Episode Report Card Michael Neal: B- | 2 USERS: A+ YOU GRADE IT Subway Hero
By Michael Neal | Season 2 | Episode 12 | Aired on 04.17.2008
Jack introduces Duffy, who is holding the Stanley Cup, to the writer's room. They give him a round of applause. Lemon is holding a bag of Mexican Cheetos. Duffy describes for his captive audience, and Lemon, what it was like to rescue someone and be a hero. All he could think about was Derek Jeter and then he raises the roof as an exclamation point to his story. Lemon's heard enough and goes back to her office followed by Jenna. Jenna is concerned that Lemon may be straying back into old habits, namely Duffy. We get a flashback to Lemon and Duffy's first encounter as they both heckled the same joke about the movie The Hours. We get to see old Lemon haircut by the way. Back to present, Jenna compares Duffy to the bag of off-brand Saboa to Soledad Mexican Cheetos that Lemon is devouring. "You know those are bad for you but you keep stuffing them in your mouth because it's easier to do that than to bother to eat well. "That's a weak metaphor," snaps back Lemon oh so correctly. Jenna tells her she "deserves a good meal" and when she opens the office door Duffy is leading a chant: "Sub-way He-ro!" Clap clap, clap-clap-clap.
Jack seeks out Tracy to ask if he's willing to become the face of the Republican Party -- the black face. Ba-dum bum. Not their line, mines. Tracy gets a good Cosby face going and refuses the post. "Black people support Republicans? Does hot support cold? Does rain support the Earth?" Jack's not done. He gives Tracy the G.O.P. hard sell: states rights, lower taxes and, perhaps most important, it's the party of Lincoln. Dotcom reminds Jack that Lincoln fought a war to preserve the federal government and that Jack's party would be unrecognizable to Lincoln nowadays. But Tracy is conflicted now. He likes Republican's because they address the needs of his unique lifestyle but, then again, he's black. "You've put me in a quandary Jack Donaghy. A quandary." The way Tracey delivers this line, hands down the funniest moment of the show so far.
"Hey dummy I was just telling all these dummy's that we used to go to the park and make fun of all the joggers," says Duffy to Lemon. Lunch arrives and Lemon and Duffy double-team Toofer for having ordered a salad from a burger joint. The whole room yucks it up as Duffy casually puts his arm around Lemon who suddenly becomes aware of the moment. A single Cheeto stays dangling in her mouth.
"Elizabeth Cockworthy Lemon," announces Jenna holding the day's newspaper. On the front of the City section is a picture of Lemon and Duffy having dinner together, although the paper seems to think that he's having dinner with Sally Field. Lemon insists that it was not a date, just business.