More on The West Wing

[altariel]

In the comments to an earlier post I made about The West Wing, kathyh asked what my favourite episodes were. They are The Short List and Noel. I watched them back over the last couple of days.

In the first, we follow the decisions surrounding Our Heroes' choice of candidate for Supreme Court nominee. In the second, Josh blows up in the Oval Office and gets a visit from the Best Therapist Ever.

I can't pick a favourite. They are doing two entirely different things. The first is brilliant plot-drama, tight as wire (they even pull the B-plot in at the end, which they don't always manage), and if I ever get a chance to use it as the basis for a classroom discussion on decision-making processes, I will. Also, it makes me go gooey about the political process. That still happens sometimes. The second is brilliant character-drama oh all right fanfic, which they made and put on screen. Talk about permission to speak. Also, it demonstrates just how sinister Christmas carols really are.

Comments

[kathyh]

Also, it makes me go gooey about the political process.

It makes me realise I'm shockingly ignorant about the whole American system of government!

One of these episodes focuses on the political and one on the personal, and both are wonderful. I couldn't choose between them either.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I'm still hazy about the American system of government, even after seven seasons of The West Wing!

One of these episodes focuses on the political and one on the personal, and both are wonderful.

That absolutely nails it.

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

One of the few things I somehow happened to know was that the Speaker of the House is next in line of succession after the Vice-President, which meant I muttered a smug "aha!" when I saw where that plotline was going.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I agree that it's not as good after Sorkin leaves - a friend once said it was like watching a different set of people who looked like characters he'd once loved, and I think he was right on that score. I think it picks up measurably once the race for the presidential nomination starts up.

One of the satellite channels in the UK has just started showing it from the beginning, so I might start watching it again (although I do own the first 3 seasons on DVD!).