Review of The Stackhouse Filibuster

... this has always been one of my favourite episodes. I've just started my annual rewatching of this incredible show, which must mean it's the twentieth or so time I've seen it. With many of the episodes I can't quite remember from the title exactly what's in them and, to be honest, there are a few I think "Shall I skip this one?". Luckily, I never do, and within a few minutes I remember what's coming and am glad I didn't. At the end of each I tend to think it's one of my favourites. With this episode, there's never any doubt.

Apart from one short element setting up a major plotline coming in the next few episodes, it doesn't really advance the story and could be pretty much slotted in anywhere in the first two or three seasons. It's not quite "stand alone" because a large part of it's appeal is how the story is viewed through the eyes of different characters as it unfolds, and knowing those characters is integral to making that segment work so well.

There aren't any individually truly memorable scenes, such as in "In Excelsis Deo" (burial of a war veteran intercut with a choir singing 'The Little Drummer Boy') or "The State Dinner" (President Bartlett talking to Signalman Harold Lewis aboard the Hickory), yet for me the whole episode has me glued.

So why is this such an outstanding episode? Absolutely no idea, but it really is!