Would You Like to Pack the Big Hammer? | The West Wing

“You’re going to go home and sleep until your plane leaves.”
Season 2 Episode 19: Bad Moon Rising
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[@davidker8820]

The hammer joke is so simple, yet so brilliant. Set it up, give it enough attention that people remember it, but little enough that it seems inconsequential. Put the attention somewhere else for a little while, include some witty banter for good measure. And then, finally, payoff. Just a masterpiece in comedy from a show that rarely advertises itself as such.

[@eacole72]

It is a wonder setup of the Chekov's Gun.

[@tal_the_great]

It is a bit clunky. He has the hammer, and hes playing with it. A lawyer owning a gavel and playing with it isnt a big deal at all. Why bother describing it, and why describe it to a staff member who has likely heard the story 100 times? And why screw around with a family heirloom? And, why was their a cassette in that recorder? Just take that out, and you dont care what happens.

[@danieldickson8591]

@@tal_the_great Why do you think the lawyer has heard the story 100 times? Because Babish loves to tell it. He loves to hold that gavel and play with it. Because none of us have any quirks about items we love, right? Hence her sarcastic question. And there were undoubtedly times when he still wanted to record something, and that's the recorder he had.

[@njebei]

I love this scene. Joke telling 101. It's about as understates as it can be when the punch line is a hammer. Seed the history of the hammer. Seed the issues with recorder. Put a scene in between so you forget about both. BAM!

[@Critter145]

The West Wing is written incredibly well.

[@ScorpiusZA.]

This is one of the best scenes in the series. Second to John Larroquette storming in the Oval with a cricket bat.

[@jamiestewart48]

Well, obviously, Lionel Tribbey is a brilliant lawyer whom we cannot live without, or there would be very little reason not to put him in prison.

[@TheStuport]

ANYTIME I see Mr. Larroquette since The West Wing...I cannot help but smile as I think of "Little Umbrellas In My Drinks" 😊

[@TheBeerDolt]

It would appear that skill with a melee weapon is a requirement for the position of White House Counsel.

[@Bazookatone1]

It's clear (to me) that larroquette was supposed to reprise the role but didn't, I wonder why?

[@joemckim1183]

@@TheStuport Its a shame that the new Night Court is such a terrible show.

[@benvolio85]

The way Bartlet says "That matters less to me" always cracks me up 😅

[@jeffreyhuston2017]

I use that irl ...it's hilarious

[@andrewdavidson665]

@@jeffreyhuston2017 hah. Same. 😄

[@stephenhelmeci328]

Candidate for best line of the series: “I meet so many people who can’t wait to tell me they’re from Chicago and when I meet them, they’re living anywhere but Chicago.” 🤣🤣

[@cyberperson53]

"You wouldn't understand. You're not from Chicago."

[@jy.creator]

The moment with the hammer always gets me laughing.

[@FlameKoRn]

It's the "okay" that nails it

[@stonebear]

@@FlameKoRn RIght?! on both counts....

[@ToonSciron]

The "I'm easing in" always makes me laugh

[@cranapple3367]

"He's got a nicer office than I do." "He's got a nicer office than -I- do." "That matters less to me."

[@Ulleskelf]

I love that Leo doesn't flinch when Babish bashes the recorder with the hammer.

[@srednivashtar5432]

That’s because he is a man of Chicago. Though there are better musicals out there, if I’m being totally honest.

[@joemckim1183]

@@srednivashtar5432 I mean you also have West Side Story, Les Mis, The Producers, I would go on but I'm really familiar with musical theater and just named a few of the bigger ones that also got movie adaptations.

[@zyggy1997]

Best (and most hilarious) example of Chekov’s Gun that I’ve ever seen 😂

[@rafezetter8003]

I had to google that - and now' I've learned something.

[@TheStuport]

@@rafezetter8003 Me too! People are never too old to learn and never to young to teach! On a side note, no real surprise to me that Hemmingway disagreed with Chekov's Gun" philosophy" ! Cheers👋

[@rafezetter8003]

@@TheStuport My English teacher said "Hemmingway was a cantankerous old bastard who drank a lot and wrote a little".

[@TheStuport]

@@rafezetter8003 🤣🤣🤣 I have a strong feeling that Hemmingway himself would have laughed out loud at that statement and then ordered a beer for your English Teacher! Salute rafezetter👋

[@rafezetter8003]

@@TheStuport Interestingly - a small fun fact for you - His daughter is called Honeysuckle Weeks - if you've seen the UK TV show "Foyles War" you'll have seen her - she's his driver, the blonde woman. I knew her when she was just a toddler as the school was private and all the Masters lived in the grounds so we saw her running about.

[@JosefSvenningsson]

The writing here is so beautiful. You can really imagine Sorkin, wanting to end the scene with the gavel smashing and then writing the whole thing to be able to motivate that punchline. It's a thing of beauty. I don't know how many times I've seen this intro but I somehow never get tired of it.

[@Edawgpilot]

This is why chekovs gun is such a beautiful literary device

[@stonebear]

The only thing better I've seen is Zelazny taking an ENTIRE CHAPTER to set up and pay off "And then the fit hit the shan..." (Lord of Light, if you wanna go track it down...)

