It's free polls! The administration has been letting its novel message osmose through the population for (indeterminate length of time) and it's time to quantify how Good they have Bartletted! If there's an opposite of "compelling narrative framework", this mechanic of turning the episode's drama around the literal act of putting an approval rating poll out fits the bill.

Also we see Lisa Edelstein for the last time in this show, but not in our hearts or in House, MD. RIP David Huddleston, certified redneck son of a bitch. Also RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman and the Lebowski Super Savers.