I recently finished watching all seven seasons of this show. Simply brilliant. Even with the departure of Aaron Sorkin after season four, the show delivered (except for a few episodes in season five that left me dissatisfied). The characters, their ideals, their interactions, and their dedication left me in awe.
Here's a review from imdb:
As mentioned in a couple of episodes, Andrew Jackson kept a two-ton block of cheese in the foyer of the White House for the public. It was to remind everybody that The White House belongs to the people, and that their voice should always be heard and represented. Well, "West Wing" is a love poem to the ideals of a portion of America that has not had a voice in a long, long time. Be forewarned, this show is not a docudrama watered down or dumbed down in order not to offend the sensibilities of the mainstream. It is unabashedly - dare I say in these reactionary times - ultra-liberal and proud of it. President Bartlet and his staff represent the spirit, courage, depth and imagination that many (but obviously not all) faithful Americans feel this country was founded on: a spirit that they would like to see in their political candidates, but rarely find anymore. It is the stuff of dreams. Check that twice; this isn't reality TV so don't go ballistic if certain "facts" about the official processes of White House machinery are incorrect. The show isn't meant to provide documentation of life in the west wing. It's meant to give us an idea of the complexities of the political process, as well as a look at the dedication and personal sacrifice most politicians and staffers have to endure. Most importantly though, the show is meant to be a springboard for ideas and values. Is President Bartlett in any way realistic? Hell, no! He's a wild composite of every liberal politician and scholar that ever positively influenced this country, as well an authority on antiquated history, philosophy, mythology, national parks, chess, and virtually every nation in the world. What makes him especially endearing is that all of these qualities are rolled up in a homespun charm that could make Garrison Keillor positively green with envy. Some people don't seem to get the joke: he has every single element that has been absent in politicians - Democrat and Republican alike - for a longgggg time. The fact that he is so unreal is THE element of social satire that this program propagates. Frankly, I find it thrilling because as much as I love other political satires like "Bob Roberts" and "Wag the Dog", it seems wonderfully refreshing to see satire being directed from politicians rather than at them. There will never be a real president like Jed Bartlet in the White House, but every American can get a healthy dose of inspiration from fictional Jed Bartlet, 'man of the people'.
Yeah, it isn't quite realistic, but it does confront a lot of popular issues that can be found in America (and the world) even to this very day. Watching this show motivated me to pick up books and do a lot of research on my own about contemporary issues.
I haven't enjoyed a show this much since I finished The Wire. A must wach!
Here's a popular clip from the show:
Note: At first it may seem like the show paints conservatives in an evil light. You're right, it does. But as time goes on they introduce conservative characters who are absolutely incredible and really show you the ideas of smart, fair conservatives and that there's a lot more to them than the crazy far-right extremists. I especially love Ainsley Hayes.
On August 16 2012 07:13 Souma wrote: Here's a popular clip from the show:
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My favourite seasons were definitely six and seven - Jimmy Smits was a legend. This is my favourite scene, where he basically loses it after all the stress on the campaign trail:
This is my favourite show as well. I absolutely loved all the seasons, and found it very interesting how many things the writers predicted properly (most specifically, how privacy and the internet will be a big issue in the upcoming decade)
Yeah, the show is great. So many great characters but I fucking love Toby. It's sad that Sorkin failed so hard with the characters in the newsroom (imo), the show had such a great potential.
Souma United States. August 19 2012 19:54. Posts 3168
The series had plenty of awesome moments, but it also made me cringe at least once an episode due to cheesiness or silly/pointless melodrama. Still, watching it was a positive experience overall. I liked Sam the most of any of the characters, and I lost a great deal of interest in the series once he disappeared from it.
Souma United States. August 20 2012 07:02. Posts 3168
I was also sad when Sam left. On that note, Ainsley Hayes was probably my favorite character, and I loved the interaction between her and Sam. It's unfortunate she wasn't a main character and didn't get more time on the show.
On August 16 2012 07:13 Souma wrote: Note: At first it may seem like the show paints conservatives in an evil light. You're right, it does. But as time goes on they introduce conservative characters who are absolutely incredible and really show you the ideas of smart, fair conservatives and that there's a lot more to them than the crazy far-right extremists. I especially love Ainsley Hayes.
I'm pretty conservative and The West Wing is still my favorite TV show of all time.
