Watching Studio60

I watched “The Quality of Mercy at 29K,” the ninth episode of Sports Night, again last night, and that was really sort of a Message Episode, wasn’t it? A little heavy-handed there at the end with the homeless guy, but an interesting thematic effort.

Everybody’s plot, in one way or another, turned out to be about What We Can Do. We can climb the tallest mountain in the world and knock on heaven’s door. We can put together a work of art that moves even the most skeptical and hoedown-wary. We can put love of another person ahead of all our selfish ambitions and pipe dreams. We can reach out to others with compassion, whether by writing a check or sharing a sandwich.

If Jed Bartlett had stepped in at the end and gave an inspirational speech about the miraculous things that humans can do, it would not have been out of place. It sort of called for that, didn’t it?

Dana’s theatrical transformation courtesy of The Lion King (above) was pretty amusing, and the bit about Casey feeling he understands the “spirit of the mountain” because he climbs the wall at his health club. I could sure relate to Dan and his donation dilemma, have received mailboxes-full of come-ons and felt guilty about tossing them. (I recommend this service for at least reducing the volume.)

Both my favorite parts involve Natalie, though: Her response to Dan asking what she does with her money, and her inspiring the realization in Jeremy that he will never climb Mt. Everest.

What did you think about this episode? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Sports Night, ABC, Thespis, review