West Wing

[Fist and Faith]

Poor Hoss!

I have still only seen the first 2 or 3 seasons on Bravo syndication. It seems that I'm never able to get to the tv when they show beyond that. But I'll get there eventually. I think it's just about the greatest combination of brilliant and different on tv. In this day of sitcoms, reality tv, law shows, and occult, here's a show about politics, that is intelligent, funny, and very human. The personal lives don't replace the show's vision, they are incorporated into it. Sam doesn't just unknowingly sleep with a hooker, and go through a personal crisis - everybody has to deal with it. The president's daughter doesn't just have a black boyfriend, leading to great conversations a la Guess Who's Coming to Dinner - people get shot!

my brothers in arms...

[Furls Fire]

I don't like the guy that replaced Sam. I miss Sam in the newer ones.

[Furls Fire]

Whew! that was FUN!!! Bravo had a viewer's choice marathon of the West Wing yesterday. And I saw my favorite episodes again And now that I've seen all them, my favorite still has to be Two Cathedrals. So much happens in that one hour, and not even an hour if you count commercial time. Mrs. Landingham's funeral, the flashbacks showing us their backstory and a little on Jed's father, the Cathedral Scene, the tropical storm, the MS interview, the press conference, and the question of the hour..'will you run for a second term'... This episode IS the West Wing as far as I'm concerned.

"If you don't run again because you don't want too, then fine. But if you don't run because you think you're going to lose, or it will be too hard...then God, Jed...I don't want to know you..."

"God doesn't make cars crash and you know it..."

These mist covered mountains
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be
Some day you'll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And you'll no longer burn
To be brothers in arms

Through these fields of destruction
Baptism of fire
I've watched all your suffering
As the battles raged higher
And though they did hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms

There's so many different worlds
So many different suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones

Now the sun's gone to hell
And the moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it's written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms

[Fist and Faith]

Yes, Fire!! I remember we were chatting the day I saw that episode for the first time, as a Bravo rerun. What an amazing show!! As you say, so much is put into that single episode, but it never feels rushed. Incredible writing! (TNG's Sins of the Father pops to mind as being the same situation, for those who care. ) The cigarette REALLY got me!!! *WHEW* And when the song started.... It just doesn't get any better than this!!

[Guest]

Leo: "You're going out? You're taking extra protection, right?"

Charlie, flushing: "Leo...."

Leo: "Secret Service protection, Charlie..but thanks for loading me up with that image.."



CJ: "Hey, are those the pajamas I bought you?"

Josh: "Yep."

CJ: "Well, take your coat off and let me see...Those are, too big."

Josh: "In all the years we've worked together did you think I was secretly playing linebacker?"

CJ: "I think they look good on you."

Toby: "I think your both freaks."

[Fist and Faith]

[Furls Fire]

hehehe..that was me, I guess I got logged out or something while I was posting that earlier.

[dlbpharmd]

I'm halfway through Season 2. The writing on this show is outstanding, with some of the most clever dialogue I have ever heard.

The last episode I watched was "Shibboleth", the one where the Chinese refugees are seeking asylum in the US. It is very moving.

[Furls Fire]

I love that episode too, dlb

Here's more fun from yesterday morning...

Josh: "Toby, come quick! Sam's getting his ass kicked by a girl!"

Toby (running after Josh): "CJ, get the popcorn!"

And so begin the wonderful episodes with Ainsley Hayes, I really miss her in the later episodes, she was fantastic!

[Fist and Faith]

Yes! Shibboleth was a great episode!

And yes, I miss Ainsley too. Looks like after inventing her, the writers didn't know what to do with her. But wasn't it awesome when those two guys sent her the flowers with the nasty note, and Sam stormed in a fired them?!?! Go Sam!!! With John Laroquette as the head lawyer, no less! He's come a long way since Dan Fielding!

[Furls Fire]

I loved the ending to that episode. When they all go down to her "office" and are playing the soundtrack to "H.M.S. Pinafore" (I think it was) to surprise her and "welcome her aboard".

[dlbpharmd]

I love Ainsley!

Here's a question for you - Assume the same people are writing the show, and the same actors are playing each part. The premise is entirely the same, EXCEPT - the administration is Republican. Would the show still work?

[Fist and Faith]

I'm so entirely ignorant of politics that I don't have the slightest idea. But if it wouldn't, maybe these writers have Republican counterparts who could do it?

[Worm of Despite]

Great show, except when Sorkin and Schlamme left.

[Tranquil Hegemony]

Great show, except when Sorkin and Schlamme left.

Yeah, the last season wasn't nearly as tight as it normally is... and Josh got crapped on so many times I was afraid he'd get axed - really, for me, this show is all about Josh and Donna (not romantically, just their characters. Although they really should get together ;) Still worth watching though.

The first episode I saw that really hooked me was the one in season 2 where Josh sees the therapist after the assassination attempt. That was so well done I actually cried.

[Fist and Faith]

The first episode I saw that really hooked me was the one in season 2 where Josh sees the therapist after the assassination attempt. That was so well done I actually cried.

Yeah, that was real good! Right down to a line like, "I know this is gonna sound like I'm saying two plus two is a bushel of potatos, but..." It helps that I really like Adam Arkin. Great on Northern Exposure, Chicago Hope, Picket Fences, and here.

[taraswizard]

West Wing. A favorite non-genre show, but very good. One I have tried to get many TV watching buds to watch, but they all say 'It's about politics, yeeech!'. However, one of my best friends in California, who watches almost no TV ever, likes the show alot. I have a theory about why in my experience many conservatives seem to dislike this show so much. And yes since Adam Sorkin was not writting this last season, it did suffer alot in seeming quality, but it was still very good. Furthermore, they brought back 'Fish man' this last season. And losing Ainsley Hays (Emily Proctor) character was a big loss, IMO, furthermore she is almost the only reason to ever view CSI - Miami.

[Tranquil Hegemony]

And losing Ainsley Hays (Emily Proctor) character was a big loss, IMO, furthermore she is almost the only reason to ever view CSI - Miami.

I really liked her (both the actress and the character). I'm pretty left-wing, as Brinn can testify ;) but I really liked some of her points - in particular the bit about "every time a law is passed we lose just a little bit more freedom".

I didn't know Emily Proctor was on CSI: Miami... maybe I'll have to start watching that :)

[Furls Fire]

And yes since Adam Sorkin was not writting this last season, it did suffer alot in seeming quality, but it was still very good.

Ohhhh..is that why it didn't seem as polished this past season?? I wondered. I thought maybe they were just running out of steam...hehehe.

Josh and Donna really need to just "let it happen"

Also, I really miss Sam. Rob Lowe is a very good actor and when he left and that new guy came in, it was a big disappointment to me. But, at least he didn't just disappear like Ainsley did....

[dlbpharmd]

Why did Ainsley just "disappear"? For that matter, what happened to the brunette political consultant from the first season - Josh's old girlfriend, old what's her name? She disappeared b/w the 1st and 2nd season with not a word said.