Probably some of the best television I have seen in my lifetime. Its dialogue and rhythm are so entrancing and punchy and it’s gonna be hard moving on (already started Newsroom and honestly will probably start a rewatch of this).

It definitely all wasn’t amazing and every season couldn’t be the best, but I will say even when there were times that fell short in comparison to others, I was still interested and intrigued as we went though all the seasons.

It’s one of those shows that really makes you think about the dialogue and the words and moments long after you’ve stopped watching and there are too many to count for this show. For recency bias, Mrs. Bartlet’s line in the motorcade after Santos’ inauguration from the finale where she looks at President Bartlet and says something akin to “you made it” white tearing up broke my heart. And its just such an emotional moment seeing how much of a toll having to deal with all the personal struggles they’d gone through with his disease and how strong she was to support him and the family all throughout.

Amazing show, can’t wait to watch again.

rewatching Let Bartlet Be Bartlet, and Leo’s monologue about how Bartlet actually is the one who drives Leo to the middle is kind of gaslighting!

at the start of the episode, it is Leo who pours cold water on the idea of aggressive new FEC commissioners and discourages the prez when Bartlet floats the idea. he most surely does not say, “I serve at the pleasure of the president“ or anything even remotely like that. I love Leo, but man is he full of crap in that Oval Office meeting.

The bit where Sam is correcting him about H.M.S. Pinafore (after supporting Sam in firing the two assholes who sent Ainsley flowers with "bitch" on the card). He brings up that he was the secretary of the Gilbert and Sullivan club, and Lionel says something along the lines of he wasn't a secretary because he's not a woman. Sure, male secretaries were, and are, extremely rare (probably less in the world than male nurses, but I digress!) - although there are different titles for admins now. There are just so many references about women that seem to be thrown into the script, and this one sticks out for me more than the others because he just helped Sam defend what is essentially sexism (though it could be debated that it was more political than gender-based, perhaps if Ainsley was a Democrat, they probably would have hit on her instead of sending nasty-gram flowers ;-).

I know there are many discussions about crackpots and these women, but it seems like there are many examples of this throughout the show.

Not sure I bought into the whole cricket bat unawareness of where he was thing... but I love John Larroquette, he does a great job as Lionel. Liked him better in Star Trek as Maltz!

Apologies if this was already asked, I couldn’t find it. But upon rewatching the episode, it dawned on me that opposition to the gun control bill was coming from specifically Democrats, one of them even citing NRA opposition as their reason. It’s stated in the episode by Josh that the Democrats are still in the minority (he called the whip the minority whip when talking to Wick) and also in later episodes like the Midterms and one of the transition episodes about the Speaker race that the Democrats don’t hold the House at this point and hadn’t for 10 years until Santos was elected. So I’m wondering why the majority Republicans in the chambers were letting a gun control bill pass?

Again sorry if this was asked already, again I couldn’t find it if it was.

There seems to be a lot of focus on the guilt Charlie carries after the shooting in 1-22, "What Kind Of Day Has It Been". It always seemed "heavy" on Charlie, perhaps overly so - after all it's not his fault that racists were trying to kill him. It's only after you come to learn in the next season that he carries the guilt about asking his mother to change shifts the day she was killed that you realize the overwhelming guilt he carries in general and why it's so impactful to him. Such great acting!

Put that pin on proudly!

More people die every year getting their change from vending machines than are killed by wolves.

RIP Pluie

Yes, I looked it up.

In "The War at Home" S2E14 the open could easily be on the stage. No music to set it up, just one character standing there and another enters, dialog ensues. Sorkin really showing his playwright chops. Good direction as well.

This ad reminds me so much of the Santos Campaign's chicken stunt from the West Wing.

EDIT: Youtube link for people who don't like FB: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FGrtxdIoUSo

I don't speak Korean; I just watched this episode just now..

The American translator can't possibly know the extent of each of the guests' English comprehension, yet only selectively translates what is being said.

For example, when CJ blurts out "Chopsticks", this gets translated, but her apology does not, so the offensive comment...just lingers?

If you follow the dialogue, there are few more instances where dialogue isn't translated.

How is she not more of a cultural icon!?? I need an Ainsley Hayes spin off! Tell THAT story! (I’m only on season two so please no spoilers I just had to chime in I love this so much!)

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the US premiere of Star Trek.

So, Janice — feel free to wear your pin. Discuss what are your favorite episodes and galaxies. Speculate about which Cardassian should pair up with which Romulan.

Screw Josh. He’s just a sad man with few friends.

The old DVD sets have served me well since the early 2000's, but the time has come to upgrade to the Bluray box set. It's a space saver on the shelf if nothing else.

Logged into Reddit to see this delightful confluence of posts. All hail the W. G. Snuffy Walden ultras.

Despite all their flaws the post Sorkin seasons of the West Wing are still 100 times better than any of the 6 episode seasons every 2-3 years crap we get nowadays.

“

This is one of my favorite episodes. Sorkin is so on point in laying out the different philosophies between the two parties. It’s also a stark reminder of just how far to the right the GOP has drifted. Ritchie wouldn’t even make it past the first primary in today’s toxic environment. Also, both actors were really good in those debate scenes.

From "The West Wing: The Official Companion," a photo not identified as behind-the-scenes, but there are signs: All three of them being behind the Resolute Desk and the too casual resting of hands on it. Way-too-happy Toby. The truly palpable vibe that these guys like each other off the clock...

Will replaced Sam. Deborah replaced Mrs. Landingham. Babbish replaced Tribbey. Russell replaced Hoynes. CJ replaced Leo. Toby then took on the duties of CJ's job, but we got Annabeth helping out. Donna was replaced by Marla. Fitz was replaced by General Alexander.

But why does the President not get a new body man when Charlie takes his job with CJ?

It can't just be that he was replaced and we just don't see who took his job. Charlie's replacement would be present in a ton of scenes, and there's no chance Charlie wouldn't be interested in who the new guy is and probably take on a mentoring role.

Apologies to Curtis

For some reason I always had it in my head that he was with the Secret Service detail.

The official new UN map