Veep Recap: “A Woman First”
Veep has struggled in the ratings this season trying to avoid politics while still crafting a compelling season.
On a narrative level, it makes sense that Veep would try to develop new storylines outside of politics as well as try to avoid comparisons to the current administration. However, Veep also seems aware of the fall in ratings, so it comes as no surprise that in “A Woman First,” that the show sets up Selina’s return to office somehow right before the finale next week.
After Mike accidentally let his diary falls into the hands of Leon West last week, Selina’s entire team faces some heat now that the Washington Post is slowly leaking scandals about Meyer’s term in office. It comes off as a little cowardly for Veep to introduce the prospect of Selina facing jail time for last season but for it to immediately end up being nothing.
However, the diary leaks do end up being a good thing for Team Meyer because it reveals that Selina was actually the one who negotiated the freedom of Tibet. In the finale, President Montez will undoubtedly be on the defensive trying to win over Selina but in, “A Woman First,” the latter is the one who gets to bask in the glory of her hard work on The Tonight Show (with Adam Scott!).
While Selina’s career has finally hit an upswing, the struggling former members of the team all sink to new lows. Kent and Dan are both fired from their job with Noah, which leads them to a lot of late night drinking with Ben. The three get a boost in their profiles after the diary leaks call them the geniuses behind Tibet, which leads to a drunken idea to start their own business. Dan is initially hesitant, but after broadcasting doesn’t seem to pan out, he’s sold. After a season of being on his own, it’s nice to see Dan return to the fold in “A Woman First” through his drinks with Amy and the rest of his former team.
Everyone else might be getting a small glimmer of hope out of the leaks but Jonah sees his career falling fast. After a season of becoming a successful congressman, Veep yanks away all of his accomplishments in a single episode. Jonah didn’t get anywhere in Washington D.C. because of handwork but rather stubborn stupidity that voters seemed to like initially.
While there’s an argument he deserves some happiness after the being the perennial punching bag for the entire series, Jonah shouldn’t get to help lead the country simply because he thinks he can do whatever he wants.
More from Show Snob
- The Santa Clauses season 2, episode 6 recap “Wanga Banga Langa!”
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves season 1, episode 7 preview: Non-spoiler thoughts for Part VII
- Goosebumps season 1, episode 6 recap: “Night of the Living Dummy”
- Beacon 23 season 1, episode 3 recap: “Why Can’t We Go on as Three?”
- Upload season 3, episode 2 recap: “Strawberry”
On a sadder note, he does get dumped by Shawnee after his Uncle Jeff decides to remove his name from the ballot in a mortifying scene after his surgery. It’s unclear where Jonah goes from here, maybe back to be an internet blogger who tries to take down the establishment? Or perhaps he’ll end up working under Ben, Kent, and Dan at their new business venture.
“A Woman First,” sets up an exciting finale and finally sees the team come together after being separated all season. Veep is at its best when it’s relying on its ensemble so hopefully, the show leaves off with everyone together again.
With the success of her book and now the diary, Selina should end the season heading back toward office and maybe reunited with her rival, Tom James. However, with Catherine’s fate (as well as the baby’s) left up in the air, Selina could be in for a good old-fashioned shake-up in her personal life.