In the second episode of the sixth season of The West Wing, I am done with all of you. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch The West Wing.
Well, this hurts.
I didn’t think you could upstage this thrilling and beautifully filmed episode, but then those last ten minutes are just… GOD. GOD. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO TALK ABOUT ANY OF THIS AFTER THAT THING HAPPENED? I’ll try, but I swear to y’all, YOU ARE EVIL PEOPLE.
The Summit
While there are a number of tiny character plots spread amongst “The Birnam Wood,” John Wells chose to focus this episode almost entirely on the peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and because of this, the politics aren’t as reductive as they have felt in the past. I still imagine that someone who has lived this would view this episode with disdain or at least a heavy critical eye, so I don’t know that I can substantially speak towards the accuracy or nuance of what is represented on the screen. I think Wells knew that he was writing about an issue that was deeply complex and layered, and by god, this doesn’t feel like a disaster at all. We get to hear both sides. We get to see the flaws on both sides. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect; there are SO MANY WEIRD THINGS uttered by the other characters that aren’t addressed??? I mean, at least Toby called Josh out on some of what he said about the Palestinians, but what was that all about?
But really, there are two stars here when it comes to the negotiations, and that’s Bartlet and Kate. I really, really hope that Mary McCormack’s appearance in the opening credits means that she’s around for good because her addition to the cast is absolutely crucial to the quality of these past few episodes. In Kate Harper, The West Wing has added a character who injects the show with a new vitality. I like that she’s more willing to empathize in matters of national security and international diplomacy, that she’s always willing to counter the majority narrative in a way that never, ever feels like she’s just playing the devil’s advocate just for the sake of it. She takes her job seriously, and that means she explores as many viable options as possible. (Well, this episode features her exploring completely non-viable options, too!) And god, watching her work with Bartlet? IT’S INVIGORATING. I love it. CAN SHE BE IN EVERY EPISODE?
Anyway, I feel like it’s a bit of a challenge to address a good deal of this episode because I only spent a year studying the conflict between these two parties when I was in college. I try to keep up-to-date with developments, but I definitely felt like I didn’t know enough the entire time. Which is okay! I’m glad that Wells didn’t make this all that easier for the viewer. I did notice that at the end of day, it was Israel who had the upper hand in terms of the negotiations. We’re led to believe that Farad’s impromptu announcement of the meeting at Camp David put him in control, but who shuts down the most arguments? Who nearly ends the talk both times? It’s Prime Minister Zahavy. That man was willing to walk away from negotiations on just the subject of the negotiations alone. And it’s Israeli Defense Minister Mukarat who proves to be one of the biggest thorns in the side of the West Wing staff throughout all of this, so much so that Toby has to go embarrass himself at skeet shooting just to get Mukarat away from Zahavy. (THAT SCENE WAS A WORK OF ART.) I thought this was an interesting way to establish who wanted to maintain the status quo. Clearly, it was Israel. Israel wanted to keep control of Jerusalem; they wanted to keep control of all the holy sites; they wanted to keep their troops and soldiers as protection from the Palestinians. If Israel has most of the power and land, how can they claim they’re being oppressed? If they can afford to walk away from these talks because nothing changes for them, then who is really the source of power?
Again, I admit that this is a simplistic look at the power structures in the Middle East, and we could spend an entire season on this subject alone. I did appreciate that gorgeous scene that interspersed both groups praying. (Though, again, notice that it’s the Israelis who get a super nice dinner with the President, not the Palestinians.) It’s optimistic of the show, then, to tentatively put forth a plan that might result in some sort agreement between the Palestinians and Israelis. It’s a very West Wing thing to do, but it’s also clear that Wells is setting up another arc in this story: Will Congress approve any sort of funding for U.S. peacekeepers in Jerusalem? I MEAN, PROBABLY NOT. I expect that the next few episodes will be JUST AS STRESSFUL AS THESE FIRST TWO IN SEASON SIX.
For reasons.
Leo
Like Leo. While it’s absolutely mesmerizing to see Kate Harper and Bartlet work together, it’s simultaneously heartbreaking to see how Bartlet’s relationship with Leo is disintegrating before our eyes. This is more than just a policy disagreement. Leo feels like he’s useless in the wake of Bartlet constantly ignoring or dismissing his counsel, and Bartlet feels like he has absolutely no support from the one person who has always given it to him. And everyone in the West Wing senses that something is deeply wrong, which can’t help the issue, you know? God, I SAID THAT HORRIBLE THING IN THE VIDEO. That whole bit about how I couldn’t imagine how the stress was taking a toll on these people. BECAUSE IT WAS BUILDING IN LEO.
That whole talk outside the Aspen Cabin is just so upsetting because of how quickly it goes from, “Bartlet, I think you’re wrong,” straight to, “I should probably resign.” LIKE…. NO, GIVE ME LIKE A COUPLE MINUTES SO YOU CAN EASE ME INTO IT. Oh my god, MY PREDICTION FOR SEASON FIVE IS COMING TRUE NOW IN THE WORST WAY POSSIBLE. I don’t want this, I DON’T. But it’s the scene that follows that truly and utterly destroyed me. John Spencer is absolutely unreal here, and the camera work is haunting. As Leo stumbles into the woods, we’re left to drift in this confusing visual narrative. I think Leo’s identity as the Chief of Staff and Bartlet’s right-hand man has been a huge part of this show and his character, and the very idea of losing that pulls the rug from under Leo’s feet. He reacts in a brutally visceral way, and the camera swirls around him as he is metaphorically and physically lost.
And then the heart attack hits, and Leo is alone in the woods, and he crumples, and HE IS LEFT BEHIND. IF YOU HAD ASKED ME HOW TO MAKE THIS PLOT TWIST MORE HEARTBREAKING, NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS WOULD I HAVE THOUGHT TO FORGET LEO. THIS IS ONE OF THE CRUELEST THINGS THIS SHOW HAS EVER DONE AND I WILL NOT FORGIVE ANY OF YOU FOR SUBJECTING ME TO THIS.
OH MY GOD. NO.
The video commission for “The Birnam Wood” can be downloaded right here for $0.99.
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