The Long Goodbye

I'm working my way through my West Wing Boxset so when it became obvious that this episode wasn't going to be directly linked to any of the on going plots or feature any of the other main characters (though Josh and Leo do appear but not in a speaking capacity) other than C.J it was slightly tempting to skip on to the next episode. However much like another similar episode of an Aaron Sorkin show (Studio 60's 'The Disaster Show') this is well worth sticking with.

From the funny exchanges between C.J and Toby to the heartwarming scenes between C.J and her father this episode manages to showcase just how good television can be. So while I accept that this episode may not be every West Wing fans favourite I am very glad I didn't skip on.

I have watched every episode, over and over again. I love this show.

Political stuff is brilliant obviously, however from a human point of view this is one of the best episodes ever ever !

The acting is really top class and it really highlights the cruel nature of this horrible disease. It characterises it in an honest and sad way.

Alison and Matthew were top class, and have great on screen chemistry. Moffitt excellent too.

I revisit this episode regularly, this is real acting with no CGI. Unlikely anyone will read this , but happy to write my thoughts. Go and watch it if you're a fan , or not.

This episode occurs in Dayton, OH with C. J. giving a speech and visiting her ailing father. She bumps into old friend / boyfriend Marco Arlens (Mathew Modine). The speech is made at a restaurant I immediately recognized in the external establishing shot as (the former) Kirie's in River Grove, Illinois. Aaron Sorkin's dad, or uncle, Dan (a Chicagoan) must have considered it a favorite and taken the family there. I was guested there by family as a child and can still remember the delicious fried chicken every time we dined or drove by. Kirie's was too small to have a stage as depicted in the episode as the kitchen occupied the widest (north) portion of the restaurant. The restaurant has been misidentified elsewhere as Horvath's, a restaurant on Harlem Ave in Elmwood Park, Illinois.

Long before this episode aired, the Kirie's Restaurant site [41.930550 (N) -87.835961 (W), 41º 55' 49.9794" N 87º 50' 9.459" W] had been sold and existed as a variety of bars and taverns before being razed. The latest incarnation at 2826 Thatcher Ave is River Cafe & Bar, according to the Apple Maps app. The River Cafe & Bar does not sit on Kirie's footprint on this triangular parcel.

Aside from the personal hypermnesia the episode shows aspects of C. J. only shown here. Her father's Alzheimer's is painful for her and balanced by making love with Marco, hardly a spoiler.