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Original poster

The West Wing... worth watching?

103 replies

ForFuckSteak · 13/01/2023 19:21

It's available on All 4 free of charge so I'll get the shitty ads but ER was worth it, I'm hoping this is too? Need a new series to binge on and never seen a single episode!

OP posts:
Pillowjoy · 14/01/2023 12:18

PearPickingPorky · 14/01/2023 11:49

I agree. It's why I like it so much, he's not portrayed as this amazing president, but as a human who doesn't always make the best decisions and it shows him struggling with some of the decisions he has to make in office.

I agree, and this is also why I like it. The President and his team are all incredibly sharp, intellectual minds, all there on merit, but that doesn’t mean they are perfect people who don't make mistakes, they aren't people who have curated themselves into robots devoid of any individuality.

"Sensitivity readers" would make all those characters impossible to write today!

Though I do think some of the things the writers clearly didn’t intend as flaws now read as problematic and dated — eg they clearly intend us to sympathise with Abby Bartlett against misogyny when she complains about her popularity being linked to her being known as ‘Mrs Bartlett’ when campaigning, but I don’t think we’re supposed to see Josh’s high-handed exploitation of Donna’s devotion to him and general sexism as anything other than witty banter and loveable blokeishness. And some of the liberal characters’ homophobia.

PearPickingPorky · 14/01/2023 14:44

Pillowjoy · 14/01/2023 12:18

Though I do think some of the things the writers clearly didn’t intend as flaws now read as problematic and dated — eg they clearly intend us to sympathise with Abby Bartlett against misogyny when she complains about her popularity being linked to her being known as ‘Mrs Bartlett’ when campaigning, but I don’t think we’re supposed to see Josh’s high-handed exploitation of Donna’s devotion to him and general sexism as anything other than witty banter and loveable blokeishness. And some of the liberal characters’ homophobia.

Show quote history

Yes I agree completely.

I like the character Josh, and he's a character were 'meant' to like too I'm sure, but nowadays he'd never be written in that flawed way.

CliffsofMohair · 14/01/2023 14:52

ForFuckSteak · 13/01/2023 19:21

It's available on All 4 free of charge so I'll get the shitty ads but ER was worth it, I'm hoping this is too? Need a new series to binge on and never seen a single episode!

Laura Innes (Kerry Weaver in ER) directs some episodes of WW. She was nominated for an Emmy I think? Lot of crossover between the two shows.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

TV
CliffsofMohair · 14/01/2023 14:54

Coraline353 · 14/01/2023 07:27

Yeah it's BRILLIANT. It's an episode by episode podcast and one of the hosts is Joshua Malina who is very funny but also obviously knows the ins and outs behind the scenes. The other host is Hrishikesh Hirway who hosts another podcast and is a WW super fan. They're brilliant together and they get all the cast and crew on for interviews.

Show quote history

Except Danny Concannon. As Josh Malian’s sister in law used to be married to Timothy Busman and the divorce was acrimonious (allegedly)

speechf · 14/01/2023 14:54

Yes! And if you like podcasts, listen to the West Wing Weekly alongside it. Its also brilliant.

LookItsMeAgain · 14/01/2023 14:56

I'm actually rewatching it for about the umpteenth time. It's my go to happy place programme. Aaron Sorkin's writing is phenomenal.

Any time I hear of anything happening in Ohio, I alway use the line from CJ (the Press Secretary)
"Oh me oh,
Oh my oh
Oh Cleveland,
Ohio"

It's just something that stuck! 😆

LookItsMeAgain · 14/01/2023 14:58

SirCumference · 13/01/2023 19:46

Best thing on TV by a long way. The writing is just brilliant.

I’ve had a major crush on Josh Lyman for 15 years…

#TeamJosh

I still have crush on Josh! He's quite the silver fox now in real life 🥰🥰🥰🥰

LookItsMeAgain · 14/01/2023 14:59

Notonthestairs · 13/01/2023 21:21

I am a big fan of both WW and ER. They've got to be in the top 20 Tv series of all time.

But I do think WW has dated a bit more. But at the time the dialogue and camera work broke new (tv) ground - speed of delivery and expectation that viewers wanted a bit more meat on their storyline.

The characters are imperfect (particularly Bartlett) and annoying but I think that is a good part of characterisation.

This is worth a read

www.empireonline.com/west-wing/

Bartlet.

Peppermintaero · 14/01/2023 15:02

The references to Rowe Vs Wade are painful to hear: Amy and Donna would be Mumsnetters.

Fantastic series which has many strong female characters.

Enjoy OP. It was made in a time when it felt like politicians could still have principles so it makes you feel better about the world (before you remember Trump was voted in)

Tigger7654 · 14/01/2023 15:16

Oh god yes you'll be hooked, one of my very faves!

Withholdingvitalinfo · 14/01/2023 15:18

Hell yeah. We watched it during lockdown - loved it!

going to do The Thick of It, Veep and Happy Valley this winter which also completely passed us by as had young DC at time.

tigger1001 · 14/01/2023 17:25

LookItsMeAgain · 14/01/2023 14:56

I'm actually rewatching it for about the umpteenth time. It's my go to happy place programme. Aaron Sorkin's writing is phenomenal.

Any time I hear of anything happening in Ohio, I alway use the line from CJ (the Press Secretary)
"Oh me oh,
Oh my oh
Oh Cleveland,
Ohio"

It's just something that stuck! 😆

Me too 😂😂

Alighttouchonthetiller · 14/01/2023 17:36

It's wonderful. The dialogue is brilliantly quick.

Original poster
ForFuckSteak · 14/01/2023 18:07

Nearly finished episode one. Still waiting to get hooked 🎣

OP posts:
CarbsAreNotMyFriend · 14/01/2023 18:10

Best programme I've ever seen! Watched it many times!

ABrotherWhoLooksLikeHellMugYou · 14/01/2023 18:14

ForFuckSteak · 14/01/2023 18:07

Nearly finished episode one. Still waiting to get hooked 🎣

Another addict here, checking in in the hopes of setting you come back as besotted as the rest of us!

Original poster
ForFuckSteak · 14/01/2023 18:30

I'll stick for now but to be honest there's no one I'm warning to, except possibly POTUS. They all seem a bit... gobby

OP posts:
Original poster
ForFuckSteak · 14/01/2023 18:30

*warming

OP posts:
YellowAndGreenToBeSeen · 14/01/2023 18:36

Try reframing ‘gobby’ as:

super bright
highly verbal (lawyers, PR gurus, academics)
competitive and
VERY excited to be in the White House!

(and a special mention for Charlie as a brilliant character. But Mandy is not missed).

Cherrysoup · 14/01/2023 19:03

It’s a very fast paced programme, you really have to focus, which sounds stupid! I watched it before I was massively into my iPad, I like to watch non-cerebral stuff that doesn’t require loads of attention so I can be scrolling on the iPad too. 😳

PetitPorpoise · 14/01/2023 19:08

I love it, OP, but it took me a few episodes to get into it. I hate the Mandy character but don't worry - she doesn't make it past the first few episodes.

I also found it a bit earnest and cringey in some moments but stick with it. I've never managed to convince my DH to get over the first impression sadly.

AlwaysFoldingWashing · 14/01/2023 19:41

One of the best shows I've ever seen

Beachhutnut · 14/01/2023 19:42

Still the best drama series made yet.

CarbsAreNotMyFriend · 17/01/2023 20:41

Series 1 is a tougher watch now, it's quite old. Stick with it, it will be soooo worth it

Binglebong · 17/01/2023 21:12

Have you tried Newsroom? Same flawed characters trying to do better. Some you will hate at first but learn to love.