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Calling all WingNuts - West Wing Appreciation thread here! Potential SPOILERS!

163 replies

FrankelandFilly · 16/07/2014 14:49

It's been a while since we had a WW thread so here we go again!

Be warned, if you've not watched the whole series, you may come across spoilers.

So, favourite episodes/quotes/characters?

For me, favourite episodes: Two Cathedrals and The Supremes, plus numerous others!

Quotes: too many to mention! Bartlett's monologue in Two Cathedrals; Josh and CJ going head to head on many occasions; Toby's "Did you trip?" Grin

Characters: all of them! Except Mandy Wink

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bigkidsdidit · 06/08/2014 19:40

I think both Leo and bartlet are too short and Leo often looks gormless

I think my favourite character of all is Oliver. 'Nt once in my whole life have I found something charming' :)

TinyPawz · 07/08/2014 21:34

That video was ACE!!!

ScienceRocks · 07/08/2014 23:33

Room for another?

I want them to make a new series of the west wing in which sam runs for president, just as jed said he would.

I know, I know, but I can dream...

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FrankelandFilly · 08/08/2014 08:11

I take you all know that Matt Santos was based on Barack Obama and Josh was allegedly based on the man that eventually became Obama's Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, though this has never been confirmed by the writers.

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FrankelandFilly · 08/08/2014 21:13

Just watched another episode with one of my favourite exchanges between the President and First Lady:

First Lady: I'm going up to the residence. I'm running a bath and turning on Sinatra.
President: How does Mrs Sinatra feel about that?

Grin
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MrsBW · 09/08/2014 15:25

I hear CJ was based on Dee Dee Myers...

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FrankelandFilly · 09/08/2014 19:06

Yup, Dee Dee Myers acted as a consultant for the show.

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dreamingbohemian · 09/08/2014 19:35

Can we get a klaxon for these threads? I always miss them until so late!

I actually wanted to update people because a while back I asked you all what episodes I should show my sceptical DH to get him interested in watching the show (which he was convinced he wouldn't like)

In the end I went with In the Shadow of Two Gunmen (both episodes) and he was hooked, he ended up watching all the series in a couple weeks. So thanks for all the advice -- mission accomplished!

About to chill out with some white wine and Season 5. I've had the worst day so I may have to fast forward to Jason Isaacs Wink

bigkidsdidit · 09/08/2014 19:41

OH MY GOD! I've just realised that is Jason isaacs! As in Lucius Malfoy? Huh.

I think Barack Obama was one of the people interviewed to provide a basis for Santos rather than being the only one. It is weird how alike the Santos - Vilnick and Obama - McCain elections are, though.

bigkidsdidit · 09/08/2014 19:43
  • Vinick
dreamingbohemian · 09/08/2014 20:25

Yep! It was actually the first thing I saw him in, it's almost hard to see him as anything other than Hot Photographer (as he got labelled in the states)

Fiderer · 09/08/2014 20:43

When Josh came back from seeing Donna in hospital in Germany and complains to CJ about Jason Isaacs:

C.J. The dashing photojournalist?

JOSH Yeah. I think the professional term is "wanker."

C.J. Listen to you: too much BBC.

Grin
bigkidsdidit · 09/08/2014 20:54

You know in series 7 when he's in bed with Donna, does josh have scars from all his surgery?

bigkidsdidit · 09/08/2014 21:16

I just watched the scene where josh says 'thanks all for coming - this is probably the greatest amount of democratic party talent in one room since the last time Jed Bartlet dined alone'. And there's silence until joey Lucas laughs out loud a minute later Grin

LRDtheFeministDragon · 09/08/2014 21:50

Grin I love that. And the 'wanker' scene.

Josh doesn't have surgery scars, and apparently they noticed post-production and panicked they'd be innundated with calls, but no one gave a toss.

Except you. Wink

Anyway. It's a long way upthread now, but for the record, I'd like to state that the bloke I found appealing for quoting Bartlet being patronizing to his wife at me was 15 at the time. And I was 16. We get let off for that, right?

bigkidsdidit · 10/08/2014 20:27

Do you all think Toby did leak the info to Greg Brock or CJ? I don't think CJ would have let Toby go to prison but they are hinting it was her, aren't they?

LRDtheFeministDragon · 10/08/2014 20:28

No - I don't think it was Toby and I don't think it was CJ either.

I'd love to know who Toby claimed to think he was protecting. I just can't really see CJ having done it and not fessing up.

bigkidsdidit · 10/08/2014 20:33

I think Toby confessed to prevent Leo having to testify and ruining Santos' campaign. I can't imagine who he would protect other than his brother and CJ?

LRDtheFeministDragon · 10/08/2014 20:43

Oh, I like that theory about Leo. That's plausible.

He'd probably do it to protect Andie?

dreamingbohemian · 10/08/2014 20:50

Yes, I think it was Toby. If he was meant to be covering for someone else I think they would have said so more explicitly before the end.

I know people think it was out of character but I assumed he was pretty burnt out and disillusioned by that point, also upset about his brother and about everything that happened with Josh/Santos.

bigkidsdidit · 10/08/2014 20:58

The problem with it not being Toby is there's pretty much no one else it could be! I'm coming round on this viewing of season 7 to he idea it was Toby but the timing was done on purpose to save Leo.

MrsJoshuaLyman · 10/08/2014 21:33

Gosh - I feel like I've missed something - it never occurred to me that wasn't Toby...

Someone remind me - why did the timing save Leo (watching again from the beginning and am a ways off from later seasons??)

Thanks!

LRDtheFeministDragon · 10/08/2014 21:37

Oh ... I only think it wasn't because I read that apparently the actor felt it was really out of character, and once he'd said that, I agreed. He tried to play it as if he was covering for someone.

I think the thing with Leo was simply that he was campaigning and would have been dragged in for questions, which might have led back to the bit about him having been a relapsed alcoholic while he was Secretary of State? Or is there more to it?

culturemulcher · 10/08/2014 21:42

I'm with you, Mrs Joshua - it never occurred to me that it wasn't Toby.

Didn't he do it because he was appalled at the militarisation of space - and that not only would the other shuttle rescue his brother, it would also let the world know that the US were being naughty? A win/win for him despite the consequences for him personally,

dreamingbohemian · 10/08/2014 21:51

His brother had already died, so it wasn't to rescue his brother, though he no doubt felt strongly for the other astronauts.

I think Jed nailed it in their confrontation, saying Toby always thought he was more moral and righteous than anyone else -- that kind of thinking can justify leaks.

It saved Leo because he had just been subpoenaed and would be dragged in to testify just before the election, which would have been a big national security scandal the campaign couldn't afford. Also CJ had just been subpoenaed.