There is a really good spy drama mini series set in Australia about the joint US/AUS SigInt station at Pine Gap. In one episode, they reference more than once the US carrier USS Bartlet. Made me smile. Had to be him as they are currently named after presidents. Fitz would have approved.
That moment when "Donatella" realized the office was actually hers....I always think she went back in time in her Rolodex of Memories and remembered that one night she stood in The Oval Office and told her English Teacher Mrs. Marella that it was because of her that She was standing in there! ❤ And now, Donatella was standing in her own Office in The White House too!
I get Teri Polo being wowed, but Donna did work in the White House for 8 years... even if she never had occasion to go to the First Lady's Chief of Staff's offoce she should have a reasonable idea based on Leo's and other offices to set expectations
This serie was my life defining moment, my Shangri-La. Whenever I feel down in the dumps I switch on episodes or scenes of this serie and I am okay again. How I wish it was like this in real life!
Great ending, but every time I watch, I can't help but feel like Jed would/should have answered "...what's next". That was literally his catchphrase for the entire series and what he said when he was ready to move on. I think it would have been the perfect final words.
I think this is a good storytelling impulse but it's clear they had decided to use that phrase to signal the passing of the torch. Giving it to Santos in the oval. And using that moment to both look to the past (and recognize Spencer) while also ending on the hopeful note of looking to the future is really fitting. Ending with optimism for, tomorrow.
President Santos saying “what’s next” Is the changing of the guard and Jed saying “tomorrow” means for me “I do hope to see many many many tomorrows” Long live TWW
I’m not sure about that. During the transition, President-Elect Santos tries to get a campaign finance bill together which would have eliminated bribery and lobbying. That doesn’t seem Centrist, it seems Progressive.
CJ has so earned the satisfaction of saying that she doesn't work there. Being Press Secretary was pure stress, and she got to see the Chief of Staff job killing Leo by inches, and finally completely, only to pick it up and carry that burden herself. I think she had to realize that if she had taken Santos offer, it would have wrecked her.
I wish that she had said she used to work there, and it was the most amazing time of her life. She had the chance to inspire a child, and she (the writers) blew it.
Some were brilliantly written and made back then. Some are brilliantly written and made today. Most aren't, either today or back then. But we forget about those very quickly.
Not just that they were well written, but they did over 20 episodes in a season. Now you're lucky to get 10 and even then you wonder why. (I had been trying to binge watch The Flash but on season 7 it seems really pointless. It's like the story keeps repeating and repeating. Not the same with the West Wing. And like this last episodes, we learned what it is like to experience a transition.
This always makes me cry. This is how it should be. This is America at her ideological best: issues at the forefront, a tight but fair election, a peaceful transition of power, and a country where any kid like Donna from Wisconsin or Charlie from DC or Toby from New York or CJ from Ohio can mix with Josh from Connecticut and Sam from California and make it all happen. The promise of tomorrow is what we're all about. When tomorrow is uncertain, we are uncertain.
I know... I've read the qualifications of the appointments and wonder what if she had won... Nominate qualified people cabinet positions for christ sake! Wondering if the Republican Senastors will push back too.
Watching this on my train ride home; maybe I should just rewatch this for the next 4 years. Harris would have created a new tomorrow not perfect with hope for the future. Now we just have to relive another 4 year nightmare.
@@stevena.2306Man do y'all ever stop exaggerating? Wahhh orange man bad. Everything was fine last time, in fact it was way better than the last 4 years.
There were two napkins, according to the props team on the show. Aaron Sorkin was given one, and Tommy Schlamme the other. (Source: the West Wing Weekly podcast)
In the first episode, the vast majority of it was spent talking about the president, but not seeing them until the final scene. It ir revealed he injures himself and his health becomes the underlying regular theme to the show. Here in the final scene of the final episode it concludes with the president, but closure is found for tomorrow for him.
Just a random thought, but Jimmy Smits was also in the prequels. That's interesting timing. Being a president in one universe and a senator in the other.
