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Sports Night Episode Guide

Season:  1 | 2  

24

Special Powers

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  Casey waits for the proper amount of time to pass after Dana's breakup before asking her out.  Jeremy and Natalie have a disagreement about a job offer for Natalie and Isaac is having a difficult time at work after the stroke. 

Best Line  "A modest proposal: make the nets bigger" - Dan

Critique  A solid return to kick off the second season establishing Casey and Dana's budding attraction and Isaac's minor struggles with returning to work sooner than he probably should have.  Dan and Casey's attempt to wing the tease is especially hilarious.  And Jeremy and Natalie's fight and his apology is a further realization of one of the best relationships in television history.

Grade   B

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Robert Berlinger

Summary  Dana is off to a biker-themed bachelorette party where she has an epiphany about her and Casey.  Dan gets invited to a Hilary Clinton breakfast for contributors and everyone learns that Isaac has hired a ratings expert for the show. 

Best Line  nothing noteworthy

Critique  Dan makes a mistake confusing the meanings of secular and nonsecular at the breakfast and struggles with the error over the course of the episode.  Dana's epiphany is the crazy dating plan.  The back-and-forth between Dana and Casey is very good, and while the plan is frustrating, it makes sense within the realm of the show to not just pair everyone off.  Keeping these two apart is better for the show.  Oh, and it's an excellent episode.

Grade   A-

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Robert Berlinger

Summary  J.J. and two other people from the network want to come give notes as the show's ratings fall.  Sam Donovan starts to make an immediate impact on the show. 

Best Line  "Trust me, I won't make fools out of you" - Sam Donovan

Critique  Not a show filled with laughs, but an outstanding effort as we learn more about Sam Donovan.  William H. Macy is a great actor and provides the perfect note to this character.  His speech to the network suits about Filo Farnsworth, Cliff Gardner, and glass tubes is perfect as it shows where his loyalty resides.

Grade   A

W: Miriam Kazdin & Aaron Sorkin

D: Marc Buckland

Summary  The internet poll question asks: who is cooler, Dan or Casey?  When Casey comes out ahead, Dan suspects something.  Dana has dinner with an old classmate that raises Casey's suspicions. 

Best Line  "Today I take care of all family business" - Jeremy

Critique  There are a lot of huge laughs here (probably compensating for the last show), but it is not enough to overcome an uneven effort.  The focus is on Dana and Casey as their story arc about the hows and whys of the dating plan comes to a close.  The storyline involving Dana and the panties and her classmate's name is the weakest in the history of the show, but the show is partially saved by Jeremy's revenge while helping Casey rig the voting.

Grade   C-

W: Aaron Sorkin & Tracey Stern

D: Thomas Schlamme

Summary  Jeremy takes it upon himself to fix the impending Y2K problem for the show's computers.  The simulation of the new year, however, goes awry.  Dan meets psychiatrist Abby Jacobs and is unclear as to whether he's meeting her for a date or an appointment. 

Best Line  "Listen McMurphy, if it were up to me, I'd let you and the big Indian out of the hospital." - Casey

Critique  The first appearance of a regular set other than the office for the show, Anthony's, the bar where the gang hangs out when not at work.  I've always identified with Jeremy the most and his  frustration about the future and his inability to fix the problem that he should be able to is an appropriate aspect of his personality.  The show's ability to fully realize these characters is uncanny.  Isaac enters "wise sage" mode about his feelings on the future, and you can't help but agree.

Grade   A-

W: Kevin Falls & Matt Tarses & Bill Wrubel

D: Robert Berlinger

Summary  Dan has an interview with new Yankee and old friend Shane McArnold.  Dana is excited afterwards because of some disparaging statements he made about New York that Casey wants to edit out for his buddy. 

Best Line  "She's actually not gonna rob a bank.  This is just sort of a hypothetical flight of fancy.  Resume your late-night socializing." - Jeremy

Critique  You always wonder if these sports journalists become friends with some athletes and if that affects their work in any way.  Whether or not it really happens, this is a good showing of how it would all shake out.  Dan finally comes to terms with the fact that he needs some help as his story arc for the season starts to take shape.  The episode also serves as another example of how strong the relationship is between Dan and Casey.

Grade   A-

W: Tom Szentgyorgyi & Aaron Sorkin

D: Dennie Gordon

Summary  J.J.'s cousin is an intern who is not doing his job.  Jeremy wants to cut him some slack and Natalie wants to fire him.  There's a story breaking involving football players and drugs, with a revealing list of names.  Dan continues with more therapy. 

