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Sports Night Episode Guide

Season:  1 | 2  

01

Pilot

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  Casey is struggling with the show due to his recent divorce and his growing dissatisfaction with athletes' behavior, and Dana hires Jeremy for the associate producer opening. 

Best Line  "It's not that my teasers are better than yours, Danny.  It's just that yours are vastly inferior to mine." - Casey

Critique  The pilot hints at what is to come with sharp, intelligent dialogue and storylines rich with emotion, drama, and humor.  It's not the greatest Sports Night episode ever, but, being the first, it effectively pulls the viewer in.  Despite trying too hard at times, the cast and the show still work wonders.

Grade   B

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  Dan gets into a little trouble after a magazine interview comes out where he expresses support for the legalization of marijuana.  The network wants him to make an apology, but to who?  Jeremy has trouble cutting his first highlight reel. 

Best Line  "Because I love you, I can say this: no rich young white guy has ever gotten anywhere with me comparing himself to Rosa Parks." - Isaac

Critique  These first few episodes are used to introduce each character more deeply, and "The Apology" is Dan's episode.  This ability to tackle hard-hitting topics with humor and emotion is what begins to set Sports Night apart.  Also, Jeremy's plotline is a hilarious look at the way highlights have ruined sports.

Grade   B+

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  Jeremy gets the call to produce his first segment - on hunting, which proves to be somewhat of a problem.  Casey notices Dana, but mainly because she's with someone else. 

Best Line  "It's just, I don't know anything about hunting.  I've never hunted.  I've got a deli on the corner and they deliver 24 hours, so..." - Jeremy

Critique  It looked early on that Casey was going to be the straight man to Dan, but his neurotic reaction to seeing Dana thankfully proves otherwise.  Jeremy gives a wonderful description of hunting and Isaac comes through with an incredible speech to Jeremy about the value of being true to yourself and affirming to him that they are people he can trust.

Grade   A

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  Casey has trouble dealing with the fact that Dana is in a new relationship, which seems to manifest itself in a fly in the studio that no one else can see.  Dan searches for songs in the public domain after getting in trouble for singing "Happy Birthday" on the air, which is protected. 

Best Line  "It took 2 people to write that song?" - Isaac about "Happy Birthday"

Critique  Another solid episode as we see the fallout from Casey witnessing Dana with her new boyfriend.  The resulting argument between Dana and Casey fills us in on their past history and shows great chemistry between the two even during a fight.

Grade   A

W: Aaron Sorkin & Tracey Stern

D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  The show gets an exclusive with a football star with a recent history of aggression towards women.  Natalie is sent for a pre-interview that gets her into a little trouble.  Dana tries to use the incident for leverage in the interview. 

Best Line  "Yeah, but that's all gonna change once I grow a goatee." - Dan

Critique  Another good look at an interesting topic, this time concerning journalism.  At what cost do you go after a story?  A great last line that brings the episode full circle and demonstrates the strength of the bond between Dana and Natalie.  One minor complaint would be that Christian Patrick is a little too thuggish and stupid to prove the point.

Grade   A-

W: Aaron Sorkin & Matt Tarses

D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  The fallout of Natalie's encounter with Christian Patrick results in a lot of hate mail.  Jeremy can't sleep as his growing affection for Natalie leads to his desire to protect her and do something nice for her.  Casey keeps riding the head coach at his alma mater for a stupid decision. 

Best Line  "I haven't numbered them; I'm not conversationally anal-retentive like you are." - Dan (to Casey)

Critique  A very solid episode dealing with Natalie's inability to work at a competent level due to the distractions.  Joshua Malina begins to prove what a skilled actor he is and provides Jeremy with multiple dimensions.  Dan's speech on New York to Jeremy is moving and his Tony Orlando improvisation is hilarious.  Another example at how the show can excel at both moods.

Grade   A

W: Aaron Sorkin & Tracey Stern

D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  Jeremy writes a letter to his sister detailing a work day at Sports Night.  Dan has writer's block, Isaac is worried about his daughter's new Republican boyfriend, and Casey deals with Gordon. 

