Before the previouslies begin, Martin Sheen appears on camera: "Good evening. On December 16, we lost our good friend and colleague John Spencer. Through our shock and grief, we can think of no more fitting memorial to this wonderful man, this extraordinary actor, than to share with you, beginning tonight, the last few months of his work here on The West Wing. Johnny, it seems we hardly knew you; we love you and we miss you." I can only add that no matter what I've ever felt about this show, I always looked forward to John Spencer's work. And I will really miss that gorgeous smile.
The episode proper opens with Leo preparing for his debate. He's in a really pretty room that looks nothing like the Santos campaign HQ. Since it soon becomes clear that all of the debate prep is taking place in D.C., I can only assume the campaign rented some kind of hotel meeting space for the debate prep. Annabeth and a few other campaign folks are sitting at a conference table watching Leo, who's standing at a podium at the end of the room. Otto is standing at another podium. Leo is spouting some line about health care being broken, but he keeps second-guessing himself and the line and trying to change the words around. As a reminder of Leo's frailty, it's extremely painful to watch. He's being videotaped while he's speaking, and we alternate shots of him and shots of his face on a video monitor. Leo finally gets to the end of the line, accusing the Republicans of believing about health care, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." He interrupts himself and castigates himself for messing up the line. Annabeth is looking pretty worried. Leo screws around with the line some more and finally comes around to saying that the Republicans believe, "If it is broke, don't fix it." He doesn't think that sounds right, but Annabeth assures him that it's the line they all agreed on. Otto confirms this, and Leo seems relieved. He asks, "Anyone got a cigarette?" Annabeth points out that they just started prepping. Leo tells her, "I know. I'd like to smoke it and then have someone shoot me." Annabeth asks Otto, who is filling for Governor Sullivan, for his response. And he gives a succinct and forceful rebuttal, accusing Leo of wanting the Bartlet administration to have credit for everything good while giving blame to the Republican Congress for everything bad. Annabeth, in her role as moderator, asks Leo for a response. He seems blown away by Otto's statement, and asks for a break. But even doing that he seems dazed and confused, simultaneously asking for a break, praising Otto's performance, and complaining about the pre-canned lines they're forcing him to use.
We see Leo pacing in the corridor. Annabeth is on the phone with Josh, telling him, "About the V.P. debate Sunday? We may have a problem." Credits.
“ Helen's in the back yard cleaning up some art supplies the kids were using at the picnic table. (I mean, I imagine it was the kids. I guess it's equally possible the campaign is so low on cash that the staff is making campaign posters by hand.) ”
Bram walks through the front door of the house with Santos's brother. Until he gets a name, he will be Hermano. Bram apologizes to Hermano, who gripes about the security. Bram tells him that they were told he was out of town, which is why he wasn't on the pre-approved list. And now Hermano has a name, as he complains to Bram that his name was wrong on the list: "It's 'Jorge,' not 'George.'" (I thought his name wasn't on the list?) Bram tells him the list (which he was apparently not on) was made based on Jorge's driver's license. Jorge tells him, "I'm getting it changed." Santos gets off the phone and greets his brother with a hearty hug. Jorge tells Santos that he invited a couple of "business associates" to come to Rancho Hacienda for drinks and a photo, and wants to know if they can get through Security. Santos looks at Bram (standing behind Jorge), who makes a pretty negative face. But Santos is a sucker, and tells Jorge that they'll make it work.
Helen's in the back yard cleaning up some art supplies the kids were using at the picnic table. (I mean, I imagine it was the kids. I guess it's equally possible the campaign is so low on cash that the staff is making campaign posters by hand.) Donna walks up to Helen and tells her that she has a lovely home. Helen is clearly pissed, telling Donna, "It's even nicer when you don't have shouting protesters holding pictures of fetuses just up the street." After a second, Helen tells Donna, "I'm sorry for snapping at you before." But apparently not sorry about the rude response she just made to Donna's compliment. Donna, sounding all kind of fake to me, tells her that it's completely understandable. I mean, it is completely understandable that Helen would be snappish, but Donna has a tone that sounds exactly like she's speaking with the boss's wife. Helen complains about having "entire cable news segments devoted to debates about whether [she] seems kind of whore-y." Donna tells her that the picture and the coverage probably help more than they hurt, because it makes the potential First Couple seem "sexy and hip." Donna suggests that part of the problem is that Helen hasn't taken the opportunity to define herself, so trivial stories get overblown. Helen points out that she's not running for President, and Donna calls her on acting more nave than she is: "It might be time for you to start talking about what kind of First Lady you'd like to be. I'd like to help you with that, if you'll let me." Helen tells her that she has no idea what kind of First Lady she wants to be, because she's not even sure she wants Santos to win the election.
Backstage at the debate. Lou and Josh are shouting instructions and tips to Leo as they walk toward the stage. Annabeth pops up behind them and tells Leo, "Hey, look at me." They all stop and turn around, she gives him an appraising look. After a second, she smiles and says, "Gorgeous." Leo pretends not to be flattered, but there's a twinkle in his eye. Ronna arrives to bram Leo away. Lou and Josh leave, but before Leo walks away, Annabeth says to him, "Hey, McGarry? You're smirking." He smiles and says, "Yeah?" before turning and walking away.
Oh, good Lord, this is pathetic. Will and Kate are having their dinner date in Will's office. The table is nicely set, and there's candlelight and wine, but they're eating takeaway food. And it's his office. He dispenses an aluminum container to each of them. As they pry off the cardboard lids, she tells him that she has a little order envy of his salad. He offers to let her have it. The salad, I mean. Although another offer may come later in the evening. She says no, but he tells her it's a "one-time, first date offer." Didn't they go to Ellie's wedding together? Was that not a date? She takes him up on the offer. And then he turns on the television to watch the debate. Sexy.