If rumours are true, Richard Schiff (Toby), was not a big fan of the military shuttle leak story, saying that it would be out of character for Toby to leak anything to the press, and that the entire premise was just short of absurd.
Rumour or not, Schiff still returns a majestic performance in this episode, as he fully confesses to White House Council, Babish, in his usual dry and sardonic fashion. And to be honest I would disagree with Schiff's allegation that Toby wouldn't betray Bartlet.
The Toby character is very much your Jekyll and Hyde: outspoken, belligerent bordering on monomaniacal on some issues he takes very personally. So for me his leak to the press in order to save the lives of three astronauts, and damn the consequences, was pure Toby (of course his late brother may have pushed the envelope with more haste, given that he too was an astronaut before taking his own life.)
But returning to the episode, Toby's confession certainly comes as a well-timed relief for the Santos campaign, as it means a subpoenaed Leo will not have to face a grilling from a Senate Committee hearing.
Toby's shock departure also leaves a vacuum in the communications department, and a reluctant Will, fresh from his failed Russell campaign for Democratic front-runner, is rapidly promoted by a tearful CJ.
And the episode ends with one final nail in the coffin for Toby. Bartlet refuses to accept his letter of resignation as that would be an easy way out given the seriousness of the crime. Instead, Bartlet fires him, and sums up his bitterness by telling Toby that he may think he is some kind of hero among some people, but he (Bartlet) won't be one of them.
Stunning!
Rumour or not, Schiff still returns a majestic performance in this episode, as he fully confesses to White House Council, Babish, in his usual dry and sardonic fashion. And to be honest I would disagree with Schiff's allegation that Toby wouldn't betray Bartlet.
The Toby character is very much your Jekyll and Hyde: outspoken, belligerent bordering on monomaniacal on some issues he takes very personally. So for me his leak to the press in order to save the lives of three astronauts, and damn the consequences, was pure Toby (of course his late brother may have pushed the envelope with more haste, given that he too was an astronaut before taking his own life.)
But returning to the episode, Toby's confession certainly comes as a well-timed relief for the Santos campaign, as it means a subpoenaed Leo will not have to face a grilling from a Senate Committee hearing.
Toby's shock departure also leaves a vacuum in the communications department, and a reluctant Will, fresh from his failed Russell campaign for Democratic front-runner, is rapidly promoted by a tearful CJ.
And the episode ends with one final nail in the coffin for Toby. Bartlet refuses to accept his letter of resignation as that would be an easy way out given the seriousness of the crime. Instead, Bartlet fires him, and sums up his bitterness by telling Toby that he may think he is some kind of hero among some people, but he (Bartlet) won't be one of them.
Stunning!