One of my favorite televisions series of all time is The West Wing. The Writers Guild of America ranked it no. 10 in its “101 Best-Written TV Series” list. It has received praise from critics, political science professors, and former White House staffers and has been the subject of critical analysis. The West Wing received a multitude of accolades, including two Peabody Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and 26 Primetime Emmy Awards, including the award for Outstanding Drama Series, which it won four consecutive times from 2000–2003.
The series aired for seven seasons from 1999-2006, and is currently available on Netflix, but perhaps only until the rest of the year.
A one-off special, A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote, will premiere on HBO Max on October 15, 2020.
While there are many memorable scenes from the show, there is one I found particularly moving.
First, some background.
Josh Lyman, the Deputy Chief of Staff, is struggling with PTSD after being shot at the end of the first season. While Josh is doing well overall at this point, his boss and his secretary both notice that he’s been struggling in the recent days. They arrange for Josh to see a therapist and during that session, Josh expresses his concerns that his PTSD might be grounds for losing his job at the White House. After the meeting, as he is walking through the White house he runs into his boss, Leo McGarry, the Chief of Staff, who has been waiting for him. Leo is a recovering alcoholic.
Here is the clip:
We could all use someone like Leo in our life…
*image from Variety
I know we’ve all been in holes in our various blogs. Especially some anonymous person I know, whose initials are Carolyn.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Heyyy!.😛
LikeLiked by 2 people
you mean your publicist?
LikeLiked by 3 people
No, she’s not my publicist. I’ll never get out of any holes with her doing the digging.
LikeLiked by 2 people
but she does have that magical cowbell…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well . . . that is true . . .
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oooh if only I did have magical powers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
same here…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right! You pretty much butchered your chance of getting out of any holes! 😝
LikeLiked by 2 people
Darn. Never piss off your publicist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
a little wine would probably entice her back…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wine is poison. But I’m pretty sure she’d drink it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So does that mean you will send some? 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Here, here’s some unfermented grape juice:
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ummm….thats not what I asked for!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha! Faked you out! Okay, here’s some real, virtual, unfermented grape juice: 🍷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smart aleck! But thank you, I do like grape juice. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too. It’s wine without the poison.
LikeLiked by 2 people
how about grape soda?
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s good, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But……its NOT as good as wine. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Especially unfermented wine.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pftt!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll take the grape soda over wine…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah well, what can I expect from someone who will watch some Napoleon show over Mama Mia! 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
As you can see, my tastes are impeccable…
LikeLike
😶🤚
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like grape better than orange…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Orange you glad you have such grape taste?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m very grapeful…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh gosh! Don’t get him started!
LikeLiked by 1 person
…mmm…!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is good too but……
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! It wouldn’t hurt! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Supportive bosses like that are hard to find especially in the White House.
LikeLiked by 2 people
quite true…
LikeLiked by 1 person
We didn’t watch this but I’ve heard it was very good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
and it seems like such a contrast compared to the current reality…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now you made me want to see this! I gotta finish Gray’s Anatomy first though or maybe just watch them both. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve got to have priorities… 🙂
LikeLike
Very true! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t watch much television while I was working. Lately, I’ve started to go back and watch some of these old popular series on Netflix to see what the fuss was all about. People are amazed at all the shows I’ve never seen. At the start of the Pandemic, I started watching West Wing and was hooked. I’ve never binge-watched anything, but I did watch one or two episodes per day and went through every season. The characters were all great, but I think my favorite was CJ Craig. The writing was fabulous!
LikeLiked by 2 people
the writing was the best part of the show. If I had to pick a favorite it would probably be Leo. Any other old shows you’ve been watching?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I’m just finishing up Madam President. It’s been excellent too. Leo is a great character. I like how these shows aren’t afraid to tackle current societal issues.
LikeLiked by 1 person
is that Madam President or Madam Secretary? Yes, I also like when shows tackle social issues…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Madam Secretary, of course. Thanks for the correction. In the last season, she becomes President. I suppose that’s the reason for my gaffe. At least, that’s my excuse this time. 🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
For whatever reason, I have not watched that show, even though Tea Leoni has been one of my favorite actresses ever since she starred in the movie The Family Man… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
i just have to say that i have some catching up to do, as i’ve never seen one episode but i’ve heard from many sources that it was amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m surprised; I would have guessed that you would have definitely seen this show. After all, you are the one that recommended Schitt’s Creek to us, and it’s now one of our favorite shows!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never started and the. It was a runaway train to catch up, so I’ll be binge watching! And I loved veep and love politics so go figure
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve seen a few episodes of Veep, and it looked great. I guess I’ve got some catching up to do…
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ll compare notes after each of our binges
LikeLiked by 1 person
sounds like a plan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This show was a combination of exceptional screen writing coupled with seasoned and talented acting. It is the rarity of this marriage that makes this a must watch show. You picked a touching and moving scene to share, Jim. If you ever find yourself in a hole, make some room because I am jumping in!
LikeLiked by 2 people
the writing was outstanding; Aaron Sorkin is a genius. And so many memorable characters. And good to know I’ve got someone to join me down in the hole; I’d do the same for you…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t recall ever watching an episode of West Wing though I’ve been fan of Martin Sheen’s work since Apocalypse Now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
the writing is the best part, and the acting is top notch. Highly recommend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never watched the show, seems I may have missed out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
it is a winner…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the little nod he gave before he walked away. Mission accomplished. It may be our next binge watching show if I can bring myself to watch anything about the white house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
it will restore your faith in politics…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have never watched it but have heard people loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
highly recommend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The chemistry of a cast insures success for any television series, and “The West Wing” nails this. Casting Martin Sheen as the President doesn’t hurt either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want a President like Martin Sheen…
LikeLike
We bought the complete series (we lived overseas when the series was airing.) Your post is a great reminder that it is time to watch it again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have the complete series on DVD as well; but I don’t think we have a DVD player any more! 🙂
LikeLike
DVD players are dirt cheap now – and small! Not at all like the hulking beasts of old.
LikeLiked by 1 person
good point, Margy. But I’m happy to have one less electronic device in our house 🙂
LikeLike
Never heard of this series, but it got my full attention now… must check it out later.
LikeLiked by 1 person
highly recommend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this excerpt. Thanks for sharing Quincy 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
you are welcome, Val. It is so good…
LikeLiked by 1 person