I love Sorkin, I love The West Wing and this Episode is so hilarious and funny! Can watch it over and over again! Allison Janney has great comedic Timing!
3 Reviews
Unespected funny Episode of a great Show!
stumpe-15 March 2021
The runner-up gets eaten
robrosenberger4 November 2012
Warning: Spoilers
The most embarrassingly awfully-written moment in show history...a moment so masturbatory, a barf bag should come with the season 2 DVD extras. Religious refugees from China are given a test of faith by Bartlet, and the way they pass is so contrived...well, to make an in-reference, even high school girls don't write this badly. A damn shame too, because the episode also features a run of dialogue that is perhaps the most multi- scene, non-stop funny in the history of the show, as C.J. tries to get the president to pardon a turkey (hm, make your own parallels...). Sorkin's worst beside his best. Jed has Charlie running around in the search for the "perfect" carving knife...then, in one of the most poignant scenes in show history, reveals the reason: he's giving his family knife (a present from Paul Revere) to Charlie.
The Best of All the Episodes
championbc-99-500521 November 2014
I was going to write this review anyway, but seeing the horrible commentary already posted, I now have two reasons. First, this is one of the best series I have ever had the privilege of watching, the last two seasons notwithstanding. I enjoy going back to my favorites, and the Thanksgiving episodes from the first two seasons are two of them.
Whether it's the delightful story of CJ trying to select which turkey to pardon, or the very satisfying gift that the President gives at a crucial juncture of the show, this one is filled with wave after wave of good feelings and happy occasions.
Leo's confrontation with his own sister shows him for what he always was: the voice of integrity that kept the whole administration running smoothly, never too fast, never flying off the handle. It was a classic "Leo" episode.
But the best part of it all was the reason for the title. The president has to deal with the touchy situation of refugees from China who claim religious persecution. President Bartlett has to balance his own desire to do the right thing personally with the intricate economic and political ramifications of making the wrong decision, and he comes through majestically.
The short interview with the spokesman for the refugees is one of the best moments in the entire series.
I have watched this entire series on "Netflix," but I have only thought one episode was valuable enough to purchase as my own, and it is this one. I really don't know why the other reviewer would make the crude and insulting comments that he made about this show, but they are undeserved.
I will watch this episode every year at least once near Thanksgiving, just like some of the Christmas shows I never miss in season. Give this episode a fair shake, and see if I am right about this. If you have loved the great writing and insight of this show, you will love this one too.
Whether it's the delightful story of CJ trying to select which turkey to pardon, or the very satisfying gift that the President gives at a crucial juncture of the show, this one is filled with wave after wave of good feelings and happy occasions.
Leo's confrontation with his own sister shows him for what he always was: the voice of integrity that kept the whole administration running smoothly, never too fast, never flying off the handle. It was a classic "Leo" episode.
But the best part of it all was the reason for the title. The president has to deal with the touchy situation of refugees from China who claim religious persecution. President Bartlett has to balance his own desire to do the right thing personally with the intricate economic and political ramifications of making the wrong decision, and he comes through majestically.
The short interview with the spokesman for the refugees is one of the best moments in the entire series.
I have watched this entire series on "Netflix," but I have only thought one episode was valuable enough to purchase as my own, and it is this one. I really don't know why the other reviewer would make the crude and insulting comments that he made about this show, but they are undeserved.
I will watch this episode every year at least once near Thanksgiving, just like some of the Christmas shows I never miss in season. Give this episode a fair shake, and see if I am right about this. If you have loved the great writing and insight of this show, you will love this one too.
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