What I’m Watching: Veep

Veep: Season 6, Episode 8 “Judge” (B+)

I don’t often pay much attention to the “previously on” segments on this show, but this one was crucial since it reminded us that, right after his heart attack, Selina did promise Gary that she’d come down to Alabama for his fortieth birthday party. What a backwards sight it was, with the very kind mother played by Jean Smart of “Fargo,” “Legion,” and so much else and his harsh closeted father played by Stephen Root of “True Blood,” “Office Space,” and so much else. Selina was quick to notice how Gary’s father spoke to her, but she’s guilty of the same and plenty more, as evidenced by her appropriating a personal story he had just told her as her won when she upstaged him during his own party. Inviting Jaffar and some other political people wasn’t a surprise, and I far more enjoyed Marjorie catching Catherine eating two plates of pork ribs. Amy running around Birmingham and back to Dulles with Mike to track down his diary – and apparently his house keys – was fun, and what a find in Leon West’s diary, which I’m sure will allow them the upper hand that I’d hope they would choose to exercise properly and most efficiently. Jonah forcing Dan to hang out with him wasn’t quite as sweet as bringing Jane back to do his interview, completely screwing Dan over, but the joke was, as usual, on Jonah when the government shutdown ended just before his interview was scheduled to begin. I loved the way that Andrea Savage’s President Montes reacted to everything Jonah said, which somehow sounded even stupider than usual.