I was at a friend's birthday party, and I was taping this and L&O. It didn't record. *cries*

Three Words:

Josh, Is, BACK!

Yep. And it took Abby to do it.

The difference in the approaches:

Leo & Co. were playing not to lose.
Bartlett and Josh were playing to win.

A great scene that didn't appear would have been during the ND game. Providence could have had the lead, and then start playing conservatively. Bartlett (or Leo) could have made the "playing not to lose" comment.

Great Scene: The Congressman shutting the door in Josh's face.

So who was that girl who was always cleaning up? And why wasn't her program affected?

Scott: I think the joke was, NOBODY knew what the hell she was doing there or who she was. A very Sorkinesque type of joke. Wells is learning. I just hope that Third Watch doesn't suffer in quality now that he's doing both shows (even though Chris Chulack is helping him out on TW).

Wells also does ER, Brian. So he can handle multiple shows.

Excellent show!! Bartlet gets his groove back, and so does Josh. To have the President walk to the Hill and leave was a master political move.

Man I wish Bartlet was our real President...

Harvey, I've said that repeatedly for the last 2 years. *laughs*

My post from last week:

I'm starting to get the feeling that this is leading too some kind of big "come back" by the President and his team. I REALLY hope Josh gets back in everyone's good graces soon. He's absolutely pathetic right now.
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It's great when I can (sorta kinda) predict what's going to happen, but does that mean that I'm really that connected to the show, or that the show has become more predictable? No matter, I suppose.

Yes, Josh is back and I love how he immediately started to throw caution to the wind. I would have written that one scene slightly different though.

Josh(speaking softly in Bartlett's ear): Mr President, what do you say we just go up to Capital Hill and kick Haffley's ass?

Bartlett: Let's go!

It's on now, and I just saw something I missed earlier.

When Josh sends Donna home, he uses the Atlantic City poker analogy. He *knows* Bartlett is playing to win.

Synopsis for this episode:

The President and the speaker find themselves in a scrap over the budget. It takes an unconventional move from Josh to help bring about the conclusion.