|
 Let's start out with Wikipedia, since it can summarize better than I can: Wikipedia posted:The West Wing is an American television serial drama created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999 to May 14, 2006. The series is set in the West Wing of the White House—where the Oval Office and offices of presidential senior staff are located—during the fictional Democratic administration of Josiah Bartlet (played by Martin Sheen). For my money, The West Wing is the best written television show I've ever seen (at least the first four seasons). Aaron Sorkin wrote the first four seasons, and then left the show over creative differences. The first four seasons are my favorite because the drama is derived mostly from personal relationships between characters, and not external disasters. The last three seasons are still good, but they're good in a different way. Our Characters: An ensemble cast deserves an ensemble cast photo. Obviously these characters change and grow and develop as time goes on, but I'll try and keep these descriptions pretty benign.  Back row, from the left: Donna Moss: Senior Assistant to Josh Lyman (you'll meet him a bit below). She's been with him since the campaign, and has been described as having a "Bambiesque naivete. Abby Bartlet: First Lady, medical doctor.. She's headstrong and not the typical First Lady. She has her own staff, works her own legislative agenda, and generally takes no crap from anybody. Leo McGarry: White House Chief of Staff. He flew in the Air Force during Vietnam. Leo has worked in the private sector for a defense contractor and a chemical company, and later served as United States Secretary of Labor before becoming COS. He is wealthiest member of the staff, more so than even the President. He is the President's best friend Charlie Young: Personal Aide to the President. Charlie's mother was a police officer killed in the line of duty a few months before we meet him, and he is now raising his younger sister all by himself. He is 21, but very smart and mature. He puts off entrance into Georgetown to work for the President, but finishes his courses eventually while working at the White House. Josh Lyman: Deputy Chief of Staff. Josh's duty is essentially to wrangle with Congress. He negotiates with Congressman and if need be, intimidates Congressman to push the agenda of the President. Josh is also Jewish. C. J. Cregg: Press Secretary. C. J. is the face the administration puts towards the press. She is freakishly tall, and obviously well spoken. Bottom row, from the left: Sam Seaborn: Deputy Communications Director. His role is primarily that of speech writer. He is a California boy who worked at the most prestigious law firm in New York City (Gage Whitney) before working for the Bartlet campaign. He is a staunch liberal Democrat, but also works to keep the Democrats from demonizing the rich, because he was once a top income earner himself, and he knows that not all rich people are "bad." Josiah "Jed" Bartlet" President of the United States. Jeb is from New Hampshire, and descendant of the real world Josiah Bartlett, an original signer of the Declaration of Independence. He has a Masters and PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics, and is a Nobel Laureate in Economics. He served in the US House of Representatives for three terms and two terms as New Hampshire governor before becoming President. He has three daughters, and is of course married to Abby Bartlet. Toby Ziegler: Toby is Communications Director. He is the supervisor of both Sam and C. J. He is probably the most liberal member of the staff, and sometimes acts as the liberal conscience of the administration. His primary duties are also speech writing, and he is also Jewish. There are of course many other characters that come and go, but this is the main cast that will get you started. FISHMANPET fucked around with this message at 14:10 on Jul 8, 2011 |
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 05:07
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 25, 2024 06:02 |
|
|
You are missing Mandy. Also Bartlet's introduction is one of the greatest moments on tv.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 05:12
|
|
|
bobkatt013 posted:You are missing Mandy. Also Bartlet's introduction is one of the greatest moments on tv. No, I left her out on purpose, since she doesn't last long. Fun fact, Bartlet originally wasn't going to be a big part of the show, he would just show up occasionally like he did in the pilot, but people liked him so much they made him a regular.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 05:15
|
|
|