Best Line  "Don't you think my obsessive need to get you to like me has less to do with my parents and more to do with the fact that you look good...or is that what you meant by creepy?" - Dan

Critique  The work relationship between Natalie and Jeremy is starting to create some tension in their romantic relationship, but not much else happens in this episode.  It all leads up to the names involved in the drug scandal, which doesn't serve as the big surprise that it was expected to be.  You can see it coming. 

Grade   B-

W: Kevin Falls & Aaron Sorkin

D: Dennie Gordon

Summary  The staff has to come up with nominees for Athlete of the Century along with gift ideas for the names they drew for the Secret Santa.  Dana's brother is coming by the show and Natalie wants Dan to critique her audition tape. 

Best Line  "Do you know how many times you'd have to kill me before I named a soccer player Athlete of the Century?" - Dan

Critique  A lot of shows make one holiday their special episode.  Roseanne used Halloween, Friends used Thanksgiving, etc.  For Sports Night, it's Christmas, and this is another excellent holiday episode.  It deftly combines humor and poignancy, which is when this show is the strongest.  Isaac's request for a cheese grater from Casey and his subsequent placement of it in his office is heartfelt, especially knowing what he had to come back from.  Felicity Huffman does an excellent job portraying the distressed sister.  Further proof that every single piece of this ensemble is extremely strong.  

Grade   A

W: David Walpert   D: Dennie Gordon

Summary  Casey is going on his first date of the plan with a girl named Pixley, and he pretty much sabotages it.  Jeremy's been nominated for an award and contemplates preparing a speech, but Natalie knows he lost.  The staff worries about there not being enough to fill tomorrow's show. 

Best Line  Isaac: "Jeremy, you know what sucks?" Jeremy: "Losing an award?" Isaac: "I was gonna say not being able to dance with your wife."

Critique  The second time Jeremy goes to Isaac for advice, he learns of the truth.  Isaac is able to put it in perspective for him, though, as only Isaac can.  Casey's first date goes badly, but he still tries to rattle Dana with the experience, and it works a little.  The best parts of the show are the small moments though.  The reference to Dana as the house madam, the insistence of Dan that he can stretch the show, and a sport of kings reference that hearkens back to "Shoe Money Tonight."  The entire cast is together for almost the whole show, and this is when Sports Night is at its best.

Grade   A

W: Matt Tarses & Aaron Sorkin

D: Pamela Dresser

Summary  Dan wants to do a feature on the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" game and finds out Isaac was there.  He then tries repeatedly to get him to go on camera about it.  Casey runs into Pixley again and gives her his number which gives Dana second thoughts about the plan. 

Best Line  "But, then you get older and it just joins all the other things in your life that happened while you were looking the other way." - Isaac

Critique  The third episode in a row where Isaac comes up with something important.  But, rather than just coming in with his words of wisdom, this time the show revolves around the very circumstance that happened to him at the Giants game.  Dana's plan starts to blow up in her face, and it might be too late to save everything.  Isaac gives an interesting and unfortunate account of the game, but, after all, it just turned out to be a game.

Grade   B+

W: Aaron Sorkin & Bill Wrubel

D: Alex Graves

Summary  Sports Night is covering the big title fight, but is forced to scramble when things don't go according to plan.  Dana is not taking well the fact that Casey has moved on, and Dan and Casey must deal with Chuck Kimmel, a replacement analyst at the fight. 

Best Line  "Yeah, and I made sweet love to Eva Gardner in Paris." - Casey

Critique  "Cut Man" is pure comedic gold.  The conversation resulting from the above quote, the preparation materials the guys look at, and the on-air back-and-forths between Dan, Casey and Chuck "Cut Man" Kimmel are absolutely hilarious.  Throw in the final saga of Dana's dating plan blowing up in her face as she deals with Casey's moving on, and you have a near perfect episode.

Grade   A

W: David Handelman and Kevin Falls &

Matt Tarses and Aaron Sorkin

D: Alex Graves

Summary  Sports Night gets an interview with Michael Jordan, but there are some strings attached and the staff must decide if it's worth it.  Sam is back and has Dana psyched out.  Isaac is obsessing about the future and Casey has to demonstrate something for Charlie's class. 

Best Line  Dan: "What did you do?" Casey: "I did what I do, Dan, I did what I do."  Dan: "You screwed up your romantic life in front of 5th graders."

Critique  A quality episode examining just what a struggling show might consider doing to increase its ratings.  The stroke has had an obvious effect on Isaac, and his own mortality haunting him is another poignant moment in the show's history.  Huffman continues her string of strong performances as she continues to have trouble with Sam.

Grade   A-

W: David Walpert   D: Alex Graves  

Summary  Dan wants to go to a Tom Waits show and must perform favors for everyone to get the night off.  Dana inherits a Revolutionary War musket.  Dan's fill-in, Steve Sarris, is worried that his girlfriend is breaking up with him and let's his feelings show on the air. 

