When you ask me what my favourite TV present of all time is, I’ll most likely reply The West Wing. As somebody who studied political science, I’ve all the time had an curiosity in authorities in politics, and Aaron Sorkin’s fairytale, impressed by his film The American President, a couple of authorities of sensible individuals attempting to do good is simply my type of present. Having stated that, I’ve a confession to make: I’ve by no means really seen the entire sequence.
Once I say The West Wing is my favourite TV present, I’m referring solely to the primary 4 seasons of the present, the one through which Aaron Sorkin was the author and showrunner. On the finish of the fourth season, Rob Lowe left the present, however extra importantly, Aaron Sorkin stopped writing it. I held on for so long as I might, however in the end I too left The West Wing, largely due to one episode that infuriated me on the time, and it seems it nonetheless does.
I Stopped Watching The West Wing 20 Years In the past And By no means Went Again
Not too long ago, I made a decision to do a full rewatch of The West Wing. Or in my case, a full rewatch of most of The West Wing, and a first-time look ahead to the portion of the present I by no means really noticed.
I watched the primary 4 superb seasons and reveled in The West Wing forged’s unbelievable chemistry. I cherished episodes like “Let Bartlet Be Barlet” and “Recreation On.” I nonetheless watch two of my favourite episodes, “Shibboleth” and “The Indians within the Foyer,” each Thanksgiving, however watching them in context once more was fairly particular.
After which Season 5 started. When you had requested me after I stopped watching the present, I’d have stated it was sooner or later through the first non-Sorkin season. It is a slog. The music of Sorkin’s dialogue is clearly out of tune. The romance of the present had been changed with bathroom customary serialized drama.
It seems I watched extra of The West Wing the primary time round than even I assumed. It was when Season 6 started, and began out precisely like Season 5 that I gave up, nevertheless it was the second episode of the season that broke all of it for me.
The Birnam Wooden Is The Worst West Wing Episode
The tip of Season 5 of The West Wing and the start of Season 6 all take care of the president and his administration making an attempt the herculean process of reaching peace within the Center East. It’s a storyline that, contemplating the literal struggle occurring as I’m watching the episodes, has definitely not aged all that nicely.
The president hosts a summit at Camp David to attempt to get the 2 sides to come back to some kind of settlement. He’s centered on making it occur, however the remainder of his employees is much from positive there will probably be a hit, and Chief of Workers Leo McGarry (John Spencer) is attempting to speak the president (Martin Sheen) off the ledge. Season 6, Episode 2, titled “The Birnam Wooden” brings the battle to a head.
These two have definitely disagreed earlier than. There have been arguments between the boys who’ve been pals for many years, however there’s an anger between them right here that’s uncomfortable as a fan who cares about each characters.
Leo affords to resign if the president is not fascinated with his council, and the president, indignant on the provide, accepts it. To make issues worse, the episode ends with Leo having a coronary heart assault alone within the woods, with no one seemingly conscious it has occurred.
20 years later, I do know that Leo doesn’t die, however on the time I definitely wasn’t so positive. Even when he did, it was clear the connection right here would by no means be the identical once more. Character dynamics altering is a part of any story, however a narrative through which these two aren’t pals was merely not a narrative I used to be fascinated with ending.
The West Wing Does Get Higher
I had all the time been informed the present acquired higher (although by no means pretty much as good because the early years) following the tough Season 5. Nonetheless, I had actual hassle urgent play on the following episode of The West Wing.
It does get higher virtually instantly, and whereas the ramifications of the horrible Season 5 and early Season 6 are nonetheless right here, and character relationships are a large number, it settles into being model of a distinct kind of present.
There are some nice West Wing episodes, definitely extra good than dangerous, even with virtually all of Season 5 being so tough. And there is enjoyable available within the later seasons. There are quite a lot of returning characters that appeared early in The West Wing after which disappeared, and seeing them once more is like coming dwelling.
As I write this I haven’t fairly completed my full viewing of The West Wing but. I’ll probably end Season 6 shortly after scripting this, and can then end up the present within the coming days. However as a result of the present is now higher, I’m assured that the place I finished earlier than is actually the worst episode of the present.