This week's ironing basket... part 1

... was accompanied by He Shall, From Time to Time and Take Out the Trash Day.
I know it's sad, but I actually look forward to huge piles of ironing, these days!
( Is it possible I'm taking something called euthanasia? )

Actually, Abbey's fantastic all episode - I love the bit where Bartlet is insisting he feels well enough to get up, and she's all "OK, off you go then," knowing full well he isn't, which is borne out when he can't stand up without falling over!

Leo's secret about the pills and booze hits the internet and he does his pre-emptive press conference, having bawled Sam out for writing the President's statement of support, and then Josh and Sam for giving it to him to read.
( Abbott and Costello )

Brought to you by "exposition girl", this week, the explanation as to why Josh has to ( pick a guy )

Mallory and CJ get to .... scratch their respective "itches"!
( Taking that fish with you? )

And then, at the end, as Bartlet 'briefs' Tribby about what to do in an emergency...
( best friend... )

Wonderful. And I'm amazed all over again that not only has all this gone on, but that they've managed to negotiate a peace between India and Kashmir as well. 45 minutes well spent, I'd say!

ETA - oops - keep forgetting to thank West Wing Transcripts and _jems_ for the screencaps!

The Basket, Part 2 (!)

So,in Take Out the Trash Day.

We learn that Josh likes his hamburgers so well done that "if you dropped it on the floor, it would break"... that Bartlet's in trouble with Chiquita and Dole and that Sam and Toby never have their late night chats any more... which, apparently, they never had anyway... whatever.

( We've got a bit of a sticky wicket )

And "exposition girl" finds out that Take Out the Trash Day means dumping media stories you don't really want anyone to read all in one go on a Friday because nobody reads the paper on Saturdays!

I love Sam and Toby's discussion about the commandments, and then Sam's comment to Leo:
LEO
Coveting thy neighbour's wife's gonna cause some problems.

SAM
That's what I said. Plus, if I were arrested for oveting my neighbour's wife,I'd probably bear false witness.

LOL! *ahem*
( Don't take anything off the table... )

( smackdown )

And Donna finds out, sort of by accident, who was responsible for leaking the information about Leo's rehab. and getting the confidential records.

Sam fires her. And I have to say this, now - a lot of fic out there has forgotten just how mean Sam can be when he needs to. He's often presented as being a bit clueless and a bit of a gossip who can't keep his mouth shut - and I really can't fathom where that came from! Sure, he has his clumsy moments (like Josh) and maybe the sleeping with a call-girl thing wasn't his finest hour, but still...

But in the end, in an AWESOME scene, nailed to perfection by John Spencer, Leo calls the girl in to see him. He doesn't bawl her out, he just wants to understand her motivation for doing what she did.
I love this scene, so I'm just gonna let the words speak for themselves... ( I'm Leo McGarry )

And in addition to all this, there was discussion about bananas, some guy trying to get Leo to resign, Toby saving PBS and Danny telling CJ he didn't mind the random grabbing-and-kissing. No wonder time flies so quickly when you're watching one of these... watching two episodes means I did AN HOUR AND A HALF'S IRONING!!! But it didn't seem that long at all!