Best Line  "Well could you let him know that unless he's dating Martina Hingis, we don't mention our girlfriends on the show" - Isaac

Critique  The show is hitting its stride as it heads down the home stretch of season 2.  Dan's series of favors is hilarious, culminating in one for Natalie that could spell trouble.  Casey is clearly uncomfortable without Dan beside him on the air, but Steve takes this to new levels of uneasiness.  Bill Macy is a great actor and has a natural chemistry with wife Felicity Huffman.  The attraction that develops between the two makes sense as you watch their personalities develop over the course of the show.  Unfortunately for Dana, it's going to be too late.  Jeremy and Natalie's fight over Lot 61 proves to be the death knell and is heartbreaking to watch.

Grade   A

W: Tom Szentgyorgyi & Aaron Sorkin

D: Alex Graves

Summary  Casey goes to the eye doctor and can't see anything with his dark glasses on.  News of the breakup finally starts to hit the rest of the crew.  Isaac agrees to hand over some riot footage that the show took, which is unsettling to Natalie.  Dana and Sam finally share a kiss. 

Best Line  "Danny would you give me a break, the whole room just went supernova." - Casey

Critique  The comedy, both verbal and physical, that is inspired by Casey's affliction brings a lot of needed levity to a show filled with emotion.  Jeremy wants his stuff back from Natalie's place, which parallels Isaac's decision to give the footage to the police.  Natalie naturally associates the two things and masks her distraught over the breakup with anger about their freedom of the press rights.  She finally breaks down in Isaac's arms - the true father figure.

Grade   B+

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Robert Berlinger

Summary  The staff gets together for a game of "Celebrities," but since it's Natalie's thing, Jeremy is not invited to play.  Casey finds out he is listed as the 92nd most influential person in sports, but Dan didn't make the list.  Jeremy meets a woman at Anthony's and Isaac is having trouble remembering things. 

Best Line  Casey: "Hey, I thought you won the coin toss."  Dan: "I didn't win it outright, Casey, I came in second."

Critique  Another solid ensemble episode, although Jeremy is shut out of the group.  It's a natural reaction of a group when a breakup occurs - unfortunately for him, they've known Natalie longer and it's hard for him to deal with.  His meeting with Jenny is promising, and it shows an intriguing new side of him as he flirts at a bar.  His eventual realization about how he recognizes her troubles him too much, though.  Dan is pissed about the list when Casey tells him about it.  This is a great set-up for the next few episodes involving Dan's inferiority complex and Jeremy's brand new relationship.

Grade   B+

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Timothy Busfield

Summary  Jeremy waits for an e-mailed response from Jenny after he has second thoughts about what she does for a living.  The gang stays in late to watch the live feed of a long jump competition where a guy they know goes for the world record. 

Best Line  "Does the porn star know you're this much of a dork?" - Isaac (to Jeremy)

Critique  Dan tells the story in flashback from Abby's office.  There is a lot going on in this episode and it's a testament to the strength of the writing and direction as everyone is on their own.  Casey's concern about getting food is funny in its own right and his mad dash across the office to catch Dana on her way out is hysterical.  Jeremy wrestles with the fact that Jenny is a porn star and handles it the only way that a guy like Jeremy would.  The back story involving the long jump has a strange effect on Dan, and Abby does a good job of putting it in perspective for him.

Grade   A-

Draft Day: Part 1

It Can't Rain at Indian Wells

Draft Day: Part 2

The Fall of Ryan O'Brian

W: Matt Tarses & Aaron Sorkin

D: Bryan Gordon

Summary  The crew prepares for NFL Draft coverage.  Dan is more excited about playing golf with David Duval, and becomes upset at the fact that if a tennis match is rained out, he'll have to stay for extended coverage.  Casey and Dana have their annual contest predicting the draft.  Jeremy is still struggling with Jenny's occupation, but decides to invite her to the office to prove he's okay with it. 

Best Line  "Yeah, but what's the fun playing a game if you're not going to go over the rules?" - Dana

Critique  This is the first and only 2-parter that Sports Night will have and this first episode hits on all cylinders.  It sets up intriguing possibilities as Dan becomes more belligerent and Jeremy's plan backfires all because of a rainout.  It's easy to identify with Casey's and Dana's love for the draft and any competition.  The rules line is classic - who hasn't spent more time going over the rules of a game than actually playing it?  Jeremy's reservations about Jenny's job prove to be even more frustrating as he insists on keeping the truth from Natalie.  And the "ad hoc director" conversation between Casey and Jeremy is a must-see.

