With every writers strike the reprisal is more crappy script less VIRTUAL *UNREALITY* TV Ann the good TV today would fi on 2 days on no more than 2 networks an we would st only be getting 18 weeks of 42 minute hours Not that long ag it was 52 mins and a total of 25 weeks minimum.
No, unfortunately Sorkin’s genius is overshadowed by his bigotry toward opposing viewpoints. He doesn’t understand the Right so his portrayal is all Strawman. Like if Michelangelo only painted with half the colors in the visible spectrum.
I’m a Texan and I’m coming out of the closet insofar as admitting, like you, that I have streamed this entire show so many times as to be in a cult of at least two. I wonder if there are more of us?
My all time favorite Jed Bartlett scene is when he poses all those questions to the Dr about what the bible says. And then stops and tells her to stand up cause hes not sitting down. That whole scene. A masterpiece.
Whenever I'm feeling down or scared about how our country is going these days, I watch West Wing to try and feel better. I know it is TV, drama, but I can escape and feel good for a bit when I watch this.
Aaron Sorkin...enough said. The West Wing and Newsroom are the greatest TV shows ever written. That writing was then further escalated into orbit with the greatest casting in history! Thank you for showing up in my feed somehow. I am inspired to rewatch this series for perhaps the umpteenth time.
Bartlet’s into scene in the pilot is pretty much the best intro to a character I’ve seen in my 41 years. And then to bookend it w/the soliloquy from The Two Cathedrals, which is my second fav Bartlet scene
@@TrulyMadlyShallowlyReligious men are mostly con artists. Few if any truly believe what they preach, especially the ones who make the most noise about Other people’s conduct. Shepherds are not in it for love of the sheep. It’s ALL about the Shearing.
@@TrulyMadlyShallowly , if you really want to find someone who knows the Bible, don't look for a man who makes his living cherry-picking the parts that suit his purposes and put money in his pocket. Find a theologian, a scholar, an atheist even, someone who doesn't have a vested interest in skewing the conclusions drawn from it. Religious people should know the Bible they claim to worship. A few of them do. If you must seek them out among the church goers, then you need to ask about the verses that don't serve their interests. Ask about the scene where the stone was rolled away from Jesus' tomb. All four gospels describe it, but none match. It was found before sunrise, after sunrise, during the day, or while it was dark, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John respectively. It was found by the Virgin Mary & Mary Magdalene, and they were alone...or with someone else...or three other people...or five. The stone was rolled away before they got there...or it wasn't. Proverbs 26:4 says you can't answer fools. Proverbs 26:5 (the next verse) says you must. But a good way to spot someone pretending they know it is to ask about Matthew 30:5, where Jesus spoke about liars. Matthew has 28 chapters. The Bible has literally hundreds of contradictions. Either no one has seen the face of God, or someone has. Even the commandments are in dispute. The Old Testament says there are ten. The New Testament says there are two.
Angels are creatures, created by God, and are not humans. And vice versa. Humans don't ascend to angel status by dying. And to say otherwise, is deceptive.
@@Bustermax01not to you, anyway. But I have seen one, along with 3 friends. It saved our lives. A hot white being, that guided us to safety, near the summit of Mt. Adams, when we were struck by a storm, 25 degree temp, and 125 MPH winds. We were flying, up to 18 feet, in the air! Sometimes landing lightly, others being dumped face first, into snow. We were seeking an Apellachian Mountain Club stone hut, in a whiteout, being blown to hell. This was in 1980, Columbus Day weekend, long before LED. It stood before the hut, then vanished as we got close. There was a couple inside, that knew nothing about us, or the being. You decide. The dead are dead. You may not believe in angels, but I don't believe in ghosts.
The scariest part is how many episodes dealt with problems happening now. This show was ahead of its time dealing with our current problems almost 20 years ago. I love the banter between the characters and the arguments, they acted like a family instead of coworkers.
No... The episodes were inspired by current events of the time. It's not ahead of its time. The US has not made any meaningful progress on these issues...
Two Cathedrals makes me cry every time. My daughter and I loved this series and SHE loved and studied Latin and Greek. What amazing writing!! Thank you Aaron Sorkin for such Inspiring and interesting series…probably never to be seen again❤️🎞️🎥
@@AndreAFirenzeBut here's the thing - if we had Jed Bartlet, arguably the perfect president, mainly due to his imperfections, we wouldn't appreciate him like we do in the West Wing. We'd probably hate him, since we wouldn't see all of the interactions he has on a daily basis. We wouldn't know how good of a person he is or isn't, and therefore, we'd have a massive nation level disagreement on who this president is, what he stands for, and what he does.
I wish there was a single real-life presidential candidate who I could support as much as most good fictional presidential candidates. Bartlett being at the top of my list.
This is and will always be my favorite show. This is the President we deserve but we will never get. Martin Sheen was originally only supposed to make small appearances now and then. The show was originally supposed to be centered around Rob Lowe's character Sam Seaborn. The response that they got after the first episode with Martin Sheen was overwhelming so they wrote him in as the main character. Aaron Sorkin hit this out of the park and wanted everything to be as authentic as it could and they did just that . I could go on for hours about this show because i know each episode by heart.
I've listened to the recordings on FDR's fireside chats. I believe the writers for the West Wing reviewed all the great orators thru out American history while penning the character of President Josiah Bartlett. There's no one with greater acting chops to bring that character to life than Martin Sheen. I would like to say thank you to all involved in bringing this extraordinary drama to the American people. It came at a time when we most needed it.
