I’m Finally Finishing The West Wing After 20 Years, And The Show’s Worst Episode Almost Made Me Quit Again

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If someone inquires about my all-time favorite TV series, chances are I’ll mention “The West Wing.” Being a political science enthusiast, the intricate portrayal of government and politics in this show, modeled after Aaron Sorkin’s movie “The American President,” has always piqued my interest. However, I must confess that I haven’t watched the entire series from start to finish yet.

When I mention that “The West Wing” is my preferred television series, I’m specifically talking about the initial four seasons, which were written and produced by Aaron Sorkin. Rob Lowe departed from the show at the end of the fourth season, but a more significant departure was Aaron Sorkin himself stopping to write it. I continued watching for as long as possible, but eventually, I too stopped following “The West Wing,” largely due to one particular episode that enraged me initially and still does today.

I Stopped Watching The West Wing 20 Years Ago And Never Went Back

Lately, I chose to go through a complete re-viewing of almost the entire series, “The West Wing“. Additionally, this is my initial viewing experience for the parts of the show that I hadn’t watched before.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first four magnificent seasons of “The West Wing” and marveled at the exceptional camaraderie among the cast. Some standout episodes for me were “Let Bartlet Be Barlet” and “Game On.” Even now, I continue to rewatch my favorites, “Shibboleth” and “The Indians in the Lobby,” during Thanksgiving. However, seeing these episodes again within their original context was truly a unique experience.

After that, we moved on to Season 5. If anyone had inquired about when I last watched the series, I would have replied sometime during its first season without Aaron Sorkin’s involvement. It’s quite a struggle to get through it. The rhythm of Sorkin’s dialogues seems off-key now. The romantic aspect that once defined the show has been swapped for typical serialized storytelling.

It surprised me to realize I had watched more of “The West Wing” during my initial viewing than I initially believed. It wasn’t until Season 6 started, and its opening episodes mirrored Season 5, that I decided to stop watching. However, the second episode of the season was what ultimately hooked me.

The Birnam Wood Is The Worst West Wing Episode

As a movie critic, reflecting on my recent binge-watch of The West Wing, I found myself engrossed in the season 5 finale and the start of season 6, where our president embarks on an unprecedented mission: to bring peace to the tumultuous Middle East. Given the ongoing conflicts portrayed in these episodes, it’s safe to say that this storyline, while captivating at the time, doesn’t exactly resonate as strongly today, considering the complex and ever-evolving realities of the region.

At Camp David, the president convenes a meeting aimed at reaching an accord between the two parties. He’s determined to see it through, but his team is skeptical about its outcome. Meanwhile, Chief of Staff Leo McGarry (played by John Spencer) is attempting to dissuade the president (portrayed by Martin Sheen) from taking such a risky course of action. In the second episode of Season 6, titled “The Birnam Wood,” tensions reach their peak.

There’s no denying these two have clashed in the past. Over the years, their friendship has seen its fair share of disputes, but the tension currently visible is palpable, making it uneasy for fans who admire both characters equally.

If Leo suggests leaving the president’s advisory role should he no longer require it, the president, enraged by the proposition, agrees. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worst as the story concludes with Leo suffering a heart attack while isolated in the forest, apparently unbeknownst to anyone that it has occurred.

20 years past, I now understand that Leo won’t perish, though at the time, I had my doubts. If he did meet his end, it was evident that our bond would never be the same afterwards. The evolution of characters is essential to any tale, but a narrative where these two aren’t companions was one I found unappealing and chose not to pursue further.

The West Wing Does Get Better

Despite being informed that the series improved after a challenging Season 5, I found it difficult to start the subsequent episodes of The West Wing.

As a devoted viewer, I must admit that initially, the show seemed to take a turn for the worse, particularly during Season 5 and the early part of Season 6. However, I’ve noticed a significant improvement almost immediately afterwards. Although the lingering effects of those challenging seasons are still apparent, and the relationships among characters remain complex, the series has evolved into a compellingly different, yet equally engaging show.

In simpler terms, some episodes of “The West Wing” are fantastic, boasting more good than bad moments, despite the fact that Season 5 was quite challenging. There’s enjoyment to be found in the subsequent seasons as well. It’s a delight to see characters from earlier seasons reappear, as if welcoming old friends back home.

As I put pen to paper, I’ve yet to fully immerse myself in the entirety of “The West Wing,” but I expect to wrap up Season 6 shortly and then complete my viewing in the near future. However, being the ardent film enthusiast that I am, I’m convinced that the point where I last left off was undoubtedly the least captivating episode this series has to offer.

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2025-01-25 00:07