More room in the East wing! But I agree it's a nice contrast especially given the relationship between Josh and Donna in the last few episode and how he offers her Deputy PressSec
Nah, the line "What's next?" signalled his life of ultimate, constant professional *readiness*. Problem-solving. Decision-making. Now, now, now. Being "a human starting gun". Saying "tomorrow", with its implication of no-hurry, of having time, means he's finally a civilian. So having it as Bartlett's last line would have been a bit of tricksey TV writing. False.
Just wondering how will President Biden go home to Delaware? It’s not really that far that he would fly in Airforce One! Speaking of AF1, it’s now very likely that President DTrump will be the first to use one of the new AF1 B747-8i, who would have thought it!
That was so common during the show (I remember how shocked I was when I saw what they did for the Democratic Convention in Season 5 - all the tricks they had to use.)
When I see CJ tell the dad and son she doesn’t work at The White House, my mind goes back to Oliver Babish telling her to only answer the question she’s asked when he prepares her to be deposed in the aftermath of the MS revelation!
They had to do the doey-eyed wonder moment, but are we really expected to believe that Donna never had to visit the First Lady's Chief of Staff's office in all of her 8 years working there?
@@wonder528 That was Dr Bartlet's Chief of Staff's office all throughout the show. The fact that it would now be Donna's wouldn't be a surprise if she had visited her predecessor even once.
Can someone tell me how Donna didn't know which office was the First Lady's and which was the FL's Chief of Staff? I mean did she never visit Amy's office?
I think Bartlett would always see that napkin as embodying everything about his Presidency, good and bad. I think, though, he'd always remember that it cost Leo his marriage and ultimately his life.
Always thought it a bit unrealistic that that Dad wouldn't recognise CJ, given it was frequently emphasised how she was the visible face of the administration.
The shot at 5:07 is the first time I think they showed the real West Wing in The West Wing. Lots of shots of the Residence, of course, but rarely if ever of the West Wing.
@@catrionacolville2192 1:36 shows the North entrance of the West Wing. and yes, could be true they never shot on location, i dont know. scenes at the gates occured a lot though, but those were probably not shot on location either
I'm just going to say it. I kind of wish Vinnick would have won. How the writers would have handled that transition would have been fascinating and I know it would have been quality.
I'm sure you know this, but that is how it was originally written. When John Spencer died, they changed the outcome. I guess it just seemed too sad the other way.
She probably never thought about it. The guy did say the First Lady's office was being restored so Donna thought it belonged to Mrs Santos. Easy mistake.
This was supposed to be Biden and Kamala, too bad we have a country of idiots. Or as I’ve now chosen to call them Consenting Low Information People, or CLIPs for short
I wish I had the power to sit the current president-elect down and make him watch this entire series so he would know, for once, how it's supposed to be done.
I love this episode so much, I mean I love them all. But I also think its a bit of a dick move for her not to answer a tourists question especially with his little girl there with him.
I would be fine with Vinick as president. He was a man of integrity and he loved his country, unlike those with zero integrity who love only themselves.
Best start to a series, Best end to a series....and everything in the middle was fantastic as well.
There is a really good spy drama mini series set in Australia about the joint US/AUS SigInt station at Pine Gap. In one episode, they reference more than once the US carrier USS Bartlet. Made me smile. Had to be him as they are currently named after presidents. Fitz would have approved.
If my memory serves me, the representative from New Hampshire who signed the Declaration of Independence was Josiah Bartlett
Aren't the ships named after dead presidents? That means in their TL, MS finally won and Jed Bartlett was honored by his nation for his service.
@@arthurbriand2175not necessarily. The George hw bush was named while he was alive
This series is THE best TV ever made!!
That moment when "Donatella" realized the office was actually hers....I always think she went back in time in her Rolodex of Memories and remembered that one night she stood in The Oval Office and told her English Teacher Mrs. Marella that it was because of her that She was standing in there! ❤ And now, Donatella was standing in her own Office in The White House too!
Every time I see that scene I find myself thinking 'Good for you, Donna'
@@ldkellandshaw Exactly! 👋
You just triggered a memory that brought a tear to this old mans eye.
