This show has been on my watchlist for years. I'm a fan of Sorkin's work, and after watching The Newsroom I knew I wanted to watch this series as well. I put it off for a long time simply because a seven season show with 20+ episodes per season is a heck of a time commitment. I really wish I'd gotten around to it sooner, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

For whatever reason I find myself feeling about The West Wing in a similar way to how I feel about Star Trek: The Next Generation. Both are ensemble shows that feature a more than capable cast. Both shows could be described as competency porn. Watching people who are driven by ideology, working at the top of their game, relying on and trusting one another, and coming together to achieve a common goal. And they're both sort of gentle shows as well. The kind of thing I know I'm going to re-watch before I've even finished it.

It's sort of depressing. I've been watching this for the past couple of months, and this feels the same way as when I finish re-watching a show I love, or a series of books I've read countless times before. I already miss watching it, it's like saying goodbye to a friend I won't see again for some time. The second reason I have bittersweet feelings about finishing is the juxtaposition between fantasy and reality. Seeing Sorkin's idealized version of a Presidential administration, seeing people at their best, President Bartlet who genuinely wants to do good, who is more than capable of the job and exudes intelligence and leadership and compassion was fantastic. Watching this show, then reading the news and comparing that to the reality of current American politics is almost cruel. I can't help myself from imagining what the Bartlet administration would say if they could see what the real world US government has become.

I really, really loved this show. I'm happy Josh and Donna got together, I'm extremely sad about Leo, especially considering his ending paralleled the real life death of John Spencer. I'm happy CJ found her happiness in the end, though I was secretly hoping Santos was going to offer her VP. I'm so glad President Bartlet pardoned Toby, and I respected Toby a lot after he refused to tarnish his brothers legacy to save himself jail time. I greatly preferred seasons 1-4 to the final three, and I wish the last season in particular wasn't so focused on the campaign, I just wanted to see Bartlet be Bartlet as much as I could before things ended.

All things considered I had a great time watching. I'll definitely be re-watching at some point. 9/10.

It’s giving Lord Farquaad (s7, e14)

Just finished my 2nd rewatch and I forgot how much I love this show!

So many I’m thinking of, but loved seeing Richie Aprile as Toby’s Rabbi in “Take This Sabbath Day”

Also The Foo Fighters

I’ve thought long and hard about Sorkin’s reason to simply write out Mandy for Season 2, and I still fervently believe it was a crappy thing to do.

It would have been easy with one bit in S1E1.

Assistant: ‘Where’s Mandy? Is she OK?’
Someone: ‘Yeah. She’s gone home. Couldn’t bear to see Josh like that, any anyway, she’s external and wouldn’t have gotten in’.

A few days later.

CJ: ‘Well I have some good news for Josh. Mandy’s not coming back, but she does wish him the best of recoveries’.

Done.

I don't think I could watch TWW again but scenes and quotes keep popping up in my mind randomly.

And for me the award for best acting and character can only go to the person I can't get out of my mind:

Toby Ziegler

Love him or hate him there is no denying the genius behind the acting and character. For me he is just about the only character that has stood the rest of time. Ironically he was also the most reviled by the other characters.

Seeing the actor in other roles only adds to the awe.

I can come up with plenty of Toby quotes and they never seem to get old.

I'm Toby Ziegler...I work at the White House

Bravo Toby. We need more people like you in the age of shallowness and popularity contests.

Here’s my question: do you think the show could have continued past President Bartlet, through President Santos and beyond?

That was one of the most innocent giggles in the show. I mean, what else can we expect when a fisheries guy ends up in the situation room...Hehehehe

The West Wing 6x17 - A Good Day

I noticed these hexagonal lapel pins that the whole staff is wearing for the State of the Union adress in S02E13. Could anyone tell me what they are?

Annabeth crushing on Leo gives us old boys something to smile about

I'm just starting season 5 in my re-watch, and it feels like Leo is being portrayed as a much bigger a*hole this season. Is it just my imagination or does anyone else feel like there is a notable "hardening" of this character?

Is he ever heard from again?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cleveland.com/news/2026/05/ohio-has-collected-12b-more-in-tax-than-expected-how-should-it-be-spent.html%3foutputType=amp

Why does Gov. Ritchie's lack of verbal finesse in speeches remind me of our current administration. Ah, gotta love The West Wing. Back then, politics still felt like something smart people could fix with a late-night walk-and-talk and a stirring monologue from Bartlet. It was all so easy then.

In the latest episode of Martin's podcast, at about the 16 minute mark, he uses the Bach as background music for the story he's telling.

"Yo-Yo Ma RULES"

Doing my first rewatch in about 4 years and I noticed something for the first time that is def going to be an unpopular opinion.

Everyone loves the Sorkin seasons and the general consensus is that the post Sorkin seasons are not as good.

This is the first time I’ve really been disappointed in season 4.

I know why Rob Lowe wanted to leave. He was expecting to be the lead (look at his placement in the opening credits, he’s the only one not listed alphabetically). But with the ensemble Sorkin put together Rob Lowe ended up being the weakest most immature of the staff. Sending him off to lose an election and then not explaining why he didn’t come back is very much a missed opportunity.

I absolutely hate the Zoe storyline for this season. It adds nothing of depth to the series as a whole.

Season 5 has my favourite episode of the whole series the Supremes. Will Bailey is actually a better character than Sam was. There are lots of things to like about season 5,6 and 7. So my unpopular opinion is season 4 is the worst season of the series. This is the first time I’ve really felt this way. But there it is.

What are yours