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I watched very, very little television during the 1980's, 90's and 00's. I still do not have a t.v. hook-up, by choice. Once in a while, I'll sample a t.v. show on Netflix that everyone else raved over and made it 'a hit' in it's day and I find myself frequently calling it quits at the shows end. On Amazon recently I found the 'The West Wing's' premiere episode and I remembered how much I loved Aaron Sorkin's writing for his 'Newsroom', so I streamed that first 'West Wing' episode. I was instantly smitten! All those characters who seemed to be always moving, always talking, overlapping dialogue, political revelations - this seemed fresh and lively as if it were not made in 1999, (well at least to me). And I did not get to meet The President untill way near episode's end, which surprised me, but made for an excellent premiere episode.The writing of this premiere script was near perfection! I have now put the first couple of seasons in my Netflix queue. I've only seen ONE eipisode, (the first), but could find no faults. I don't know where all these characters are headed, but I'm on board for the long haul!
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Posted: |
May 9, 2014 - 9:25 AM
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By: |
Ado
(Member)
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I think it was a good show, especially the earlier ones. I think that the longer it went on the more pointless standing around and talking there was. I recall as I watched the later episodes that I had the feeling I was watching people talk about absolutely nothing at all, repeatedly, in circles, over and over, and sometimes kinda of shouting at each other too.
It became more whiner talk and manufactured drama, and I think the show stripped itself out without Sorkin's guidance later in the show. There are a lot of terrific actors in there, sometimes left with not much to do in the later years than kind of grandstand. Like many brilliant shows, some would day Lost, Twin Peaks, Alias, Star Trek's, it was half totally brilliant and excellent, and then sometimes really a let down. Many of these shows start to run on fumes and the writing staff runs out of ideas, or writers, and the show loses it's impact and wit. I cannot think of too many shows that run particularly well past about year 4 or 5, and WW ran for 7. Star Trek TNG ran 7 and it's strongest years were probably 5 through 7, but that was a rare case.
Almost every successful sitcom lasted much, much longer than they should have in my opinion - Cheers, Seinfeld, Two and a Half Men, Friends, well this could be a really long list.
Anyway enjoy your WW, Sorkin did do a great job those early years.
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I think you'll truly enjoy the show. Yes, it lost a certain something when Sorkin left but I still found it a highly intelligent and absorbing series.
(There are few finer scenes than the one where Sheen as President schools a haughty "Dr. Laura" character using her own method of biblical quotes that he has a finer handle on than she does.)
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I think you'll truly enjoy the show. Yes, it lost a certain something when Sorkin left but I still found it a highly intelligent and absorbing series.
(There are few finer scenes than the one where Sheen as President schools a haughty "Dr. Laura" character using her own method of biblical quotes that he has a finer handle on than she does.)
This sounds like this first episode I just viewed. If it isn't, it's something to look forward to.
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I think it was a good show, especially the earlier ones. I think that the longer it went on the more pointless standing around and talking there was. I recall as I watched the later episodes that I had the feeling I was watching people talk about absolutely nothing at all, repeatedly, in circles, over and over, and sometimes kinda of shouting at each other too.
It became more whiner talk and manufactured drama, and I think the show stripped itself out without Sorkin's guidance later in the show. There are a lot of terrific actors in there, sometimes left with not much to do in the later years than kind of grandstand. Like many brilliant shows, some would day Lost, Twin Peaks, Alias, Star Trek's, it was half totally brilliant and excellent, and then sometimes really a let down. Many of these shows start to run on fumes and the writing staff runs out of ideas, or writers, and the show loses it's impact and wit. I cannot think of too many shows that run particularly well past about year 4 or 5, and WW ran for 7. Star Trek TNG ran 7 and it's strongest years were probably 5 through 7, but that was a rare case.
Almost every successful sitcom lasted much, much longer than they should have in my opinion - Cheers, Seinfeld, Two and a Half Men, Friends, well this could be a really long list.
Anyway enjoy your WW, Sorkin did do a great job those early years.
To Ado and Mastadge: Uh-oh, Sorkin LEFT the show at some point before it's end? I wonder why, but without knowing when exactly, I'll just continue to watch until I notice that's 'something's amiss', I guess. I know that 'Walking Dead' and 'Mad Men' (especially M.M.) has gone on longer than they should have, or at least the scripts and story lines are no longer as interesting as they once were. Breaking Bad never waned (at least for me).
