‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful individuals can change the world…’
One of the things I love about cinema is that you can have your whole world transformed in the space of two hours. Cinema has the power to move you in the same timeframe that it takes to read a copy of the Beano (I like to look at the pictures). Now, television is a different beast. It would take weeks to watch every episode of The Simpsons. I’ve rewatched all 62 episodes of Breaking Bad three times. Television is a commitment. And while it doesn’t have the same profound ability to shock and awe in an afternoon that cinema has, it can get under your skin in a different way…
I started watching The West Wing way back in 2019 and the fact it has taken me this long to watch it is partly because it’s so damn long (156 episodes!) and partly because of my own legendary procrastination. It also took me a little while to adjust to the frenetic pace and sheer scope of creator Aaron Sorkin’s vision. Telling the story of fictional PUSA Jed Bartlett (Martin Sheen), The West Wing boasts one of the greatest television ensembles ever assembled (Bradley Whitford, Rob Lowe, Alison Janney, Richard Schiff) as well as an ever-rotating cast of guest stars (John Goodman, Christian Slater, Matthew Perry plus money more) and boy, does Sorkin make the most of the talent available to him. This is a show that is smart, genuinely funny and often awe-inspiring. Sure, it’s a bit of a liberal fantasy (there is a nagging suspicion that Veep is much more accurate portrayal of the corridors of power), but in a world in which America seems determined to burn itself to the ground, it’s comforting to see a less fire and brimstone take on Uncle Sam.
Perhaps the thing that shocked me the most about The West Wing is the quality control throughout its seven seasons. As with Mad Men, pretty much every episode is a banger, and somehow, despite its length, the show goes out at the top. The final season that sees Republican nominee Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda) fight it out with Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) is arguably the best of the whole run and I genuinely would have liked to have seen at least one more season. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be.
The West Wing is a big undertaking but also incredible viewing. After spending five years with it, I’m not really sure what to do with myself now. I guess I can find some other ’90s gold to mine.
