Flashback: Good Ol’ Toby

Toby is on Eli Stone. But this isn’t about that. I love Richard Schiff (and I spotted him way in the background of the episode way before he was introduced), and everytime I think of him, I think about his wonderful hat speech on The West Wing. Seriously, I just love that moment. And actually, this is about that particular episode, if I recall correctly. Years after the fact, this needs to be said.

The writers of The West Wing needed to rethink the order of Zoey’s kidnapping.

Ok, so here’s how it went: On the second to last episode of the season (sorry, I don’t remember which season), Zoey is kidnapped. That same episode, President Bartlet is told and drops his wine glass (amazing moment the way it was directed). The next episode, President Bartlet steps aside as president, and John Goodman steps in.

BAM. Season finale.

Season premiere, we continue the story. A mere four episodes in, we find Zoey. Was it four? Maybe it was even three. Either way, relatively quickly!

Ok, so here’s a solution to extend the drama.

A typical season is 22 episodes, right? Ok, well, cut this season where the wine glass falls. You don’t see a reaction. All you see is shock. All you’re left with ALL SUMMER LONG is shock. You’re blinded. You have no idea what’s going to happen. John Goodman? Who cares–at least right now. All it is, is about Zoey.

But that leaves you with 21 episodes, right? Ok, well then, add one of the famous “fluff” episodes in that season. Humor, general day-to-day information. Something we’ll enjoy. It will make the severity of that final episode even more daunting.

THEN for the season premiere, advertise the CRAP out of the fact that the president is STEPPING ASIDE. Is that REALLY his reaction? Could he REALLY be doing that?

Yes.

And THEN, you’re adding one more episode to the drama of the new season. Suddenly we’re at five episodes before finding Zoey without adding another episode. We’re using the same episodes, just making a two-parter season premiere. I really think it would grab. And people wouldn’t say, “That was quick,” at the end.

That would have made it AMAZING.

I’m just saying…

It amazes me that these few years later, with a retired series, I still think about this.

A Hole in His Head and a Hole in My Heart

ELI STONE: 1.12 “Waiting for That Day”

I’m ashamed of myself. How is it that I haven’t mentioned Eli Stone on this blog? Yes, yes, I’ve been a terrible slacker lately, but it’s such a great show. Tonight’s episode just redeems it more.

I don’t want to go through the entire plot synopses because there’s just so much! But tonight’s was great. Not just because we saw the infamous earthquake–and it breaks my heart to know that Eli was right and he STILL doesn’t see himself as someone who might share a real gift–but we saw the redeeming qualities of so many characters in the show! We saw Jordon stand for what he really wants in the firm, and after his heart-to-heart a few episode with Eli, it’s nice to see that it stuck. We saw Maggie NOT be completely repulsive (she’s a super-annoying Ally McBeal in looks and character…and I liked Ally McBeal!). She actually made us LIKE her on the stand as she betrayed her friend. And she looked like a lawyer! Who knew!

But overall, it was just great. I think we saw more of Taylor’s emotions with Eli’s living will… I think next week will tear us apart (and most likely end in a cliffhanger).

Ok, I’m babbling, but here’s what I’ve decided:

A) I find it so sad that tonight’s episode was shown on a Sunday night when Brothers & Sisters is usually shown. Sure, we might get a new Sunday crowd–on the second to last episode of the season–but really, the Thursday crowd probably missed it! Are we taking advice from FOX and switching around schedules and ruining shows?

B) Please let ABC pick up this show! It’s great and fun. Even the shows with no singing and dancing are great (but let’s hope we keep Katey Sagal around and let her sing–have you heard her? I mean, this would be the perfect opportunity on this kind of show). Anyway, if you haven’t already, check it out on Thursday at 10 (at its original time). And then tell ABC to make sure it sticks!

Did You Watch The Office?

I was downtrodden when I realized that though NBC said that The Office was returning this past Thursday, to find out that this really meant that it wasn’t new episodes, just a marathon.

But then, at the end of one episode, we saw a young boy playing the theme song on a piano. He was very good, but it ended in a memoriam. Bostonist.com just brought to my attention the back story. I’ve pasted the article (and link) below.

A Posthumous Dundie: Bittersweet “Office” Tribute

from Bostonist by Victoria Welch

Bostonist couldn’t help but get misty-eyed when we read on Boston.com of how Newton teen Nathan Alden Robinson was posthumously honored during NBC’s mini-marathon of “The Office” on Thursday night.

Robinson, 15, died in March of of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, pneumonia, and influenza; the youth was a budding piano talent and a huge fan of the NBC television show. As the Globe noted in its obituary, Robinson learned the show’s theme song a few weeks prior to his death and was filmed for what became a YouTube clip.

As Matthew Gilbert noted today, “The Office” honored Robinson on Thursday night: “Over the credits, the show ran a clip of Nathan Alden Robinson from Newton playing the “Office” theme song on the the piano.”

Boston can boast of our metro area’s many ties to the show (when in doubt, just assume that any cast member is from around this area), but for the moment, this just might be our favorite. Well played, Dunder Mifflin.

Nicely done, Dunder Mifflin. You made a night of rerun worthwhile.