Recap / Sports Night S 02 E 08 The Reunion

Directed by Dennie Gordon

Written by Kevin Falls & Aaron Sorkin

In Dana's office, Casey tells her to go easy on her brother. Dana reminds him not only did Kyle get busted by the NFL in a scandal involving steroids, but the show has continued to report the story, so she thinks she's taking it well under the circumstances. They walk out of the office, and as Dana walks away, Natalie goes to Casey and tells him she's his secret Santa. She also tells him she'll get what he wants if it's less than 50 bucks and she can get it within two blocks of the office if he tells her by the end of the next day.

In the studio, Dan asks what Casey is doing after the show on Christmas Eve, and mentions he's thinking about going to Midnight Mass. Casey points out Dan is Jewish, but Dan says he hears it's a good show. They then start arguing about who would be "Athlete of the Century"; Casey wants Babe Ruth, but Dan says he couldn't run, and when Dan tries to argue for Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Casey claims she's not even the best athlete named "Babe".

In the control room, Natalie asks if Dana is feeling edgy, and Dana claims again she isn't.

Natalie: Anybody know which of these coffees is mine?

Dana: They're all the same, aren't they?

Natalie: No, I spit in mine. (Dana spits her coffee out). That was a little test to see if you're edgy.

The next day, Natalie is in Casey and Dan's office, asking Dan if he's had a chance to watch her tape. She realizes he hasn't and gets upset, and he promises he'll get to it. Casey comes in, and Natalie reminds him if he doesn't let her know what he wants by sundown, she's getting him socks. Casey mentions he's Secret Santa to Isaac, and starts to ask for advice, but Dan doesn't care. Casey decides to go to Isaac's office...

...where Casey admits he's Isaac's secret Santa, and asks what he wants. Isaac claims he's happy with whatever Casey gets him, but when Casey presses him, admits he loves to grate cheese.

In the conference room, the staff, except for Casey, continue to discuss "Athlete of the Century". Jeremy brings up Jim Thorpe, but no one is particularly enthusiastic. Natalie brings up Pele, but Dan vetoes that choice. Natalie brings up her audition tape, and Dan says again he'll look at it. Casey comes in, and Dana says they'll meet at the next rundown at six and discuss it more. As Casey and Dana walk out, he tells her about the cheese grater he's going to get Isaac, which she's surprised by. He then changes the subject to Kyle.

Casey: It's not like you don't see this in sports all the time.

Dana: I don't see it in my family all the time.

Casey: The guy's a 240-pound linebacker dealing with a 350-pound pulling guard, Dana, who's probably also souped up. Kyle's just trying to keep himself in the game. He's try-

Dana: Don't defend him, and don't tell me how to be! He was part of a conspiracy to buy steroids that God knows what side effects and long-term damage could cause. He's gonna get suspended for eight games, so there goes the postseason. He's making just over league minimum, and he's gonna get hit with probably a $50,000 fine, and, if the local D.A. feels like running for something next year, he could also go to jail, to say nothing of the fact that his name is now also synonymous with everything bad about sports.

Casey: And all I'm saying is he's got enough people telling him that right now: papers, talk radio, agents, lawyers, the league, his teammates, his sister's own television show, and maybe he doesn't need any more guests at that party. And maybe the best role that you can play right now is as his sister, Dana, is all I'm saying.

Casey also tells her not to be edgy, and Dana denies again she's edgy.

Later, in Casey and Dan's office, Dan tells Natalie he's watched the tape (Natalie quizzes him on it to confirm it), and tells her he liked it a lot. Natalie is gratified to hear this, and asks Dan if he'll talk to Dana about putting her in the pool for substitute anchor. Dan is hesitant, but says he will. Casey walks in with several bags as Natalie leaves, and Dan admits to Casey he lied to Natalie and he doesn't know what to do.

