When he says, "Study and you could be a doctor," is that "in-doctor-ating?"

We've been rewatching The West Wing because it's summer and there's not much on. This weekend, we watched episode 2.09 - "Galileo". In this episode, the President is preparing for a national classroom to discuss science and math in honor of the landing of the Mars probe Galileo. And even though the probe fails, Bartlett decides to go on with the electronic classroom anyway because we - and our children - can learn as much out of failure as success.

Being a smart writer - with some notable faults - Aaron Sorkin tried very hard to avoid painting Republicans and the right wing as villains. He also worked very hard not to write straw men. So this episode has no crazy wingers screaming and crying that the President is trying to indoctrinate their children. No one pressuring school boards to cancel the broadcast. No one pulling their children out of school to protect them from the President's message of hard work and education.

Because Sorkin wouldn't have wanted to be accused of creating outlandish, unrealistic, crazy characters just to make the right wing look insane. You know?

Too Many Cooks, Week 5

Hey everyone, it’s Anaïs, bringing you the week 5 wrapup, and we’re getting close to the end of this cycle. How will our stories end? You’ll have to check in and see what the original authors of each story come up with.

• Finkle, Out of Sorts I explored Finkle’s growing tensions at work as well as the antagonistic relationship with his mother, who appears to him in an especially insidious form. 
• The Last Time I Saw Richard Matt learns about the ancient uses of perfumes and meets Richard’s lady Mary as he tries to figure out what has happened to his friend. 
• The Letters of Rose Constance This week’s letter from Rose has a heartfelt plea for her beloved James to return home as soon as possible. Will he? The wrapup will tell us how it ends. 
• Night Vision Gregory and Zoie finally make it to the hospital, growing closer as Zoie tries to hang on for medical attention. Will Zoie be okay? 
• Limbs Akimbo Charlie’s story is going to take a major turn for the better. His parents set up his car so he can drive it again, with hand controls. Of course it won’t solve his issues or cure his PTSD or mend his broken heart, but it will be a start.

Too Many Cooks, Week 4

This is Maria, bringing you this week’s wrapup in which we are now closer to the end than the beginning. Of the story cycle, that is.

Finkle, Out of Sorts.  I explored our hero’s nightmare, which may or may not have included an appearance by Ursula the sea witch. And then there was a dramatic reversal in the fate of the crew of the Imperial Star Navy. Or was there? It’s in Anaïs’s hands now.

The Last Time I Saw Richard.  Anaïs got Richard talking and introduced a sinister and controlling new character. Will the narrator ever get the real story from Richard? And how will they extricate themselves from Roswell? Coyotesqrl will tell the tale.

The Letters of Rose Constance.  Coyotesqrl’s letter took a fascinating turn. He explored Rose’s tragedy of sickness and loss, and fleshed out the character of Mrs. Dandry, who is more powerful and pivotal than first seemed. He close with a happy, warm memory. What will summer bring? Will James ever return? Only Oledoc knows.

Night Vision. Oledoc continued the story I started with a hilarious phone call, some Boy Scout antics and a comfortably silent ride to the hospital. He also treated us to several sweet moments between the young Zoie and Gregory. I can’t wait to see where Paulos takes the narrative next.

Limbs Akimbo. Paulos painted a scene that was simultaneously beautiful and haunting, in which Charlie, helpless and detached, observes himself as if watching a play. Will he ever be able to release his pain and guilt? Can he shake off his impotence and reclaim some power, ease the brutal images in his mind and start down the road to forgiving himself? I’m not quite sure yet, but I’ll have it sorted out by Friday.

Week 5 promises to be fascinating, gut-wrenching, paranoid, delirious, hopeful and sweet. You won’t want to miss it.