Zola

Guys- I have removed the spoiler tags from my initial post, but kept a warning up. I did think long and hard about whether to include tags or not when making this post, despite the show being off air for over 10 years. I recall posting on another TV site not so long ago, and despite giving a "There are spoilers below" message upfront, I still got hammered by the mods who said I should have also included spoiler tags, despite the warning! Moreover, just because a show has been off-air shouldn't mean that there should be an open-door policy when it comes to spoilers. For example "The Sopranos" That great show aired between 1999-2007. I was far too young to be allowed to watch that at the time, but while at university a few friends mentioned it and pointed me to an online forum. Despite the show being off-air for 4 years (in 2011) posters never gave spoiler warnings, which kinda killed my anticipation/enjoyment for watching the show for the first time shortly after. But you're right - this particular thread is not season-specific; it's just a bit of a grey area for me as to what should and should not be revealed.

I think Ron Silver died in 2009 aged about 63 I think - no age really. Have seen him in a number of films, usually as some kind of manic bad guy; but he was perfect as Bruno. And yes, i did read someplace that Ron turned his back on the Democrats post 9/11. And as you say, the writers reflected this change of allegiance for Bruno's return in the latter half of S6, and rather mischiefly, the writers added a couple of lines that hinted this about-face. It was from "In God We Trust" and Vinick's first meeting with Bruno and the latter's plan to win all 50 states.... It's a great scene between two great actors.

CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM SEASONS 6 & 7 The revelation of a military Space Shuttle could have made for an extremely good storyline had it been handled the right way. As it was the writers really dropped the ball when they decided to point the finger at Toby as the person who leaked to the media. There was universal criticism with this decision; even Richard "Toby" Schiff, admitted complete bewilderment/disappointment that Toby would do such a thing! But being the professional actor he went along with it and played the role exceptionally well, all things considered. There has been a lot of doubt if Toby was the actual leaker - that perhaps someone else had leaked but somehow was able to point the finger at him. Some have suggested it was CJ that leaked; a few have dared suggest the president himself! Very few people at the White House had sufficient clearance to know about the Shuttle - Kate, the president and Leo certainly knew about it. But CJ didn't (at least not initially). And Toby may have known about it unofficially via his brother. So if you can remove your scepticism for one moment, who do you think was the leaker?

Season 3 and "H-Con 172" Sam is getting paranoid over a book a former staffer/photographer is about to have published. He's got all the senior staff in a meeting to discuss a strategy to "..turn this guy into a punch line" Sam hands out extracts of the book to the staffers to look for anything inflammatory or hostile to the president and the White House. The following really cracks me up... of course that episode also has Josh's rather lame and pathetic excuses to try and "date" Amy but without actually calling it a date. So here we have Josh asking Toby of all people for ideas.... ... so "tough-guy", Josh, is like a nice little boy taking a fancy to a nice little girl but hides behind his best friend because he's too shy to say it like it is, lol

@Melancholy. Yes, that would make sense I guess. But then again Josh offered Santos a 9 point plan when he arrived on his doorstep, which Santos wasn't overly convinced by. Moreover, it wasn't until Santos met Josh in his office and said something like "I'd like to add a ten to your nine-point plan. You! I'm in if you're in with me." I think that's the part that made me wonder why Josh would go all the way down to Houston just to tell a guy to run, but without actually giving him his full support (ie to become his campaign manager). It was only until this scene whereby Santos asked Josh to become part of the "ten" point plan that Josh came on board. I think the point I am trying (but probably failing) to make, is why bother going to Houston, tell a guy to run, and then more or less go back to his office and continue as Deputy CoS and let someone else manage Santos on the campaign? Didn't Josh even consider Santos might want him to come on board? Josh looked very surprised when he asked him to. <honestly, don't worry too much about it. It's just me being too anally retentive on certain things - like an itch that you can't quite reach out and scratch, lol>

I would imagine my partner will do an "Amy" on me - ie she will give me the "Don't talk to me!" treatment; and if things really do fall apart, she will drop my phone in any pot of stew I might be cooking or tying me up in tape! Don't think there's much call for muumuus here in chilly old England, Am currently watching "Opposition Research" with headphones on, and already she has said to me "You're watching that show again, aren't you!?" And then left the room (Pity she didn't say than an hour ago while I was watching "In The Room", because she would have been in the room too, before leaving the room, ha!) ho hum.

Can I just ask what some may perceive to be a rather silly question? Season 6, Impact Winter. It's Christmas and Josh decides to fly down to Houston, Texas from Washington, in order to have an impromptu chat to Matt Santos. What kind of person would do that? Just turning up on a guy's doorstep and hope that the Santos family are actually in! Why not use the phone? Anyway, I am being rather picky.

