Nijst.org

John Spencer, “Leo” uit The West Wing is gisteren gestorven. Dat droevige nieuws kon “A-list-blogger” Tom B. mij vanmorgen vroeg per SMS laten melden. In The West Wing ben ik al altijd een Sam Seaborn-kerel geweest, maar laat ik toch zeggen dat John Spencer naast Josh Lyman in de top drie van mijn favoriete personages stond. Daarom een hommage aan die acteur die ik ferm zal missen; mijn persoonlijke en nogal random top 3 van Leo-momenten in The West Wing (tot en met seizoen 3).

Episode 1, Season 1: Pilot

Leo walks into the OUTER OVAL OFFICE where MRS. LANDINGHAM stands up from her desk.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
Oh, Mr. McGarry. Have they done an X-Ray?

LEO
Yup.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
Is anything broken?

LEO
A $4,000 Lynex Titanium touring bike that I swore I’d never lend anyone.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
[following Leo into the OVAL OFFICE] I don’t understand. How did he…?

LEO
He’s a klutz, Mrs. Landingham. Your President’s a geek.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
Mr. McGarry, you know how I feel about that kind of talk in the Oval Office.

LEO
I apologize.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
Just in this room, Mr. McGarry. That’s all I’m asking.

…

CUT TO: INT. LEO’S OFFICE – DAY

LEO
[on the phone] Seventeen across. Yes. Seventeen across is wrong. You’re spelling
his name wrong. What’s my name? My name doesn’t matter. I’m just an ordinary citizen
who relies on the Times crossword for stimulation. And I’m telling you, that I’ve
met with the man twice, and I’ve recommended a preemptive Exocet Missile attack
against his airforce. So, I think I know how to…

Episode 2, Season 2: In the shadow of two gunmen

CUT TO: INT. LEOíS OFFICE – DAY
Margaret and Leo are inside. Leo is sitting in a chair looking over papers, while
Margaret stands over him.

MARGARET
He was supposed to sign a letter?

LEO
The President is going under general anesthesia, he usually signs a letter handing over
executive powers to the Vice President.

MARGARET
And the President didn’t sign the letter.

LEO
Nope. We blew that play.

MARGARET
Is there going to be trouble?

LEO
We’ll see. To be honest with you, I don’t really care right now.

MARGARET
Can I — can I just say something for the future?

LEO
Yeah.

MARGARET
I can sign the President’s name. I have his signature down pretty good.

Leo looks up at her for the first time.

LEO
You can sign the President’s name?

MARGARET
Yeah.

LEO
On a document removing him from power and handing it to someone else.

MARGARET
Yeah! [on Leo's look of disbelief] Or… do you think the White House Counsel would say
that was a bad idea.

LEO
I think the White House Counsel would say it was a coup d’etat!

MARGARET
Well. I’d probably end up doing some time for that.

LEO
I would think.

Margaret tries to beat a hasty retreat, as C.J. enters.

LEO
And what the hell were you doing practicing the President’s signature?

MARGARET
It was just for fun.

LEO
We’ve got separation of powers, checks and balances, and Margaret vetoing things and
sending them back to the Hill.

Episode 9, Season 3: Bartlett for America:

RATHBURN
Well, then, I’d like to ask you this-If he had told you about his condition would you
still have thought it was a good idea that he run?

LEO
I don’t know.

RATHBURN
Well, think about it and try answering.

LEO
[covering his mic, and to Jordan] Listen, I’m going to talk a little and you nod and
talk a little bit back to me.

JORDAN
What are you doing?

LEO
That’s good.

JORDAN
I’m really asking you.

LEO
I think Rathburn’s being a little snotty I think he’s going to have to wait and I think
he’s going to have to wait with the camera on me.

RATHBURN
Mr. McGarry.

LEO
One second, please. [to Jordan] Listen, what are you doing for lunch?

JORDAN
I don’t know.

LEO
Because I thought maybe we could have lunch or something.

JORDAN
Leo, you’ve got to answer the question.

LEO
[to Committee] Congressman, could you repeat the question, please?

RATHBURN
If Jed Bartlet had told you about his health either at the first meeting or the second
meeting would you still have thought it was a good idea for him to run?

LEO
Yeah, I don’t know.