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The West Wing: The Midterms (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 2, EPISODE 3: The Midterms
THE WEST WING: SEASON 2, EPISODE 3: The Midterms
Directed by: Alex Graves
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
Another incredible episode of West Wing which ends with such a standout Bartlett moment where the challenge or church and state is discussed in only the knowledgable way Bartlett could discuss it. (1/3)
Another fun detail of this episode is the sitting upon a stoop that we find the team members doing at the end. The team dynamics are always so strong on this show and even when Josh is not at the White House he is still a valuable and important member of the team. (2/3)
The episode was certainly a heavy talking one but I find so much of it thrilling like the best of West Wing episodes. (3/3)
The West Wing: In the Shadow of Two Gunmen: Part II (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 2, EPISODE 1/2: In the Shadow of Two Gunmen
THE WEST WING: SEASON 2, EPISODE 1/2: In the Shadow of Two Gunmen
Directed by: Thomas Schlamme
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
The second season gets to a strong start with an immediate follow up to the first season's assassination attempt cliffhanger. The first episode is split between two episodes lasting 90 minutes and is a standout moment in the history of television. (1/6)
The episode is filled with the intensity of the present as medical professionals, presidential workers and anybody else involved in the incident deal with the aftermath of the shooting. (2/6)
I love how this episode through flashback gave us a greater insight as to how the presidential team we know came together. The first part doesn't really have a concrete end as both episodes aired together so you really cannot think of one part without the other. (3/6)
The second part continues to flashback and present narrative and it really is exciting seeing the team in their humble beginnings and it all makes sense for their group dynamics in the present. (4/6)
I'm so happy now that I've returned to this rewatch because I miss the experience of all these people especially Josh as played by Bradley Whitford. (5/6)
In the second part we get the devastating moment when his father is revealed to be dead which is played in contrast with the present where Josh finally comes out of surgery after suffering a gun shoot wound during the shooting. (6/6)
The West Wing: In the Shadow of Two Gunmen: Part I (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 2, EPISODE 1/2: In the Shadow of Two Gunmen
THE WEST WING: SEASON 2, EPISODE 1/2: In the Shadow of Two Gunmen
Directed by: Thomas Schlamme
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
The second season gets to a strong start with an immediate follow up to the first season's assassination attempt cliffhanger. The first episode is split between two episodes lasting 90 minutes and is a standout moment in the history of television. (1/6)
The episode is filled with the intensity of the present as medical professionals, presidential workers and anybody else involved in the incident deal with the aftermath of the shooting. (2/6)
I love how this episode through flashback gave us a greater insight as to how the presidential team we know came together. The first part doesn't really have a concrete end as both episodes aired together so you really cannot think of one part without the other. (3/6)
The second part continues to flashback and present narrative and it really is exciting seeing the team in their humble beginnings and it all makes sense for their group dynamics in the present. (4/6)
I'm so happy now that I've returned to this rewatch because I miss the experience of all these people especially Josh as played by Bradley Whitford. (5/6)
In the second part we get the devastating moment when his father is revealed to be dead which is played in contrast with the present where Josh finally comes out of surgery after suffering a gun shoot wound during the shooting. (6/6)
The West Wing: What Kind of Day Has It Been (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 22: What Kind of Day Has It Been
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 22: What Kind of Day Has It Been
Directed by: Thomas Schlamme
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
My only complaint with this episode is that while the opening set up is tense it sort've takes any tension out of the rest of the episode until we revisit the President and his town hall appearance. I do maybe wish the show hadn't began with it's opening because the rest of the episode suffers. It doesn't suffer extremely but it does take some surprise out of what will happen later.
The missions to save a pilot stuck in Iraq & men in space are nice moments but the episode really excels once it reaches its conclusion. The ending is an obvious cliffhanger that was meant to bring audiences back & while expected I do think it was done in a captivating way.
Anyway now that I've said that I have to say that this was a good ender for a great season. There were moments throughout that I questioned but the potential is there and knowing how great the immediate follow up season will be I will say this entire season was necessary.
