The West Wing *Spoilers*

syklops

wprathead wrote: »

I f**king hate Will :mad::mad:

I really liked him around season 4 when he first arrived, but when he went to work for the VP he became a bit of a prick.

IvySlayer

Will Bailey is just too whiney and his 'quips' just aren't funny

Starscream25

Finished season 7 last week after a few months of getting through all the seasons, fantastic show, intelligent and funny. I liked will but never thought he filled sams shoes. Next stop Breaking bad

don ramo

Starscream25 wrote: »

Next stop Breaking bad

enjoy, id probably watch a less heralded show first being honest, as a buffer between the unbelievably great shows your watching, and to stretch it out a bit, only so many great shows out there,

i really wish i had time to re-watch TWW, my favorite show of all time bar none,

tvnutz

It was such a disappointment how they messed up Toby's character. Even the actor himself was very annoyed with it. I don't think he was even in the last episode was he? One of the best and most pivotal characters to be just thrown aside like that. Disgraceful.

Didn't mind Will that much, especially since Rob Lowe left because he felt he wasn't the central character. He was originally supposed to be but Martin Sheen and the rest of the case became so much more popular. Good riddance to that if Lowe thought he was above it all, Will wasn't that bad until, like someone said, he went to work for the VP.

syklops

Interesting fact while we are talking about Will. There was an episode where Will was dressed in an Air Force uniform because he is a reserve in the JAG corps and he was going to NORAD. Two guys in a bunker whose job it is is to push the button to launch a nuclear strike get the order to launch and they hesitate because they're not at war with anyone and they don't press it. Turns out it was a mistake and its a good thing they didn't launch. Will is going to defend one of them.

That same scenario happened at the start of the movie War Games starring Matthew Broderick. Who plays one of the guys in the bunker who hesitates? John Spencer who plays Leo.

1huge1

syklops wrote: »

Interesting fact while we are talking about Will. There was an episode where Will was dressed in an Air Force uniform because he is a reserve in the JAG corps and he was going to NORAD. Two guys in a bunker whose job it is is to push the button to launch a nuclear strike get the order to launch and they hesitate because they're not at war with anyone and they don't press it. Turns out it was a mistake and its a good thing they didn't launch. Will is going to defend one of them.

That same scenario happened at the start of the movie War Games starring Matthew Broderick. Who plays one of the guys in the bunker who hesitates? John Spencer who plays Leo.

Nice catch, I seen that episode only the other day.

I'd say its likely John Spencer had a large input in that scene.

kryogen

One thing I do not look forward to, still a long way off of course as we are just half way through season one is

having to watch Leo have his heart attack again, I have no problem telling you I was in floods of tears the first time around, and second time for that matter in that episode since I knew he passed away in real life from a heart attack in the future, not too distant either He played it so well, too well, I literally felt like I saw him die for real. It killed me

I hope I will be better watching it and the surrounding storyline this time or the missus might get the hump considering I didn't even cry when either of the kids were born

Incredible show though, it took me until the second season to get completely hooked in, then that was it. The show certainly dipped just after Sorkin left but I really enjoyed the late stuff and the Matt Santos arc. What happened to Toby was sad, shame for his character to go that way but as the President said, it was inevitable something like that would happen.

Will was never a patch on Sam. The show always missed him in my humble opinion.

Starscream25

don ramo wrote: »

enjoy, id probably watch a less heralded show first being honest, as a buffer between the unbelievably great shows your watching, and to stretch it out a bit, only so many great shows out there,

i really wish i had time to re-watch TWW, my favorite show of all time bar none,

I know ya, I live in hope that by the time I end up watching one great show another new show will pop up just in time, I'm hearing good things about that one with Kevin spacey, name escapes me now.
For me the west wing definitly will have to be watched again down the line. Such a well scripted show, I found myself google-ing words and expressions often enough which I try to throw into my own vocabulary from time to time, 'how do ya like them apples?,'

1huge1

Starscream25 wrote: »

I know ya, I live in hope that by the time I end up watching one great show another new show will pop up just in time, I'm hearing good things about that one with Kevin spacey, name escapes me now.
For me the west wing definitly will have to be watched again down the line. Such a well scripted show, I found myself google-ing words and expressions often enough which I try to throw into my own vocabulary from time to time, 'how do ya like them apples?,'

I assume you're referring to House of Cards on Netflix, and yes it would be a great choice.