FISHMANPET posted:No, I left her out on purpose, since she doesn't last long. Ya I know that is one of the things that pissed off Rob Lowe. That it was suppose to be his show instead it became Martin Sheens. Also Mandy sucked so so much. Also this thread and the talk in the other thread is going to make me rewatch it. bobkatt013 fucked around with this message at 05:23 on Jul 7, 2011 |
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 05:17
|
|
|
I really have no idea how that show could've turned out to favor Rob Lowe's character. Unless they wanted it to be him growing up and gaining more and more authority at... writing speeches. And I guess persuading policy or something. Regardless, Sheen made that show. All the witty, intelligent and fast-paced conversation was great. But without Sheen I don't think it would've taken off quite like it did. He added so much depth to just about everything. I also am offended you left off Mrs. Landingham 
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 05:41
|
|
|
Mandy went off to Mandyland... but Mrs Landingham is critical. Please don't paint Rob Lowe as a bad guy. They sold the treatment/pilot predicated on his credentials as a leading man. The fact that the series took on a life of its own doesn't make him a bad guy for moving on when Aaron moved on. TheBigBad fucked around with this message at 05:47 on Jul 7, 2011 |
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 05:44
|
|
|
TheBigBad posted:Mandy went off to Mandyland... but Mrs Landingham is critical. He left earlier then Aaron. He left midway through the 4th season and Aaron left at the end of the season.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 05:57
|
|
|
I never watched this as a teenager. My parents watched it which normally qualifies a show as bad. Plus the later seasons were shown on the ABC (the "old peoples" channel). Definately think i missed out on a bit of a gem though. Think i will have to check it out.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 06:02
|
|
|
xcore posted:I never watched this as a teenager. My parents watched it which normally qualifies a show as bad. Plus the later seasons were shown on the ABC (the "old peoples" channel). Definately think i missed out on a bit of a gem though. Think i will have to check it out. It was always on NBC
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 06:04
|
|
|
bobkatt013 posted:It was always on NBC Also, CBS is the old people channel, not ABC.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 06:08
|
|
|
bobkatt013 posted:It was always on NBC He said "The ABC", I think that might be a non-American ABC that is being referred to. I got hooked on this once it was in syndication, I'm flipping though the channels, and there's Martin Sheen, railing at God, in unsubtitled Latin, no less. You've got to check it out if that's how you're introduced to the show.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 06:08
|
|
|
bobkatt013 posted:He left earlier then Aaron. He left midway through the 4th season and Aaron left at the end of the season. Aaron was having his cocaine meltdown during season 4.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 06:08
|
|
|
TheBigBad posted:Aaron was having his cocaine meltdown during season 4. He claimed that he left since he was not getting a raise while everyone else did. Also he was having a feud with Aaron and quit during the summer due to Warner Brothers.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 06:13
|
|
|
It was a great series, but I can't decide whether the show jumped the shark in the episode where Mrs. Landingham buys her new car and gets killed off (some state house had a moment of silence for the fictional character's death) or the 9/11 special Isaac & Ishmael. EDIT: Don't forget Dr. Cuddy plays the hooker/law school student Sam is dating in the first season.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 06:51
|
|
|
Glad to see a thread for this. Probably my favorite TV show of all time. Old James posted:It was a great series, but I can't decide whether the show jumped the shark in the episode where Mrs. Landingham buys her new car and gets killed off (some state house had a moment of silence for the fictional character's death) or the 9/11 special Isaac & Ishmael. The first one leads directly to not only one of the best episodes of the series, but possibly one of the best episodes of dramatic TV ever. And the second is not actually part of the continuity of the show.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 07:00
|
|
|
Ok, I lump 18th & Potomac in with Two Cathedrals (wiki'd the names) since I saw them in one sitting. But keep in mind the the term jump the shark doesn't mark the low point of a show, just when it is starting its decline.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 07:04
|
|
|
