The West Wing: Political Drama with a Heart
Posted: Tuesday, October 04, 2005
by thecowguy
Facts Jokes N Fun
As The West Wing starts its seventh season, regular viewers and new ones alike will be intrigued by the political campaign being run between Congressman Matthew Santos (Jimmy Smits) and Senator Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda). Having served two complete terms (the writers speeded things up a little), President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) is leaving office and there is no clear successor. Winner of 25 Emmy Awards as well as numerous other awards, The West Wing is political drama at its best. If any show can reinvent itself with a new lead character, it’s The West Wing.
The current chief of staff is C.J. Cregg, the leggy, off-the-cuff, former press secretary, played by Allison Janney. As press secretary, C.J. was likeable and quick-witted, able to field endless press questions without losing her poise. As chief of staff, she lacks Leo’s years of experience and political instincts. She’s not quite over her head, but the gravity of her new job has taken a lot of the fun out of C.J.
Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) was, until last season, the assistant chief of staff and a pro at lobbying Congressmen and the art of compromise necessary to getting the President’s legislation through Congress. Last season, he convinced Congressman Santos to run for President, against all odds –much like Leo did with the current President eight years before. Although, almost miraculously, the campaign won the democratic nomination, he, too, is finding that Leo’s shoes are hard to fill. Lack of organization and a clear message is hurting the campaign.
Other West Wing characters include communications director, Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), a serious, dry-witted, articulate, yet sad man Charlie Young (Dule Hill), a presidential aide and the President’s daughter’s boyfriend Donna Moss (Janel Moloney), Josh’s former efficient and affable assistant who worked for an opposing (losing) candidate last season and whose help Josh could use if only he’d get over his pride and ask and Dr. Abigail “Abbey" Bartlet, the sometimes outspoken and independent First Lady (Stockard Channing).
The writing on The West Wing is quick-witted, yet profound. The characters appear human even as they tackle the big issues. It’s that humanity in the face of world issues that is the show’s greatest appeal. In its six seasons, The West Wing has tackled nominating a woman to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the abduction of President Bartlet’s youngest daughter, an assassination attempt and the Josh’s serious injury as a consequence, numerous military threats and covert actions, and the death of a trusted colleague and friend.
It’s expected that the Santos/Vinick election will last well into the 2005/2006 season. No doubt unforeseen plot twists will keep fans tuning in every Sunday night. The first scene of this season’s first episode was a teaser. It showed former President Bartlet, three years in the future, on the occasion of the opening of his Presidential Library. Many of the old crowd had gathered, many with new lives, of which we get just a line here and there. Josh runs up to the assembled group, smiles, and addresses the now former President. It seems the (current) President has arrived. As the camera closes in on the President’s limousine, the picture blurs, and we go back to the present and the campaign. Who did win the election? One thing’s for sure: who ever wins the vote, West Wing viewers will win by being offered such excellent television drama.
For more tv show reviews and lots of other fun stuff, please visit us at Facts Jokes N Fun.Com!
This Article has been viewed 449 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.