Best Line  better physical comedy here involving the "cures" for Dan's writer's block

Critique  This is basically a reintroduction to the characters.  The reason that it works well is because we are treated to some extra background info on everybody.  There are also some poignant moments that add to what we know about each person.  The laugh track is a lot more prevalent here than it has been in earlier episodes and it becomes obvious why it derails the show.  This isn't a show with throwaway jokes and one-liners. 

Grade   B+

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  The day marks the anniversary of Thespis, the first actor, and his ghost is wreaking havoc on the set.  Dan is mad at Casey for forgetting their anniversary, and Dana is freaking out about Thanksgiving. 

Best Line  "Say, Dana, this wouldn't happen to be your frozen turkey by any chance, would it?" - Dan

Critique  This episode is practically in real time as it shows the taping of the first half of the show while Thespis causes problems.  Everything works in this episode from the slapstick comedy of Thespis' mischief to the drama of Isaac's daughter's status after having an emergency C-section in California.  

Grade   A

W: Aaron Sorkin & Bill Wrubel

D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  The crew is covering the live ascent up Mount Everest by a group of climbers.  Dana discovers a love for the theater after seeing The Lion King, and with the cold weather, homeless people are trying to take shelter in the building. 

Best Line  "I hear the air gets pretty thin near the juice bar." - Natalie

Critique  The first incredible episode, though not the best of the season.  Jeremy and Natalie officially get together in this episode that confirms the power that people have.  Whether it's climbing the tallest mountain in the world or making a small gesture to someone in need.  The show ends with a great image accompanied by a great song - "The Weight."

Grade   A+

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Thomas Schlamme  

Summary  Dan and Casey's trip to Atlantic City gets preempted, so they settle for a late night poker game at the office.  Natalie and Jeremy get into a fight over the fact that he chose to play tennis with an old friend who happens to be a movie actress. 

Best Line  "Or are you just afraid I might humiliate you and you won't be able to go to Sundance with Judy the Ho?" - Natalie

Critique  A fairly lighthearted effort that focuses more on comedy than anything else.  The first fight of the new relationship between Jeremy and Natalie is entertaining as is Dana's jealousy of Sally, the producer of the west coast update show that Dan and Casey are forced to cover for.  A good episode that demonstrates how the show can have fun.

Grade   B+

W: Aaron Sorkin and Matt Tarses &

David Walpert & Bill Wrubel

D: Robert Berlinger

Summary  A football player at Tennessee Tech decides that he won't play under the Confederate flag that the school flies at the stadium.  Isaac gives an on-air editorial calling for a change.  Casey appears on The View and fails to give credit where it's due. 

Best Line  "We don't know anything?  But, fundamentally, we're still a news-gathering organization, right?" - Isaac

Critique  Another brilliant episode and the first example of how well Sorkin puts together a holiday-themed show.  Isaac's editorial sends a powerful and important message that is countered with the heartwarming sentiments expressed by Dan and Casey on the air.

Grade   A

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Robert Berlinger

Summary  Isaac wants to groom Dana to take over for him in the future, but Dana refuses to believe that that time will come very soon.  The news spreads through the office, despite Isaac's request that Dana keep it to herself.  Dan suggests to Casey that it is time for him to start dating again. 

Best Line  "Sally is an alien.  Do you understand me?  At night she peels off her body and lives on Steve Guttenberg's boat." - Dan

Critique  One of the funniest episodes of the season up to this point, demonstrating how rumors can fly through an office setting.  There are so many great lines, including one about Yoko Ono, that it was hard to pick just one.  Dana tries to give Casey a lesson in flirting that eventually just manages to get Dana riled up.  Isaac's reaction to the news spreading leads to a very humorous confrontation with the staff.

Grade   A-

W: Paul Redford & Aaron Sorkin  

D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  Dana and Casey have the same night off and have a double date planned, but neither want to go.  Natalie has control of the show with the impending trade deadline that could result in a last-minute deal. 

