Addiction in the show

One thing I particularly like about this show so far is how they are treating addiction. It's definitely an issue for both Jordan and Danny, but it's not something that is talked about by the characters every episode. It's part of them, rather than an Issue. I feel that that kind of approach is rare. All too often personal flaws in characters are plot drivers for an episode or two and then are dropped.

In "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip", we know that Danny has a cocaine problem. But we don't see the characters preaching to him about it...because they've mostly known him for years, and have become accustomed to it, as real people do. In this most recent episode, Danny is clearly high for much of the episode, and we see that the other characters are aware of it and discount a lot of what he is saying, even though his judgement isn't impaired. It's a great tension. We also see a bit of it with Jordan and her drinking. It's very well done, nuanced writing.