It took almost a full seven seasons of “The West Wing” for writers to finally address what I think is the most romantic storyline in this show’s entire run: Will Josh and Donna EVER get together? I mean, for real this time? As “The West Wing” draws to a close for good (sniff, sniff), I am anxiously waiting to see how the relationship between these two “friends” and colleagues resolves (or doesn’t).
Viewers have watched as the tension between these two characters has been building for years, with flirtation, stolen glances, sighs, clever banter, and even long hours of intense devotion at hospital bed sides. I’ve heard of Christian couples waiting until they reach the altar for a first kiss (but then again, they tend not to date that long beforehand) and boyfriends and girlfriends waiting a full year before they lock lips, but SEVEN years? I have always felt that Donna and Josh have taken their chastity thing a bit too far.
The answer to my question was at least partially addressed and sealed with a kiss during the episode “The Cold” when–hooray, hooray–as Donna knocked on Josh’s door to deliver fantastic news about the polls for Matt Santos, and in Josh’s happiness he grabbed her and finally gave her the on-screen kiss we’d all been waiting for (well some of us at least, since I know many out there are still rooting for a return of Mary-Louise Parker’s women’s rights character, Amy, not only to the show but a place at Josh’s side.)
And (most) viewers rejoiced! The question burning my brain now is, where to from there for Josh and Donna?
Unfortunately, and in typical “West Wing” fashion, post lip-lock viewers so far have only seen Josh and Donna briefly hem and haw about the meaning of this new drama in their long-term relationship. Is their long time relationship destined to end with only a kiss and confusion? I wondered sadly, as the credits rolled after last week’s episode. Yet, evidently it will not, since scenes for this Sunday’s upcoming episode, “Election Day,” included a glimpse of Josh and Donna in bed together.
Hooray? Personally, I think they deserve a little more romance than a one-night stand, but I’ll just have to wait and see. I think I’ll set my expectations high and hold out for a marriage proposal by season’s end and just hope for the best (and that, as much as I love Mary Louise Parker, that pesky Amy won’t return to ruin it all….).
posted April 3, 2006 at 11:02 pm
Okay, the last near-miss they had, I was *definitely thinking* ‘All right, this strained extension of the romantic subplot can be stretched no further, dammit.’ I think it passed the bounds of realism like two years ago. I’ve always identified much more with CJ…. Just Donna and Josh look like those two friends you finally shove into a room and lock in, already.
OK, so the West Wing is the soap opera I can watch and still respect myself after, but, still… You can stretch romantic tension way too far. Especially cause President Bartlet is just dreamy and they aren’t showing enough of him.>