@@rottingcorpse6002 Not "Old" my man....Experienced! 👋
I get Teri Polo being wowed, but Donna did work in the White House for 8 years... even if she never had occasion to go to the First Lady's Chief of Staff's offoce she should have a reasonable idea based on Leo's and other offices to set expectations
If only we could live on this planet😢
Agree
You do
100
It's the Democrat arrogance like in this show is why Trump won
Well you made you bed America now you have to live with it
The tears in my eyes as I realise I was going to re-hear Martin Sheen as Jed Bartlet say "Tomorrow"
Yes a great closing scene!
For me it’s seeing the “Bartlett for America” napkin.
This serie was my life defining moment, my Shangri-La. Whenever I feel down in the dumps I switch on episodes or scenes of this serie and I am okay again. How I wish it was like this in real life!
Used to be for me too. Lately it just feels depressing. Too far removed from reality to be enjoyable
Great ending, but every time I watch, I can't help but feel like Jed would/should have answered "...what's next". That was literally his catchphrase for the entire series and what he said when he was ready to move on. I think it would have been the perfect final words.
I think this is a good storytelling impulse but it's clear they had decided to use that phrase to signal the passing of the torch. Giving it to Santos in the oval.
And using that moment to both look to the past (and recognize Spencer) while also ending on the hopeful note of looking to the future is really fitting. Ending with optimism for, tomorrow.
President Santos saying “what’s next”
Is the changing of the guard and Jed saying “tomorrow” means for me “I do hope to see many many many tomorrows”
Long live TWW
Honestly I could’ve EASILY watched another 7 seasons of this show with the staff assembled for the Santos administration.
The President we all wish we had.
He's a Centrist, that's the last thing we need.
@@carlousmagus5387and a convicted sex offender is?
I’m not sure about that. During the transition, President-Elect Santos tries to get a campaign finance bill together which would have eliminated bribery and lobbying. That doesn’t seem Centrist, it seems Progressive.
@@carlousmagus5387 Why is that a bad thing. I would certainly like to have a president in office that will compromise and work across the isle.
Which one, Bartlett, the preachy out of touch professor or the nut from California?
You did it admin! You got the end of the series - thank you for sharing such awesome West Wing moments with us!
CJ has so earned the satisfaction of saying that she doesn't work there. Being Press Secretary was pure stress, and she got to see the Chief of Staff job killing Leo by inches, and finally completely, only to pick it up and carry that burden herself. I think she had to realize that if she had taken Santos offer, it would have wrecked her.
I wish that she had said she used to work there, and it was the most amazing time of her life. She had the chance to inspire a child, and she (the writers) blew it.
@@99beowulf99 I think 7 seasons of CJ would inspire anyone, she deserves closure on her terms.
A time when America was founded on hope, not hate.
You’re the haters. I know it’s a shock, but it’s true.
Back when TV series were brilliantly written and made.
Some were brilliantly written and made back then. Some are brilliantly written and made today. Most aren't, either today or back then. But we forget about those very quickly.
Not just that they were well written, but they did over 20 episodes in a season. Now you're lucky to get 10 and even then you wonder why. (I had been trying to binge watch The Flash but on season 7 it seems really pointless. It's like the story keeps repeating and repeating. Not the same with the West Wing. And like this last episodes, we learned what it is like to experience a transition.
This always makes me cry. This is how it should be. This is America at her ideological best: issues at the forefront, a tight but fair election, a peaceful transition of power, and a country where any kid like Donna from Wisconsin or Charlie from DC or Toby from New York or CJ from Ohio can mix with Josh from Connecticut and Sam from California and make it all happen. The promise of tomorrow is what we're all about. When tomorrow is uncertain, we are uncertain.
I'll be re-watching this series multiple times for therapy over the next 4 years...
I may resubscribe to HBO for the same reason.
It kind of helped the first time.
I know... I've read the qualifications of the appointments and wonder what if she had won... Nominate qualified people cabinet positions for christ sake! Wondering if the Republican Senastors will push back too.
