The Politician
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The Voter is unlike any other episode ofThe Politician.
The episodes structure is simple, almost (but not quite) symmetrical.
From his perspective, not much happens.
Its possible that Elliot would never have voted.
Almost nothing he experiences this day makes him more likely to vote.
Most things make it less likely.
Its probably easiest to chart this episode using those mile markers.
Cannon) feverishly spews talking points as she chases Elliot across the lawn.
James lets flow an avalanche of faux-friendly, patronizing dudes until it earns him a punch on the nose.
It earns a paltry flicker of interest, that second-most interesting thing.
Not even a spark, really, just the potential for one.
The most interesting thing that happens to him, from his perspective, is the masturbation.
The debate is less interesting still.
Theres even a chant: Drake!
The next little tableau is an interesting one.
Lets call them the Twitter couple.
So Elliot leaves that table and heads to another, alone.
Lets call that, I dont know, his email inbox but really, its anything, anywhere.
He sits down, alone, and suddenly theres a pretty girl there: Astrid.
This is the second time Elliot shows a flicker of interest.
The first time, it was sincerity and an honest defense that perked up his ears.
He probably doesnt even hear the thing about Drake.
(I expect that conversation might matter in the future, particularly the exchange about River.)
He leans forward, out of their way.
Then he leans back, further away.
Then he gets up and leaves, violently slamming his tray down as he exits.
If I tell you Ill vote for you, will you leave me alone?
While the episodes final beat is the killer, the next scene is its best.
Maybe Elliot shows a flicker of interest here, maybe.
Its just Payton, dialed way back, trying to get Elliot to talk about what he cares about.
He feels hes being patronized.
Private bathrooms, in which to masturbate.
(Payton thinks its fear of public pooping.)
(Ah, a libertarian.)
This is what he shares.
But Payton makes a promise, and says hell keep it.Maybe you will, maybe you wont.
Id like to think the latter would never, but who knows.
The dad says dad things.
The mom drinks wine.
The sister keeps hurling the wordveganat her mother like one of those grenades Elliots friends argued about.
And then Elliot drops two lines.
The first one seems like the twist, and it promises disappointment, for it is no twist.
Its the sting in the tail, and it sticks:
My vote doesnt matter anyway.
Talking Points
Written by Murphy/Falchuk/Brennan, directed by Brennan.
Just masterful on all counts.
Gets better and more interesting on repeat viewing.
Dont wipe it on the drapes again, theyre turning stiff as shutters.
Use a sock like a normal kid.
And the award for achievement in comic wine-drinking goes to … that mom!
