In the build up to the showing of this
I was quite sceptical as so much time had past since the West Wing had left our screens but with the genius of Aaron Sorkins writing and the pure class of the old team making this possibly the best one off show during the COVID-19 pandemic
Just truly wonderful seeing all the favourites reprise there classic roles
Cregg/ Lyman for 2025 anyone???
25 Reviews
Why only HBOMax?
rossarntson20 October 2020
Democrat focus
markentertainment4 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The series was a staple growing up and this series has previously tacked current political issues (I know the name but out of respect I would rather speak ambiguously than mis spell the episode name).
Years have past and honestly the performances are still spot on, Martin Sheen might have been a good candidate.
This was good in respect to re kindling a relationship with the characters of times past but I felt this was without signage a pro Democrat push, I could be wrong but the way actors were scripted anti trump also having no republican representation didn't help this claim.
It's worth a watch if you liked the series, Martin Sheen just nails that role as they all did and in that alone it's worth a watch.
I'm not from the USA and I only look at this unbiased so represent my own opinion of the stimuli.
If Only This Was Realty
jackdog1-115 October 2020
If only this was reality. It's pretty amazing that the so many of the original cast come together as if no time at all has passed. Sterling K. Brown deftly steps in for the late John Spencer and the rest of the cast inhabit their characters exactly the same way they did 14 years ago. The lack of the original sets in favor minimal sets and no efforts to hide the theater in which they are working works quite well. It all makes me miss it and glad that it's available to stream whenever I need a fix.
It's time for President Seaborn
chris-5782226 December 2020
West Wing is an all-time favorite of mine. Me and my wife binge watch the entire series once a year. I hope that this recent special has reignited Aaron's creative juices. Bartlett mentions it right in the episode...."Sam, you're going to run for President one day. Don't be scared. You can do it. I believe in you." It's time to bring back The West Wing-President Seaborn edition!!!!!!!! Who concurs???
The Right Way to do a West Wing Reunion
laughran1716 October 2020
A West Wing reunion is definitely not going to sway any independent or unlikely voters because they're really not the audience of the show, but damn it was still very well done. And like Bradley Whitford said at the top of the show, if it gets on more person to the polls then it's worth it. Or maybe it gets one person who watched to volunteer and they get someone to the polls.
The episode selection was perfect for this election both for the themes in it and the lines delivered. Everyone did well stepping back into their old roles, and in Sterling K. Brown's case- filling in for John Spencer. But it was Richard Schiff who stole the show. It's like he never stopped playing Toby. hid delivery of the most impactful line of the episode could not ring more true in 2020:
Then make this election about smart, and not. Make it about engaged, and not. Qualified, and not. Make it about a heavyweight. You're a heavyweight. And you've been holding me up for too many rounds.
The episode selection was perfect for this election both for the themes in it and the lines delivered. Everyone did well stepping back into their old roles, and in Sterling K. Brown's case- filling in for John Spencer. But it was Richard Schiff who stole the show. It's like he never stopped playing Toby. hid delivery of the most impactful line of the episode could not ring more true in 2020:
Then make this election about smart, and not. Make it about engaged, and not. Qualified, and not. Make it about a heavyweight. You're a heavyweight. And you've been holding me up for too many rounds.
Face hurts from smiling
breeanalaine13 May 2021
What a total joy. This could've been a car crash (as many show reunions are) but instead it was like catching up with an old friend. Visually stunning, just beautifully put together. Congrats to the entire cast, Aaron, Tommy, and Snuffy.
Wonderful
catdogmanfish16 October 2020
Absolutely incredible reunion, and run through of an iconic episode. Everyone is in their top form for this special, it's wonderful seeing all our favorite characters together again. Sterling K. Brown is a good stand in for the late great John Spencer, he approaches the role as Leo McGarry with reverence and respect. All the cameos from various celebrities and dignitaries is very well done, and all the information given on voting is flawlessly executed. My only lament is many of the people who should watch this will not.
A tremendous, timely production
jwrasse15 October 2020
Even with a pandemic, the cast and crew of The West Wing united for a beautiful retelling of a classic episode. Interspersed with touching calls to action and shot superbly with coronavirus mitigation measures in place, this special beckons us to expect the best-from our entertainment, from our country, and from ourselves.
Well-acted reunion, great episode, glaringly promoting the Democratic agenda
kmdomel2 November 2020
Loved seeing the cast. Beautifully acted episode, but if you are going to say it is just about voting and bipartisan 1) a Republican president should have been included, 2) talking about issues should include issues on both sides and 3) Samuel L Jackson's section should have been rewritten. As Bradley said at the beginning, we find it offensive when actors preach to the rest of us. I would have enjoyed it so much more if they kept their personal politics out of it.
