2060 replies to this topic

[bdsk]

I don't think I've ever had the priviledge of doing a bump before!
Anyway, I couldn't figure out if this should go in the "Josh Lyman EBII: Jackass Edition" thread or here, but decided let's give credit where credit is due.

No brilliant insight, just a "yay" to any and all signs of an independent Donna. She even made me like Marina in their scene together. Though I'm still waiting for a total Jackass smackdown.

Edited by bdsk, Feb 5, 2004 @ 11:34 AM.

[biakbiak]

I want to know when she started being the point person for policy people to give a hard time to.

[westwinger247]

Well, she did deal with all the pardons and was in the budget negotiations with Angela. Leo's at least supportive of her. And, of course, Josh.

[biakbiak]

I realize that but the pardon thing was supposed to be because they needed someone to sit in on the meeting who didn't matter, I would just like to get a grasp on what her actual position entails. In addition to the line about policy people harassing her, Josh sent her with the excuse to discuss inappropriate clothing in the workplace, yes it was a lie to spy on Toby but that still it is something that an "assistant" wouldn't be responsible for.

Edited by biakbiak, Feb 5, 2004 @ 7:13 PM.

[Alexandria]

I believe that would fall under 'other duties as assigned'.

If you recall, Donna and Margaret were tasked to direct the administrative staff on how to deal with the disclosure of their salaries in the Moose Meat episode. Then Donna was directed to fire the intern. So it appears that in her position she has been given a certain amount of oversight responsibility of administrative staff.

However, on the clothes and makeup thing with Rina, that could have been seen more as a word to the wise.

ETA: I think we're due a flashback on the East German cocktail waitress thing.

Edited by Alexandria, Feb 5, 2004 @ 11:56 PM.

[biakbiak]

Is that where getting her to dress up as an East German cocktail waitress also fell?

[peachyautumn]

Very quickly: My growing respect for Donna from the past few episodes kinda plummeted with her weird immature (jealous?) remarks to Josh about the NASA chick. What was up with that?

[ersatzreality]

Definitely jealousy - she was green.

But she did trump the NASA person by giving Josh the present. One can only hope.

[Caps780]

But she did trump the NASA person by giving Josh the present. One can only hope.

<Grinning> I just posted the same sentiment over on the episode thread. Take a peek.

[Carroll]

I agree that Donna was jealous and it's about time!! I think we are seeing more of the strong, independent character that the new writers have been building all season. She was more forthright about her opinion about NASA chick and didn't hesitate to call Josh on his motives.

But - and this is for the J/D thread - we also saw Josh in a completely non-flirting mode. He didn't invite NASA chick inside to hear her arguments for the Mars project. He was intrigued and curious - but not because he was ensorcelled by the woman!

And when he wanted to clarify his argument for space funding - he wanted Donna to listen to him.

And the telescope - I have no question that it came from Donna.

[biakbiak]

And the telescope - I have no question that it came from Donna.

Well then Donna must have gotten a hell of a raise.

[fishvb24]

I would love, LOVE, if the telescope was from Donna!! But is that really practical. She hasn't gotten the promotion she so richly deserves, so I see no way she could afford it. Then again, this is just TV, there is no need for me to be so pragmatic.

[mkai]

The idea that the telescope is from Donna is making me grin from ear to ear. Thanks guys! =)

[Alexandria]

Then we can be anal about it and say that we know Josh has to buzz people in, except someone who would know the code.

And the NASA chick sending the DCoS gifts after meeting with him for more support from the White House would be not so good with the Ethics Committee.

You can get an student-quality telescope for a moderate price. Assuming Donna still has a roommate, she's not living large on her salary, but she's not starving, either.

[Sedonared]

and there is a thing such as a credit card:-)

[Carroll]

I would love, LOVE, if the telescope was from Donna!! But is that really practical. She hasn't gotten the promotion she so richly deserves, so I see no way she could afford it.

Alex introduced herself as an administrative assistant so there's no reason to think she's any wealthier than Donna.

Plus given Donna's wardrobe (the gowns alone!!) - we have been asked to suspend disbelief to a certain extent in any case.

And Alexandria is absolutely right. It would have been totally inappropriate for Josh to accept a gift from someone who was seeking funding. I think the telescope from Donna makes more sense given her exit line after his speech. She accepted that his pursuit of this program was genuine. Maybe it's moved into (out of) the "What a Shame" folder??

