Veep – Episode 7 “Full Disclosure” Review
During the filming of Veep last year, some behind the scenes pictures got the internet buzzing. It wasn’t because of an exciting guest star or the filming of some expensive green screen special effects, but because of the director. The reason for such a fuss was that the director just happened to be one Christopher Morris.
There was speculation over what Morris would actually be doing on Veep at the time, but instead of being involved with the writing of the show, or even making a cameo in an episode, he was actually there to direct what would be the 7th episode of series 1 of the show. Morris has plenty of directing experience, most recently directing 2010’s brilliant Four Lions.
And Morris’ episode of Veep is certainly an important one in the series. Last week’s episode had the surprising news that Selina is pregnant; something which seems like it will radically change her life and political career. She’s already made plans to marry Ted (and find a date in the recent past when he could have proposed) and has to find the right time to go public with the news.
But the episode begins in a surprising way, with Gary telling the rest of Selina’s team that she’s had a miscarriage. It’s an odd move, given how much attention her pregnancy was given in last week’s episode, so why is it just dismissed so quickly and easily? I wonder if the writing team suddenly decided it was a bad idea, or if this was always the plan. Selina dismisses the miscarriage as being like a ‘heavy period’ and is instead worried that Ted is about to dump her.
Another problem is the news that her re-assignment of a Secret Service agent has been leaked, with Jonah happy to bring a video that has gone viral into the office for her to look at. Selina sends Mike to speak to the agent, and as Mike tries to lighten the atmosphere (the agent reveals he is caring for his uncle who has dementia, and Mike asks ‘Does he say anything funny?’), the agent defends himself. Mike tells him he was re-assigned for being jocular and over familiar, then makes the mistake of suggesting the agent is an ape. This too makes the news, and leaves Selina furious, putting Dan, Amy and Mike in real danger of being fired.
In an attempt to cover up the negative stories surrounding her office, Selina agrees to a full disclosure of all information to the press. Of course it’s not full full-disclosure; just enough disclosure to make it look like the Veep’s office has nothing to hide, apart from the stuff they are going to hide. Jonah isn’t happy when he finds out about the full-disclosure, but that’s only because a leaked memo suggesting birthday presents for him includes ‘a cake shaped like a dick’ and ‘a smart new hat….in the shape of a dick’.
After Gary dumps Ted for Selina, he feels that his job is safe. But when he has a competition with Sue over who is more important, Sue reveals that the pregnancy rumours started when he was buying tests and the store clerk saw his ID. Crestfallen, he offers his resignation to Selina, who rejects it immediately, and then decides against firing anyone else, much to the relief of Amy, Dan and Mike who had formed a failed suicide pact.
Overall it’s a strange episode. There’s chaos in the Veep’s office, and her personal life isn’t much better. Will next week’s final episode end on a high or a low for Selina Meyer?
