The West Wing Weekly

1.08: Enemies

May 11, 2016
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INSIGHT

Different Tone Without Sorkin

  • Episode 1.08 differs tonally because Aaron Sorkin did not write it, so it leans lighter and more sitcom-like.
  • The writers preserved character voices while shifting focus toward comic and romantic interplay.
INSIGHT

Sam's Character Blossoms

  • Sam Mallory's character gets comedic and humanizing beats that reveal Rob Lowe's comic chops.
  • Small physical bits and a focus on his work make Sam more three-dimensional in this episode.
INSIGHT

When Mimicry Undercuts Comedy

  • A comic line meant as a punchline fell flat because it felt like an attempt to mimic Sorkin's style.
  • Poor phrasing can turn attempted humor into a distracting misstep.
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