Frankly, I'm bewildered how this episode has scored so low within the IMDb community, although I can understand the logic behind it. This exact story could be reproduced, with a different title, and garner recognition as a fantastically made short-film. None of the stories impact would be lost in doing so. Indeed a virgin viewer can view this episode without getting lost, due to a lack of back-story, as the episode is so divorced from the show's norm, that any character development from the previous three and a half seasons is unnecessary. All the core details that helps progress the episode's story are woven into the script; from CJ's relationship with her father; the importance and urgency of her work; and her father's declining mental condition. A masterful showing that introduces the viewer to Claudia Jean's character in a way that would take 1,000 'standard' format episodes; similar to season two's Noël in that regard, although of course focusing on the mentality of CJ and not Josh's psyche. My favourite thing about the Long goodbye, was that while viewing the episode I felt that not a single sentence was wasted; everything the actors said or done felt relevant, and indeed everything tied in together wonderfully.
Of course, the obvious reason this episode is scoring so low, is because of the episode's escape from the usual episode format. Indeed, while the likes of Rob Lowe and Martin Sheen are credited in the episode, neither man appears; while the only people from the show's main cast that have dialogue, or even show up, are Josh, Toby and CJ herself. Despite all this, to skip the episode would be a mistake, if all you want to do is follow the main-story's progression. There are two reasons for this; firstly - SPOILER; the car-bombs mentioned towards the end of the episode will surly be revisited in upcoming episodes; and secondly - this episode gives the viewer a huge insight into the character of the always empathetic Claudia Jean Cregg. She is after-all, in my view, the show's second best character after Toby.
Anyway, I wrote this review purely because I don't want people to think this episode can be skipped, because of the subject-nature, or indeed that it should be skipped, due to the low rating. If this episode was packaged under a different title, and not under the umbrella of the West wing, then I'm positive it could hit a community rating of eight or even nine out of ten.
Furthermore, I think this is a fantastic advertisement for Alzheimer's awareness, and does a good job highlighting the struggles involved when living with dementia.
Of course, the obvious reason this episode is scoring so low, is because of the episode's escape from the usual episode format. Indeed, while the likes of Rob Lowe and Martin Sheen are credited in the episode, neither man appears; while the only people from the show's main cast that have dialogue, or even show up, are Josh, Toby and CJ herself. Despite all this, to skip the episode would be a mistake, if all you want to do is follow the main-story's progression. There are two reasons for this; firstly - SPOILER; the car-bombs mentioned towards the end of the episode will surly be revisited in upcoming episodes; and secondly - this episode gives the viewer a huge insight into the character of the always empathetic Claudia Jean Cregg. She is after-all, in my view, the show's second best character after Toby.
Anyway, I wrote this review purely because I don't want people to think this episode can be skipped, because of the subject-nature, or indeed that it should be skipped, due to the low rating. If this episode was packaged under a different title, and not under the umbrella of the West wing, then I'm positive it could hit a community rating of eight or even nine out of ten.
Furthermore, I think this is a fantastic advertisement for Alzheimer's awareness, and does a good job highlighting the struggles involved when living with dementia.