I never grew tired of the walking and talking throughout because I couldn't help but be impressed by the actors commitment and great delivery of many of these moments.
The West Wing: Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 21: Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 21: Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
Directed by: Don Scardino
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
Yet again another episode where the plots of the season are being wrapped up immediately before the season finale. The team at the beginning try to predict how the numbers would go over the next couple of days and in this moment when reflected upon C. J.s optimism is overlooked and throughout later scenes we notice how upset this makes Cregg feel.
Janney really plays this scenes so greatly but in such a subtle way and it reveals more about her character and how she feels. This episode also brings a partial end to the story involving Sam and his call girl as this is the last on screen appearance we get from Laurie. Edelstein was also appreciated by me when she showed up and while it wouldn't have been possible to feature her more I enjoyed her whenever she showed up.
We also get a great scene for Charlie in this episode where we see his strength and confidence brought by his job in full affect as he stands against a man who we had a not so great past with. Again another quiet character moment but I appreciated Hill's work in that scene.
This being the penultimate episode of the season it feels very soft but I'm sure the final will knock it out of the part as final plots are ended and new ones set up.
The West Wing: Mandatory Minimums (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 20: Mandatory Minimums
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 20: Mandatory Minimums
Directed by: Robert Berlinger
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
Tensions are rising and we get an episode which is sort've a stepping stone as the season approaches it's end with two more episodes left to go. The episode is offset by the president announcing his two nominees to fill two vacant seats on the Federal Election Commission.
This sets all the following events of the episode which include C. J. lashing out at Danny, Toby having to discuss issues with his ex-wife & Leo/Toby having to tell opposition staffers with bosses who have drug records in their families, that hypocrisy won't be tolerated.
There are great little scenes throughout the episode and it is pleasurably but not the most effective episode of the season.
The West Wing: Let Bartlet Be Bartlet (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 19: Let Bartlet Be Bartlet
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 19: Let Bartlet Be Bartlet
Directed by: Laura Innes
Written by: Story by : Peter Parnell and Patrick Caddell
Teleplay by : Aaron Sorkin
There has been a question in the back my mind throughout the majority is how did this group of workers manage to win an election when many of their actions throughout have been presented to be mistakes and they have sort've been outsmarted throughout.
This episode does try to up end these past faults and present the team in the light that does show their smarts and how they might possibly have convinced the American people that they would be the best choice to up hold the government office.
The episode does surround a piece of writing by the character of Mandy and maybe if the show had put in more work to make the audience care her this might've felt like a major betrayal but it still works dramatically even if not as marvellous as it could've been.
The episode asks a lot of questions and answers them in a satisfying way. The themes it approaches have been present throughout the season and I enjoy how they are enacted upon on this episode.
The West Wing: Six Meetings Before Lunch (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 18: Six Meetings Before Lunch
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 18: Six Meetings Before Lunch
Directed by: Clark Johnson
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
Can I just say beginning the episode with C. J. Cregg lip syncing "The Jackal" was one of the most enjoyable moments I've gotten to witness on the show so far. Let me tell you many drag artists could learn a thing or two about lip syncing from Miss Janney. A standout scene in this episode comes with the great Carl Lumbly playing an appointee for assistant attorney general argues with Josh that the government owes black people a trillion dollars in slavery reparations.
Zoey Bartlet has to one of the best child of a politicians ever created for the screen and this episode is a great showcase for how seriously the show takes her presence as a scandal involving her must be dealt with on the show.
We get possibly the most beautiful kiss when Zoey pins Charlie against the wall in the white house. This is a little moment but adds to the great developing relationship between the two love birds. This was a great character building episode.
The West Wing: The White House Pro-Am (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 17: The White House Pro-Am
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 17: The White House Pro-Am
Directed by: Ken Olin
Written by: Lawrence O'Donnell, Jr. & Paul Redford and Aaron Sorkin
This episode more than any felt like President Bartlet and how the world is reacting to his family, mainly his wife Abbey and his youngest daughter Zoey.
Seeing the staff of the president and the first lady interact was very interesting because it shows how while everything should be connected the aims of these different titled people can be very different. We get our first oval office fight scene between Abbey and Josiah and it is an incredible scene as performed by Sheen and Channing but also as written by Sorkin and his team.