[biakbiak]

Alex introduced herself as an administrative assistant

She was an Assistant Administrator at NASA, which is a far cry from an administrative assistant. However, given the way it was set-up outside his apartment, I say it was from Donna.

Edited by biakbiak, Feb 12, 2004 @ 1:11 AM.

[Capasora]

I’m as much of a shipper as anyone else and definitely look for any sign of a connection between Josh and Donna in each episode. However, I never thought that the telescope was from anyone but Alex. As much as that type of gift would violate ethics guidelines, I thought the writers chose to opt for a “romantic gesture” rather than reality. I have a really hard time believing that Donna would purchase such a grand (read: expensive) gift, especially since I think she still associates Josh’s interest in the space program with his interest in Alex.

Edited by Capasora, Feb 12, 2004 @ 10:30 AM.

[jenwilson]

Donna isn't allowed to by Josh a gift, is she? Earlier this season, Swimtern said he bought Josh a great birthday present and CJ told him he couldnt' give it to her. I don't think Donna could give him a gift. Unless, that's your theory as to why it was a secret. But then, he would think it was from NASAchic, and I don't think Donna would want him to think he got a gift from NASAchic. Does that make sense?

[Carroll]

I think she still associates Josh’s interest in the space program with his interest in Alex.

But the gift is delivered after Josh delivers his impassioned speech about space exploration. At the end of that scene, I think it's clear that Donna accepts that his enthusiasm is genuine and not Alex-dependent.

[Alexandria]

I don't think Donna could give him a gift.

We know they exchange gifts at Christmas. Josh gets her flowers for their non-anniversary.

If he was interested in NASAchick, why was he sitting home reading that night, instead of hatching some lamebrained scheme? I think any interest was in Donna's jealous little head.

Edited by Alexandria, Feb 12, 2004 @ 12:00 PM.

[biakbiak]

Earlier this season, Swimtern said he bought Josh a great birthday present and CJ told him he couldnt' give it to her.

Swimtern, is in fact an intern, and at places I have worked the rules for interns are different and they are not allowed to give gifts because it could be seen as a bribe to get a real job.

[Capasora]

I think it's clear that Donna accepts that his enthusiasm is genuine and not Alex-dependent

Since Alex’s function throughout the episode seemed mainly to get Josh to believe in the wonders of space and space exploration, I have a hard time believing the gift wouldn’t be from her. Even though Josh told her flat out that they wouldn’t be funding Mars exploration, it seemed more in line with her character that she would want him to continue to be curious about space anyway (while furthering her cause, to be sure).

And to bring me back to the topic: I can see Donna finally appreciating Josh’s interest in space, but it seems like a huge stretch to think she went out and bought a several hundred dollar telescope for him.

[jenwilson]

Earlier this season, Swimtern said he bought Josh a great birthday present and CJ told him he couldn't give it to her.

We know they exchange gifts at Christmas. Josh gets her flowers for their non-anniversary.

C.J. told Swimtern that he couldn't give a gift to a Josh because he was Josh's subordinate. My thought has always been that, yes, we've seen that Josh gives Donna gifts, but we've never seen Donna give Josh a gift. They don't exchange gifts at Christmas, he just gives her one. I'm going to stick with my first thought. Donna's not allowed to give Josh a gift because he is her superior.

[deborah]

Why is this being discussed here? This should be in the Josh and Donna thread.

[alexj]

I thought that Donna was suppossed to get a promotion sometime soon and instead she has been given the shaft - we see her and Charlie for that matter - less and less. BRING BACK DONNA! WE MISS HER! AND GIVE HER SOMETHING WORTH HER TO DO! I'M TIERED OF HER CHARECTER BEING PORTRAYED AS JOSH'S SIDEKICK - ARN'T EVERYONE?

[GrampaJoe]

I'll answer when my ears stop ringing.

[ladyDonna]

Bumped for rsp.

[PennyLane7]

I was just randomly thinking about The Stormy Present and a question occurred to me. Why was Donna the only assistant going to Ford's Theater? We saw Josh, Toby, CJ, Angela, Leo, but no Margaret, Carol, Rina. So why would Donna be going? This could just be an oversight or something the writers were hoping we'd miss in order to give us those cute JD scenes, but just wondering if there's an legit reason why Donna would be going.

[jmhardin]

The writers need a legit reason to do something? On this show? You're pulling my leg.