Ah, the post that started it all. The West Wing Week is an outgrowth of this here weekly feature; the series was simply too mammoth to be contained in just one post. Either that, or I figured it was a good way to get everyone else to carry the load for me (a thought that has merit to it) — I could just refer back to another post instead of actually dissecting a topic.

Seriously though, The West Wing was a show with so many strengths in so many different areas, not to mention so many faithful amongst our writers and readers, that we felt the need to not only share a lot with you, but also to do so from various perspectives.

The point being that a lot of ground has been covered already, with some yet to come. As a result, I figured the best way to flash back on The West Wing was to just look back, retrospective style, at the highlights that came together to make season after season, all adding up to one phenomenal series. Let’s see what we’ve got. Read the rest of this entry »

When it came to casting, The West Wing was a rock star. And I’m not just talking about one-off guests or mini-arcs, but the heart of the cast as well. But since I could likely get lost saying “a little something” about each one, let’s just leave it at this: job extremely well done.

There was one role — within the framework of the show — that was actually filled twice. Or so one could argue. And that was the privilege of getting dumped on by Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), as White House Deputy Communications Director.

Before (a variation on) the theme even struck a chord, we were introduced to Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe). Sam came to us, like the rest of the administration, already in progress. In fact, it wasn’t until the season two premiere (”In the Shadow of Two Gunmen”) that we learned how Sam (and everyone else) found his way to the Bartlet White House. Read the rest of this entry »

Sorry for the delay; I spent all of yesterday on the phone with the postal service. It seems that no one can find the royalty check that the writers on In Plain Sight must have sent me. It’s like no one even knew what I was talking about. I figured, “the episode aired Sunday night, so they probably meant to get it to me beforehand, in which case, it should have arrived by Saturday, latest.” Thus my response to everyone that, “no, it wasn’t most likely in Monday’s mail.” It wasn’t, anyway, so that blew their theory to hell.

Anyway, while I await what most assuredly must be arriving in today’s mail, I figure I might as well revisit said episode with you. I’ll fill you all in when the check finally gets here.

I thought the training video storyline was hilarious. In its application, I was a bit disappointed by the end, because I imagined Marshal and Mary starring in it, but I like how old-school the original was, and how brain-dead even the new, finished product, was. That it was meant to mirror Mary’s life was a bit too obvious, and I’m kind of surprised that it was news to her; it was like saying to her, “Mary, you wear jeans,” and having her be stunned at the revelation. But, okay. Read the rest of this entry »

This is an Ivey West original. Due to the limitations of Internet on airplanes, as well as Ivey’s inclusion on the “watch list”, I’m doing a favor for a friend. But, be sure that this is an Ivey; do I tend to be this positive when I write? Begin, sir.

My love for all things Sorkin is well known around these parts. I think The West Wing is the greatest television show that ever aired, and I’ve said as recently as yesterday that the only people that like Studio 60 were me, Bob Sassone, and Aaron Sorkin’s mother.

A Few Good Men and The American President stand with some of my favorite films of all time. However, I’ve long held that his most under-appreciated work was Sports Night. Based (not so) loosely on ESPN’s SportsCenter, the show follows the behind the scenes antics (and if there was ever an appropriate time to use that word, it would be to describe these guys) of the production of a nightly sports recap show. I’ve written about the characters before; they are wacky and witty, wise and wise-asses, and they work so perfectly well together. Read the rest of this entry »

I feel like a broken record. All of the shows that I watch that are in their second or third seasons are getting the same complaints from me: Where’s the progression? Where are the stories that make sense? The ones that fit?

Well, In Plain Sight was, and is, firmly in that category. What’s happening in Albuquerque?

If you caught the last episode, and have been reading my reviews of season two of the show, you know that a lot of the questions that I’ve previously posed have finally been addressed. In one episode. Where everything is put on fast forward, and ties up in a neat little bow by the end credits. Huh?

We’re talking about major plot-points here! Series-long arcs that need time, thought, and lots of story to conclude. Instead, we get forty or so minutes? Why so lazy? Read the rest of this entry »

I was recently having a conversation with Julia about the brilliance of the West Wing, and the topic of Sports Night came up. We were talking about how TWW’s CJ was a pretty well crafted female character, one who I always compared to Dana from Sports Night. I was challenged to talk about what such strong female characters Aaron Sorkin has been able to develop over the years (A task I fear I would fail miserably, and I think the Sisterhood deserves a better spokesperson than me).  Instead I want to delve into the near perfect family dynamic that the characters of Sports Night became:

Read the rest of this entry »

Prior to this last episode of In Plain Sight, I’ll admit that I hadn’t given much thought to the fact that the one-and-done witnesses were little more than a distraction on the otherwise character-driven show. Instead, I spent my time complaining about various problems I’ve been having with the show’s second season, without offering up any useful solutions.

Well, no more. I’ve solved the dilemma; we need more witness focus, and less Mary’s private life focus!

That’s right, all you Brandi and Jinx lovers: the time has come for the special guest-stars to get a little of the limelight. Sure, not all of the actors have strong resumes, but that’s not the point. The point is, the central theme of each episode has been found lacking, at least by me.

Read the rest of this entry »