Ellie

Season 2, Episode 15, Aired
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Episode Summary

During an online chat, the Surgeon General comments favorably on the legalization of marijuana. The controversy heightens when Ellie Bartlet tells a reporter that her father would never fire the Surgeon General. Toby asks his ex-wife, a Congresswoman, for her help in strongly persuading Seth Gillette to participate in the Social Security panel.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (4)

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  • Fathers and Daughters...and God Mothers.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By kickdoor, Jun 05, 2010 Report Abuse
    I had been wanting to meet Bartlet's other daughters for awhile, so it was nice getting to see Eleanor Bartlet(Nina Siemaszko). I also really liked her character, though being a middle child myself I might be partial. I thought the scene between her and Bartlet in the Oval Office was not only brilliantly portrayed, but was also extremely true to life. When Bartlet tell Ellie to lift her head so he can hear what she's saying, I swear I could hear my mom's own voice telling me the same thing. Really was one of my favorite scenes to date.

    Ellie: I didn't do it to make you unhappy, dad.
    Bartlet: Well you sure didn't do it to make me happy!
    Ellie: I don't know how to make you happy, dad. For that you got to talk to Zoey or Liz.

    Their reconciliation scene, in the movie theater, was incredible as well. I loved that why they reconciled, they didn't hug or even hold hands, again very true to life.

    I have to say I agree with everything the Surgeon General, Dr. Millicent Griffith, said on her web chat. I guess I should say I agree with her, as Surgeon General, saying it, since everything she was saying was unimpeachable fact. Donna said it beautifully,

    Donna: In a free society you don't need a reason to make something legal, you need a reason to make something illegal.

    Anyone who doesn't think that there is more reason to make cigarettes(and maybe even alcohol) illegal, than there is to make marijuana, has simply been misinformed of the facts. Though again I may be showing partiality on this issue. I also loved the scene between Margaret and Dr. Griffith as they were waiting for Leo.

    Margaret: Let me ask you this, red meat has been found to cause cancer in white rats. Maraschino cherries have been found to cause cancer in white rats. Cellular phones have been found to cause cancer in white rats. Has anyone examined the possibility that cancer might be hereditary in white rats?
    Dr. Griffith: Let me tell you something, I'm not a hundred percent sure we've ruled that out.

    I was really glad Bartlet decided not to make her resign, even if he was only doing it for Ellie. The scene when he does that was great too, finding out she was Ellie's godmother added something to the whole plot.

    The plot with the controversial film and Bartlet denouncing it(or not, actually), was done well. Though I kind of wish CJ did get to rip apart the producer, not that Sam didn't do a great job on his own. Even after seeing his ex-wife for a second time in this episode, I still find it hard to imagine Toby being married. Toby naming Seth Gillette to the Blue Ribbon commission, without him having actually accepted the position, was brilliant. Even if it was a low blow, I still liked it.

    Excellent, though I admit, it might have spoken to me more than others. One of my favorites, but I can see how others might not find it to be one of the best.moreless

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  • How to drive CJ crazy..

    8.4
    "Great"
    By Parricida, Sep 06, 2008 Report Abuse
    It seems that there is only problems for the White House and CJ says always that she is quiting. Not that anyone believes it. Anyway, the most of the trouble goes to doctor who is family friend to president, who said things they thought should not have been said about drugs. That all launches an avalanche what involves president daughter. So, there is a lot of yelling. Not only the president put also from Toby until he realizes there is a second way around his problem.

    The best part of this episode, I think was the last talk between president and that doctor about his family and Ellie and the way she explained it. It was very well said.moreless

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  • Ellie speaks out on firing the S.G.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By amfarley84, May 14, 2007 Report Abuse
    I thought that this was an incredible episode. I loved the storyline behind it. I loved the opening of the episode with the SG having an online chat about pot use and her opinon on the effects of pot use and how it is not that bad. I was disappointed that The White House wanted to fire Millie because she said what she believes is true. I was really happy to hear that the Presidents daughter spoke out about her father firing the SG. I liked seeing the President with his middle daughter i really liked what he said to her about making him happy.moreless

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  • There's nothing wrong with this episode... It's just an average episode and I like it.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By cookaberry, Aug 17, 2006 Report Abuse
    Nothing really important happens in this episode, but it's a nice kind of filler episode... Plus I really like Ellie... We've only ever met Zoey before, and it was cool to see Bartlet with his other daughter, who is quite different from Zoey and makes a very good point about the Surgeon General. And the end is amazing, how Bartlet won't accept her resignation, and how she's Ellie's godmother. Plus I love the scene at the beginning with the president flying in from Japan! It's hysterical! And the thing with the movie made a very good point... Plus I love how CJ quit, like what, 4 times, this episode. Average works!moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • The Family Values Leadership Council which is opposed to the movie "Prince of New York" does not exist. However, it does sound extremely close to a real council called Family Research Council. Edit
    • The movie "Prince of New York", which is described as "an updated version of Dostoyevsky's The Idiot which tells the story of a Christ-like epileptic young man who embodies goodness, but encounters sex, crime, and family dysfunction, does not actually exist. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • This is the first episode in which Mary Kay Place appears as Dr. Millicent Griffith. Edit
    • Nina Siemaszko starts her recurring role as Ellie Bartlett. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Donna: In a free society you don't need a reason to make something legal, you need a reason to make something illegal. Edit
    • Ellie: I didn't do it to make you unhappy, Dad. Bartlet: Well you sure didn't do it to make me happy! Ellie: I don't know how to make you happy, Dad. For that you've to talk to Zoey or Liz. Edit
    • CJ: This guy's trying to get a little bit of free media by screwing with us. I'm the enforcerer, Sam. I'm gonna crush him, I'm gonna make him cry and I'm gonna tell his Mama about it! Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Bartlet: You've managed to win me the support of the Christian right and the Cheech and Chong fan club in the same day. Richard "Cheech" Marin and Tommy Chong were a comedy duo who gained fame during the 70's and 80's. Popular among younger audiences the team specialized in drug culture inspired humor. Edit
    • Josh: Did you know the number gets even higher than that if you limit the polling sample to Bob Marley and the Wailers? Bob Marley and the Wailers were a Jamaican band who rose to prominence in the 60's and were credited with popularizing ska and reggae music around the world. They were also well known as practicing Rastafarians whose tenets include the spiritual use of cannabis. Edit

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