The first time I watched THE WEST WING was because there was nothing else on TV I felt caught my interest. Since I happen to be a fan of Martin Sheen I figured I’d give it a try.
While I know it’s needless to say this, I’m going to say it anyway:
I GOT HOOKED!
This show has to got to be the most action-packed TV show on the air. But, don’t expect a shoot-’em up, ride-’em cowboy, or cops ’n’ robbers type of action. This action is all dialogue!
Okay, so now you’re wondering how a show with all dialogue can be ’’action-packed’’? After all, they ONLY TALK!
Yes, talk, they do - and at the speed of a child who is trying to hurriedly and excitedly explain to his parent that ’’the-ice-cream-truck-is-turning-the-corner-and-will-be-down-the-street-in-no-time-and-if-you-don’t-hurry-you’ll-miss-out.’’
Yes, if you don’t hurry, you will miss out. You’ll miss out on the superb acting of:
Martin Sheen (who plays President Jed Bartlet),
John Spencer (Leo McGarry, Chief of Staff),
Richard Schiff (Toby Ziegler, Communications Director),
Bradley Whitford (Josh Lyman, Deputy Chief of Staff)
Rob Lowe (Deputy Communications Director) and
Allison Janney (CJ Cregg, White House Press Secretary).
This marvelous cast of actors brings the behind-the-scenes activity of the White House into your living room.
Look, let’s be honest. With the exception of the President and Vice President, how many of us really pay attention to what goes on in the White House.
Do we really ever think about the person who writes the President’s speeches?
Do we ever wonder what the Press Secretary isn’t telling us?
Do we ever contemplate the meetings that take place in the ’’Situation Room’’?
Do we ever wonder about the hectic, day-to-day life that just might be part of the White House Staff?
I’ll be honest! I never gave it a thought. Until West Wing! This show makes you think, makes you realize that there is more to the White House than the Oval Office.
This is a fast moving show that jumps from character to character as they try to solve the problems that lay before the country.
If a homeless man (or woman) is found dead on the street and after checking the person’s identity, you find out that person is an American Veteran, is that homeless person entitled to a Military Burial?
According to Toby Ziegler, yes! Any and all Veterans are entitled to be laid to rest in a National Cemetery.
How about if a White House Director, unknowingly and ON HIS OWN TIME, dates a prostitute? Should that be the business of the White House?
According to Chief of Staff, yes. It poses a compromising situation.
How about a Dignitary from another country coming to the White House to ask for medical assistance? You know the procedures will never work and yet how can you say no?
How would you, as an American Citizen, feel if our President let his daughter date a man of another color?
These topics and many, many, many more are part of what the West Wing is about. It’s about the people who help run the White House and help keep the President informed of what’s going on around the world and at his own front door.
It’s also about the personalities of these same people and how their private lives often mix with their political lives.
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Last season, there was one particular episode that really struck me. It’s a side that I will assume (and pray) every President has and uses expertly. That episode showed President Bartlet in the middle of a State Dinner. The women dressed in beautiful evening gowns and the men in sharp tuxedos. While the dinner is in progress, the President is told that the weather has taken a turn for the worst and the Class 5 hurricane is bearing down on the east coast of The United States. All Naval Vessels were ordered out to sea. (Hold up.....let me explain this for a second. In 99% percent of any case scenario, a ship [not a small water craft] is safer out at sea and can usually work its way around the storm)
In the case of this episode, one ship ran directly into the path of this violent storm. During the Dinner, the President was notified that the ship was sinking.
With tears in his eyes and a crack in his voice, he stayed on the two-way radio speaking with one of the sailors as the crew tried desperately to save the doomed ship.
The radio begins to crackle. The static is getting worse. The President keeps saying, ’’I’m here. I’ll be here until you no longer need me. I’m not leaving you alone.’’
While the others at the Dinner, laughed and danced and partied, the President sat solemnly, tears rolling down his cheeks as he realized this would be the ships last radio call.
The episode ended.
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I am sure our fine Navy faces situations like this more often than we are aware. The West Wing brings all of this to our attention.
The show helps make us see how human those in the White House really are, including our President.
The show also helps us understand the chaotic world that surrounds the people who have sworn to keep our country going.
The show, THE WEST WING is one that should not be missed!