We also get a smaller plot that expands upon the Charlie character who has been sort've sidelined throughout the series so far and it's nice to see scenes with Charlie as he provides a different element the show sometimes needs. This was a great episode and showed how strong the ensemble of this show continues to be.
The West Wing: 20 Hours in L.A. (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 16: 20 Hours in L.A.
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 16: 20 Hours in L. A.
Directed by: Alan Taylor
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
The White house take L. A., a fun little romp of an episode where we find the team coming to L. A. for the weekend. This is one of those cute episodes with celebrity cameos (David Hasselhoff), fundraising parties & all the team trying to side step certain conversations.
I didn't hate this episode it just felt like a step down and I really don't have much to say. Plot lines are continuing but the episode mostly felt like a bottle episode which just involved transplanting the team to a new location for one episode.
The West Wing: Celestial Navigation (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 15: Celestial Navigation
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 15: Celestial Navigation
Directed by: Christopher Misiano
Written by: Story by : Dee Dee Myers & Lawrence O'Donnell, Jr.
Teleplay by : Aaron Sorkin
This episode certainly was an appreciated break in the story telling of the show. The episode's story being told through mostly flashback while Josh is in an interview at a lecture hall was a great invention.
I really loved this new way of telling the story cause it led to some humorous one liners delivered by the majority of the cast. Josh stepping in for C. J. and doing a White House briefing is an especially great moment of the episode.
Allison Janney with cotton in her mouth is without a doubt one of the funniest moments ever on the show. I must say while there was great comedy featured one of the most impactful scenes of the episode and the series happens in a jail cell between Toby and Roberto Mendoza.
It is a brutally honest discussion about problems with the American justice system & is so brilliantly played by Schiff & Olmos. This is a strong episode for how it balances the comedy & drama for the series & I certainly appreciated it for its place in the run of the show.
The West Wing: Take This Sabbath Day (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 14: Take This Sabbath Day
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 14: Take This Sabbath Day
Directed by: Thomas Schlamme
Written by: Story by : Lawrence O'Donnell, Jr. & Paul Redford and Aaron Sorkin
Teleplay by : Aaron Sorkin
Another knockout of an episode which has the separation of church and state come into the conversation of the series. This is a beautifully crafted episode which takes the appropriate amount of time to separate church and state.
Martin Sheen is great in this episode as he plays the president who through conversations including a parish priest from his past must come to terms with the death penalty which is due to kill a convicted man the Monday after the long weekend the episode takes place over.
Karl Malden in his final role plays that priest and it's a wonderful scene between two acting titans. Marlee Matlin also makes her first appearance as Joey Lucas and she explodes on screen becoming an endearing character that will continue to appear on the show.
She opposite Sheen and Whitford is wonderful. While the show could've explored capital punishment and how unfair its past of conviction is I do appreciate the show for how it choose to discuss capital punishment which I for one do not agree with at all.
Overall this is a beautiful episode and how each central character reacts to capital punishment is such a genius storytelling device. Sheen owns this role in this episode really shows him at his best.
The West Wing: Take Out the Trash Day (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 13: Take out the Trash Day
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 13: Take out the Trash Day
Directed by: Ken Olin
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
Another great episode for the series. I must say the standout scene from the episode comes from a scene shared between C. J. and the parents of the young boy killed for being gay. It is a powerful scene which comes out of nowhere and speaks to my problems with a lot of political figures as I agree with the parents that at this time and even still today the people elected to lead need to supporting the rights of gay/queer people more.
Everything to do with the White House and their positions on the Sex Education and hate-crime bills feels very typical and something that I appreciate about this show. Janney is incredible throughout this episode and her commitment is incredible to watch especially in that scene opposite the gay sons parents where she sits in mostly silence understanding the position the parents are taking.
The final scene between Leo and a junior staffer is a great scene where we see basically strangers through conversation agree to forgive each other even with having wronged one other. It's a great scene about human forgiveness & and wonderful way to end this episode.