Best Line  "I'm gonna want a crisp $5 bill, not some raggedy-ass thing from the newsstand." - Natalie

Critique  Dana is obviously out of her element outside the office and so is the show.  Having to cut between Dana and Casey on a date and the rest of the group in the studio throws off everything that makes this show great.  We are introduced to Dan's problem with substitute anchor Bobbi Bernstein, and Natalie demonstrates why she is in the position she is in as she produces the show.  Unfortunately, it's a very uneven effort that doesn't live up to the caliber of the rest of the episodes.

Grade   C+

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  There is more fallout from Isaac's editorial that appears in the Wall Street Journal.  Dan is encouraged by Natalie to talk to Rebecca, a woman working in the building he recently met in the elevator. 

Best Line  "I don't think she's playing hard to get.  I think she has no interest in me at all.  Gotta respect her for that." - Dan

Critique  A solid episode that sets up the second half of the season.  There are a couple moments of inspired comedy as the staff creates a staple remover ruse to find out more info from Isaac, and Dan's surprise that Rebecca has no idea who he is.  Casey tries to help Dana out with Gordon when she comes to him for help, which only adds further complexity to their relationship.

Grade   B+

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  Gordon asks Dana to go snorkeling, but she's afraid of fish.  Dan's infatuation with Rebecca causes major distractions that eventually manifest on the air. 

Best Line  "Sometimes you just stand there - hip deep in pie." - Casey

Critique  Dana's fear of fish is an obvious metaphor for what is really going on with her fragile relationship with Gordon.  The last 3 minutes of the episode are absolutely perfect with Dan mangling "Zippity Doo Dah" and the reference to pies in the face.  It produces the greatest line ever uttered on Sports Night.  But Dana's fish problem with Gordon becomes a little overblown.

Grade   B+

W: Rachel Sweet & Aaron Sorkin

D: Robert Berlinger

Summary  It's a slow news day in the office as the staff waits for all the games to start.  Jeremy attempts to understand Easter in preparation for his visit with Natalie's family, and Dana worries about Casey standing her up. 

Best Line  "You're 19 feet tall.  Why are you wearing heels?" - Dan

Critique  The slow news day leads to other discoveries.  Casey's missing his favorite shirt, which he left at some woman's place.  Dan presses Casey for her identity, but Casey won't divulge, although he eventually figures it out.  It all builds up to a shocking conclusion about the missing shirt.

Grade   B+

W: Rachel Sweet & Aaron Sorkin

D: Marc Buckland

Summary  Pete Sampras' long match keeps pushing the show back.  Dana is forced to choose between the show or Gordon.  In order to salvage the relationship she surprisingly dumps the show. 

Best Line  "I understand what makes a woman think that any man is better than nothing.  I'll just never understand what makes a woman think she's got nothing." - Jeremy

Critique  The show is presented as another letter to Louise as ABC continues to yank the show around.  It's heavy on the dramatic and lighter on the comedy as this episode sets up the rest of the season.  While still providing something new, it still feels a little like a retread as the show is forced to reacquaint viewers.

Grade   B

W: David Handelman & Mark McKinney and

Aaron Sorkin

D: Robert Berlinger

Summary  Jeremy returns from home still trying to cope with his parents' divorce.  He then throws himself into research on an old boat race where the favored vessel veered off course.  Dan tries to convince Rebecca to watch a baseball game with him. 

Best Line  "Listen, I know there's a lot of jargon, but some of these are pretty self-explanatory." - Dan (referring to a perfect game)

Critique  Jeremy's obsession with the boat race makes sense when we learn the details of his parents' divorce.  This metaphor is a little more subtle and, thusly, a lot more effective than Dana and the fish.  Dan finally breaks through with Rebecca.  Watching an episode like this shows you how you can become deeply invested in the characters as we root for Dan and feel for Jeremy.

Grade   A

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Robert Berlinger

Summary  Dan's day goes from bad to worse as he sees Rebecca's ex-husband in her office and has to deal with Bobbi Bernstein, who claims Dan never called her after sleeping with her in Spain.  Casey is still miffed over Dana's decision to dump the show. 

