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Telly addicts

BartlettNet - The West Wing Appreciation Society - May Contain Spoilers!

442 replies

CaveMum · 19/05/2011 13:28

A thread for the discussion of West Wing - the best tv show ever made!

If you haven't seen all 7 Seasons be aware that this thread may contain spoilers!

OP posts:
TinyPawz · 20/06/2011 23:23

It's terrible that they did that to Rosemary. I think the mother is every bit as much to blame as the father.

Empusa · 20/06/2011 23:25

How have I never seen this thread before! Currently watching Series 5 (again)

I love The West Wing, think everyone should be made to watch it.

changeforthebetter · 21/06/2011 18:11

I missed The Kennedys - interesting to hear the bit about JFK's father. Wonder if that inspired the storyline with excuse- me it's President-- Bartlet and his father who Dolores Landingham so fantastically described as "a prick" (and coming from her, that was something)?

CaveMum · 22/06/2011 07:08

change you could be right. I've heard it said many times that Bartlet is the President that people hoped JFK would have been/become.

Sadly I don't think it would have turned out that way.

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changeforthebetter · 22/06/2011 18:21

Well President Bartlet only "barbecued with" the First Lady - unlike JFK Wink

CaveMum · 22/06/2011 22:38

A great cast interview on Ellen featuring absolutely EVERYONE (except Rob Lowe and John Spencer Sad!:

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five

Ladies brace yourselves for the opening seconds of Part Three - who knew Josh, I mean, Bradley was so bendy [faints]

And am I the only person that assumed "Charlie's" real name was pronounced "Duel"?!

OP posts:
megcleary · 23/06/2011 14:50

Am starting episode 22 of season 7, sob, third time round, I don't want it to end............waaahh

fiderer · 24/06/2011 08:38

Am on S7 too. Last night was the scene on the Santos plane where they mention Annabeth and Leo and I thought again - nooooo.
Funny how you change your mind about people sometimes. Didn't like Jordan at first, then liked her and Leo together. Bartlet said they were like a screwball comedy.

Don't think there was a bad scene with John Spence.

changeforthebetter · 24/06/2011 18:24

Aww I like the Annabeth-Leo thing. Leo doesn't get my heart racing but I am glad he was having fun to the end. Annabeth rocks - looks all blonde and fluffy but actually razor sharp, super-smart and just the kind of woman Leo would like. Loved that Josh and Santos were oblivious.

fiderer · 25/06/2011 07:33

Annabeth is great. I like the scene in the lift when he asks her to dinner and she says no "because of the tension" - Leo, also oblivious, "What tension?"

Josh -when the team all start pairing off in the bar and Josh asks Donna if she knew. Funny and v believable.

I really like Edie too.

fiderer · 25/06/2011 07:40

One of my favourite scenes: the Republican convention is on TV and the VP nominee is Bartlet-bashing. The crowd is chanting "8 is enough" to every sentence of his and the camera switches between that and the White House staff watching.
The expression on Toby's face is priceless. At the end Leo asks dryly, "Would 8 be enough?"

Now I'm reminded of Josh's definition (to the Star Trek woman) of a fetish rather than a hobby Grin

Grandhighpoohba · 25/06/2011 22:43

Just watched the cast interviews on Ellen. American tv is a strange, strange place.

CaveMum · 25/06/2011 22:53

Grandhighpoohba I agree 100%. Theyre far too excitable! You don't see anyone behaving like that on Parky now do you?!

Wink
OP posts:
BartletForAmerica · 26/06/2011 11:22

I'm relatively new to the WW and have just finished the third series. (You can guess which episode I watched the evening I registered for Mumsnet!) But isn't it great!

Last night, I watched the finale of Season 3 - yes, it was schmaltzy, but I was with CJ sobbing.

Grandhighpoohba · 26/06/2011 15:13

I'm jealous that you have episodes to watch that are new to you!