I would like to hear what he would say to us now - today - about how far the left has leaned. He was a democrat that I would have voted for, I wish he were here now. Because neither ticket is viable for me, as I am a Republican.
@@julieenslow5915 Bartlett was always, party politics aside, the President the American people needed, the President a great nation deserved. Instead you get a man with no morals or one who can barely articulate the thoughts which the staff generate for him (since I doubt he has a coherent thought of his own). I am a Brit and look in despair at our great ally across the pond as I look in despair at those who presume to lead my own country in this most dangerous and difficult of worlds. We are all fallible, as was Bartlett, but it seems that politicians today have no agenda but their own agrandisement, no compass but expediency. Perhaps I am just old and cynical, but it seems to me that The West Wing was a fable of how our leaders might deal with the world. It was a brilliantly written and acted story - what a shame it was only fiction.
@@chriscarter5720 Your last sentence is the most telling and why so many people can not let it go. The reason is less a thought process and more of an emotion: WHY can we not get such a president in real life? If we just keep digging...surely there is one out there?
@@julieenslow5915 We have had comparable presidents. However, the opposition party has limited their ability to accomplish as much as they might have done, as has the willingness of the president to forgo believing that the opposition party also has the country's best interests in mind. If the president correctly believes that the opposition is also motivated by "what is best for the country", then disagreements may mean that the president is wrong. If, on the other hand, the opposition is only interested in political gain, even at the cost of the country, then a president willing to give the opposition the benefit of the doubt will not be able to accomplish much. In the West Wing, the opposition was often portrayed as being motivated by their ideals and not merely by political gain; unfortunately, in the real world, this is not always true.
Well we did have a candidate Sen. Bernard Sanders from Vermont and we all saw what happened DNC backstabbed him just because he was a progressive candidate.
@VTX00128 Batlet was never a progressive he was a Catholic Liberal. He could never get the Democratic Nomination with how he party is today. His beliefs on family values, abortion, and marriage which were in the show would be impossible to line up with the party. He was not homophobic or completely against any LGBT people but his beliefs do come from Judeo-Christian values.
#2 is still my favorite scene from the show. But they got #1 completely right. Credit has to be given to Aaron Sorkin's writing - but his words would be lifeless with having someone as brilliant as Martin Sheen delivering them.
That’s the one you liked and quoted? His staff had to teach him that he was acting with emotion for loosing his doctor, they told him the USA could put the best air field out of commission with a major strike, totaling in fatalities 4k plus in the bombing, but doing that would cripple international groups abilities to send in aide to that nations most desperate and hungry people, would start a famine that would tens of thousands of more, causing regional instability
@@lionsjourney29 Yes, in the episode, the Joint Chiefs came up with a totally unreasonable response intended to show that Bartlett was overreacting. Essentially, the JCS were being difficult, and effectively (in both senses of the word) insubordinate. Other options would have also been available, which might have proven more of a deterrent for the future. However, the JCS failed to consider options that would penalize those who gave the orders, rather than effectively innocent bystanders like the night watchmen at the intelligence agency or the citizens of Damascus. Bartlett was correct, and the JCS (and arguably Sorkin) was wrong.
I will never forget that last scene. It spoke to me on every level as a human being and my daily struggle if he exists given the horror around us. Yes there is joy, but pulling babies from rubble is hard on my faith. Losing a child is hell, period. Do I take what makes me human to heaven?
We do a disservice if we don't acknowledge how powerful the actual ending to the show was: his conversation with the ghost of Mrs. Landingham scolding him for using her death as an excuse to stop trying and run away. That part gets to me in equal measure to the "You Get Hoynes" scene.
Let Bartlett be Bartlett is such a good scene. Its two men, arguing and if either one were put up against a lesser actor the scene would be entirely stolen. Instead its a masterpiece back and forth. I miss the West Wing
Martin Sheen had the utmost respect for John Spencer, not just for the character he played, but for the person & actor he was. It was best shown in the episode with the SOTU & Sheen asks the Designated Survivor: Do you have a best friend? Is your best friend smarter than you? Would you trust your best friend with your life? Then your best friend is your Chief of Staff! The look on John Spencer's face, as he overhears Martin Sheen utter those words, says it all.
This show didn't catch lightning in a bottle. It created the storm that made the lightning so we could sit back in awe of it's power. This is by a mile the best written show in history. Maybe not the greatest show but no show had ever made me feel like this show did.
Nicola, thank you , The Church scene right before Bartlett announcement of running for second term, with Brother in Arms playing was my favorite of the entire run . Nicola, you are a class act my friend
We are trying, at least some of us are, believe me I'm getting tired of traveling to other countries and apologizing for our president a few years back.
From an intellectual point of view my favourite scene too but "the tight ass club" telling off is breathtaking too, how he pulls knowledge from the bible, pairs it up with real-life events and then hurls them at her one after the other, it's class and probably my third favourite scene ("angels in heaven" being my second).