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Great show, and certainly the premier is stunning. Martin Sheen's appearance is perfectly timed, bold and ballsy, and hilarious.
The show is fantastic for the first 4.5 seasons. The later seasons gradually declined in quality, but make no mistake, there are many excellent episodes in Seasons 5 - 7, and Alan Alda is a fine addition to the cast. Not so thrilled with Jimmy Smits though.
Allison Janney steals the show. Absolutely stunning performances in every episode.
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Posted: |
May 10, 2014 - 11:09 PM
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By: |
Matt S.
(Member)
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I've seen the series beginning to end a number of times, it is certainly one of my top three or five favorite TV dramas of all time. I would agree with the general consensus that there was an overall dropoff in quality around the start of Season 5 (when Sorkin left). There are a few notable episodes and storylines in there, however, such as the government shutdown battle with the Speaker of the House, and "The Supremes," which guest starred Glenn Close.
But for me, the show really picks up steam again midway through Season 6, when they start the new presidential campaigns with Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda. It's quite remarkable to see a campaign through from start to finish, with all the obstacles to overcome, the sheer amount of effort it takes. (One of my favorite episodes of the series is "King Corn," which shows a day-in-the-life of three different campaigns, from morning until night, how they take different approaches to the same problems, how they prepare to make appearances at the same political event).
Anyway my overall point is, don't get too discouraged if you're not liking Season 5 all that much. Stay the course and watch through to the end. The last few episodes really do a great job wrapping up the series, seeming to bring it full circle, yet starting fresh at the same time.
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For Joan Hue: I also agree that Allison Janney (for me), 'centers' the show. When she's angry or when she's happy and making a joke at someone's expense, you're riveted to her character. Martin Sheen excels here as well, it's my favorite role he's ever done. I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying Rob Lowe too. Why I have not yet seen 'The First Lady' yet is beyond me, after 5 episodes, she's referred to, but she has not been seen yet. I am wondering about something. The show started in1999, and in the (I think) 3rd episode The President orders a military strike at Syria for shooting down a jet with 50+ Americans aboard. This was obviously before the events of 9/11, but is 9/11 addressed in future episodes specifically, or just in the way the characters are motivated?
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Posted: |
May 19, 2014 - 9:56 AM
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By: |
Matt S.
(Member)
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I am wondering about something. The show started in1999, and in the (I think) 3rd episode The President orders a military strike at Syria for shooting down a jet with 50+ Americans aboard. This was obviously before the events of 9/11, but is 9/11 addressed in future episodes specifically, or just in the way the characters are motivated?
9/11 is not mentioned within the show's internal universe, but after the real world events happened, Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism do take a central role in the story. There are a number of ongoing storylines involving the fictional middle eastern nation of Qumar, along with an Al-Qaeda-type terrorist organization known as the Bahi.
There is another episode, "Isaac and Ishmael," which was the show's direct response to 9/11. The attacks took place before the premiere of the third season, and so the writers quickly crafted a single standalone episode that doesn't take place within the show's internal continuity. In it, there is a lockdown in the White House and the staff members gather in the cafeteria along with a group of high school students, and they discuss Islamic fundamentalism and the motivations and historical reasons behind it. They don't mention the events of 9/11, but they do mention Afghanistan and the Taliban. This episode aired a week before the actual third season premiere.
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I am wondering about something. The show started in1999, and in the (I think) 3rd episode The President orders a military strike at Syria for shooting down a jet with 50+ Americans aboard. This was obviously before the events of 9/11, but is 9/11 addressed in future episodes specifically, or just in the way the characters are motivated?
9/11 is not mentioned within the show's internal universe, but after the real world events happened, Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism do take a central role in the story. There are a number of ongoing storylines involving the fictional middle eastern nation of Qumar, along with an Al-Qaeda-type terrorist organization known as the Bahi.
There is another episode, "Isaac and Ishmael," which was the show's direct response to 9/11. The attacks took place before the premiere of the third season, and so the writers quickly crafted a single standalone episode that doesn't take place within the show's internal continuity. In it, there is a lockdown in the White House and the staff members gather in the cafeteria along with a group of high school students, and they discuss Islamic fundamentalism and the motivations and historical reasons behind it. They don't mention the events of 9/11, but they do mention Afghanistan and the Taliban. This episode aired a week before the actual third season premiere.
INTRIGUING! Thanks for this info Matt.
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Stockard Channing as The First Lady - how perfect is that?! She made her first appearance at the 7th episode. I see this President and this First Lady as ideally matched. So far.
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