Slightly darker side of politics when compared to The West Wing :-)

trashcan

1huge1 wrote: »

I assume you're referring to House of Cards on Netflix, and yes it would be a great choice.

Slightly darker side of politics when compared to The West Wing :-)

Yeah, House of Cards is the anti West Wing in many ways. Good show, but it didn't hook me. Gave up netflix and I never bothered with the second season.

syklops

In the middle of a rewatch. Toby, Josh and Donna spend 20 hours in middle America and finally get back to the Whitehouse and CJ asks Josh did he sleep and he says "I did better than that", and for years now I have assumed he meant Amy, but later he meets Amy and he says to her "Did you hear we got left behind by the motorcade?"

So who did Josh hook up with?

I do a rewatch about 3 times a year, so have watched it start to finish dozens of times, and individual episodes more often. This only hit me now though.

_Kaiser_

I've finally started this in the last few weeks.. about half-way through season 1

Pretty good so far but it's definitely a show you have to be in the mood for. The constant "we're walking and talking rapidly" bit wears after a while.

Martin Sheen is excellent though.

1huge1

Agreed, you definitely need to be on your game when watching it.

Watched an episode the other night when I was half asleep and had to watch it again the next day

syklops

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Pretty good so far but it's definitely a show you have to be in the mood for. The constant "we're walking and talking rapidly" bit wears after a while.

I think it was in House, he made a joke about that, they were also walking and talking and he said something like: "We must keep moving, it creates the illusion that the story is moving forward" - which is the point of the walk and talk in TV.

Another one I don't understand.

Toby: "He said, "I have one thing to say to China, meet an American leader", I don't know what that mean't but everyone clapped"

About one episode later, the president says in a speech "Kids are dead, kids are dead and happy days are here again."

I(as in me syklops) don't know what that meant, but again everyone clapped and cheered.

Tipsy McSwagger

syklops wrote: »

In the middle of a rewatch. Toby, Josh and Donna spend 20 hours in middle America and finally get back to the Whitehouse and CJ asks Josh did he sleep and he says "I did better than that", and for years now I have assumed he meant Amy, but later he meets Amy and he says to her "Did you hear we got left behind by the motorcade?"

So who did Josh hook up with?

I do a rewatch about 3 times a year, so have watched it start to finish dozens of times, and individual episodes more often. This only hit me now though.

Is he even saying he has slept with anyone? I barely remember that episode but wasn't Bartlett campaigning for a second term and there was a major issue with his MS. Did Josh find out a way to use the MS in a positive way?

Edit - I found this in the wiki page for that episode,

As their journey continues and Josh and Toby debate campaign strategy (eventually concluding that the election should be about the voters' everyday concerns, and not about Bartlet vs. Ritchie), the three of them are exposed to the culture of rural Indiana. Josh and Toby remain largely oblivious to the problems of the people around them, until they meet Matt Kelley, an affable man in a bar who is concerned about how he's going to pay for his daughter's college tuition. This sets into motion a storyline that continues across later episodes, as Josh and Toby, inspired by their conversation with Matt, later spearhead an attempt to make tuition tax deductible.

I knew there was an episode where Josh met some guy in a bar who made him do a rethink of his strategy but wasn't sure it was the 20 Hours in America episode. I would say this is what he was referring to when he replied to CJ.

Kirby

Spot on. I always thought this was fairly obvious.

IvySlayer

West Wing all 7 seasons on On Demand

_Kaiser_

So I've been watching this fairly steadily over the last few weeks (first time through it) and I'm about halfway through season 3 now..

But to be honest I'm really in 2 minds about whether to keep watching... aside from the "crisis of the week" very little really seems to happen. It's good.. but I'm not sure it's worth the investment of any more time.