I remember watching the pilot, I was mesmerized, I could not believe that just in the first 10 minutes , 5 major problems for the government were covered. The beauty was the personal touch Arron Sorkin wrote in the pilot. I was every episode for 4 years straight. There is nothing like this in TV today. I keep remembering these shows, I need a binge of the first 6 seasons. 1/10/24
I thought the same thing after watching the first episode. I've never been a big TV watching person but this show really got to me. I still get sad watching the final episode. I'd love it if Netflix or HBO made a movie about were they are now in their lives. HBO Max made a live version of the hartfield landing episode 4 years ago and the whole cast was in it minus John Spencer ( Leo). Who passed away the final season. If you didn't watch it you should because it's great.
Aaron Sorkin's scripts were fantastic. Showing more humanity than the little snippets we get from the news stories. The actors were really very good at portraying the characters, I cannot imagine that any one else could have done a better job. Thank you for the many hours of enjoyment. We need Josiah Bartlett in office now!😢
I enjoyed the scene when after Mark Harmon was Killed, He was talking to James Brolin, and Brolin makes a snide ass comment about Crime, and Bartlet says That's When I decided to Kick Your Ass!
I watched West Wing but have totally forgotten how great the writing was along with the cast. Here is a leader who has the inner strength to stay true to himself and still have the ability to make decisions for the people of America. My respect to this awesome show and what type of leader is needed for a country that is a true leader or is supposed to be
Although, I truly love what he says tomorrow, what I really wanted him to say was what’s next. Because for the first time in his life, he didn’t know what was next, and as he holds the napkin from Leo, he misses him too, because Leo gave him so many what’s next.
@@captainamerica6525Statements like this really, really make me think you and your fellow travellers have worked yourselves into a place where you can *only* feel contempt for just over half of your fellow Americans.
@@gregfaber3417 embarrassed to say I can't remember my rules here. can former President Obama run for the same office again? in North Carolina Governor James Hunt held the governorship twice (with one term off in between.) Could Obama run again?
@@0prayus He was president for 2 terms, unless Trump gets in and changes the rules...which he intends to, no. Only 2 terms as preisdent are permitted in the US.
Jed Bartlet for president. This is the US the world wants and expects. Thoughtful, kind, educated, principled, tough but fair. Best series ever on TV. The cast was inspired, the writing deep and moving and made us love the characters. Find a man like this if you want to make America great again.
@@tomace4898 Morality bears little resemblance to laws. He did the correct thing, he was pardoned because the law is rigid and occasionally needs oversight.
#2 the scene with the Dr and the bible questions should definitely be #1. it's iconic and often referred to "one of the best scenes in TV history", so that kinda tells us where it really stands relatively speaking
Just started re-watching this series for the third or fourth time. Such amazing storylines, actors, and messaging. Hard to believe we're going through now what they addressed almost 25 years ago!
It’s amazing what a great script/from a great writer/and great actors can create when they work together. ( by actors I mean every actor was on point main cast, recurring characters and one off characters who may only appear in one episode were all expertly cast.) Still think I am the lord your god is still the best introduction to what will be the main character of a tv show ever.
It is amazing how close to ""17 People" recent events have been. Politics never changes. Good list and of course I have 27 scenes you missed. Don't we all? Keep up your good work.
I watched West wing way back when…. And have watched the Real America spiral into divisiveness, hate, following the "Orange Savior" who was supposedly sent by God? I wish we could have a man like Jed Bartlett in this real world.
All great scenes, but one is missing. The scene where he is explaining to his youngest daughter why she needs a security detail - not to protect her from getting killed, but to protect her from getting kidnapped.
The last scene, the rant at God scene, in my opinion is the best scene in TV history. It's a man confronting his religion, which is not only powerful because Bartlet is Catholic but so is Martin Sheen. Wrestling with your religion is such a real thing. The writing is magnificent and Martin Sheen absolutely nails the delivery.
A brilliantly written, wonderfully portrayed series. When will this quality return to our screens. Where are all the excellent actors and writers ??????
We all knew exactly what number one was going to be. It’s iconic. But the penultimate entry at number 2 deserves that placing. It was our introduction to the President on West Wing. It reminded me greatly of Aaron Sorkin’s movie, *_”The American President”_* and his other vehicle *_”The Newsroom”_* opened the first episode with Jeff Daniels, likewise to Martin Sheen, makes an impact when we meet them for the first time. Whilst awaiting my visa approval to move from Canada to the U.K. to be with my now husband, one of my closest friends let me stay with her for the three months of waiting. This was when *_”The Newsroom”_* was first aired and we cried and cheered at the opening monologue and diatribe that Jeff Daniels performs with wit and conviction. We watched every episode that became available, and rewatched it over and over and finally went back to watch *_”The West Wing”_* several times (I always told her the closing music sounded like the music you would see on a documentary about dolphins happily swimming at top speed alongside the boat. It’s all she can think of to this day when she rewatched this show. And hands down, the number one entry on this list was her favourite Bartlett moment. She always cried and felt strongly about it. Watching these scenes now, reminds me of her and makes me sad that she’s on the other side of the ocean and I can’t binge watch the movie and two shows I’ve mentioned above together. She’s due to potentially visit in the next year for work and I hope she takes some vacation days to stay with me for awhile and first on our list for downtime activities is binge watching our Aaron Sorkin playlist. ❤️
yes. but the scene that comes to mind isnt showed here. fitzwallace explaining the overreaction operation. too bad that netanyahu think that 50,000 casualties are chump change.
@@tokyworldThe real slapper is when Leo tells Bartlet that he can destroy the world, his US is the only superpower left. But he'll have to go through him first. Starts at 13:00, but the comeback from Leo is missing.
