Ticket To Nowhere
Updated 2005-09-29 17:00:00
The first episode of the seventh season is essentially plotless -- it's all about relationships and tensions and plans, and practically nothing of significance happens. After opening with a little flash-forward to the opening of the Bartlet Presidential Library, three years in the future, we start the new season just four days after the close of the Democratic convention. The Santos-McGarry ticket is down nine points in the first public poll, which is better than they expected. However, the good news doesn't really cut all the tension. Helen and Santos both think Josh is micromanaging the campaign. Santos cuts down every suggestion Leo makes and seems to regard him as a nuisance. Josh and Leo are pissed at C.J. and Toby because Jed seems interested in working with the Republicans on an education bill, even though that would weaken the campaign. And Josh has to tell Donna that he can't hire her, due to all the nasty things she said about Santos in her former role as spokesperson for a rival campaign. So things generally seem depressing and not fun on the campaign trail. In the White House, we finally learn that the military shuttle is definitely being used to save the stranded astronauts. And C.J. spends her entire day being interviewed by White House Counsel Oliver Babish, only to realize that she's his chief suspect for the leak about the shuttle. In the end, Babish tells Jed that they need to call off their own investigation and cooperate with outside investigators. And Leo and Santos have a nice conversation in which Santos reveals that he does respect Leo's opinion -- just not his opinion on how to campaign.