Well you made your bed now you have to live with it
As a former Democrat I rewatched this before voting for Trump. So sad to see what the party has become
I don't think I can watch this show the same way, ever again.
- a heartbroken American
Watching this on my train ride home; maybe I should just rewatch this for the next 4 years. Harris would have created a new tomorrow not perfect with hope for the future. Now we just have to relive another 4 year nightmare.
its dystopian
It was a fantasy - beautiful, but still that.
@@stevena.2306Man do y'all ever stop exaggerating? Wahhh orange man bad. Everything was fine last time, in fact it was way better than the last 4 years.
Even as a non-American these last couple of scenes do make an impression. Maybe distance makes it harder to understand the results of Nov5.
A fine ending to a great, great show.
Ever feel…. Wish…. Want this to be the reality?
Feel a binge watch coming on on a regular prescription!
I think it's about time we got to see "what's next."
I, too, will be watching this wonderful hopeful series over and over during the coming assault on our democracy by the lunatics about to take over
When President Santos said "What's next?", brilliant! When President Bartlett said "Tomorrow!", brilliant!
I wonder if someone from the show kept the "Bartlet for America" napkin.
There were two napkins, according to the props team on the show. Aaron Sorkin was given one, and Tommy Schlamme the other. (Source: the West Wing Weekly podcast)
In the first episode, the vast majority of it was spent talking about the president, but not seeing them until the final scene. It ir revealed he injures himself and his health becomes the underlying regular theme to the show. Here in the final scene of the final episode it concludes with the president, but closure is found for tomorrow for him.
2:27 I wonder if that was an extra that waved at the bottom of the screen or a random. 😂 If it was an extra he probably won't get hired again.
2:28 gotta love the tourists ruining the shot by waving 😂
Look closer he isn't waving. I only see 1 finger up.
Just a random thought, but Jimmy Smits was also in the prequels. That's interesting timing. Being a president in one universe and a senator in the other.
It wasn't another universe. It was another galaxy far, far away.
And a presidential candidate in 24
@@hazmat7949 For a second, I thought you meant 2024, the year not the tv show.
FLOTUS's CoS's office is so much nicer (and bigger) than POTUS's one. (At least in this White House)
More room in the East wing! But I agree it's a nice contrast especially given the relationship between Josh and Donna in the last few episode and how he offers her Deputy PressSec
I think pretty much every room on TWW was bigger than the actual counterpart in the White House.
@@AlexTurpin I think Donna working for the First Lady helped her relationship with Josh because they needed to keep things separate
@@aph1976Yeah, because Josh had no trouble with that the last time he was dating the FLOTUS CoS
I still thought that instead of “tomorrow” it should have been “what’s next?” Santos said it in the oval. But it would have been a great last line.
Nah, the line "What's next?" signalled his life of ultimate, constant professional *readiness*. Problem-solving. Decision-making. Now, now, now. Being "a human starting gun". Saying "tomorrow", with its implication of no-hurry, of having time, means he's finally a civilian.
So having it as Bartlett's last line would have been a bit of tricksey TV writing. False.
“Human starting gun.” Nice reference.
Just wondering how will President Biden go home to Delaware? It’s not really that far that he would fly in Airforce One! Speaking of AF1, it’s now very likely that President DTrump will be the first to use one of the new AF1 B747-8i, who would have thought it!
1:51 lmao CJ is *done* no more question answering for her
Just ordered the Bluray series.
I like how they recycled the president elect's office to Donna Moss's office hahaha
That was so common during the show (I remember how shocked I was when I saw what they did for the Democratic Convention in Season 5 - all the tricks they had to use.)
Is it just me or did Donna's office look bigger than the Oval Office?
When I see CJ tell the dad and son she doesn’t work at The White House, my mind goes back to Oliver Babish telling her to only answer the question she’s asked when he prepares her to be deposed in the aftermath of the MS revelation!
How spoiled I was to think that this was the America I lived in.. not.. whatever this is now.
*Decent people at the White House, what a dream.*
Where has America gone?