Grade   A-

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Danny Leiner

Summary  Jeremy pleas with Isaac to fire him so he can avoid dealing with Jenny coming to the office.  Dan is pissed about being forced to stay and the fallout is drastic.  The issue runs deeper than missing a golf outing with David Duval.  Natalie and Jenny eventually meet, and Dana's unsightly bandage on her face is explained. 

Best Line  "What if I stand right in your office and look you in the eye and call you...Samba?" - Jeremy (to Isaac)

Critique  The second part of Draft Day ends strongly with Dan going over the edge on the air with Casey.  It's an unprofessional move and you wonder if the friendship between the two will survive.  However, the turmoil between Jeremy and Jenny, while compelling, also seems a little trite and unconvincing.  Jenny sings a familiar tune and the payoff as it plays out just isn't there.

Grade   B

W: Bill Wrubel & Matt Tarses

D: Don Scardino

Summary  Dana and Isaac discover in a meeting with the CFO that Olympic coverage will be severely cut back, which doesn't bode well for the future of the show.  Dan is having to deal with the repercussions of his actions on draft day.  Casey isn't sure if he wants to do a top 10 list for his local video store and Natalie finally learns the truth about Jenny.  Dana also suggests to her that she start looking around. 

Best Line  Dana: "How many Rocky movies?" Casey: "1 through 3." Dana: "Not 4 and 5?" Casey: "Don't be ridiculous, Dana, this is the 10 best movies of all-time."

Critique  And may the ending of the series commence.  It became fairly clear that Sports Night was not going to make it to a third season, so art started to imitate life as Continental Corp.'s (the parent company) financial problems start to make the future of Sports Night questionable.  These last few episodes have tended to be heavier on drama and this one leads the way.  There are obviously some lingering issues between Dan and Casey, but they'll find a way back.

Grade   B+

W: Chris Lusvardi & David Walpert &

Aaron Sorkin

D: Don Scardino

Summary  Dan has a new publicist with hopes that he won't be left off the list once again.  Natalie has a interview with Saturday Night Live and Dana tries to psyche her out before she leaves.  Casey and Jeremy start to watch the movement of Continental Corp., trying to decipher what it will mean.  Isaac is upset about his grandson visiting because he's afraid that Matthew is scared of him. 

Best Line  "Yes Casey, they're all hooked up to the magical internet." - Jeremy

Critique  Comedy returns to the show as Casey's lack of computer knowledge and the staff's attempts at psyching Natalie out bring nice laughs.  Casey's intro at the beginning is hilarious and his attempts to roll up his sleeves and watch the internet are even more so.  The episode ends with startling news that leaves everyone wondering about the fate of their show.

Grade   A-

W: Aaron Sorkin   D: Timothy Busfield

Summary  The crew prepares for the worst as Continental Corp. is up for sale and all the bidders don't seem like companies that would keep the show.  Natalie's feelings about Jeremy swing from one extreme to the other, and Dan finally learns that Kim was never his secretary.  He also receives some random flowers.  Dana meets a stranger in Anthony's who seems a little too knowledgeable about the current situation. 

Best Line  "Remember, please, if you're going out on a date, you want to impress someone - it's a dog-eat-dog world, not a doggie-dog world." - Dan

Critique  I like Dana's insistence on continuing to go to Anthony's after the show, despite their rash of bad luck.  She believes in the power of fate and there is no reason to stop now.  As new bidders step in and old ones fall out, it becomes interesting to see how the different people take the news.  Some expect the worst, others investigate further, and other prepare for whatever the situation might call for.  It's an accurate look at how close-knit people provide different outlets for each other when faced with adversity.

Grade   B

Summary  Dan is having trouble concentrating once he learns who the flowers are from.  A new bidder comes in, and it's someone nobody has heard of.  Jeremy begins to settle his affairs, and Dan and Casey contemplate a move to L.A. 

Best Line  "It's a good show Dana.  Anybody who can't make money off Sports Night should get out of the money-making business." - Stranger

Critique  And a great series ends how it should - with a great episode.  The things that made this show so incredible are still alive and well.  In fact, the show is just getting better.  The chemistry between the cast is extraordinary.  Natalie and Jeremy is still the best television couple in history, as  their relationship is natural and real, and never feels forced.  And Josh Charles finished up an excellent season, as Dan grappled with many personal issues.

As for this episode, Sorkin kept it open-ended.  There was a chance the show would live on somewhere else (HBO was even a possibility).  But knowing that the show-within-the-show survived is enough.  As I've said before, Sports Night, more than any other show I've ever watched (except for maybe Buffy), was able to develop a kinship with the people on the screen.  Knowing that somewhere out there this show lives on is heartwarming and a fitting ending.  Dan and Rebecca's future remains unresolved, but these characters will always live on.  It's unfortunate that ABC bungled its chances at developing Sports Night further.

Grade   A