[@bethoconnor8236]

"Do we have to go now?" "What better time?" "How about later?"

[@pinverarity]

Like Ainsley trying to get Sam to reschedule her second (post-Joey Heatherton) meeting with the President.

[@kadishevdox]

I loved the Oliver Babish character. Wished there could’ve been a lot more with him.

[@Rotarrin]

This scene -- and especially the bit at the very end, of course -- will always make me laugh. Brilliant writing from Sorkin, and the actors played it beautifully.

[@Greiciunas1]

I must have watched that scene a dozen times. I still laugh out loud !

[@AnthonyHudsonGroove]

This, THIS, is writing! Banter both dry and witty, pacing, amazing character development with crucial exposition and background. An entire episode's worth of writing in just the opener.

[@macdonaldukah1680]

"I'm easing in" was my favourite moment!

[@Martyq86]

Best cold open of The West Wing!

[@TuxedAaron]

Look, the show was always five times funnier than it had any right to be. But this whole opening scene, from start to finish, was just the absolute best. 🤣

[@geoffreystredder2881]

Another great scene from TWW. Iv'e watched this many times and it still makes me smile.

[@rockon41]

"What better time?" "Well, later"

[@geoffoldread7684]

Oliver Platt understands the assignment with every single role.

[@MakiPavlidis]

That is so good. Always gets me.

[@jasontechlord]

As a guy from Chicago, and doesn't reside in Chicago.... Guilty...

[@Dan210871]

I like Chicago so much I'm even willing to forgive you all for the horrible damage you've done to pizza with that reprehensible "deep dish" idea. For anyone who likes photography and/or architecture, there's arguably no better place to visit in the US.

[@robinps52]

But you’re very happy to TELL us that you’re from Chicago & we’re happy for you. 😉

[@keithduvall812]

​@@Dan210871have you had the deep dish or just complaining because you like new york style?

[@Dan210871]

@@keithduvall812 Not to brag, but I've tried pizza in more countries than I can count (including Italy). The deep dish pizza does not compare favorably to most others.

[@gordon1545]

@@Dan210871 Ah c'mon. You could definitely count the countries.

[@AloisiaSedai]

SUCH GREAT writing. I fell over when he used the big hammer. Talk about Chekovs gun!

[@rudyjuarez4535]

3:43. This is only one of millions of examples of the magic this show demonstrated. What possible god awful reason would NBC take in another direction when it was working fine like this!?!?!

[@Head-ck4hu]

This was one of the best shows ever produced.

[@dahlesa]

Breaking that casette recorder always cracks me up....

[@wendysnelgrove5870]

My favourite opening in the whole series.

[@MrErizid]

Mine is when they hired all those people to walk up to Josh on election day and tell him how they screwed up their ballots.

[@mattdandersn]

It's still funny 😂😂😂😂

[@MorganMghee]

One of my favorite characters 🎉

[@daz54]

Who knew Cameron Tucker was a assistant lawyer before becoming Fizbo

[@wilhelmina8843]

Never noticed that! Thanks.

[@fomalhaut5]

The President jumps when Babish smashes the recorder, while Leo doesn't move a muscle. Hilarious.

[@TheStuport]

Betting I'm NOT the only one who instantly started to hear MC in my head singing "It's Hammer Time"🤣 A very entertaining clip! Cheers To The West Wing Followers! 👋

[@michaelcousins2526]

Im of the generation before that so my first thought was Thor's hammer Mjolnir. lol MC fits nicely though!

[@TheStuport]

@@michaelcousins2526 You took me to school today Michael as I just had to look up "Mjolnir" after reading your comment! Had an idea what was going to appear as Thor's Hammer was quite the Cliff Note!🤣 Fun to learn new things and meet people who help others! I thank you and this apple is for you! Salute 🍎

[@stonebear]

Busted. (STOP! *wham! wham! wham!* Hammer time... )

[@TheStuport]

@@stonebear 🤣🤣🤣

[@ryanfrederick3376]

Best scene in the whole show.

[@PhillyFox5]

Chekhov's hammer

[@Edawgpilot]

And chekovs dictaphone as well

[@stevechance150]

For those who didn't get a liberal arts degree: Chekhov's gun is a narrative principle that states that every element in a story must be necessary, and irrelevant elements should be removed. It encourages writers to not make false promises in their narrative by including details that will not ultimately pay off.

[@George-kz5hb]

A lesser man, on that little sleep, would have forgotten the broken dictaphone. Babbish is a real one.

[@terrygracy8345]

Not gonna lie. Babish totally underused. Along with many others.

[@GBTCO2b]

clips are getting better, timing wise.

[@GeoffreyAtkinson-y8u]

I am a lawyer and I would do the same thing if there was a recording device running when a client wanted to disclose privileged information

[@RalphSmith-ji9si]

Such a great show, I miss it. Perhaps someone should ask Martin Sheen to run for President, and take his character to the White House. What the hell, Reagan was an actor.

[@dirdib69]

They say that he never went on vacation.

[@Irish18989]

3:55 is probably the most lawyerly response ever

[@wallacerose8663]

Best cold open of the series.