The West Wing: He Shall, from Time to Time... (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 12: He Shall, from Time to Time..
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 12: He Shall, from Time to Time..
Directed by: Arlene Sanford
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
This episode brings to the table a couple of plots that been building up from past episodes. Especially everything involving Leo and his past struggle. John Spencer shows his greatness in the role as he can play cold and caring from scene to scene.
The episode also features characters reacting to President Bartlet as he has had a medical issue leading to him being bed ridden and out of action for most of the episode.
With this we get the return of Abbey and with this return we get a reveal about the true medical condition the president is suffering from. It really is incredible to witness great actors like Martin Sheen, John Spencer & Stockard Channing acting opposite one another. I always love a series which relies on its elder state actors who can really bring history to the relationship of their characters.
The West Wing: Lord John Marbury (2000)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 11: Lord John Marbury
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 11: Lord John Marbury
Directed by: Kevin Rodney Sullivan
Written by: Story by : Patrick Caddell & Lawrence O'Donnell, Jr.
Teleplay by : Aaron Sorkin & Patrick Caddell
In the first West Wing episode of the new millennium the show continues its multiple storylines including the investigation into drug problems in the White House, war in the world and trust within the white house team. It is deeply upsetting that this investigation into drug abuse issues might take down Leo a man committed to his work who could lose everything he has worked for.
Josh sits in two depositions where he must deny & as he is questioned it gets difficult. Josh snaps in defence of one of his mentors. Then there is the Lord John Marbury who the episode is named after and while a small introduction with a great build up to his introduction.
Roger Rees plays the hell out this role in his scenes opposite Spencer & Sheen. While not as strong as the previous episode this is a good continuing episode for the series.
The West Wing: In Excelsis Deo (1999)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 10: In Excelsis Deo
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 10: In Excelsis Deo
Directed by: Alex Graves
Written by: Aaron Sorkin & Rick Cleveland
Now this is as perfect as television episodes get. The episode being a Christmas episode makes it even more special. This is the first episode I think about when I think of The West Wing at it's best.
The Toby story involving a deceased war veteran is truly upsetting & uplifting all at the same time. The episode reveals many upsetting histories about multiple characters including Kathryn Joosten's Landingham who in a tearful scene reveals to Charlie the loss of her sons.
This scene when played against everything involving Toby is truly upsetting. Richard Schiff won an Emmy for his work in this episode & it was deserved as it shows how caring Toby is & reveals a different element of his acting and character that the show had not shown prior.
The episode also won an award for its writing & with how delicate the story is delivered I have to agree with this particular award win. I've not spoken about the shows musical score in some time but here it again helps to illustrate the scenes more.
Honestly I can imagine watching the episode separate from the entire series because while there are some continued stories being told the singular story about a veteran needed to be rewarded with a proper burial is indeed spectacular.
Another upsetting story to this episode is C. J. caring about the death of a young gay male very similar to that of Matthew Shepherd. This is again another story beat which shares similarities to real life and shows how powerful this episode overall was.
The West Wing: The Short List (1999)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 9: The Short List
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 9: The Short List
Directed by: Bill D'Elia
Written by: Story by : Aaron Sorkin & Dee Dee Myers
Teleplay by : Aaron Sorkin & Patrick Caddell
This episode begins in a sort've fantasy world where everything is going right for President Bartlet and his white house staff and while I enjoyed this opening once the reality sets in for everyone the decisions they've made the episode really gets good.
This was a brilliant episode which brought the realities of how the white house works and sort've shown a light on how judges are chosen for the supreme court.
The episode also has a hilarious and fun moment when Danny gets C. J. a goldfish which is not something I expected but helps to make my enjoyment of this episode even greater. The laugh from Janney is so endearing.
The great Edward James Olmos as Mendoza deserves a lot of credit for this great episode. Olmos a respected veteran brings a gravitas & humanity to his role & is an example of a great guest star on the show that would come to be an important part of the show in future years.
The episode works as time capsule for what was deemed wrong at the time and I appreciate this time capsule to see where the world has mostly come to. This another great episode from the first season and I'm proud to say so.