Amazingly executed!
donvyt15 October 2020
Made me nostalgic
mrsallwood17 October 2020
It made my heart so happy to see not just all of these great actors, but the CHARACTERS too! It was hard for me to get through without John Spencer, but Sterling K. Brown was fantastic. I think I'll re-watch the series this weekend! Thank you Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme, the cast, and the crew. My heart really is so happy!
Wow, just amazing!
alyssatuininga16 October 2020
Reaching out - voting matters
kosmasp1 May 2021
Like many beloved tv shows, fans want to get them back - see all those beautiful individuals in their respective roles. In this case we can look behind the curtain (literally) and have an episode retold in a way that we have not seen before - as a play on stage. Of course one of the most beloved individuals of the show has passed - while making the show back then. He is being replaced here by another fine actor as we learn at the beginning of the show.
We also get a lot "breaks" - these breaks are being used to encourage people to vote. You never get a clear message on who to vote. Which is a great thing, because you should vote the way you feel is right. Of course that doesn't mean that one can read things into what is being said, when actors talk about health care, voter supression and other things. It is clear what they think, even if it isn't said out loud. The fact that mainly figures of one political party went ahead and were part of this, also shows something ... who actually cares about certain values and who doesn't - no matter what they might try to tell you later on.
Some of these segments in between may "bore" after the fact ... but there are also a lot that seem to predict what happened ... they warned us. Michael Cohen warned the American public too - in 2019 at his testimony. He knows the guy, so he knew there would not be a peaceful transition ... on the other hand, anyone sane and with a bit of logical comprehension could also tell ... maybe not the degree it happened (with the insurrection), but the direction this would take.
The episode they chose is quite fitting to the whole voting theme ... and as especially the first 4 seasons go, is as good as it gets. If you are not too afraid or too bored I reckon, to look back and cringe, because you know what happened, even after all the warnings, even after all the debunking the show does (about election fraud and manipulation to name some more topics tackled) ... you'll get a look at a show that still can be considered one of the best ever made ...
We also get a lot "breaks" - these breaks are being used to encourage people to vote. You never get a clear message on who to vote. Which is a great thing, because you should vote the way you feel is right. Of course that doesn't mean that one can read things into what is being said, when actors talk about health care, voter supression and other things. It is clear what they think, even if it isn't said out loud. The fact that mainly figures of one political party went ahead and were part of this, also shows something ... who actually cares about certain values and who doesn't - no matter what they might try to tell you later on.
Some of these segments in between may "bore" after the fact ... but there are also a lot that seem to predict what happened ... they warned us. Michael Cohen warned the American public too - in 2019 at his testimony. He knows the guy, so he knew there would not be a peaceful transition ... on the other hand, anyone sane and with a bit of logical comprehension could also tell ... maybe not the degree it happened (with the insurrection), but the direction this would take.
The episode they chose is quite fitting to the whole voting theme ... and as especially the first 4 seasons go, is as good as it gets. If you are not too afraid or too bored I reckon, to look back and cringe, because you know what happened, even after all the warnings, even after all the debunking the show does (about election fraud and manipulation to name some more topics tackled) ... you'll get a look at a show that still can be considered one of the best ever made ...
Inspirating
estathena217 January 2022
It is sadly telling that a reading of a past episode from a beloved show could upset a petulant few while inspiring the many - the fans who watched & sought solace in The West Wing during a dark and troublesome time.
Like a fine wine the cast & the show's overall theme has aged well, developed, & as always sought to reach out in hope, inspire thought & debate, & encourage the viewer to participate in the political process.
They don't tell you how to vote but encourage you to vote, to use your voice, to be a part of something larger than yourself - a country, a democratic process, a right.
Like a fine wine the cast & the show's overall theme has aged well, developed, & as always sought to reach out in hope, inspire thought & debate, & encourage the viewer to participate in the political process.
They don't tell you how to vote but encourage you to vote, to use your voice, to be a part of something larger than yourself - a country, a democratic process, a right.
Beautifully crafted
tcondon6423 October 2020
It makes me long for the days of thoughtful debate and passionate discourse.
Staging the screenplay for stage was a brilliant way to concentrate the actors' blocking and audience's attention for the splendid writing and the artful acting.
Sigh...
Staging the screenplay for stage was a brilliant way to concentrate the actors' blocking and audience's attention for the splendid writing and the artful acting.
Sigh...
Great show! But hardly non-partisan
markl4715 October 2020
I loved West Wing when it was on, and this stage throwback is wonderful! But trying to spin this as non-partisan is laughable. All the messages in between acts are about as biased as you can get and basically say "Vote Democrat!" Let's be honest and call it what it is, a nice gift to the Left.
Just bring it back already
confidential-6789717 October 2020
Amazing Reunion and Rendition of a Classic Episode
jmutch-687071 November 2020
The cast and crew of The West Wing did not disappoint when reuniting for the 2020 election season. The only performance which I didn't not love as much as the original is Sterling's. In my eyes, no one but John Spencer will ever be Leo McGary.