However, I'd disagree with the above quote. If anything throughout most (if not all of the series) the show goes out of it's way to not paint conservatives in an evil light. It's more accurate that it paints stupid people in an evil light and I think we'd all agree both sides have more than it's fair share of those.
emythrel United Kingdom. August 23 2012 08:56. Posts 2255
On August 16 2012 07:13 Souma wrote: Note: At first it may seem like the show paints conservatives in an evil light. You're right, it does. But as time goes on they introduce conservative characters who are absolutely incredible and really show you the ideas of smart, fair conservatives and that there's a lot more to them than the crazy far-right extremists. I especially love Ainsley Hayes.
I'm pretty conservative and The West Wing is still my favorite TV show of all time.
However, I'd disagree with the above quote. If anything throughout most (if not all of the series) the show goes out of it's way to not paint conservatives in an evil light. It's more accurate that it paints stupid people in an evil light and I think we'd all agree both sides have more than it's fair share of those.
qtf.
This show was Aaron sorkin trying to show the world how politics SHOULD work and CAN work when smart people get together and argue the points instead of throwing their poop at each other ;p
When there is nothing left to lose but your dignity, it is already gone.
It's a damn good show. It has a few misses, but it's great and I love it.
I was disappointed when I learned that originally, Alan Alda's character was supposed to win the election. However, after it was decided that season 7 would be the final one, the show changed in order to give it a more "happy" ending. You can even see it with how season 7 plays out in regards to his character. In season 6 you really like him and as season 7 moves along, he gets worse (not to a crazy extent, but noticeably so).
" i havent been playin sc2 but i woke up w/ a boner and i really had to pee... and my crisis management and micro was really something to behold. it inspired me to play some games today" -Liquid'Tyler
micronesia United States. August 23 2012 09:06. Posts 19302
Definitely a family favorite here. It's interesting how the show originally was supposed to have Martin Sheen (the president) has a minor character and really revolve more around Sam and the rest of the staff. Of course, the President was so popular that that plan was changed! Unfortunately, this meant when it was time to give raises to everyone, Sam (Rob Lowe) didn't get one since he was already getting paid like the main character while not being the main character.... which led to him leaving. The starting staff (save for Mandy who they seemed to want to forget ever existed) was unlike anything I've seen in another show.
I also love the relationship all the characters have. The way they work together, joke together, etc, is something I wish I saw more in the actual working world.
Haste. Exalted. Flying. Deathtouch. Lifelink. Protection from Red.
ArmyOfPlatypi United States. August 23 2012 09:21. Posts 173
My teacher put on a few episodes from the second season (without anyone having prior knowledge of the show) in my AP Government class when testing was over. It was surprisingly entertaining and well done, as the majority of the class actually stayed awake. Maybe I should give the entire show a go.
"You have something in your teeth--" "You know what I have in my teeth? VENGEANCE!"
Souma United States. September 20 2012 15:07. Posts 3168
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says when she visited Burma, the speaker of the lower house there asked her for help learning how to be a democratic congress.
"He went on to tell me that they were trying to teach themselves by watching old segments of 'The West Wing,'" Clinton said Wednesday during a congressional ceremony for Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. "I said, 'I think we can do better than that, Mr. Speaker.'"
Clinton praised Suu Kyi and pledged support for the fledgling democracy in Burma, also known as Myanmar.
"[T]the United States will stand with her, with the President of Burma and those who are reformers in the executive branch and the legislative branch, with the activists, with civil society, as they fan the flickers of democratic progress and press forward with reform," she said. "And we wish them all Godspeed."
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says when she visited Burma, the speaker of the lower house there asked her for help learning how to be a democratic congress.
"He went on to tell me that they were trying to teach themselves by watching old segments of 'The West Wing,'" Clinton said Wednesday during a congressional ceremony for Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. "I said, 'I think we can do better than that, Mr. Speaker.'"
Clinton praised Suu Kyi and pledged support for the fledgling democracy in Burma, also known as Myanmar.
"[T]the United States will stand with her, with the President of Burma and those who are reformers in the executive branch and the legislative branch, with the activists, with civil society, as they fan the flickers of democratic progress and press forward with reform," she said. "And we wish them all Godspeed."
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Gangnam Style August 18 2012 14:10. Posts 111
)))) I love it!
micronesia United States. August 23 2012 09:06. Posts 19302
