The West Wing

From what I understand this was just a complex coping mechanism for American liberals during the Bush years?

I absolutely LOVE it. So smart, so watchable, so warm, so great to listen to. It just pleases my ears and brain and heart so much. Sorkin-scripted episodes like Celestial Navication, 17 People, Two Cathedrals, Bartlet for America, and In the Shadow of Two Gunmen (one of my top 10 TV eps ever) justify TV's goddamn existence for me. Yes, it definitely dipped after Sorkin left (S5 is not great), but I genuinely got really into Vinnick vs. Santos in the last two seasons.

What a fun show. The writing was excellent, the characters were all well developed, and it never became a soap opera the way most dramas do. (Well, I only watched the Sorkin seasons, so I guess I can't really make that claim). Whether or not you agreed with Bartlet's politics, the show can teach a lot about the process of politics (albeit a lofty and naive version).

Not always agreeing with the politics but still remaining enthralled is a good sign.

Only watched 4 episodes so far

so boring

Watched most of season 1. The dialogue is usually clever and the first few episode are amazing, but overall the story is very cheesy and overly theatrical. The plot twists are foreshadowed so heavily they become a joke. And whenever a relevant political issue arises the smart writing morphs into some of the worst moral arguments I have ever seen.

The first few episodes I’d give 80, but it got sillier as the show went on.

The West Wing features a likable cast and some great writing, that makes a show that would otherwise be dry and pedestrian, much more interesting than it has any right to be. The show does feel a little dated (2 decades from when it first premiered) but that doesn't lessen the many great dramatic moments that it delivers. Two Cathedrals (S02E22) features one of the best TV moments of all time, set to Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms.

The biggest thing that the Sorkin seasons get right is to keep things small when they don't need to be big. After he left the show, it felt like every big thing that could happen happened to keep the story interesting. Here's the thing: this is an ensemble character piece, not as plot-driven as it might seem. Thankfully the conclusion is satisfying, so know it's worth sticking around.

Aaron Sorkin may have found his voice with The American President. But he solidified it with The West Wing. Call it biased all you want. The show dealt with all the issues it could with as many perspectives it could without losing its message. Whether you agree or not the drama will pull you in forever. Or at least for the first four seasons.

great series

An American classic. Just watch it. And the fact that THREE of the leads are from my hometown has nothing to do with my love for this show. (Aaron Sorkin has everything to do with it... and some Allison Janney).

Hampered by two (not three!) subpar final seasons, but still a juicy juicy viewing experience nonetheless.

My parents love this. I must have watched an episode here and an episode there, and as with almost every American TV drama, it always seemed excruciatingly cheesy, contrived and fake to me.

Never watched it after Sorkin left so this is based on that. Way too idealistic politically but extremely entertaining

When people pay attention to Aaron Sorkin's work, this is the reason why. The first four seasons of this show are one of the best examples of exemplary writing I can think of. This show helped shape the television landscape to come, and it's clear while watching where it breaks ground. President Bartlet is one of my all-time favorite TV characters.

The last few seasons simply don't hold the same charm but at its peak the West Wing was one of the finest pieces of political drama on either the big or small screen.

Vote Bartlet! This is still - to me - the greatest drama series ever.

Rating for the first four seasons only.

#CJforpresident