This show has more "gently caress yes! *fist pump*" moments per minute than any show in the history of television. This scene epitomizes Toby, Josh and POTUS at their best: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj1OsTLyBgg *I can't find a decent clip of the end of the pilot, but it loving rules. And probably the most apt scene for much of American politics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4jryX_DGUQ I just love the way he says "can I burn my mother at a small family gathering..." maniacripper fucked around with this message at 07:10 on Jul 7, 2011 |
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 07:04
|
|
|
Old James posted:Ok, I lump 18th & Potomac in with Two Cathedrals (wiki'd the names) since I saw them in one sitting. But keep in mind the the term jump the shark doesn't mark the low point of a show, just when it is starting its decline. Well its hard to go any higher then one of the best episodes ever. Also the 3rd and 4th season where as good and even after that it still remained awesome. The only real low point was how Toby left
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 07:06
|
|
|
It's true the show declined a bit after Sorkin left, but it wasn't like the show ever got bad at all. The first four seasons were generally amazing. While the last three seasons were just really good. There were some rough episodes every season, but I don't think anything was really bad. Even my least favorite episode (Access) isn't bad. I personally don't think the show ever jumped the shark.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 07:16
|
|
|
"20 Hours in America" part 1 and 2 from season 4 are my personal favorites. It's just a perfect 2 hours of television and it's always great to see them outside the White House. Seasons 6/7 were saved by Alan Alda, he was just incredible and I would have voted for him. I thought 7 was actually really enjoyable, just in a different way from the Sorkin years. The new writers just didn't know how to write for the original cast so they made their own characters, I don't really blame them for that. I also compiled all the Ian McShane scenes in this clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8UtuFymfiw
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 07:21
|
|
|
Kwik posted:He said "The ABC", I think that might be a non-American ABC that is being referred to. Correct, ABC is the BBC equivalent in Australia. I would make an American comparison but i don’t think there is one.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 07:42
|
|
|
bobkatt013 posted:Well its hard to go any higher then one of the best episodes ever. Also the 3rd and 4th season where as good and even after that it still remained awesome. The only real low point was how Toby left Two Cathedrals is great, but the bit of the show that got to me most was the ending of Commencement, where Zoey gets kidnapped.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 07:51
|
|
|
The first four minutes of season two, before the intro, are some of the best, most intense TV I've seen. It picks up immediately after the season finale of S1 where Bartlet gets shot at by right-wing extremists.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 08:29
|
|
|
I love this show. It had an amazing cast, and Sorkin brought a wonderful sharpness to it. It lost a little bit as the seasons went on, but was always relaxing to watch. Also, this is probably one of my favorite TV moments, ever http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbx5SbJqsSc
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 08:47
|
|
|
I still think, about 3 years after I first watched it, that Two Cathedrals is the best episode of any TV show ever made. Christ, it's just so perfect. Even just the little moments like Charlie tossing his coat. I'm not quite sure how exactly I managed to watch that and then only get one disc into season 3 before stopping, but somehow it happened. Really gotta get back on the horse with this show.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 09:20
|
|
|
I almost made a West Wing thread yesterday because it was suddenly popping up in a lot of threads and didn't have it's own. Probably my favourite TV drama ever and one of the few shows that I can watch over and over without getting tired of it. Not a huge fan of Seasons 5 and 6, but still very watchable. Seven was great though. In general I loved all the campaigning stuff both Santos and the Bartlett flashbacks. So many great episodes and moments it's hard to pick favourites. Leo 
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 09:33
|
|
|
That's because you think it has something to do with smart and stupid. Do you have any idea how many alcoholics are in Mensa? You think it's a lack of willpower? That's like thinking somebody with anorexia nervosa has an overdeveloped sense of vanity. My father was an alcoholic. His father was an alcoholic. So, in my case...