Best Line  "What, are you nuts?  Are you some nutty nut girl who's nuts?" - Dan

Critique  One of the best singular episodes in television history.  Dan senses trouble is coming with Rebecca's ex-husband present, Bobbi on the way, and Isaac still missing from the airport.  We finally learn why Robert Guillaume has been missing from the show lately.  And as Casey tells Dan the bad news about Isaac, the beginning strains of "Eli's Coming" send chills down your spine.  Then, in a brilliant camera move, as the song picks up speed, the camera circles around Dan's head as the information he just heard swirls in his mind while he interviews Bobbi on the air.  The camera finally stops on Casey in the background.  It's an eerie and spectacular ending to an incredible episode that you must see.

Grade   A++

W: Aaron Sorkin - Story by Paul Redford

D: Alex Graves

Summary  There's a bomb scare in the building, which is seemingly unsettling to nobody except Dan and Casey, who refuse to believe they're safe.  Dana tries to keep the show together in Isaac's absence, and Jeremy decides to temporarily break up with Natalie. 

Best Line  "Dan, I just wanted to say that if anything terrible ever had to happen to one of us, I'd want it to be you." - Casey

Critique  Dan and Casey's natural reaction to the bomb scare is funny, and the whole episode is a nice light-hearted affair coming off the bleak, yet spectacular, ending of "Eli's Coming."  Natalie's refusal of Jeremy's breakup attempt produces some good exchanges between the two as they argue the point.  Finally, we get to see some extra dimensions to Sally, as she proves to be more than just the confident and good-looking foil for Dana.  Her vulnerability is a welcomed surprise.

Grade   B+

W: Aaron Sorkin - Story by Matt Tarses

D: Robert Berlinger

Summary  There's a breaking sports story in the world, if only someone in the office knew something about cricket.  Dana's forgetting things and Casey is still affected by the bomb scare, mainly the reason given for it.  Dan is looking forward to Rebecca's return and Dana gets proposed to. 

Best Line  "I've had a little wine.  Somebody wants to make book on whether or not I'll be having a little more, I would not bet against me." - Dan

Critique  A good look at Dan and Casey's friendship as Casey cautions Dan about getting too excited about Rebecca.  Casey thinks it will end badly and refuses to share in Dan's glee.  Casey goes on a Jerry Falwell rant that is right on target and properly skewers his misguided priorities.  He also uses this disdain to push Dana to the edge, who threatens suspension if he doesn't tone it down on the air.  It's the apex of the animosity between these two that started when Dana dumped the show for Gordon.  There is one editing gaffe involving a look by Jeremy that is pretty jarring, but forgivable.

Grade   B+

Summary  Dan is frustrated with Casey's lack of a plan to break up Gordon and Dana.  As a result, he lets loose a secret to Natalie that naturally spreads quickly through the office.  Dana has an interesting reaction to the news about Gordon, Sally, and Casey. 

Best Line  "Guys, you're gonna have to do the first 2 blocks without your pants.  Casey, you should feel right at home."  - Dana

Critique  Josh Charles shines in this episode as Dan struggles with Casey's decision to take the high road.  It's a fast-paced episode that comes full circle with Dan and Casey having to do the first segment of the show without pants.  The way they take it in stride is actually the most amusing facet of this incident.  Dana's reaction to the news is not surprising, and neither is the way she handles it, but that's more a testament to the character she has created.  She reacts as we fully expect her to.

Grade   A-

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  Dana gets her new camera and also some unfortunate news from Gordon.  Casey's son Charlie comes by the office for a visit, and Jeremy looks for a 9th inning rally to report on. 

Best Line  "Can you tell us again what the beeps are gonna sound like?" - Jeremy

Critique  A fitting way to end what is the best debut season of any television show.  The acting is superb, the writing is crisp, and the direction is tight.  There's a great tracking shot of Dana as she walks to Isaac's office after Gordon unleashes the news.  You can see every emotion that she is experiencing on her face from amazement, denial, anger, and sadness.  It's a great performance.  Dana finally releases everything she has been holding in about Gordon, Isaac, Casey, etc.  Isaac's return will bring tears to the eyes of even the most hardened soul.  The great final shot of the cast - as Dana gets their picture with her new camera - ends the season as it fades to black and white.

Grade   A+