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Original poster

West Wing - the end again...

69 replies

thefemaleJoshLyman · 19/02/2021 13:49

Just finished watching from the beginning again. In tears - why does this programme get to me so much?My username is from the last time l watched it 11 years ago when DD was a baby . Love Josh and Donna, CJ is amazing and the last scene with Bartlett for America. Sob. Sad

OP posts:
HugeAckmansWife · 19/02/2021 18:09

Try the Newsroom.. Also by Sorkin. It's not as good as WW but still good. I loved WW and have watched it all through about 5 times. I do think it gets a little fractured in series 6/7 as the group all go their separate ways and the WW itself seems almost deserted by the end. Top episode for me is end of season 3..jeff Buckleys 'Hallelujah' playing. Also love the flashback episodes.

OhioOhioOhio · 19/02/2021 22:02

It's £19 on amazon. Or £18 something.

Blankiefan · 19/02/2021 22:15

I do love the West Wing. It was amazing tv. I've probably watched it 4 times.

But... and this may not be popular but... we watched it again last year and I found the earlier seasons to be badly dated. Probably until around season 5 I felt that it was massively patronising to the female characters with a heavy dose of misogyny that I hadn't noticed on previous viewings. I found myself cringing at many points. It gets better in the later seasons but i don't know if I'll watch it again (which makes me a bit sad as I have so much fondness for it).

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tigger1001 · 19/02/2021 22:24

I'm rewatching it just now. Been on holiday this week and have binge watched. Love the west wing.

I've lost count how many times I've watched it. Only discovered it about 5 years ago and just love it.

violetbunny · 19/02/2021 22:42

Politics bore me to tears, but this is still one of my favourite shows of all time. I have re-watched it several times over. Love the Josh and Donna storyline, and Sam who is so idealistic and passionate. CJ kicks ass!

SpikeDearheart · 19/02/2021 22:45

I want to be CJ when I grow up Smile

Original poster
thefemaleJoshLyman · 20/02/2021 11:44

So I've just been for a run and listened to the podcast for Transition - the episode where Josh and Donna finally go on holiday together. I'm not sure what other runners and walkers thought of my chuckling as I ran past them!! Blush

OP posts:
LookItsMeAgain · 20/02/2021 21:22

@Blankiefan

I do love the West Wing. It was amazing tv. I've probably watched it 4 times.

But... and this may not be popular but... we watched it again last year and I found the earlier seasons to be badly dated. Probably until around season 5 I felt that it was massively patronising to the female characters with a heavy dose of misogyny that I hadn't noticed on previous viewings. I found myself cringing at many points. It gets better in the later seasons but i don't know if I'll watch it again (which makes me a bit sad as I have so much fondness for it).

That's interesting @Blankiefan that you mention until around season 5 that you noticed these things because seasons 1-4 were under the command of Aaron Sorkin and he left at the end of season 4 so from Season 5 onwards, there was a very clear John Wells feel to the direction of the show.
Itsmemaggie · 20/02/2021 21:31

I’ve found my people. Currently rewatching whilst listening to the podcast, which is just brilliant. I’m at the start of season 5. There are definitely more female writers involved after Sorkin left, I’m keenly watching for the impact of this.

Itsmemaggie · 20/02/2021 21:36

Oh and for fans of both Hamilton and the West Wing there is a special edition of the podcast with Lin Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail where they talk about the influence of the West Wing on Hamilton.

LunaHeather · 20/02/2021 21:38

I just decided yesterday to rewatch it.
It seems like it would be escapism now, though it was prescient then...

I thought the best episodes were around the kidnap. John Goodman was superb just saying "Mr President....you're relieved".

LunaHeather · 20/02/2021 21:39

@SpikeDearheart

I want to be CJ when I grow up Smile
And they'll call you...

🎤The Jackal🎤

HerbErtlinger · 20/02/2021 21:42

I rewatched them all recently and was bereft when I finished it. It's my favourite show ever, nothing has topped it

carnations23 · 20/02/2021 21:51

I love love love Josh/Donna ,

I watched the whole thing back to back twice in the space of 18 days 🙈🤦‍♀️

And in a weird coincidence I'm naming my baby after a West Wing character, first name was always going to be what it is and with my husband choosing the middle name it's now the same as one as the character 🙈

OhioOhioOhio · 20/02/2021 21:53

Twice in 18 days? You should get a prize!

LunaHeather · 20/02/2021 21:54

I hope no one minds me asking

Was John Spencer's passing totally out of the blue? I know he was still filming so it seems like he was well and working and just had a massive heart attack?

I actually never saw him in anything else but I just loved him. The Marbury thing was so funny!

Bainne · 20/02/2021 21:59

Toby was my giant crush. Cerebral, idealistic, witheringly sarcastic, depressive... Grin

Though actually what depresses me mildly is how many of the extraordinary cast have never had anywhere near such good parts since.

SendMeHome · 20/02/2021 22:01

@LunaHeather Yes, it was really sudden. I read something with the writers saying they wanted to do another series, a transition year, but decided not to after his sudden death. I want to say that it was in Empire or GQ?

I loved him too, he’s excellent.

SendMeHome · 20/02/2021 22:02

(I meant his death was sudden. He had been unwell, I think, but he wasn’t expected to die.

I need sleep; I hope that makes sense!)

LunaHeather · 20/02/2021 22:06

[quote SendMeHome]@LunaHeather Yes, it was really sudden. I read something with the writers saying they wanted to do another series, a transition year, but decided not to after his sudden death. I want to say that it was in Empire or GQ?

I loved him too, he’s excellent.[/quote]
I think it probably ended at the right time.

Yes, filming schedules are tough so I was thinking if he was well enough to do that it must have been shocking.

I'm sure he will always be remembered.

LookItsMeAgain · 20/02/2021 22:16

Gerald!

Yes, the death of John Spencer was sudden. I think it was at the start of season 7 on the DVD's and probably the streaming box sets that Martin Sheen pays a lovely tribute to John. They included his name in the credits throughout season 7 even though he wasn't in too many of the episodes and even recurring characters like Charlie or Abby were only given billing in the episodes they were actually in.

I have a post-it on my desk at work that I sometimes have to look at and on it it says "WWLD?"

Loved The Newsroom and LOVED the speech that Will McAvoy gave about America not being the greatest...such a pity that the Republicans in America didn't use that as their starting point for making it great again, but I digress. It was also such a good show.

LookItsMeAgain · 20/02/2021 22:26

Just on The Newsroom, I think the casting of Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy was one of the best casting decisions ever made. Ever.

Andylion · 20/02/2021 22:49

@Bainne

Toby was my giant crush. Cerebral, idealistic, witheringly sarcastic, depressive... Grin

Though actually what depresses me mildly is how many of the extraordinary cast have never had anywhere near such good parts since.

Toby was my favourite. Those soulful eyes.
icanboogieboogiewoogie · 20/02/2021 22:55

Oh I loved it. My favourite thing on TV ever, and nothing will ever replace it. Loved the podcast too. I've started watching it again to try to see Alexander Hamilton references. Grin

LunaHeather · 20/02/2021 23:09

Gerald! 😂😂

That reminds me - Roger Rees connection - maybe some of you might like Elementary? A long shot, I know. But the light touch emotion etc....
I love it. There's seven seasons, or six and a quarter 😂 if you need a new show.