I know it's from an era when season-long arcs hadn't yet become the norm for shows like this, but seriously.. is this how it is for the remaining seasons or does it pick up??

syklops

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

So I've been watching this fairly steadily over the last few weeks (first time through it) and I'm about halfway through season 3 now..

But to be honest I'm really in 2 minds about whether to keep watching... aside from the "crisis of the week" very little really seems to happen. It's good.. but I'm not sure it's worth the investment of any more time.

I know it's from an era when season-long arcs hadn't yet become the norm for shows like this, but seriously.. is this how it is for the remaining seasons or does it pick up??

Of the first 4 seasons, season 3 is a bit meh. Season 4 really raises the bar and is the best season IMO. Push on to Season 4, watch Season 4, and give up then.

Buona Fortuna

syklops wrote: »

Of the first 4 seasons, season 3 is a bit meh. Season 4 really raises the bar and is the best season IMO. Push on to Season 4, watch Season 4, and give up then.

I'd agree about S3 but I wouldn't miss 7. Some episodes are the best in the series IMHO

SarahBM

Maybe Im missing something here, but I may have to do another runthrough, because I dont remember any season being bad. The first four are really really amazing but I didnt think the later seasons were bad. I certainly would not give up after 4 .

FunLover18

SarahBM wrote: »

Maybe Im missing something here, but I may have to do another runthrough, because I dont remember any season being bad. The first four are really really amazing but I didnt think the later seasons
were bad. I certainly would not give up after 4 .

Season 5 is really dull in my opinion. The show lost its way after Sorkin, and they reflected that in the writing by having the Administration lose its way after the kidnapping.

Highlights for me are Shutdown, The Supremes and Access but apart from that it's a fairly meh season

jeni

So I had a sick day and spent the day couch hugging, I've heard of west wing but never seen it

I'm ten eps in and I love it, but I have to be honest I have been a bit lost a few times and it takes me a while to know what's happening, but it doesn't faze me

Sheen is brilliant and Mr Lowe I could look at all day

KERSPLAT!

Just started rewatching this last week, already on season 3, great show, so easy to watch!

Theboinkmaster

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

So I've been watching this fairly steadily over the last few weeks (first time through it) and I'm about halfway through season 3 now..

But to be honest I'm really in 2 minds about whether to keep watching... aside from the "crisis of the week" very little really seems to happen. It's good.. but I'm not sure it's worth the investment of any more time.

I know it's from an era when season-long arcs hadn't yet become the norm for shows like this, but seriously.. is this how it is for the remaining seasons or does it pick up??

If you're not completely in love with it by now just give up.

TBH I've seen the entire series about 4 times and will watch it again next year, absolutely fantastic show and never gets old for me despite countless repeat viewings.

First 4 seasons are it's best so if you don't like it by now doubt you will change your mind.

syklops

FunLover18 wrote: »

Season 5 is really dull in my opinion. The show lost its way after Sorkin, and they reflected that in the writing by having the Administration lose its way after the kidnapping.

Highlights for me are Shutdown, The Supremes and Access but apart from that it's a fairly meh season

Season 5 is a bit dull, but the episode Shutdown is fantastic. Watched it last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. You need to watch the episode before it for context though.

syklops

jeni wrote: »

but I have to be honest I have been a bit lost a few times and it takes me a while to know what's happening, but it doesn't faze me

I have easily watched the entire season 30 times and I even feel a bit lost by it at times. HMO appreciations

Sometimes Toby says things and I hear the words but they dont make a lot of sense. Also it moves very fast.

Buona Fortuna

syklops wrote: »

I have easily watched the entire season 30 times and I even feel a bit lost by it at times. HMO appreciations

Sometimes Toby says things and I hear the words but they dont make a lot of sense. Also it moves very fast.

It does move fast - I usually have the captions on for subsequent viewings just so I can get that last little gem

kerry4sam

& I am back on Season#1 for the umpteenth time. Gotta say that one aspect I'm liking with this seasonal disc is the non-existence of music at end of each 4episodes, especially when watching at night.

