Review: President Curtis “David”

Overview

The episode opens with President Curtis being criticized by The Party during a conference call,
where they dismiss him as a “fluke one-termer.” Shortly afterward, Curtis hears a mysterious
woman’s voice in the White House bathroom telling him to “come see me.” The voice gets under
his skin, prompting Curtis to decide he needs to visit Camp David.
On the way there, Roe Banks and Special Agent Francis O’Doyle discover that Camp David has
a much stranger history than expected. A witch named David is bound to the property, and
every president must participate in an unusual ritual to keep her tethered there.
While Curtis performs the ritual, Roe and O’Doyle encounter the “Lifers,” longtime White House
staffers who have served through multiple administrations. They look down on temporary
political staffers like Roe, who they believe only attach themselves to whoever happens to be
president.
Meanwhile, the witch takes the form of Curtis’ mother and attempts to manipulate him by
attacking his confidence. Curtis initially resists, but after encountering his former boss, the witch
finally gets him to lose his temper. That mistake breaks her bond to Camp David.
David escapes and begins attacking people, forcing Curtis, Roe, O’Doyle and the Lifers to fight
back. Eventually, they discover the witch’s weaknesses are copper and vulnerability. The group
ultimately uses both to bind David back to the property.

Our Take
“David” continues to establish President Curtis as a show that is willing to turn presidential
traditions into completely absurd supernatural mythology.
The witch concept is easily the episode’s biggest strength. The idea that presidents have
secretly been participating in a ritual at Camp David to keep a supernatural entity imprisoned is
ridiculous in exactly the way the series works best. The episode also gets plenty of mileage out
of the Lifers. Their resentment toward temporary White House staff gives the story an
unexpected workplace-comedy angle.
Keith David is again the anchor. Curtis’ inability to maintain his composure becomes more than
just a joke; it directly drives the supernatural conflict. Roe’s relationship with the Lifers also gives
her character more depth and provides a subplot that feels connected to the larger question of
who actually belongs in Washington.
The episode can become crowded, but the escalating insanity keeps things entertaining.
“David” is another strong example of President Curtis finding its own comedic identity. The
supernatural mythology, White House politics, and workplace satire blend into an entertaining
episode that keeps the series unpredictable.