Brilliant Reenactment, non-partisan not so much
billy-kantharidis2017 October 2020
This is a beautiful reenactment of one of the most brilliant shows ever to grace TV. To see the cast back together although not complete was heartwarming. However, the entire production tripped itself up in a key element of this reunion. Near the beginning Rob Lowe and Allison Janney inform the audience that this is created in the spirit of the organisation 'When we all Vote,' apparently a non-partisan org. This couldn't be more partisan if it tried. From the attempts to present subtle democratic messages about 'Orangemanbad' to the use of celebrity more or less infomercials, it makes me cringe to see a show that used to be about a reasonable and fair democratic administration try to promote the rubbish the democrats have become today. Could have and should have been a lot better but I guess we live in an age where Hollywood can't seperate itself from the far-left.
A nice effort
schappe119 October 2020
I re-watched the original episode and this is a good re-telling of it with a laudable mission of getting out the vote. Presenting it on stage with no audience and minimal sets was well handled and I didn't miss the old sets. The actors from the show slipped into their old roles like riding a bicycle.
I was less than satisfied with Sterling K. Brown in the Leo McGarry role, replacing the late John Spencer. Spencer had a wry sense of humor and a way with the Sorkin dialog that hit all the right notes, He was also a sort of gnome-like figure with a wizened visage, (I could see him playing a live-action Yoda or Casey Stengel). Sterling K. Brown plays him like a stone-faced statue. I was trying to think of who i would rather have seen in the role. and Samuel Jackson came on to urge people to vote. Why not him? He's not identical to Spencer either but he's more interesting than Brown, who seems to have won a Dule Hill look-alike contest with that beard.
And where did Allison Janney get that hairdoo? It makes her look 20 years older. Actually, I guess she is. They all are. Which is why if they bring this show back, they need a new cast. Actually I thought it would have bene interesting to have Alan Alda win that 2006 election and see what the writers could do with a moderate Republican administration , contesting the Democrats but also the militant right wing of their own party that ahs done so much to wreck our politics since then. Maybe they can do something like that now.
As to this being candy for the left wing in this country, the only reason why getting out the vote is considered a partisan issue is because the Republicans have said they would lose if everybody voted and are trying to suppress it.
I was less than satisfied with Sterling K. Brown in the Leo McGarry role, replacing the late John Spencer. Spencer had a wry sense of humor and a way with the Sorkin dialog that hit all the right notes, He was also a sort of gnome-like figure with a wizened visage, (I could see him playing a live-action Yoda or Casey Stengel). Sterling K. Brown plays him like a stone-faced statue. I was trying to think of who i would rather have seen in the role. and Samuel Jackson came on to urge people to vote. Why not him? He's not identical to Spencer either but he's more interesting than Brown, who seems to have won a Dule Hill look-alike contest with that beard.
And where did Allison Janney get that hairdoo? It makes her look 20 years older. Actually, I guess she is. They all are. Which is why if they bring this show back, they need a new cast. Actually I thought it would have bene interesting to have Alan Alda win that 2006 election and see what the writers could do with a moderate Republican administration , contesting the Democrats but also the militant right wing of their own party that ahs done so much to wreck our politics since then. Maybe they can do something like that now.
As to this being candy for the left wing in this country, the only reason why getting out the vote is considered a partisan issue is because the Republicans have said they would lose if everybody voted and are trying to suppress it.
A Magnificent Party Campaign Contribution
flash-10418 October 2020
The vintage Aaron Sorkin is back, suppressing the heavy-handedness he showed in politically correcting _To Kill a Mocking Bird_. Magnificent drama, focusing on political (as Mr Lowe notes) inspiration. But to call it nonpartisan reveals a troubling epistemic bubble, where it is apparently unthinkable to be uneasy about abortion, or about federal regulation of voting in the south but not, for instance, Massachusetts. Anointing the Associated Press as the supposedly non-partisan arbiter of election results, given its recent Style Guide mandates favoring Senator Harris, was a particularly Orwellian touch.
If only they knew
neilchubbybell11 November 2020
Wonderful
courtneyjjjjjjjj18 November 2020
The only reason I didn't give it 10 is because I didn't enjoy Sterling K Brown's portrayal of Leo McGarry.
Particularly at the beginning it was like Sterling was just a stand-in saying the words. Someone for the other actors to play off. He was an emotionless statue who didn't add anything to the scenes he was in.
I found his portrayal a little insulting to the late John Spencer.
Particularly at the beginning it was like Sterling was just a stand-in saying the words. Someone for the other actors to play off. He was an emotionless statue who didn't add anything to the scenes he was in.
I found his portrayal a little insulting to the late John Spencer.
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