[@DrownedInExile]

Oliver is worthy!

[@MurgiBaba]

At 0:28, the guy in the background, isn't that Eric Stonestreet (Cameron Tucker) from Modern Family?

[@markkwiatkowski9121]

I didn't realize that Eric Stonestreet had a small role on this show.

[@wilhelmina8843]

I hadn’t noticed this!

[@untexan]

Once again Sorkin uses the "someone trying to sleep/relax/get laid does not get to do those things" trope

[@pinverarity]

And the “scared to have a meeting so let’s do it later/when?/later” bit.

[@cohenb18]

Would love to see the speech that Leo makes to President Bartlett to get in the game at the end of the episode from season 1 episode 19 “Let Bartlett be Bartlett”

[@murrethmedia]

3:40 A conversation that should have happened in the current white house by now.

[@stonebear]

no, it should've happened years ago. This guy is - despite the stutter - sharp as a bloody tack, and my receipts on that are historian Heather Cox Richardson, who interviewed him personally not long ago, *among others*... it's the *felon* who's losing his marbles.

[@shiftfocus1]

Not to mention the last one.

[@murrethmedia]

@@shiftfocus1 Please don't tell me you believe the Russiagate hoax.

[@shiftfocus1]

I have watched this clip dozens of times, but just noticed the continuity error: The hammer and dictaphone do a fair bit of wandering around the desk in the background through this final edit.

[@davidpolston4172]

Yes...and Oliver Platt played his bowling rival on Modern Family

[@paul.-jj6yh]

Dis is a good scene... but in real life i think d secret service wud hav barged in thinking dey heard a gun shot......

[@TonyHouse]

It's the episode with Trace Beaulieu from MST3K!

[@peterbyrne7348]

@0:14 There were Third Amendment implications? Was someone boarding soldiers in private residences? Were states suing each other over this (11th Amendment)?

[@brucetheloon]

It's a line setting up a Noodle Incident, the viewer is left to his own devices as to how boarding soldiers in private residences, state's sovereign immunity and the right to a jury trial could somehow produce an outcome. The bill in question was causing 4th Amendment issues, probably allowing too-wide searches or something, and the staff went down a different rabbit hole. Some combination of those three amendments no matter how absurd is why Oliver had to fix it himself. And given his annoyance at having to fix it, it was probably extremely absurd and a utterly impossible outcome of the bill.

[@masterofdesaster8]

Maybe it's about the use of military or national guard assets for federal law enforcement purposes?

[@thomash.schwed3662]

I have to admit that this whole thing of states suing each other has never really made any sense to me. A prime example in current real life is how the attorney general of Missouri thinks he somehow has standing to sue the great state of New York over a certain verdict. The worst part is that he’s doing it in my name inasmuch as I happen to live in Missouri at the moment. Suing another state over a jury verdict seems at once frivolous and willfully ignorant of the facts involved in the underlying case. On the other hand, if the actions of one state are having a detrimental effect upon another state-for instance, with regard to pollution, then the case could be made for the latter state filing suit against the former.

[@Wherethehellarewegoing]

I love Oliver Platt and his character is superb but a conversation I've had on another video makes me think that it should've been Lionel Tribby. It would've added some great contiunuity to the series and plus, well, we wouldve got more Lionel Tribby

[@Mark-ke1rj]

Why were all the White House councils so unhinged? Tribbey, Babish, Ainsley Hayes, even Joe Quincy.

[@marcot3333]

The Council on Fitness? The Council on Economic Development? Ohh... you meant COUNSEL. Ainsley and Joe were Associate WH Counsel, not *the* White House Counsel.

[@Mark-ke1rj]

@@marcot3333 Spell check did me dirty. No need to be a jackass about it.

[@marcot3333]

@@Mark-ke1rj Sure. Spell check. I can type counsel all day long and SPELL CHECK leaves it alone. No need to be a jackass about not being able to spell.

[@Mark-ke1rj]

@@marcot3333 pretty sure you’re the only asshole here.

[@rafezetter8003]

I wonder how many dictaphones bought it to film this scene?

[@titus2120]

Chicago…..

[@andyh4518]

Aside from the President, I wonder who has the nicest office in the White House.

[@badwarlock4227]

Pretty sure the white house council goes to the president not the other way around.

[@pinverarity]

Yabbut it’s really hard to set up the hammer gag if he’s in the Oval Office. 😉

[@stonebear]

@@pinverarity And besides... if you've got a listening device and a free pass to put it where you want it, where you gonna put it? the Counsel's office, where you have to sort through all the legal mumbo jumbo, or in the Oval Orifice of a president who doesn't mince words? (excepting that *could* be a mistake; Jed Bartlet is fluent in Latin INCLUDING SWEAR WORDS...)

[@simonh4553]

I must've watched this show start to finish a few dozen times, only just noticed the big hammer is out of continuity during the last bit.

[@scottishclive7987]

Chicago is Scotland

[@DETROIT1948]

Ok......

[@maxschon7709]

Great Comedy but Not works in Reality. That dictaphone Had a Tape and even If the record Button stucks it stops in the end of the tape