Spacehamster’s Blog

I stopped watching The West Wing after Aaron Sorkin left the show at the end of its Fourth year. I recently borrowed the boxsets from my local video library, and fell in love with this show all over again. There have been plenty of words written about what makes this show great. For me, it’s the sparkling witty dialogue, an awesome ensemble cast. But above and beyond that, it’s the premise that we can and should do better. That although even the President may be fallible, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t stop reaching for the stars.

The next 3 seasons go in a completely different direction. Characters make odd choices. Would Sorkin’s Toby ever betray the President? Would Sorkin’s CJ become Chief of Staff? Or Will Bailey defect to the Vice President? There’s a sparkle, spontaneity and fun that’s missing from seasons 5-7. Even though I still like watching the show, I don’t love it anymore.

Nevertheless, the first four seasons are genuinely classic television. I strongly recommend the first four seasons to anyone looking for intelligently written television.