When watching newer episodes at night and I fall asleep, the repetitive intro music has me wake up; re-focus; and press stop. Seasonal#1 right now and peace at end of each 4 episodes.

Truly is the small things,
Happy Days,
kerry4sam

SarahBM

I have lent my friend season one box set so I cant start a run through.

but it is on sky go on demand at the moment

The Black Oil

Empire have a good guide up. Worth a read as you get a sense of the cast did/did not like. Obviously spoilers if you're new the show.

http://www.empireonline.com/westwing/part1.asp

Buona Fortuna

The Black Oil wrote: »

Empire have a good guide up. Worth a read as you get a sense of the cast did/did not like. Obviously spoilers if you're new the show.

http://www.empireonline.com/westwing/part1.asp

Thanks Black Oil. That's a good read.

Lot of good stuff about who might have been cast instead: CCH Pounder, Eugene Levy (the two I got so far). And I'm off imagining the show that might have been.

IvySlayer

Season 5 has Ryan Pierce, therefore it's the worst.

neemish

I'm a complete Wingnut, so thought House of Cards....Washington...Politics...I'll love it! Watched five episodes and gave up. Couldn't stand it after the West Wing.

neemish

neemish wrote: »

I'm a complete Wingnut, so thought House of Cards....Washington...Politics...I'll love it! Watched five episodes and gave up. Couldn't stand it after the West Wing.

Same, I tried my best with it but have up after seven episodes.

kerry4sam

Imagine waking up to this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-Tp0cZnB_o

SarahBM

Dammit I really need to watch the West Wing again!

neemish

kerry4sam wrote: »

Imagine waking up to this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-Tp0cZnB_o

I'm just going to have to watch that episode now, I don't care what time it is!

kerry4sam

Heading nicely into Season#7 this evening...This speech was quite the ending to Season#6 though,
kerry4sam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXoLaMhx-zI

yellow hen

Have just finished watching the west wing again. Still love it and will probably take it out again next year. Best series ever.

kerry4sam

TOMORROW

Oh God, Thy Sea is So Great and My Boat So Small : JFK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF81TS6arWY

/repeats again sometime soon,
kerry4sam

Buona Fortuna

Just finished S3 Ep 12 (100,00 Airplanes).

That's the one where Sam and Toby are trying to write the State of the Union, Bartlet has just accepted the censure and comes up with the idea of curing cancer within 10 years. I've seen that episode several (it would be embarrassing to say) and the punchline of this show absolutely knocks me every time

Oh and meanwhile Josh is trying to get off with Amy Gardiner - never really understood why. Maybe I just don't see what others do

The Black Oil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDNmB72Bg0Y

Trolling Josh. :pac:

DMcL1971

I started re-watching from the start at the weekend. Hopefully I'll be finished by xmas. This will be about the fifth time but so far it's still just as good as the first.

cjmcork

recorded The American President the other night - watching it now - I love catching the dialogue that Sorkin 'recycled'! pretty sure there's a decent drinking game in it!

Sheela

cjmcork wrote: »

recorded The American President the other night - watching it now - I love catching the dialogue that Sorkin 'recycled'! pretty sure there's a decent drinking game in it!

Sorry don't know how to embed videos....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S78RzZr3IwI&index=90&list=FLUUCzKRSuEnus9R-MUF76wQ

SarahBM

cjmcork wrote: »

recorded The American President the other night - watching it now - I love catching the dialogue that Sorkin 'recycled'! pretty sure there's a decent drinking game in it!

Did you record it on rte? I saw someone I Twitter complaining that rte cut out a bit of it.

Sheela

SarahBM wrote: »

Did you record it on rte? I saw someone I Twitter complaining that rte cut out a bit of it.

Hi Sarah - what part was cut out, do you know?

SarahBM

Sheela wrote: »

Hi Sarah - what part was cut out, do you know?

They didn't say. I should have watched it. Its about the only film I actually like Michael Douglas in!