Anyone who has ever watched The West Wing will doubtless say that it is among the finest reveals they’ve watched. This may increasingly appear to be a generalization, however the present is among the most celebrated dramas ever, tying 4 different reveals for probably the most Excellent Drama Sequence wins on the Emmys in historical past. Aaron Sorkin’s masterpiece featured a cupboard full of stars and actors who grew to become stars from their work within the present.
The present did have a tonal change after Sorkin left following season 4, however even then, it was capable of rebound with two robust closing seasons and an unforgettable collection finale. If concerned with reliving the Bartlet administration, rewatching the collection 26 years after it premiered might appear to be a good suggestion. However there are some stark truths that one realizes when doing so. Listed below are a few of the harshest realities from season 1.
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One of many Final Nice Community Dramas
It appears a bit overseas now to deal with being at residence throughout a set time to observe an hour-long drama collection on a fundamental cable community. With streaming taking on the TV panorama, it is a lot simpler to observe one thing that is accessible at any time. Most individuals who watch a present weekly most likely solely know when it’ll be put up on their most well-liked streaming service, somewhat than what evening it airs on TV. The West Wing was a present that made individuals sit down and tune into NBC.
The West Wing’s season 1 introduces the whole Bartlet administration, from the President to Josh, Sam, CJ, Toby, Leo, and past. However as soon as these introductions are over, the forged is ready of their characters, and the experience begins. It made it really feel like viewers had been within the White Home, following together with conversations that they should not be listening to. That is what made it so particular.
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The Relationship Between Politics and the Press
In at the moment’s political panorama, a journalist might not even be allowed in a room, not to mention have their questions answered. The strain between the media and politicians is at an all-time excessive. In President Trump’s first presidency, there have been a number of White Home Press Secretaries who made their method by way of the function. The Bartlet Presidency noticed a number of shakeups as properly, however for many of the two phrases, it fell on C.J. Cregg to speak with the media.
Cregg had an excellent relationship with the media, nevertheless it wasn’t all the time that method. It took a while to construct up that belief. The season 1 finale noticed Cregg feeling not sure of how you can disguise the reality from the press to guard a covert mission the President had ordered. However because the present went on, she grew to become nice on the job.
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The Quick-Paced Dialogue Can Be Arduous To Maintain Up With
The present was identified for its dialogue, due to Sorkin’s incomparable writing type, and scenes moved at lightning velocity. The viewers could not be distracted, or they’d miss necessary plot factors. It felt completely different from at the moment’s writing, as some films and TV collection overexplain what is occurring by way of brief speeches, so individuals can scroll their telephones whereas maintaining with the present.
The present outlined what it means to observe a “stroll and discuss,” which means individuals are strolling by way of a constructing and speaking about necessary plot factors. It is one thing often seen in Sorkin tasks and has by no means been extra evident than in The West Wing. Season 1 has a variety of these kind of scenes, a lot of which comply with Leo discussing one thing extremely prescient or President Bartlet giving Charlie some knowledge on their solution to the Oval Workplace.
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Weak Scandals In comparison with As we speak’s Political Panorama
Political scandals are one thing which have been round without end. There have been loads of politicians who’ve needed to resign due to scandalous conduct. The West Wing did not let viewers suppose that would not be the case for the present from the get-go. Sam had a relationship with a name lady within the premiere episode.
That did not go far within the collection, because it was squashed after a number of episodes. However that form of exercise just isn’t unforeign to the political panorama. Due to that, it does not actually make for excellent TV both. It is arguably one of many weakest storylines in season 1.
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It Takes an Knowledgeable Viewer To Admire the Writing
When the collection started, there weren’t almost as many 24-hour tv information networks as there are at the moment. Folks nonetheless bought a variety of their information from newspapers or the early phases of utilizing the Web. That is utterly completely different from at the moment, as you are studying this story on a web site, maybe whereas scrolling in your telephone. Information entry is extra available at the moment, giving individuals extra alternatives to be extra knowledgeable on the problems of the world.
The West Wing launched so much in a behind-the-scenes have a look at a U.S. presidency that residents had by no means seen earlier than. As we speak, loads of what is occurring on the White Home is broadcast on tv. Extra briefings are televised on the White Home than ever earlier than. When season 1 got here out, audiences needed to be extra in tune with what was occurring worldwide to comply with a few of the storylines, which meant searching for out the information somewhat than seeing a reel on TikTok.
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22 Hour-Lengthy Episodes Can Really feel Like a Slog
Season 1 of The West Wing featured 22 hour-long episodes. That was normal for a lot of drama collection in 1999. With streaming companies taking on the tv panorama, followers will not often have a season of a present that lasts for greater than 15 episodes. There are nonetheless episodes that clock in at an hour. However as a rule, viewers should eat reveals at a faster price.
Sorkin was capable of progressively inform tales all through the seasons and construct up longer plots. In at the moment’s age, the tales have to return sooner and extra furiously. The power to binge a collection in a single sitting is taken into account when they’re created, which means that actions and penalties to them are resolved sooner.
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Outdated Ethical Discussions Really feel Like a Relic
From the onset of the collection, it was clear that President Bartlet weighs choices by way of a lens of politics vs. faith. He’s a proud alumnus of Notre Dame and quotes scriptures all through the run of the present. Bartlet takes time to think about the morality of his choices, weighing not solely the way it will look politically however the way it will have an effect on him as a Christian. Nevertheless, he all the time tended to belief his instincts to do what was proper for the American individuals as an entire.
Whereas there may be nonetheless loads of that happening in politics, it does not really feel like it’s brazenly mentioned as a lot as in earlier generations. Doing one thing that’s morally proper versus one thing that may get somebody forward is not all the time seen as of late. It is onerous to argue that Bartlet was portrayed as a President for all individuals.
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Outdated Know-how Panorama
There isn’t any method round it: individuals counting on newspapers extra or trusting information web sites is an apparent a part of the collection that stands proud in at the moment’s world. Everyone who wants to speak to somebody grabs a corded or cordless telephone. No one had cellphones, not to mention social media. The optics of the White Home and its staffers are coated solely by the bodily media press.
Season 1 had a ton of issues for the White Home workers to take care of. However none of it was amplified by false allegations on social media. Not saying that’s all social media is used for, however it may be a outstanding facet of the political panorama as of late. The West Wing simply has to deal with holding Cregg’s media pool within the loop and at bay.