The premiere more than eased my mind, due in large part to the quick-wittedness of the writers. Selina and her former staff are scattered in various different jobs. Selina is working on her memoir with the help of Richard (my favorite character) and Gary. Amy and Jonah both still work in politics, but have moved on to life-beyond-Selina. Dan has taken a job with a CBS morning show, something he’s pined after the entire run of the show — but he's already dissatisfied.
Selina, clearly frustrated with her lack of time in the Oval Office, goes as far as floating the idea of running for president again. After her inner circle quickly dismisses the idea, the full weight of her defeat hits her and you can see her sink into the realization that this memoir-writing, library-naming, day-to-day is her new reality. Not the saddest story, but definitely not the story she would have written for herself.
There’s a moment toward the end of the episode where Selina pitches the idea of running again past Ben, her former advisor. He’s kind but looks at her and simply says, “It’s over.” It’s impossible to watch this and not draw comparisons to the election — I couldn’t help but think of Hillary Clinton. The idea that she worked her whole life for this one job and if she doesn’t get it there’s no second chance — only memoir-writing and library-naming. (I don’t think the show is actively going that direction, but like I said, it seems like politics is forever swirling around us these days.)
I don’t think Washington is like The West Wing. As wonderful as that would be, I just don’t think people are that optimistic as a whole. In the same way, House of Cards is way too dark to be realistic. Not that people aren’t cutthroat and whatnot, but I don’t think a huge number of politicians are strangling dogs and pushing girls in front of trains. I think Veep is as close to the reality of the White House as we can get; a bunch of people with fragile egos trying to stay in office and not piss too many people off. I’m in for another season. The change of scenery is exciting and will open up all kind of doors for the story line, which is a great thing for the wittiest show on TV.
