes sense enough for Bartlet- people elected Bush for the top job after all, a recovering addict in the #2 probably isn't a bridge too far. His heart attack comes later, I think, and the constituency is no big thing- he doesn't have to actually campaign. It might be better for Bartlet to pick a clear…

I think it makes sense enough for Bartlet- people elected Bush for the top job after all, a recovering addict in the #2 probably isn't a bridge too far. His heart attack comes later, I think, and the constituency is no big thing- he doesn't have to actually campaign. It might be better for Bartlet to pick a clear…

It's pretty strongly hinted at in "Twenty Five". Nancy's yelling about how this isn't a typical terrorist op the whole time, and really, when was the last time Nancy was wrong on this show?