West Wing from the beginning

[misslaughalot]

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

Oh, I'm so . WW is my favourite tv programme of all time, but as a f/t WOHM I just don't have time to watch it. If I could employ someone to rip all my DVDs to my ipad, then maybe I would.

I did know about Nancy being Martin Sheen's daughter. I assume you all know that Sorkin got the idea for the show from the American President (that very cheesy Michael Douglas film with Annette Benning) - it was in that show that he pioneered the "walk and talk" as a means of allowing a dialogue heavy show to move at pace. I believe he realised how well it worked in AP, which is what gave him the confidence to do WW. If you compare and contrast with another very dialogue heavy political film (Oliver Stone's JFK) from ten years earlier, you see how much better the walk and talk works.

It took me a while to get into WW because of the dialogue, the politics and the speed at which they talk (Sam in particular) but once you get into the zone, its just amazing.

I'm going to participate without watching, if that's OK?

Trying desparately to remember my favourite episodes... that one with the Chinese Christians is probably one of them. And agree with Bartlett's speech to Zoe after the incident with Josh and Toby in the bar is ridiculously powerful. I wonder if Obama or Cameron watch it and feel the shivers down their spine, because if you were a national leader with young children, that must be your biggest fear bar none.

You guys are like family ... I love you all very much. I don't say it often enough. So, tell me what the problem is, Toby.

I'm Sam, sir.

Sorry, Rob Lowe retweeted this today, so thought I'd retweet (sort of) here.

Fave episode has to be the closing one of season 2 with the cathedral, and Brothers In Arms. Say no more for those of you who haven't seen, but I love it.

I'm on the Lord John Marlborough (is that right?) eps at the mo. So funny.

Love that all the Leo stuff brings out the protectiveness & shows them all to be a close "unit".

Love the Goldfish/goldfish stuff too

< wonders where the hell she's been for the last two weeks>

Chunky, if you're at the start of the Gold fish visual jokes, keep watching...... Every time you see the Goldfish, take a look at what is in the bowl....... You might have to freeze frame or rewind to get the detail.....

Will go back & check them out beck :)

Yes Gail has a different prop most episodes

Spoilers here for those who haven't seen the whole series, but if you want a rundown of all the props that Gail has in her bowl (there are LOADS) then this is a good website

'I've been up until 1am every night watching at least 3 or 4. I can't stop!' Yup, that's what happens! Then the West Wing style dreams start...

You know West Wing fans are called WingNuts

There was a West Wing spoilers thread running here in Telly Addicts, for those that wanted to discuss the show without spoiling it for newbies

So what happened to Charlotte's husband and the girl who help Bruno Gianelli?
(Season 3)

Just found your club..
Veteran WW nut of old, would love to revisit those days
Will start ASAP

Approaching the end of season 1. LOVE "Let Bartlet be Bartlet". It's got 'everything' in it. Drama, pace, lots of walking & talking. Everything.

Right if you are nearing the end of season 1 I suggest making sure you have season 2 to hand & make sure you have time to watch at least 2 episodes. You have been warned!

Oh yes indeed Dilly!! DH & I have watched & re-watched TWW but I was watching it again solo. DH decided to join & we kept saying 'we'll just watch a bit of the next one...'. We're saving the rest of season 2 until the week, as we're away on a short break so thought our evenings would be well occupied with that (& might take season 3 just in case, even though we're only away for 4 nights ).

Love Danny & CJ's thing at the end of season 1 going into season 2.

I love The West Wing and have watched each series a gazillion times but I NEVER knew about the changing objects in the goldfish bowl! Thank you Mumsnet and fellow WingNuts! Now I have a legitimate reason for watching them all again!

laughalot That website is awesome! I have watched TWW 40,000 times and not once noticed the stuff in Gail's bowl. Brilliant!