Directed by Thomas Schlamme
Written by David Walpert & Aaron Sorkin
Jeremy narrates the events of the episode as he writes a letter to his sister Louise. Among other things, Dan is petrified because he has writer's block, Natalie's attempts to cure him of it - which seem to consist of throwing water at him - don't help, Isaac finds out a player named Archibald Russell who used to play for the Negro Leagues (and whom Isaac knew) was carjacked and beaten (he ends up dying), and Casey continues to try and sabotage Dana's relationship with Gordon.
This episode contains examples of:
- Book Ends: The episode starts with the Casey, Dan, Dana and Natalie going out to a bar while Jeremy stays behind to write to his sister. At the end, they all come back to the office after Dana gets them kicked out of the bar.
- Brick Joke: Jeremy says he doesn't have any stamps, but he always seems to find them eventually. At the end of the episode, Natalie gives him a stamp. Also, Casey tries to convince Jeremy to join them by saying if Dana gets a few drinks in her, she'll start dancing to "Boogie Shoes" by K.C. and the Sunshine Band. Guess what's playing at the end of the episode?
- It gets better than that; on Desperate Housewives, when Felicity Huffman's character decides to go for a night on the town, the song playing during the scene where she's getting ready is, of course, "Boogie Shoes".
- Call-Back: In his letter, Jeremy refers to Natalie's previous troubles.
- First Kiss: Natalie gives this to Jeremy at the end of the episode.
- Framing Device: Jeremy's letter to Louise.
- Papa Wolf / Serious Business: Isaac is not happy his youngest daughter is dating a young Republican.Isaac: Chad was just elected president of the Young Black Republican Caucus. He has a 3.9 GPA, he is co-captain of the lacrosse team, he plays the french horn, and does volunteer work at a crisis hotline.Dana: Sounds wonderful.Isaac: Dana, did you hear me? He's Republican!Dana:...What are you gonna do?Isaac: What any reasonable man would do; I'm calling a building contractor and installing a dungeon.
- With a moat. A big moat.
- Serious Business: Dan's writer's block.
- Shout-Out: Dana refers to Will and Chris (after their bickering over where the chyron is) as Mush Mouse and Punkin Puss.
- Spit Take: Dan does this when Natalie comes behind him blowing an air horn as he attempts to drink his coffee.Dan: Natalie. I don't have the hiccups. Writer's block doesn't go away just by- (Natalie throws another glass of water at him)
- That Came Out Wrong: Discussed:Natalie: On page 66, half way down in the NFL injury report, it says "Collins is expected to miss practice this week, the result of a bulging disk."Dan: Yeah?Natalie: There's a typo on the teleprompter. They left out the S.Casey: (reading) "Collins is expected to be sidelined a week to ten days with a bulging di..." Uh oh.Dan: That's a big 10-4.Casey: My next line in the script was, "Let's go to the videotape."Natalie: We might have gotten some calls.
- Real Life Writes the Plot: This is based on a real ESPN broadcast (though it was a mistake by the announcer, not the teleprompter).