There just aren't shows like this anymore.
Please bring it back
Or leaders.
Never where any shows like this one besides this one. Maybe newsroom from Aaron Sorkin but besides that nothing
@@Mr125202That's because this one is also by Aaron Sorkin?
With every writers strike the reprisal is more crappy script less VIRTUAL *UNREALITY* TV
Ann the good TV today would fi on 2 days on no more than 2 networks an we would st only be getting 18 weeks of 42 minute hours
Not that long ag it was 52 mins and a total of 25 weeks minimum.
I’d bet my last dollar that if a major network put this show back on its lineup right now, it would be #1. This show is a masterpiece
Drumpfh supporters would scream bloody murder about a librull meedya plot.
Sitcom fallacy: the nation’s & world’s problems can be solved in 60 minutes…
I'd love to see a reunion show to see where their characters are now. HBO did a live version of the hartfield landing episode that was great.
Bet it would be
Great idea…
This show caught lightening in a bottle. The writing, the actors, the editing and use of music….it doesn’t get any better.
No, unfortunately Sorkin’s genius is overshadowed by his bigotry toward opposing viewpoints. He doesn’t understand the Right so his portrayal is all Strawman. Like if Michelangelo only painted with half the colors in the visible spectrum.
Unfortunately, the Right just isn't funny (or talented).
Being bigoted unto bigots is bigotry or bigosix?
Im an Australian and I have watched all seven seasons 5 times. Best writing and best cast ever. Martin Sheen was amazing.
Same here. I bloody love it.
I unapologetically intend to go back and watch it all through again as soon as possible after this video.
I see your '5 times' and I raise you..... 😃 @hughes500, you and I are on the same hymn sheet my friend 🥰
I’m a Texan and I’m coming out of the closet insofar as admitting, like you, that I have streamed this entire show so many times as to be in a cult of at least two. I wonder if there are more of us?
Also an Australian love this series .
It’s funny, educational but also be unbelievably serious
My all time favorite Jed Bartlett scene is when he poses all those questions to the Dr about what the bible says. And then stops and tells her to stand up cause hes not sitting down. That whole scene. A masterpiece.
Mine too.
It's #2 on the list, did you not watch the video?
But if you look behind his right shoulder at one point, you can see there is another woman sitting.
💀@@suesteiginga489
This is not the episode referenced. @@LeeKeels
"Find it now" is the most hard-hitting last word. It's one of my favorite lines in the entire series.
Whenever I'm feeling down or scared about how our country is going these days, I watch West Wing to try and feel better. I know it is TV, drama, but I can escape and feel good for a bit when I watch this.
Right????!!!??!!!!????
The newsroom works too.
I feel the same way
I do the exact same thing when I wanna feel better about this country.
Trump to start new version of West Wing starring himself. Invest in Ketchup makers.
Martin Sheen was incredible in this role. NEVER to be forgotten.
Absolutely. Wouldn't been wonderful if he was President during the Trump years? 😊
I never noticed the parallel between “ran into the fire” and “these people who would walk into fire if you told them to” before. Very well written.
Aaron Sorkin...enough said. The West Wing and Newsroom are the greatest TV shows ever written. That writing was then further escalated into orbit with the greatest casting in history! Thank you for showing up in my feed somehow. I am inspired to rewatch this series for perhaps the umpteenth time.
Bartlet’s into scene in the pilot is pretty much the best intro to a character I’ve seen in my 41 years. And then to bookend it w/the soliloquy from The Two Cathedrals, which is my second fav Bartlet scene
The only gripe I have with it is that there is NO WAY a religious man wouldn't know the first commandment.
@@TrulyMadlyShallowly evangelicals aren't religious, theyre simply cult numbers
Oh i think theyre could be@@TrulyMadlyShallowly
@@TrulyMadlyShallowlyReligious men are mostly con artists. Few if any truly believe what they preach, especially the ones who make the most noise about Other people’s conduct. Shepherds are not in it for love of the sheep. It’s ALL about the Shearing.
@@TrulyMadlyShallowly , if you really want to find someone who knows the Bible, don't look for a man who makes his living cherry-picking the parts that suit his purposes and put money in his pocket. Find a theologian, a scholar, an atheist even, someone who doesn't have a vested interest in skewing the conclusions drawn from it.
Religious people should know the Bible they claim to worship. A few of them do. If you must seek them out among the church goers, then you need to ask about the verses that don't serve their interests. Ask about the scene where the stone was rolled away from Jesus' tomb. All four gospels describe it, but none match. It was found before sunrise, after sunrise, during the day, or while it was dark, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John respectively. It was found by the Virgin Mary & Mary Magdalene, and they were alone...or with someone else...or three other people...or five. The stone was rolled away before they got there...or it wasn't.
Proverbs 26:4 says you can't answer fools. Proverbs 26:5 (the next verse) says you must.
But a good way to spot someone pretending they know it is to ask about Matthew 30:5, where Jesus spoke about liars.
Matthew has 28 chapters.
The Bible has literally hundreds of contradictions. Either no one has seen the face of God, or someone has. Even the commandments are in dispute. The Old Testament says there are ten. The New Testament says there are two.
I could watch this show again and again and never get bored
I have watched the complete series 5 times and still come to YT for more
I still do it’s dope
I’ve watched it 5 times beginning to end. It’s on Max right now.
