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West Wing from the beginning

92 replies

misslaughalot · 26/01/2013 21:26

As there are many Nov 2012 mums currently enjoying maternity leave with much time on the sofa, we've recently been discussing which TV programmes we are enjoying watching. The West Wing has repeatedly come up as a programme that is on people's 'to watch' or 'to rewatch' for the zillionth time list, so here's a place where we can do it together!

Each Saturday night I'll post the titles of the episodes we will watch in the coming week, then we can come back here for chat, discussion, thoughts, questions and perving over the wondrous Josh

Anyone who'd like to watch with us is welcome too! But please no spoilers for those who are enjoying it for the first time!

So lets start with the first two episodes of series one:
Series 1, episode 1: Pilot
Series 1, episode 2: Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc

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Dixiebell · 05/02/2013 17:40

Marina, I liked Studio 60 too. The Newsroom is quite good. Not on a par with TWW. And just watched Moneyball too, which although a bit indecipherable being about Baseball, is still quite good.

MadamGazelleIsMyMum · 05/02/2013 19:28

I agree Marina he is god. Love A Few Good Men and The Social Network too.

FellatioNels0n · 06/02/2013 06:30

I watched the one last night where CJ stood in front of the the President, Josh, Toby and Sam and the President said 'so what will the papers say tomorrow? ' and CJ said 'blah blah.....and depending on which part of the conversation they overheard they will say that I am very good in bed.'

Cue Confused faces.

Sam: 'Why?'

CJ: (all indignant) 'Because I am!'

ChunkyChicken · 06/02/2013 14:41

I LUFFS Josh!!!

I also love ep 3. We see the burden of responsibility and the necessary separation of the personal and the professional aspect of the job weigh heavy on the President. We also meet Charlie. Plus Josh becomes even more of a smart arse. What's not too love??!!!

Brockle · 06/02/2013 15:27

I love how Charlie changes through the series. His relationship with the President is one of my favourite things about TWW.

Catbag · 09/02/2013 18:39

"What is the virtue of a proportionate response?". Really stuck with me, that sentence. Haven't started rewatching it yet, but given that I have seen it through about twelve times, I shouldn't have any problem keeping up with the chat Wink

Just for the record- Mandy= worst character by far. Should not have made it past the pilot. Squeaky mare.

FrankellyMyDearIDontGiveADamn · 09/02/2013 18:45

As an avid WW fan I will say that you will struggle to just watch 2 episodes a week - more like 2 per day Grin

Catbag · 09/02/2013 20:00

frankelly Wit you there- once the disc goes in, we can't stop watching to the end of the season Grin

CatelynStark · 09/02/2013 20:02

I've been up until 1am every night watching at least 3 or 4. I can't stop! Grin

ChunkyChicken · 10/02/2013 10:11

Def catbag re Mandy.

I'd forgotten that Leo gets separated so early on & that we learn he's in AA in the same episode.

Although I can see where Leo's Jenny is coming from, I feel that she's almost surprised he's out until all hours. I think she's a bit unreasonable - although Leo's addiction is now work rather than alcohol obviously, so perhaps her reaction comes from a place of love/looking after him, rather than annoyance/frustration at him forgetting their anniversary amongst other things. Yes, I would find it hurtful but you don't just suddenly become chief of staff to POTUS and its not a permanent job is it?? She must have had some idea about what it was going to be like.

hattymattie · 10/02/2013 13:00

I've sort of stalled at Series 6 and lost interest a bit - I think it's when they start detailed conversations about policy and tax law that I can't follow. I need to take a deep breath and jump back in.

ChunkyChicken · 11/02/2013 16:30

On ep 5 now & its just struck me. We've not yet met Mrs POTUS... Did Stockard Channing not get signed up at first or something??!

ChunkyChicken · 11/02/2013 22:17

Hope this isn't too much of a spoiler... its funny how POTUS's speech to Zoe about her being kidnapped seems awfully familiar if you watch later episodes.Hmm

Brockle · 11/02/2013 22:22

I thought that when I watched that scene the last time cc definitely west wing day tomorrow Smile

ChunkyChicken · 12/02/2013 17:35

I'll say it again. I LUFFS JOSH!!!

He is bloody amazing in ep 9 (sorry, got a bit ahead of the schedule - couldn't press 'stop'!!).

li41lh · 12/02/2013 17:57

Mallory uses her mothers maiden name for work, to avoid being recognised as Leo's daughter. Currently finishing up season 7, for second time in maternity leave...baby is nearly 4 months!

Original poster
misslaughalot · 12/02/2013 20:36

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh sorry guys, I've lapsed this week! Babylaughalot has a cold and has given up napping in the day (even though I thought she'd sleep more) so I haven't had time to sit and watch at all. I think she's over most of it now though, so will be catching up later this week, I promise!!

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FrankellyMyDearIDontGiveADamn · 12/02/2013 20:49

Martin Sheen wasn't supposed to be in the programme as much as he is! It started out as a "behind the scenes" kinda show, before they quickly realised how great Martin Sheen was in the role. I imagine they didn't see the need for much First Lady to begin with.

Dixiebell · 13/02/2013 08:59

Stockard Channing is cool though.

Dixiebell · 14/02/2013 10:33

Does the theme music get faster in later series?!

gingermcflea · 14/02/2013 10:50

No -the theme music doesn't get any quicker, but your reflexes to hit fast-forward through it do!
The theme music is awful, isn't it?

Dixiebell · 14/02/2013 11:07

Actually I quite like it! Good old WG Snuffy Walden Hmm. DH and I used to sing along to it I'm afraid on one of our boxset marathons when ds1 was tiny and asleep downstairs with us. We always said the WW theme tune would be ingrained in his brain forever...

Dixiebell · 14/02/2013 12:48

Ep 4 best so far I think. LO e the Toby fraud storyline and teasing of him and Josh. Like the knowing moment when Josh and Sam walking and both think they're following the other. And the Pres at the end dosed up on medication is classic - 'Before I go, let me just say this one thing...I'm seriously considering getting a dog'. Love it.

ChunkyChicken · 14/02/2013 16:55

I too like the theme tune Dixie & DH & I used to sing along. I won't mention the monkey actions we do when singing along to the CSI theme, ooh ooh oooh etc

Ep 4 is a good one. Other bits are funny in later Eps but they start getting a bit more serious/political/nitty gritty. Still enthralling though.

Original poster
misslaughalot · 15/02/2013 13:06

The theme tune does change a few episodes in. It's quite placid in the first episode, then become more orchestral later on, but it's the same tune.

I like the new characters we meet in ep 3, Fitz and Danny (a personal favourite). Josh and CJ's argument in this episode is great, no normal people argue like that!

And as other have said, an over medicated president in ep 4 is very funny. This episode is also quite typical of the Sorkin storytelling style, when they introduce a topic the audience knows nothing about but the characters are much involved in (like 802, whatever that is) and its only through each scene that you build up the picture piece by piece. It's something my DP couldn't cope with well, he'd be constantly asking "what does that mean?" and couldn't just trust that he'd find out later (also because it meant paying attention all the time!)

Did you guys know that Nancy, the presidents secretary, is actually Martin Sheen's real life daughter?

Oooooh big block of cheese episode next Grin

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