And that White House real estate agent then became the greatest fanboy accountant in Pawnee, Indiana!
Donna finally has an office, and it's bigger than what Josh has.
if you have a lump in your throat , you're not alone
This last line should have been 'What's next' as a statement rather than a question.
They had to do the doey-eyed wonder moment, but are we really expected to believe that Donna never had to visit the First Lady's Chief of Staff's office in all of her 8 years working there?
But it wasn't “her office” then. Her office had been a cubicle. Now she has her office.
@@wonder528 That was Dr Bartlet's Chief of Staff's office all throughout the show. The fact that it would now be Donna's wouldn't be a surprise if she had visited her predecessor even once.
i wonder if they writers argued about Bartlett saying "what comes next" as his final line.
"Awfully nice thing he did."
Donna has a bigger office than Leo, Sam, Josh, CJ and Toby ever had lol
Can someone tell me how Donna didn't know which office was the First Lady's and which was the FL's Chief of Staff? I mean did she never visit Amy's office?
zzzz
I think Bartlett would always see that napkin as embodying everything about his Presidency, good and bad. I think, though, he'd always remember that it cost Leo his marriage and ultimately his life.
I too wish Bail Organa was president
Is there an airport in New Hampshire that can handle a 747?
FLOTUS's chief of staff's office is about 5 times as large as the office of POTUS chief of staff. Leo/CJ's office is tiny!
Always thought it a bit unrealistic that that Dad wouldn't recognise CJ, given it was frequently emphasised how she was the visible face of the administration.
So did i for a time… but the last few years have educated me that the majority of the American populace are woefully ignorant about their government…
Why, when in real life a majority of American voters can spot a felon on the ballot paper.
And now all we've got is sick, s and sour.
Writing is phenomenal, but when she closed the oval office door she should have said, Thank you Mr. President.
"What's next?"
The shot at 5:07 is the first time I think they showed the real West Wing in The West Wing. Lots of shots of the Residence, of course, but rarely if ever of the West Wing.
You want to try that time stamp again?
@@catrionacolville2192 1:36 shows the North entrance of the West Wing. and yes, could be true they never shot on location, i dont know. scenes at the gates occured a lot though, but those were probably not shot on location either
@@diablo888I believe gate shots *were* on location in DC.
I'm just going to say it. I kind of wish Vinnick would have won. How the writers would have handled that transition would have been fascinating and I know it would have been quality.
I'm sure you know this, but that is how it was originally written. When John Spencer died, they changed the outcome. I guess it just seemed too sad the other way.
ok really? Donna never went to the Chief of Staff of the First Lady's Office before? Even when it was Amy Gardner?
She probably never thought about it. The guy did say the First Lady's office was being restored so Donna thought it belonged to Mrs Santos. Easy mistake.
America is so fucked.
Yes it is but, remember West Wing was fiction, not biographical of any US administration.
LOL
Not hardly
"Whats next ? " Such a Jewish Bartlett line❤
I’m pretty sure you meant to type either “Jed” or “Josiah” there.
This was supposed to be Biden and Kamala, too bad we have a country of idiots. Or as I’ve now chosen to call them Consenting Low Information People, or CLIPs for short
We rewatch the whole series once the clocks go back. Sadly reality is the complete opposite. Trump is the Anti-Bartlet.
And on Jan 22, 2025 Matt Santos was deported
I wish I had the power to sit the current president-elect down and make him watch this entire series so he would know, for once, how it's supposed to be done.
I love this episode so much, I mean I love them all. But I also think its a bit of a dick move for her not to answer a tourists question especially with his little girl there with him.
Vinick would be the better president
Ironically he was gonna be but because of John Spencer’s death, it was changed.
@@Legba85that’s just a rumor
If Vinick was an accurate representation of real life Republicans these days, I might actually vote for them again.
I would be fine with Vinick as president. He was a man of integrity and he loved his country, unlike those with zero integrity who love only themselves.
@@joebrown3849 you think Santos is an accurate portrayal of a democrat? I understand it's a TV show and keep it that way.