That feels like a really ironic statement to put in the introduction for a book made by Frank Miller.

I don't disagree with most of that, but I would add the caveat that two of those characters were only recurring roles, and as for CJ- well, I give Allison Janey a lot of credit for elevating that character. If you really look at plot points and specific lines of dialogue, she gets a lot of the same notes as Dana on SN…

I don't disagree with most of that, but I would add the caveat that two of those characters were only recurring roles, and as for CJ- well, I give Allison Janey a lot of credit for elevating that character. If you really look at plot points and specific lines of dialogue, she gets a lot of the same notes as Dana on SN…

That's what makes Leo's line about "we're with you the whole time, we're not going to let you hurt anybody" so interesting. Up to this point in Bartlet's Presidency, the foreign policy apparatus has worked by consensus, and that's fine because Bartlet, Leo, Nancy and Fitz all respect the hell out of each other. But at…

That's what makes Leo's line about "we're with you the whole time, we're not going to let you hurt anybody" so interesting. Up to this point in Bartlet's Presidency, the foreign policy apparatus has worked by consensus, and that's fine because Bartlet, Leo, Nancy and Fitz all respect the hell out of each other. But at…

@avclub-080acdcce72c06873a773c4311c2e464:disqus Right, but "whenever she's in the majority" is a big qualifier. Like, if Obama wins re-election, and say, Scalia or Kennedy retires, Roberts just plain will not be assigning many opinions.

@avclub-080acdcce72c06873a773c4311c2e464:disqus Right, but "whenever she's in the majority" is a big qualifier. Like, if Obama wins re-election, and say, Scalia or Kennedy retires, Roberts just plain will not be assigning many opinions.

@avclub-f0a25fc22f6198ce61fe90730dc075e1:disqus Hard to say- I dunno what they talked about Reagan's WH (hell, I probably barely speak the same language as thsoe guys). I might imagine, though, that since it wasn't specifically relevant to budget deals or the Soviet Union or re-election, and since they'd probably not…

@avclub-f0a25fc22f6198ce61fe90730dc075e1:disqus Hard to say- I dunno what they talked about Reagan's WH (hell, I probably barely speak the same language as thsoe guys). I might imagine, though, that since it wasn't specifically relevant to budget deals or the Soviet Union or re-election, and since they'd probably not…

Also, the show flat-out says that the far-right guy would strike down anti-gay-marriage laws, so, I dunno, more of a lateral move, in my mind (but gay marriage is one of my hot button issues).

Also, the show flat-out says that the far-right guy would strike down anti-gay-marriage laws, so, I dunno, more of a lateral move, in my mind (but gay marriage is one of my hot button issues).

There were SO. MANY. of those dropped elements throughout Sorkin's run. My favorite is in Two Cathedrals, when Donna briefs the President on the storm. Because what she's really doing is interviewing for a job in that scene. I'll argue until everyone loses interest (so, the end of this sentence) that Sorkin's idea was…

There were SO. MANY. of those dropped elements throughout Sorkin's run. My favorite is in Two Cathedrals, when Donna briefs the President on the storm. Because what she's really doing is interviewing for a job in that scene. I'll argue until everyone loses interest (so, the end of this sentence) that Sorkin's idea was…

Plus, there's the bizarre "HA! AREN'T DOGS FUNNY!?" moment in the middle of the arc about the President's daughter getting kidnapped and the Acting President taking the country to war because of it.

Plus, there's the bizarre "HA! AREN'T DOGS FUNNY!?" moment in the middle of the arc about the President's daughter getting kidnapped and the Acting President taking the country to war because of it.

Well, I mean, Reagan was shot, and it was a lot more serious than Bartlet's, and I'd argue that's maybe only the fifth most interesting thing to happen in his Presidency. Life goes on, even for the President.

Well, I mean, Reagan was shot, and it was a lot more serious than Bartlet's, and I'd argue that's maybe only the fifth most interesting thing to happen in his Presidency. Life goes on, even for the President.

I never minded the "senior staff jobs not getting filled" thing. I mean, it definitely happened, but I just assumed they WERE filled and we didn't see it. It's not like we know who Bartlet's budget director is, and that's like, the 2nd or 3rd most important WH staffer.

I never minded the "senior staff jobs not getting filled" thing. I mean, it definitely happened, but I just assumed they WERE filled and we didn't see it. It's not like we know who Bartlet's budget director is, and that's like, the 2nd or 3rd most important WH staffer.

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).