Cavemum yes far too excitable! And its all fawning and cosy jokes and here have a prezzie and lets listen to the audience scream, and no actual conversation. How odd that the country that calls that good tv can produce the West Wing. Makes more sense of the scene in series 7 when leno wants Santos to dress up as Robin Hood though.

cjbartlett · 27/06/2011 20:30

I've just finished watching the finale
was very emotional

PatientGriselda · 27/06/2011 21:33

Can i beg your expert opinion on a West Wing issue?

I'm working my way through season 7 an have just got to the lost briefcase episode. When I saw it the first time, I totally believed Santos, but now I'm suddenly not sure! His face just looks so exceedingly controlled. Are we meant to think he's lying? Or not?

CaveMum · 28/06/2011 00:13

Patient I believed Santos.

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Fiderer · 28/06/2011 07:46

I believed him too, though on the second time of watching I wondered too. I think the expression on his face is perhaps partly fear of who else knows about it and that if it gets out, no one will believe him and the race is over. Partly disbelief that Vinick doesn't believe him, he seems to see Vinick as an honorable man and expected the same.
Also think if the child had been his, he would have told Vinick and Vinick wouldn't have made it public.

Grandhighpoohba · 28/06/2011 20:10

I believed Santos! (we should get t-shirts made)

changeforthebetter · 29/06/2011 21:14

I will have to get a "I used to believe Santos, but now I'm not sure, but I like the way it was left open for the viewer to decide". Is that a bit long for a t-shirt? Grin

I dunno - "Politician has affair. News at eleven" (as Leo would say Wink). It is totally believable that it would happen. I still love Santos and would certainly forgive him (Helen did!)

CaveMum · 29/06/2011 21:39

I've just been watching Two Cathedrals again and I have to post the quote:

Bartlet: [standing in the National Cathedral, walking towards the altar and talking to God about Mrs. Landingham] You're a son-of-a-bitch, You know that? She bought her first new car and You hit her with a drunk driver. What, was that supposed to be funny? "You can't conceive, nor can I, the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God," says Graham Greene. I don't know whose ass he was kissing there 'cause I think You're just vindictive. What was Josh Lyman? A warning shot? That was my son. What did I ever do to Yours except praise His glory and praise His name? There's a tropical storm that's gaining speed and power. They say we haven't had a storm this bad since You took out that tender ship of mine in the north Atlantic last year, 68 crew. Do You know what a tender ship does? Fixes the other ships. Doesn't even carry guns, just goes around, fixes the other ships and delivers the mail, that's all it can do. Gratias Tibi ago, domine (I give thanks to You, O Lord). Yes, I lied. It was a sin. I've committed many sins. Have I displeased You, You feckless thug? Three point eight million new jobs, that wasn't good? Bailed out Mexico, increased foreign trade, 30 million new acres of land for conservation, put Mendoza on the bench, we're not fighting a war, I've raised three children... that's not enough to buy me out of the doghouse? Haec credam a deo pio? A deo iusto? A deo scito? Cruciatus in crucem! Tuus in terra servus nuntius fui officium perfeci. Cruciatus in crucem. Eas in crucem! (Am I to believe those were the acts of a loving God? A just God? A wise God?) To hell with Your punishments! I was Your servant on Earth - I spread Your word and did Your work. To hell with your punishments! To hell with You! [walks away from the altar, lights a cigarette, takes one puff, throws it to the ground, puts it out with his foot and proceeds to leave] You get Hoynes!

Writing and acting perfection.

[sighs happily]

OP posts:
Fiderer · 30/06/2011 09:27

Writing and acting perfection - yes it was.
One of the many things I like about the WW is that some of the shorter exchanges are so pithy, funny, clever. Loved the recurring theme of CJ, Danny and the goldfish. Also pretty much any time where it's evident they're winging it and don't have everything under control.
"I notice we're spelling 'hallowed' with a pound sign.... the pound sign is silent?"

changeforthebetter · 08/07/2011 21:57

And at times like these, one longs for Jed Bartlet's pearls of wisdom. They never did a big-media story though the Sam-Laurie story had privacy resonances a couple of weeks ago.

Fiderer · 12/07/2011 05:20

Sigh - I liked CJ and Agent Sunshine Shame they killed him off. Didn't take to Ben at all.