@@pipsmum100 me too! My favorite show of all time!
I’m not religions but, “the streets of heaven are too crowded with with angels tonight” slaps.
Beautiful that’s my favorite scene
@@andrewgundy3045 They ran into the fire. Those words have so much meaning.
Angels are creatures, created by God, and are not humans. And vice versa. Humans don't ascend to angel status by dying. And to say otherwise, is deceptive.
@@markcollins2666Angels also aren't proven to be real. lol
@@Bustermax01not to you, anyway. But I have seen one, along with 3 friends. It saved our lives. A hot white being, that guided us to safety, near the summit of Mt. Adams, when we were struck by a storm, 25 degree temp, and 125 MPH winds. We were flying, up to 18 feet, in the air! Sometimes landing lightly, others being dumped face first, into snow. We were seeking an Apellachian Mountain Club stone hut, in a whiteout, being blown to hell. This was in 1980, Columbus Day weekend, long before LED. It stood before the hut, then vanished as we got close. There was a couple inside, that knew nothing about us, or the being. You decide. The dead are dead. You may not believe in angels, but I don't believe in ghosts.
The scariest part is how many episodes dealt with problems happening now. This show was ahead of its time dealing with our current problems almost 20 years ago. I love the banter between the characters and the arguments, they acted like a family instead of coworkers.
And the Really Scary part is almost Every Episode us has taken Inspiration from actual events our President and other world leaders have delt with.
No... The episodes were inspired by current events of the time. It's not ahead of its time. The US has not made any meaningful progress on these issues...
After seeing some of these scenes over and over again, I still literally get chills!
Two Cathedrals makes me cry every time. My daughter and I loved this series and SHE loved and studied Latin and Greek. What amazing writing!! Thank you Aaron Sorkin for such Inspiring and interesting series…probably never to be seen again❤️🎞️🎥
Jed Bartlett for president 2024
In our dreams only, my friend, unfortunately. He’s simply the best.
@@AndreAFirenzeBut here's the thing - if we had Jed Bartlet, arguably the perfect president, mainly due to his imperfections, we wouldn't appreciate him like we do in the West Wing. We'd probably hate him, since we wouldn't see all of the interactions he has on a daily basis. We wouldn't know how good of a person he is or isn't, and therefore, we'd have a massive nation level disagreement on who this president is, what he stands for, and what he does.
Joe can be the closest thing
Amen brother!
I wish there was a single real-life presidential candidate who I could support as much as most good fictional presidential candidates. Bartlett being at the top of my list.
This is and will always be my favorite show. This is the President we deserve but we will never get. Martin Sheen was originally only supposed to make small appearances now and then. The show was originally supposed to be centered around Rob Lowe's character Sam Seaborn. The response that they got after the first episode with Martin Sheen was overwhelming so they wrote him in as the main character. Aaron Sorkin hit this out of the park and wanted everything to be as authentic as it could and they did just that . I could go on for hours about this show because i know each episode by heart.
The whole cast was hitting it out of the park straight from the first episode.
Same with Stockard Channing but the chemistry between she & Martin changed everything. ❤️
Foyle's War is very good also.
We shall not have a POTUS like Bartlet because the US political reality is not scripted by Aaron Sorkin
I've listened to the recordings on FDR's fireside chats. I believe the writers for the West Wing reviewed all the great orators thru out American history while penning the character of President Josiah Bartlett. There's no one with greater acting chops to bring that character to life than Martin Sheen. I would like to say thank you to all involved in bringing this extraordinary drama to the American people. It came at a time when we most needed it.
I would like to hear what he would say to us now - today - about how far the left has leaned. He was a democrat that I would have voted for, I wish he were here now. Because neither ticket is viable for me, as I am a Republican.
@@julieenslow5915 Bartlett was always, party politics aside, the President the American people needed, the President a great nation deserved. Instead you get a man with no morals or one who can barely articulate the thoughts which the staff generate for him (since I doubt he has a coherent thought of his own). I am a Brit and look in despair at our great ally across the pond as I look in despair at those who presume to lead my own country in this most dangerous and difficult of worlds. We are all fallible, as was Bartlett, but it seems that politicians today have no agenda but their own agrandisement, no compass but expediency. Perhaps I am just old and cynical, but it seems to me that The West Wing was a fable of how our leaders might deal with the world. It was a brilliantly written and acted story - what a shame it was only fiction.
@@chriscarter5720
Your last sentence is the most telling and why so many people can not let it go. The reason is less a thought process and more of an emotion: WHY can we not get such a president in real life? If we just keep digging...surely there is one out there?
@@julieenslow5915 We have had comparable presidents. However, the opposition party has limited their ability to accomplish as much as they might have done, as has the willingness of the president to forgo believing that the opposition party also has the country's best interests in mind. If the president correctly believes that the opposition is also motivated by "what is best for the country", then disagreements may mean that the president is wrong. If, on the other hand, the opposition is only interested in political gain, even at the cost of the country, then a president willing to give the opposition the benefit of the doubt will not be able to accomplish much.
In the West Wing, the opposition was often portrayed as being motivated by their ideals and not merely by political gain; unfortunately, in the real world, this is not always true.
@@julieenslow5915Your party is seriously proposing monitoring pregnant women for interstate travel. Please don't tell me about extreme.
If ONLY we could have a President as great as this.
