Yahoo News The West Wing’s Most Memorable Moments
Aaron Sorkin’s The West Wing has been off our screens for over a decade now, but for us fans it lives on thanks to the joys of boxsets. The show blended together political drama with moments of genuine comedy as well as plenty of incredibly moving and poignant sequences. Thanks to this tremendous blend of characteristics, the show’s finest moments are inevitably a fairly varied bunch. There are plenty of rousing speeches, hilarious walk-and-talks and touching character moments to choose from. The real challenge was limiting myself to just the ones listed below. A special honourable mention must be given here to CJ’s unforgettable rendition of “The Jackal” which just misses out on a place here, but I will never get bored of watching it.
“Pilot” S1 E1: President Bartlet’s Introduction
(credit: West Wing Wikia)
As far as character introductions go, the timely arrival of President Bartlet in the show’s first ever episode is unquestionably right up there with the best in TV history. The episode revolves around Josh facing the fallout from a frustrated quip he made towards an ultra-Conservative Christian pundit on a TV show. Eventually she and other religious leaders arrive at the White House for conciliatory talks. Not long after discussion begins however, an argument breaks out between the group and Toby over what the 1st commandment says. It’s at this point that the President enters the room exclaiming “I am the Lord your God. Thou shalt worship no other god before me.” Before adding, “Boy, those were the days.” That’s how you make an entrance. It also sets up his character wonderfully as already we have him pegged as both an intelligent and a religious man as well as someone with a sense of humour. POTUS has arrived.
“The Midterms” S2 E3: Nobody Sits
(credit: YouTube)
That President Bartlet is a religious man is no secret, he regularly quotes bible verse and we frequently see him wrestle with the challenge of juggling Christian beliefs with his political ones. In this episode however, he makes his position abundantly clear. When an event for talk radio hosts is held at the Whitehouse, one of the attendees is one Dr Jenna Jacobs, a homophobic crusader who frequently calls homosexuality an abomination. Bartlet uses his knowledge of scripture to call her out in magnificent style, highlighting other extreme statements that can be found in the bible as well. We see Bartlet here as a compassionate and progressive man, guided by both faith but also a modern liberal sensibility. His final comment to a seated Dr Jacobs is perfect, “One last thing. While you may be mistaking this for your monthly meeting of the Ignorant Tight-Ass Club, in this building when the President stands, nobody sits.”
“Noel” S2 E10: Now We’re Both In A Hole
(credit: YouTube)
One of the great things about the West Wing is that as well as the larger story arcs, you get genuine character development and a sense that these colleagues and friends genuinely care about one another. Acting as boss and father figure to them all is the irreplaceable Leo. After Josh suffers from PTSD following his shooting at the end of season one, he is made to see a counsellor and begins to worry his position may be under threat given his diagnosis. After leaving his gruelling session he finds Leo sat in the lobby waiting for him with some sound words of wisdom. After delivering a fitting story about a hole that’s too long to repeat here, he makes the important point, “long as I got a job, you got a job, you understand?” The bond between the two is made clear, and Leo’s affection for his protégé is a joy to see.
“Somebody’s Going to Emergency, Somebody’s Going to Jail” S2 E16: The Cartographers for Social Equality
(credit: YouTube)
In this episode it is “Big Block of Cheese Day” in the West Wing, a time when Leo insists they throw their doors open to groups that wouldn’t normally be able to get their agenda heard by senior political advisors. One such group that no doubt stuck long in the memory of anyone who saw it was the so called Organization of Cartographers for Social Equality who met with CJ and highlighted to her the glaring inaccuracy of the Mercator Projection Map and pushed for a change to the Peters projection instead. As they explain the colossal faults and inequalities connected to the outdated form of mapping, CJ’s shocked look and sense of disbelief was no doubt echoed by many of us. It’s not only a hilarious moment but also one which probably did more to raise the profile of glaring map inaccuracies than anything before it.
“Two Cathedrals” S2 E22: You Feckless Thug
(credit: Netflix/Everett collection)
In possibly the show’s greatest ever episode comes also perhaps its most iconic scene. Frustrated by the lingering question over whether he will run for re-election and still mourning the loss of his close friend and secretary Mrs Landingham, President Bartlet decides to have it out with God. It takes a bold show to include a scene where a character has an argument with God in Latin, but my word does The West Wing pull it off. It’s an incredibly powerful moment, as Bartlet delivers an impassioned speech inside the empty Cathedral, cursing the Lord in both English and Latin. The most notable line being when he calls the lord a “feckless thug”. Brimming with rage, the President stamps out a cigarette and seemingly confirms he won’t run again.
“Two Cathedrals” S2 E22: Brothers in Arms
(credit: Warner Bros)
Oh that’s right, two from one episode. Two Cathedrals is so strong it possess more than one iconic moment. After holding one final “meeting” with the deceased Mrs Landingham, President Bartlet has had a change of heart. No longer despondent and defeated, his former secretary still inspires him even in death. As Dire Straits’ “Brothers in Arms” strikes up, the President and his team make their way to the press conference where he was meant to announce he wouldn’t run. Instead, with a storm raging outside, he gets the all-important question and all we see his him putting his hands in his pockets, looking away, and smiling. An amazing end to the show’s greatest series.
“Twenty Five” S4 E23: You’re Relieved, Mr. President
(credit: What Culture)
An unforgettable scene at the climax of the fourth season here filled with appreciation for the quirks of the American political process, as well as some seriously intense drama. After the President’s daughter Zoe is taking hostage, the President realises he can no longer remain as Commander-in-Chief. Bartlet opts to invoke the 25th amendment, which will pass his duties on to the next person in the line of succession. Unfortunately as there is no Vice President at present, it means the Republican Speaker of the House, Glen Allen Walken, will take office. The episode ends with Walken making a purposeful walk through the White House, with it slowly being revealed that he is being played by the one and only John Goodman. As the new President is sworn in, the senior staff debate how to act next, to which the new President makes it very clear that he is in charge. After Bartlet tries to interject he is sternly assured by Walken, “you’re relieved, Mr President.” It’s a dramatic cliff-hanger to leave the series on, and a landmark moment for the show as Bartlet steps away from power for the first time.
“Shutdown“ S5 E8: The Walk to the Hill
(credit: West Wing Wikia)
The ongoing disagreement between the White House and the Republican Congress led by Speaker Haffley over how to tackle the financial crisis has led to the President shutting the government down. It’s a risky manoeuvre with many if not all of the President’s team advising him to seek a compromise. Josh has been in the bad books for a prior mistake, but especially after the First Lady fights his corner, the President seeks out his advice. Josh advises the President to go to Capitol Hill and confront the Republican leadership head on. After they pull over so the President can address a crowd en route, Josh suggests they walk the rest of the way. Cue the President marching with authority down to Congress intent on getting business done. It’s a powerful and rousing moment that showcases both the President’s commitment and Josh’s keen political mind.
Main photo credit: NBC
