The West Wing: 7.21 Institutional Memory

[chasingkerouac]

The West Wing, 7.21 Institutional Memory

So, I'll be upfront. I dig Josh and Donna and by God it was high time for them to do their thing, but I actually cried a bit at the last scene with CJ and Danny. He's one of those characters that I'm so glad didn't dissappear into Mandyville, and what they have together, and what they've been through together. It just moves me much more than any of the other relationships on the show. That said, much love for them.

I was really happy that it was a CJ episode. It's good to finally have some quality White House face time after being stuck on the campaign and in the PE's office with mostly characters that eh, I don't have a huge emotional attachment to. But CJ, Margaret, Danny, some Charlie... love. I never really cared for Will, and even less for Kate so I was actually kinda happy that she didn't get offered NSA. But that's just me being spiteful to a character that I'm not terribly fond of.

I understand the importance of institutional memory, and yes, it's very important to keep people who know what's going on. But that's why deputies get promoted and why staff gets pulled into administration, and why sometimes assistants stick around with new bosses. Once you've had the kind of power, and responsibility, that these people have for eight long long years, you don't want to do it anymore unless you are truely masochistic. You don't get to sleep at a job like this. You don't have a life. Honestly, a White House job is kinda like military: you sell your soul to your country for a few years and that is all that you do, all that you are. Josh is staying because it's in his nature to be a masochist. Donna's staying because she's finally tasting power. Sam came back because it's good television and the fans have for years wanted to see Sam on screen again. I would've stabbed the television if they'd made CJ choose to stay there. No, let her go. Let her have a life. Let her and Danny have a life and be happy little CNN junkies together.

And it was good to see Toby again. I miss Toby, greatly. I'm so glad they let him and CJ reconcile at least a little bit before the series ends. They were good together, and after all of those years... It was a good scene. It was a long time coming, I think.

And again with the CJ and Danny love. Seriously, the last scene I had a tear or two fall - and that doesn't happen. Ever. But God, Danny. He's just... he can keep her sane. Yes, go work for Hollis and save the world, CJ. Let Josh stay as the masochist he is. You've served your country, now go and serve the world. Build those roads, even if it isn't sexy.

I need a CJ and Danny icon.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_enharmonic/]

I was really happy that it was a CJ episode.

Oh God, me too.

And just yeah, to everything you said.

[stargazercmc.livejournal.com]

I first started watching this show back in season 1, and Danny has been a favorite character of mine ever since. I'm so glad to see he and CJ finally start to get things right. The funniest thing for me is that Danny has known how to work this all along, and he's got to be the most patient man in history for actually waiting on CJ all this time.

As much as I love CJ and Danny, though, I must say that the defining moment of this episode was the CJ/Toby scene. I've been a bit disappointed that we haven't seen more ensemble focus in the last few episodes. For a bit during that scene, though, you could feel the genuine caring and affection these two people have for each other. It's moments like that one that will make me feel like I have a hole in my life when there's no more WW.