The West Wing: Enemies (1999)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 8: Enemies
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 8: Enemies
Directed by: Alan Taylor
Written by: Story by : Rick Cleveland, Lawrence O'Donnell, Jr. & Patrick Caddell
Teleplay by : Ron Osborn & Jeff Reno
Just like how the first episode without Thomas Schlamme directing still made sense in the universe this being the first episode not to have Aaron Sorkin as a credited writer still feels like a natural continuation of the show which is a credit to Sorkin & his writing staff.
This episode has many different plot lines which sort've involve the whole ensemble so it's hard for me to nail down a standout plot line and my overall reaction is I enjoyed seeing characters from the show interact in multiple different ways.
C. J. And Danny flirting continues and it is a small part of the series so far but one that I throughly enjoy as it allows Janney to add much needed dimension to Cregg.
The West Wing: The State Dinner (1999)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 7: The State Dinner
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 7: The State Dinner
Directed by: Thomas Schlamme
Written by: Aaron Sorkin & Paul Redford
Welcome to the stage First Lady Abbey Bartlet played by the legendary Stockard Channing. Channing indeed was spectacular in this role from the very beginning and like her on screen husband Abbey is introduced so wonderfully in the first episode she appears.
The one scene we get between Abbey and Josiah isn't the most explosive but it gives a look into their relationship. This is an interesting episode cause you have the prepping and attendance of a state dinner played opposite many world tragedies incoming.
When the dinner begins the drama increases as the White House staff must work to make the world better while also trying to look good while at the dinner. It is a great episode.
The West Wing: Mr. Willis of Ohio (1999)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 6: Mr. Willis of Ohio
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 6: Mr. Willis of Ohio
Directed by: Christopher Misiano
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
We were introduced to a young Elisabeth Moss as presidents daughter Zoey in the previous episode and just an episode later she gets a whole subplot featuring her. I must say it was a pleasure seeing the past of Elisabeth Moss and how delightful she was from this young age.
The scene in which Sheen as her father talks through the fears he has of his daughter in danger is a major emotional moment and provides a personal note to the President that we've not gotten yet but will as more of his blood family are revealed.
We also get a great plot line involving a stand in house representative played by Al Fann. Everything involving his revelation on the laws of America was brilliantly explored in simple discussion scenes between the White House team and the some house representatives.
This was an episode that sets up more plots that we'd not really gotten to see before but it's an important step in show how expansive the show can be with its many cast members.
The West Wing: The Crackpots and These Women (1999)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 5: The Crackpots and These Women
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 5: The Crackpots and These Women
Directed by: Anthony Drazan
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
The episode also features a story line for Josh that reveals more of his back story and provides a great showcase for Bradley Whitford. How he chooses to play the increasing guilt is impressive and his interactions with each of his fellow cast members is impressive. This particular plot line and performance by Whitford helps to endear the audience to Josh even through still realising he is still an emotionally confused character.
The fact the show can so easily juggle the comedy of the opening scene and the drama of the Josh subplot is an impressive feat for the show and what I treasure most about this show. I must say the Josh's monologue about a worldwide pandemic come to rock the world rather than a war is so shattering cause 20 years later we all know what happening with the pandemic. Just another fictitious show highlighting real life consequences.
This is yet another great episode and I love that it's another episode expanding upon the personal lives of the characters we all know and love.
The West Wing: Five Votes Down (1999)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 4: Five Votes Down
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 4: Five Votes Down
Directed by: Michael Lehmann
Written by: Story by : Lawrence O'Donnell, Jr. And Patrick Caddell
Teleplay by : Aaron Sorkin
This episode begins with one of the series greatest one shot walking and talking scenes and this sets up for a truly incredible episode. This episode shows how well balanced the show can be when it deals with the political and personal lives of this shows characters.
John Spencer has been a great supporting player on the show so far and he takes centre stage in this episode with some upsetting personal moments for his Leo character. Leo struggling with attention he doesn't pay to his wife because of his political ambitions is one of the first instances on the show when to reality of these peoples life's comes in to effect them.
