tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338557.post1440236510589149906..comments2023-08-18T04:37:47.001-04:00Comments on Byzantium's Shores: chronicling the misadventures of an overalls-clad hippie: Happy Birthday, Martin Sheen!Kelly Sedingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704114189919711467noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338557.post-21493013484360337602020-08-03T23:15:07.120-04:002020-08-03T23:15:07.120-04:00Shadow of Two Gunmen were the first TWW episodes I...Shadow of Two Gunmen were the first TWW episodes I saw (which I wouldn't recommend, but back then one watched the episode that was on TV at the time), and without any context from knowing the characters I interpreted this scene as Bartlet being a master Machiavellian manipulator who feeds Josh some "now I'm your new father figure" line to secure his undying loyalty. That interpretation was mostly based on how Martin has Bartlet's affect go completely still when he stands up and says "they're calling your flight" and on the little grin he gives as Josh walks away, clearly completely shaken.<br /><br />So, in that context, "he's going to be fine" means "I own him now; he'll go home and mourn for a bit but he's mine and he'll be back on the job soon" and "I'm ready" means "I just dominated a top Washington operative; I'm ready to take this show to the Oval Office." Which, having now seen the whole run of the show a few times, is obviously not the intent but it's still hard for me to switch away from seeing it that way. My own "what color is the dress" TWW scene, I guess. It made the next several episodes very confusing for me - I needed the super-warm Bartlet experience in <i>Shibboleth</i> and <i>Ellie</i> to straighten myself out.<br /><br />In any case, yes, happy birthday, Martin!Charliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10951502100229391697noreply@blogger.com