Well we did have a candidate Sen. Bernard Sanders from Vermont and we all saw what happened DNC backstabbed him just because he was a progressive candidate.
Aaron Sorkin?
A true progressive president not a capitalist.
@VTX00128 Batlet was never a progressive he was a Catholic Liberal. He could never get the Democratic Nomination with how he party is today. His beliefs on family values, abortion, and marriage which were in the show would be impossible to line up with the party. He was not homophobic or completely against any LGBT people but his beliefs do come from Judeo-Christian values.
If ONLY we could have a Prime Minister as great as this too.... 🙏
#2 is still my favorite scene from the show. But they got #1 completely right. Credit has to be given to Aaron Sorkin's writing - but his words would be lifeless with having someone as brilliant as Martin Sheen delivering them.
Well said!
"...not just docking someone's damn allowance!" Bartlet for POTUS!
That’s the one you liked and quoted? His staff had to teach him that he was acting with emotion for loosing his doctor, they told him the USA could put the best air field out of commission with a major strike, totaling in fatalities 4k plus in the bombing, but doing that would cripple international groups abilities to send in aide to that nations most desperate and hungry people, would start a famine that would tens of thousands of more, causing regional instability
@@lionsjourney29 Yes, in the episode, the Joint Chiefs came up with a totally unreasonable response intended to show that Bartlett was overreacting. Essentially, the JCS were being difficult, and effectively (in both senses of the word) insubordinate.
Other options would have also been available, which might have proven more of a deterrent for the future. However, the JCS failed to consider options that would penalize those who gave the orders, rather than effectively innocent bystanders like the night watchmen at the intelligence agency or the citizens of Damascus.
Bartlett was correct, and the JCS (and arguably Sorkin) was wrong.
"Two Cathedrals" was one of the best episodes of any series alltime.
If it were a movie it would have won an Oscar. I’ve always been convinced of that.
That scene in the cathedral where he is raging at God was a master class in acting.
Two Cathedrals is the best bit of TV ever. Makes me cry from start to finish
I will never forget that last scene. It spoke to me on every level as a human being and my daily struggle if he exists given the horror around us. Yes there is joy, but pulling babies from rubble is hard on my faith. Losing a child is hell, period. Do I take what makes me human to heaven?
We do a disservice if we don't acknowledge how powerful the actual ending to the show was: his conversation with the ghost of Mrs. Landingham scolding him for using her death as an excuse to stop trying and run away. That part gets to me in equal measure to the "You Get Hoynes" scene.
This scene wasn’t in this, but one of my favorite scenes is “Crime, boy I don’t know, is when I decided to kick your ass”
My dad and I use “boy…I don’t know” all the time.
Or later in the debate, when Bartlet tells how much federal tax money went to Florida and asks, Can we have it back?
@@BrianRP1209that’s my favorite of the debate
Love that one too
Let Bartlett be Bartlett is such a good scene. Its two men, arguing and if either one were put up against a lesser actor the scene would be entirely stolen. Instead its a masterpiece back and forth. I miss the West Wing
Martin Sheen had the utmost respect for John Spencer, not just for the character he played, but for the person & actor he was.
It was best shown in the episode with the SOTU & Sheen asks the Designated Survivor:
Do you have a best friend?
Is your best friend smarter than you?
Would you trust your best friend with your life?
Then your best friend is your Chief of Staff!
The look on John Spencer's face, as he overhears Martin Sheen utter those words, says it all.
Absolutely my favorite show ever. Respect, love, values.
The speech after the bombing is my favorite part of the series, Martin Sheen my goodness. What a professional.
Best series ever written. I miss it.
When I get tired of Washington… I rewatch The West Wing
Agreed
"that was my son." 🥹
I wonder what Josh would have thought if he'd heard that.
This one got me
This show didn't catch lightning in a bottle. It created the storm that made the lightning so we could sit back in awe of it's power. This is by a mile the best written show in history. Maybe not the greatest show but no show had ever made me feel like this show did.
“What was Josh Lyman a warning shot?”
That was my son….
“What did I ever do to yours but praise his glory?”
"Have I displeased you, you feckless thug?"
My favorite scene from the show
The best show that has ever aired. Aaron Sorkin is pure genius. His writing, his casting, his mind...
Nicola, thank you , The Church scene right before Bartlett announcement of running for second term, with Brother in Arms playing was my favorite of the entire run . Nicola, you are a class act my friend
The USA needs Jed Bartlett - we all do.
Seems like Tim Walz is a pretty decent stand-in.
We are trying, at least some of us are, believe me I'm getting tired of traveling to other countries and apologizing for our president a few years back.
Let Bartlet Be Bartlet is a Leo McGarry scene. Jed is merely there while John Spencer bats it out of the park.
The best president we never had.
No way… Bill Pullman in Independence Day!
Plus xiii best pope we never had.
thought that was Dave...
You are so heartbreakingly correct.
The first two years of this were some of the best TV ever written.
Well now I have to binge watch the whole series again! 💙
This was so well written and Bartlett portrayed as such an intellectual giant that when he tells God off in the church, it feels entirely credible
From an intellectual point of view my favourite scene too but "the tight ass club" telling off is breathtaking too, how he pulls knowledge from the bible, pairs it up with real-life events and then hurls them at her one after the other, it's class and probably my third favourite scene ("angels in heaven" being my second).
"Let Bartlet Be Bartlet" the best part of the series, it marks them saying were done playing nice.
