The West Wing

[BravoNine]

How did I not see that there is a West Wing thread!??!?!?!??!?! O.O

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the West Wing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This show and Rob Lowe's character Sam Seaborn are the reason that I wanted to study Political Science and someday work in the White House!!!!!

I adore this show, its ability to show intelligent debates that does not demean either side, and how with this show we get to take a glimpse behind the inner workings of our government!

I still cry every time I watch Leo's funeral, if only the real world had a Leo McGarry.

I think to me, what I love most about this show is that it showed me a different side to politics, a more human side. Before this, politicians and government workers were just people that we saw doing mysterious things that we don't understand. They stand behind their fences that blocked out the rest of the world, doing their own special thing. But with the West Wing, the people who run our government, the people who serve the president, they aren't just people we hardly even see as real people anymore, with these characters, we began to see that those inside the White House, those in power, they are just as human and flawed as we are. That they aren't perfect and we shouldn't expect them to be. That they have to face with hard decisions that sometimes we hate them for, but it serves the greater good.

In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part I and Part II were probably my favorites. We as citizens have always seen our own feelings when tragedies like assassination attempts strike. We see how the world responds and how ordinary people responds. But with this two-parter, it's one of the few moments that we get to see how those inside the government respond, how those who are close to the president respond, and for those moments, we see human beings just like us, trying to be strong and run a nation.

I think the only thing that the West Wing ever really had me disappointed with was that Sam wasn't there for Leo's funeral. How I wish Rob Lowe had returned. He came back for last two episodes, but I really really wanted him at Leo's funeral, it just felt more fitting. He should be there.

And did I mention I actually met and talked to Rob Lowe? Probably the happiest day of my life!

Some of my fav scenes:

- Two Cathedrals: "Brothers In Arms" playing in the background as the Bartlett crew brave through the storm and walk in together, a true loyal team til the end.

- Posse Comitatus: Death of secret service agent Simon Donovan played by the lovely Mark Harmon (currently Gibbs on NCIS) and the beautiful song of Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah. And not to mention Bartlett deciding to kick the Governor of California's butt in the election.

- Can't remember the episode, but Sam and Josh at the deposition about Leo's alcohol and drug abuse, and then Sam threatening to bust the guy like a pinata if he came after Leo. And then later the team all standing by Leo. True loyalty that you don't see in government these days.

- Santos' election night speech about Leo, "America has lost a giant tonight" no truer words were spoken.

- News of Leo's death breaks out on news networks as everyone stood and listened in silence and tribute. I miss Leo.

- Vinick refusing to use Leo as a step-stool to victory, finally a man who isn't greedy about winning and power, a man of honor.

- Sam being beaten by Ainsley Hayes (lovely Emily Procter!)