The episode really is upsetting and a lot of this has to go to Spencer for how he plays the scenes opposite his wife but also the immediate aftermath when he sits down with the Vice President who he is not the biggest fan of.
This episode was a needed one as it managed to show the unspoken part of a political career which is the people you leave behind to pursue such a career. An effecting episode which earned John Spencer his first Emmy nomination.
The West Wing: A Proportional Response (1999)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 3: A Proportional Response
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 3: A Proportional Response
Directed by: Marc Buckland
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
The tension really increases with this episode. The first two episodes where all about establishing the universe & characters where as this episode gets more into the politics & how the president & his team must perform real life acts while also having personal connections.
The show continues its smart humour in the dialogue with many incredible lines throughout the episode even as the drama increases.
Allison Janney really became the C. J. we all know & love. From the beginning of the episode we get to experience the witty & fun C. J. Cregg that would become a fan favourite from the show. Janney really excels in this role & I love that she was finally given the spotlight.
This being the first episode not directed by Thomas Schlamme still feels visually the same and that is great compliment to Schlamme and the directing team for the show. We also are introduced to Dulé Hill as Charlie Young in this episode and while it's a soft introduction I do enjoy how he has been used so far.
This is a very strong third episode and really caps off a strong three episode beginning to the season and the series as a whole. (5/5)
The West Wing: Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc (1999)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 2: Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 2: Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc
Directed by: Thomas Schlamme
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
The second episode gets off to a fiery start with Moira Kelly's Mandy driving straight to separate herself from her a client. The Mandy character feels so to the side this early on but is soon welcomed into the fold when she is hired as the West Wing's political consultant.
Then the famous opening titles begins to play & it feels as if I'm watching classic West Wing. This episode feels like a classic where we start the episode with all the staff informing the president of the issues and then everyone breaking into their own plot lines.
With all the characters being so well developed during the pilot we are able to just sit & experience many different plots with strong character moments. After a small introduction to the President in the pilot we learn more of the President in this episode.
I have to give credit to actors like Allison Janney and John Spencer who may not be the centre of the story so far but provide great quality to the series and deliver their lines well in ways you wouldn't expect them to be read especially Janney as C. J. Cregg. Spencer as Leo since the pilot has been able to create a had working character who can also put his foot down when necessary to continue to good standing of the office that he works for.
What really makes this episode so compelling is how emotionally affecting the off screen death of a character we just met minutes ago can be, that is what happens to Captain Morris Tolliver.
This was a strong follow up to the pilot episode with many story beats continuing from that first episode and being built upon so well.
The West Wing: Pilot (1999)
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 1: Pilot
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 1: Pilot
Directed by: Thomas Schlamme
Written by: Aaron Sorkin
The series gets off to a strong start with a montage of all the important players and how they are called from their regular lives to step into work which happens to be in the white house for the President. The Aaron Sorkin rapid fire dialogue is strong from the beginning with the walking & talking the series came to be known for being so comforting. The series sets up the supporting players of the show long before the introduce the President and while he is the topic of conversation up until he appears I think this was the perfect choice because it shows how strong the entire ensemble of characters are.
Bradley Whitford as Josh is a standout early on as he gets an important subplot in the pilot, Whitford has gone to many other great starring roles but i'll always think of him primarily for his work on this series. Rob Lowe playing Sam Seaborn is another major character of this pilot and his sexual entanglement with a call girl provides some genuine character beats and sort've feels like a nice romance is budding if only they weren't in the lives they lived.
The direction of the pilot is strong and I find the W. G. Snuffy Walden musical score so pleasant and really important for underscoring the scenes which mostly involve people talking one on one. Martin Sheen as President Josiah Bartlet enters speaking from the bible "I am the Lord your God. Thou shalt worship no other god before me." and with these words he makes a powerful entrance and instantly shows a strong stamp on what the series would become. Sheen wasn't meant to have a major role throughout the series but with this compelling introduction I do not know how the show could've worked any other way.
This is an incredible pilot episode as it manages to pack in a lot of character introductions as well as provide a great political conversation which the show would have many times throughout its run.