The presentation of PR’s knife should definitely be an honorable mention.
I remember watching the pilot, I was mesmerized, I could not believe that just in the first 10 minutes , 5 major problems for the government were covered. The beauty was the personal touch Arron Sorkin wrote in the pilot. I was every episode for 4 years straight. There is nothing like this in TV today.
I keep remembering these shows, I need a binge of the first 6 seasons. 1/10/24
I thought the same thing after watching the first episode. I've never been a big TV watching person but this show really got to me. I still get sad watching the final episode. I'd love it if Netflix or HBO made a movie about were they are now in their lives. HBO Max made a live version of the hartfield landing episode 4 years ago and the whole cast was in it minus John Spencer ( Leo). Who passed away the final season. If you didn't watch it you should because it's great.
Sublime drama that still inspires...
Schooling the member of "The Ignorant Tight ass club" is an amazing scene. But The "Latin Scene" is so much more.
"when the president stands, nobody sits"
Especially not a holier than thou hypocrite. Great scene.
I'd sit. It's my right as a guy
As a proud mama bear to a gay son, I often quote portions of his speech to other tight asses. ❤
“When the President stands, nobody’s sits!”
This is why I watch this.
Aaron Sorkin's scripts were fantastic. Showing more humanity than the little snippets we get from the news stories. The actors were really very good at portraying the characters, I cannot imagine that any one else could have done a better job. Thank you for the many hours of enjoyment. We need Josiah Bartlett in office now!😢
God, we could use a man like Jed Bartlett!
I’m voting for a WOMAN this year who, if chosen, will put her own stamp on the White House.
As a writer, I often think of the powerful dialogue in the West Wing.
Watching him...I see why I always loved Emilio's performances, ... so much like his dad.
I enjoyed the scene when after Mark Harmon was Killed, He was talking to James Brolin, and Brolin makes a snide ass comment about Crime, and Bartlet says That's When I decided to Kick Your Ass!
I watched West Wing but have totally forgotten how great the writing was along with the cast. Here is a leader who has the inner strength to stay true to himself and still have the ability to make decisions for the people of America. My respect to this awesome show and what type of leader is needed for a country that is a true leader or is supposed to be
Although, I truly love what he says tomorrow, what I really wanted him to say was what’s next. Because for the first time in his life, he didn’t know what was next, and as he holds the napkin from Leo, he misses him too, because Leo gave him so many what’s next.
I counted at least 5 scenes that I would have replaced with him gifting the carving knife to charlie
There's at least three, but as many as nine, I'd have replaced with him calling up the Butterball hotline
I counted no scenes where anyone asked.
@@Wallopy_Joe That one was hilarious!
Me too I always cry
If the world ever needed a President Bartlett, it is now.
True
Can't we elect Jed Bartlett in 2024?
In 2004 I wrote Bartlet in because I didn't like either of the two choices.
In 2000 when my students would ask me who I was voting for I'd tell the Jed Bartlett.
If only…
No…because like so much in America these days, this is not real…it’s a tv show. Life does NOT imitate art…life is life, art is art.
I want Tom Kirkman!!
This program and the characters played can only be described as spot on and moving inspirational.
Can anyone imagine having a sane, stable, smart and balanced President like this guy?!?!
From a democrat? No.
@@captainamerica6525
Oh please
There have been great presidents from both parties and bad ones from both parties too.
Grow the f up.
@@captainamerica6525Statements like this really, really make me think you and your fellow travellers have worked yourselves into a place where you can
*only*
feel contempt for just over half of your fellow Americans.
Jed Bartlett was the last totally good man to be the lead of a great TV show.
You mean Martin Sheen.
He wasn't totally good. He perpetrated a massive fraud on the American people. He orchestrated a conspiracy to hide his health condition from voters.
@@LeeKeels
When you are watching the West Wing - they become one and the same.
Ted Lasso
I was gonna suggest Farscape, but they ran pretty much concurrently. ;)
Praying that one day our birth country will be blessed with this kind of truly fine president.❤️
the closest we had was Barack Obama
@@gregfaber3417 embarrassed to say I can't remember my rules here. can former President Obama run for the same office again? in North Carolina Governor James Hunt held the governorship twice (with one term off in between.) Could Obama run again?
@@0prayus He was president for 2 terms, unless Trump gets in and changes the rules...which he intends to, no. Only 2 terms as preisdent are permitted in the US.
@@burstcity3832 😒drat, darn, dang, durn even 🫤
"Have I displeased you, you feckless thug"
I often think of that line.
Damn I still consider myself a Christian and that line hit HARD. What a powerful scene
Given the fact that your MS returns with a vengeance….. why yes Jed
back when it first aired i saw a comment by a critic that "Jed Bartlet was the best President The USA never Had" still true today
Jed Bartlet for president. This is the US the world wants and expects. Thoughtful, kind, educated, principled, tough but fair. Best series ever on TV. The cast was inspired, the writing deep and moving and made us love the characters. Find a man like this if you want to make America great again.
I wish this show was still on! I love seeing everyone playing their roles with conviction and pride in their craft!
I always thought Jed's yelling at God in Latin was on another level.
Toby was the moral center of the West Wing.
And he was a felon before he was pardoned!
@@tomace4898 Morality bears little resemblance to laws. He did the correct thing, he was pardoned because the law is rigid and occasionally needs oversight.