In the conference room, Jeremy brings up Secretariat, which no one but him likes. Jeremy then changes his argument, admitting they're probably going about this all wrong and they should be looking for "Athlete of the Millennium" instead. Everyone is amused by this. As the meeting breaks up, Dan asks Jeremy if they can talk, and they head into the hallway. Dan tells her about Natalie's tape, and that while he feels she was very good, she's not ready to be considered for substitute anchor yet. Jeremy tells Dan he has to be honest with Natalie; Dan doesn't want to hear this, and tries to pawn the responsibility onto Jeremy, but Jeremy will have none of it.

Casey goes to Isaac's office with the bags of cheese graters he bought (12 of them), and asks Isaac to pick just one. Isaac admits he knows nothing about cheese graters, asks for the one from the top, and is happy merely that Casey put time and effort into buying him a gift. When Casey leaves, Isaac takes an award off of his bookshelf and replaces it with the cheese grater.

Dan catches up to Natalie backstage and tells her the truth; while he still says her audition tape was good, he admits she's not ready yet to be substitute anchor, and she'll need a couple of years, which is how long it took him. He asks what she really wants to do, and when Natalie says she wants to do something more, Dan assures her she's heading in the right direction. She thanks him and says they're late for the rundown...

...and in the conference room, Jeremy continues to bring up candidates for "Athlete of the Millennium", which again amuses everybody. Dana says they should probably vote Muhammad Ali as "Athlete of the Century", and everyone agrees. Elliot tells Dana Kyle's in her office, and she leaves. Casey starts to ask Natalie to make him a mix tape, and she interrupts him by giving him socks.

In Dana's office, Dana starts to tear him a new one when she stops, notices he's tired, and says she's going to be the one person in his life who isn't pissed at him. She tells him Casey and Dan want to see him; Kyle tries to beg off, saying he's too ashamed, but Dana assures him they'll want to see him.

In the studio, Dan continues to try and pitch Casey the idea of going to Midnight Mass. Kyle comes in, and Casey and Dan are both friendly towards him; Casey even asks Kyle if he's got a good lawyer. Kyle goes into the control room as the show starts:

Dan: Good evening. From New York City, I'm Dan Rydell alongside Casey McCall. Those stories, plus the Sonics are super and the Ducks are mighty. The children were all tucked safe in their beds as visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

Casey: You're watching a holiday edition of Sports Night on CSC, so stick around.

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This episode contains examples of:

• An Aesop:
  Isaac: A famous monk once said, "I don't always know what the right thing is to do, my Lord, but I think the fact that I want to please you pleases you."
  Casey: But you would have preferred a book of famous monk quotations.
  Isaac: No, you put some thought into me. What could be a greater gift?
  Casey: I look like an idiot.
  Isaac: Added bonus.
• And This Is for...: After Dan admits to Natalie he didn't tell her the whole truth about her tape:
  Natalie: Thanks, Danny.
  Dan: Sure. (Natalie slaps Danny) Ow!
  Natalie: That was for lying to me all day.
  Dan: I was... (Natalie slaps Danny again)
  Natalie: And that was for doing it during this holiday season of peace and joy.
• Call-Back: During Dana's What the Hell, Hero? speech to Kyle (see below), she brings up how much she was bragging about him.
• Continuity Nod: This is your reminder Dan doesn't like soccer.
  Dan: It's not gonna be Pele.
  Natalie: Greatest player ever at the most popular sport in the world.
  Dan: Do you know how many times you'd have to kill me before I'd name a soccer player athlete of the century?
• Hypocritical Humor: In addition to the examples listed above:
  Casey: What's going on?
  Natalie: Dan's a loser.
  Casey: What are you in here for?
  Natalie: Coming to him for guidance.
• Really Gets Around: According to Jeremy, Secretariat was the most successful stud in horse racing.
  Elliot: Hey, if that's gonna be the criteria, then why don't we-?
• What the Hell, Hero?: Dana starts to give this speech to Kyle until she realizes she's making it all about her:
  Dana: I have stood and cheered for you since your were 10 years old, from the second you picked up a football. I have lived and died with your games. I walked around here last Monday night strutting. "Did you see my brother play?" I've had to report this idiot story four days straight. Do you have any idea the kind of...

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