A few weeks ago, I wrote at length about the genius move that Veep pulled off in transcending its premise by elevating Selina Meyer to the presidency and bringing in Hugh Laurie to play her running mate. My thought at the time was that Veep would be able to make Meyer the POTUS, but by having a more popular, smarter and more savvy running mate, Meyer would feel like the lesser person on the ticket. In essence, she’d have the title of the president, but she’d still feel like an also-ran.
What I anticipated was that Meyer would win the presidency, but that Laurie’s character, Tom James, would hold all the power, like Dick Cheney under the George W. Bush presidency. For a few moments, that’s exactly what looked like might happen in last night’s season finale of Veep when James asked Meyer to appoint him as her Treasury Secretary, while he maintained the office of the vice presidency. In effect, he’d be the most powerful vice president in the history of this country, as both the leader (and tie breaking vote) in the Senate, as well as the man in charge of the economy. Meyer would be an afterthought in her own presidency.
Alas, Armando Iannucci took it a step even further. The season finale of Veep left us in limbo, as President Meyer and her opponent (BUDDY GARRETT) in the presidential race ended in a tie in the Electoral College.
What does that mean? Well, apparently because of both the 20th Amendment and the 12th Amendment, there’s a very distinct possibility that Tom James may end up as the President of the United States.
Has anything ever been more perfect for this show?
Even better, James asked Meyer if she’d be willing to serve as his vice president, should he win. And that, folks, is the lowest point of Selina Meyer’s entire life. In fact, just finding out that it was a possibility sent Meyer into a weepy meltdown in which she sobbed into the shoulder of her former campaign manager, Amy Brookheimer, who had to tell Meyer to get her “sh*t together” and that she was still the leader of the free world.
That’s where the episode left us: In limbo, wondering if Meyer might end up as vice president again. It is a stroke of brilliance for showrunner Armando Iannucci, although he is leaving his successor David Mandel with one hell of a dilemma coming into the fifth season. First off, how do you top that finale? Second, how do you resolve it? Even for a character as horrible as Selina Meyer, making her vice president would be too cruel. On the other hand, it would be amazing karma.
Goodbye and thank you America. Sorry if I’ve broken you. #VeepHBO
— Armando Iannucci (@Aiannucci) June 15, 2015
Whatever happens in the fifth season, I only hope that the series finds a way to keep Hugh Laurie heavily involved. In light of Amy’s meltdown earlier this season, Veep needs a voice of reason.