To Whomever made this list: Thank You.
How the hell did he not win an Emmy for this role?
He was up against Tony Soprano a few times. But losing to the Rock guy on the shield is lunacy.
@@blimy01maynard30 Michael Chicklas or whatever his name is? Yeah that made no sense.
These scenes are just a small sample of why this series is on the front shelf of my video library!
#2 the scene with the Dr and the bible questions should definitely be #1. it's iconic and often referred to "one of the best scenes in TV history", so that kinda tells us where it really stands relatively speaking
Oh how my heart yearns for a president that loves america and its people. God bless America, and it's people and are future...
Martin Sheen should have gotten an Emmy for Two Cathedrals monologue.
I miss this show.
I am currently watching the whole series again on Max. It’s the best!
Their writers are possibly the best ever
Rob Lowe referenced his role here this week on The Floor. Political Candidates. "I played a fake politician for four years".
For Heaven's and the country's sake, bring it back in re-runs on every station available
It’s on Max
The complete series
Looove “The West Wing”. Thanks for these great bits. 👏👏
Just started re-watching this series for the third or fourth time. Such amazing storylines, actors, and messaging. Hard to believe we're going through now what they addressed almost 25 years ago!
I’ve got several things to do today, but I stopped when I saw this. Thank you for 22 minutes well spent.
I haven't watched that scene in 20 years but I still know it by heart...
"...you can all get your f@t @$$es out of my white house..." 🤣
Exemplery combination of top tier wrighting and amazing actors and actresses. Thank you for the upload.
It’s amazing what a great script/from a great writer/and great actors can create when they work together. ( by actors I mean every actor was on point main cast, recurring characters and one off characters who may only appear in one episode were all expertly cast.) Still think I am the lord your god is still the best introduction to what will be the main character of a tv show ever.
It is amazing how close to ""17 People" recent events have been. Politics never changes.
Good list and of course I have 27 scenes you missed. Don't we all? Keep up your good work.
I ❤ed The West Wing, and still do. If only we had leaders like this......
I watched West wing way back when…. And have watched the Real America spiral into divisiveness, hate, following the "Orange Savior" who was supposedly sent by God? I wish we could have a man like Jed Bartlett in this real world.
He does come back at the end of the episode and orders the non-lethal strike for the second quote.
All great scenes, but one is missing. The scene where he is explaining to his youngest daughter why she needs a security detail - not to protect her from getting killed, but to protect her from getting kidnapped.
..... and then his regret when it comes true. Poignant.
The last scene, the rant at God scene, in my opinion is the best scene in TV history. It's a man confronting his religion, which is not only powerful because Bartlet is Catholic but so is Martin Sheen. Wrestling with your religion is such a real thing. The writing is magnificent and Martin Sheen absolutely nails the delivery.
A brilliantly written, wonderfully portrayed series. When will this quality return to our screens.
Where are all the excellent actors and writers ??????
I knew from the start that those last two scenes would have to be in there. They have always been two of my favorite. Love that show.
We all knew exactly what number one was going to be. It’s iconic.
But the penultimate entry at number 2 deserves that placing. It was our introduction to the President on West Wing.
It reminded me greatly of Aaron Sorkin’s movie, *_”The American President”_* and his other vehicle *_”The Newsroom”_* opened the first episode with Jeff Daniels, likewise to Martin Sheen, makes an impact when we meet them for the first time.
Whilst awaiting my visa approval to move from Canada to the U.K. to be with my now husband, one of my closest friends let me stay with her for the three months of waiting. This was when *_”The Newsroom”_* was first aired and we cried and cheered at the opening monologue and diatribe that Jeff Daniels performs with wit and conviction.
We watched every episode that became available, and rewatched it over and over and finally went back to watch *_”The West Wing”_* several times (I always told her the closing music sounded like the music you would see on a documentary about dolphins happily swimming at top speed alongside the boat. It’s all she can think of to this day when she rewatched this show.
And hands down, the number one entry on this list was her favourite Bartlett moment. She always cried and felt strongly about it.
Watching these scenes now, reminds me of her and makes me sad that she’s on the other side of the ocean and I can’t binge watch the movie and two shows I’ve mentioned above together. She’s due to potentially visit in the next year for work and I hope she takes some vacation days to stay with me for awhile and first on our list for downtime activities is binge watching our Aaron Sorkin playlist. ❤️
Bartlett for America 2024!!!!!!!
Great show. Good writing and acting and makes the audience care about global politics
My favorite part, was the the Roman citizen story.
He owned this character. Loved this show!
This nothing else that can settle my soul than this show. Still a daily presence in my life.
Amazing writing. Jed Bartlet is the best President that uhmerica never had, but they think they have. If only art imitated life.
Since the war in Gaza started, I think about the "virtue of a proportionate response" episode a lot
yes. but the scene that comes to mind isnt showed here. fitzwallace explaining the overreaction operation. too bad that netanyahu think that 50,000 casualties are chump change.
@@tokyworldThe real slapper is when Leo tells Bartlet that he can destroy the world, his US is the only superpower left. But he'll have to go through him first. Starts at 13:00, but the comeback from Leo is missing.
This scene from the pilot when he walks into the room sold him to me as the president pretty instantly
We need this show now more than ever!!
Everyone should watch these scenes more than once. The whole cast was tremendous and the writing was exceptional
The closing line should have been, ‘what’s next?’