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 10:09
|
|
|
FISHMANPET posted:has been described as having a "Bambiesque naivete. I love that exchange. quote:
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 10:10
|
|
|
This line was random as hell quote:JOSH There was no dog. I re-watched it a few times because it's just a big what the gently caress.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 10:29
|
|
|
I need this series to come out on Bluray. Preferably with tons of extras. The HD versions on Amazon look pretty drat good. I think they're on iTunes as well but at a more expensive price. But as of right now online is the only place you can get the first season in widescreen. It was never shown on TV in widescreen and never released on DVD in widescreen. And it's not a hack job either. It's real widescreen. I'm guessing it was like the second season and never aired that way or they went back and did a reframe from the original source. DVD  Amazon HD 
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 10:42
|
|
|
Bartlet was a better President than any real-world President the US has had since... since... well, since before any of us reading this thread was born, I suspect.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 10:45
|
|
|
Groke posted:Bartlet was a better President than any real-world President the US has had since... since... well, since before any of us reading this thread was born, I suspect. Being fictional helps a lot in that regard, especially given he was written as a reponse to the flaws of Clinton and Bush.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 11:28
|
|
|
An amazing show! The fifth season dragged with all the terrorism BS but it really redeemed itself in the last two seasons. I especially loved Alan Alda's performance as the Senator from California. I spent almost two days watching he entire series straight through.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 11:42
|
|
|
My favorite episode is probably "Celestial Navigation". The entire episode is golden, with special mention to the Presidents secret plan to fight inflation. "Not only did you invent me a secret plan to fight inflation, but now you don't support it!?" The big block of cheese ones were also nice, too bad they only did two. The most gutwrenching bit in the whole series will, unfortunatly, always be seeing Leo having his heart attack at camp David, since the actor died that way not soon after. John Spencer was great in everything I've seen him in.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 13:15
|
|
|
bobkatt013 posted:Ya I know that is one of the things that pissed off Rob Lowe. That it was suppose to be his show instead it became Martin Sheens. Also Mandy sucked so so much. What, really? Because I always thought Josh Lyman was the undeniable star of the show, even if Seaborn is better looking than him. Although there was that one line about how he was gonna run for president in the episode about chess. Old James posted:Ok, I lump 18th & Potomac in with Two Cathedrals (wiki'd the names) since I saw them in one sitting. But keep in mind the the term jump the shark doesn't mark the low point of a show, just when it is starting its decline. Wait so when an episode is so loving good that even if every other episode is better than whatever other television available, it is, strictly speaking, not the apex, you've jumped the shark? Jumping the shark is where you witness such a nadir in production that you realize what you're watching isn't worth it anymore, if it ever was, and you stop spending time on it; I never did that with the West Wing.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 13:20
|
|
|
maniacripper posted:This show has more "gently caress yes! *fist pump*" moments per minute than any show in the history of television. I love West Wing, but hate this scene so much. 1. Every single fundie knows the first commandment is "Worship the Lord your God". 2. For crying out loud Toby, "Honour your mother and father" is the FIFTH commandment. If you're seriously going to have a character showing up another character by correcting them on a well known factoid, get the goddamn correction right. (The first episode I saw was episode 1 of season 2 and honestly it's probably a much better starting point for the series.)
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 13:38
|
|
|
Ash Lael posted:1. Every single fundie knows the first commandment is "Worship the Lord your God". Are you sure about that? http://www.boingboing.net/2006/06/17/ten-commandments-con.html
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 14:01
|
|
|
Deadpool posted:I need this series to come out on Bluray. Preferably with tons of extras. The HD versions on Amazon look pretty drat good. I think they're on iTunes as well but at a more expensive price. But as of right now online is the only place you can get the first season in widescreen. It was never shown on TV in widescreen and never released on DVD in widescreen. And it's not a hack job either. It's real widescreen. I'm guessing it was like the second season and never aired that way or they went back and did a reframe from the original source. Wow, that HD shot looks amazing. If they shot in widescreen but cut it down, the shots can get kind of stale though. It happened with Babylon 5. Everything was shot in 16:9 but framed for 4:3, so in widescreen everybody looks clumped together in the middle of the shot. And this clip kills me every time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQWxgnFc1fk I'm constantly amazed at Sorkin's ability to bring me to tears. I can't really watch the first four seasons with anybody else or I'll be a blubbery mess.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 14:44
|
|
|
My fiancee and I have been slowly going through the show via Netflix. We've just started season 5, though it's been put on hold for True Blood for a while. I really enjoyed seasons 3 and 4 (and "Bartlett for America" was one of my favorite episodes) but man, seasons 1 and 2 were amazing.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 15:01
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 25, 2024 06:02 |
|
|
This show also has a truckload of guest stars/semi-regulars that just have been starting their career back then as well as some pretty heavy hitters. There hardly is an episode where you don't go "Oh, it's THAT guy/gal!". From the top of my head I remember Matthew Perry Nick Offerman Lisa Edelstein Adam Arkin Edward James Olmos John Goodman Ed O'Neill Oliver Platt John Amos Stephen Root ... the list goes on and on.
|
|
#
?
Jul 7, 2011 15:01
|
|