As much as I liked Danny, I could never quite understand how he had so much unfettered access to CJ! One minute he is seated in the press room listening to her latest briefing, the next he is barging his way to the front of the room, through the door I thought only permitted staff could use, and then does a walk-and-talk with CJ all the way into her office, whilst walking through other open-plan offices as if they weren't there! I rarely saw other press members having the same kind of liberal access; although there were times certain members were invited into her office, but never actually did what Danny did - just barging his way from the press room and into her face, demanding answers to his questions despite the briefing being well and truly over! It's a small point I know, but it still bugs me sometimes.

It certainly is because I have already caved! However, I have compromised: I have rolled back to the middle of S6 (basically the very beginning of the campaigns with Josh meeting up with Santos in Houston) I could have gone back to the pilot but my partner (whom, quite incredibly, is NOT a fan) has threatened to pummel me with her 2nd favourite bean-bag! Basically saying "If I hear that bloody theme tune again I will cheerfully kill you, and then kill you some more!" So much so that I am watching these latter episodes literally undercover! But at least a little bit of sanity has returned to my lopsided world (However, sooner or later she will give me the ultimate of ultimatums "The West Wing or Me! Which is it?") Hmmmm....

I was so pleased with the arrival of Bruno Gianelli at the opening of S3, purely because it was great to add some unexpected spice to what I saw as a fairly embedded, cosy, steady-as-she-goes senior staff, still stuck in neutral, and now trying to get over the MS revelation. Bruno certainly gave Josh, Toby and Sam a tough time by waking them from their meandering narcosis! And I particularly enjoyed the following comment that probably underlined the mood of the White House at the time of the scandal and how to get back on message.

I also overlooked Jordon Kendall! I loved her flirtatiousness with Leo; she was easy on the eye, but could certainly hold her own especially when challenged by Leo & Bartlet over international law. And I liked how she gradually grew to appreciate and understand Leo's problem with alcoholism during probably one of the finest episodes in the series - "Bartlet for America". From being initially hostile, impatient and uncaring for her client; to one of warmth, respect and perhaps even a little love after Leo tells her about his drunken behaviour in front of Gibson. And when she said to Leo "Yes, I will have dinner with you tonight!" I'm sure my eyes filled with tears of joy for him. But typically, Jordon didn't stick around for long (5 episodes I think), and then she too ended up on the fast-train to MV

So.... have just completed "Tomorrow" and yet another WW back2back marathon (must be about my 9th now). In fact it's been a couple of days since Abbey & Jed flew off into the sunset, and already I am getting twitchy feet! (Well, not feet exactly, perhaps fingers would be more appropriate?) In moments of weakness I would normally go straight back to the pilot and start over again! But I know my "addiction" can be quite a (unwelcome) distraction for those around me. I could just "man up" (is there a feminine equivalent per chance?) and just turn my back on the show for say 12 months. But I have done this before and my "cold turkey" (don't tell Eric and Troy) lasted all of 6 weeks I think. I think I need a secret plan to fight this.......

Much love to CJ/Janey. She was a figurehead/standard bearer for me many years ago; and one particular episode struck an even more personal chord for me. Season 6 and "Faith Based Initiative" and press speculation that CJ might be a lesbian! CJ was even asked "Are you homosexual?" She replied in a very short-thrift manner "It's none of your damned business!" The first time I watched that episode in 2007 I think, I punched the air with joy after she said that! Which was timely because during an admissions interview at a university I had shortlisted in 2011, a panel member threw me a curve ball question "Are you gay?" Yes, that's right. "Are you gay?" Took me a few seconds to absorb the question; and then out of nowhere I recalled that very same West Wing scene and that very same question. After a short pause to recollect my thoughts, I actually said to all 3 panel members "That is absolutely none of your business!" That was the only university of the 4 I applied for that asked me that rather intrusive, personal question (am not sure if they were running some kind of "equal opportunities" policy, but they certainly didn't give me a prior heads-up for their need to know my sexual orientation!) Anyway, thank you, CJ :)

Season 6: 10 "Faith Based Initiative" Season 6:16 - "Drought Conditions" Season 7:19 - "Transition" A few of the many "Josh" moments whereby I could quite cheerfully shout EXTREMELY rude words at the TV! Josh is without doubt a Prize A, condescending anal-orifice of the highest order! ...and yet, he has that special "something" that makes me still like him. (I feel dirty now: need to take a shower)

Never really got into Ginger, although I quite liked her colleague, Bonnie - a slightly more sassy lady whom graced our screens several times up until s5 I think. Great shame she (and Ginger & Carol) didn't get their own little story-arc, or at least a one-off storyline similar (or a direct replacement) to CJ's "Access" episode, but taken from the view point of a "typical day" for the principle assistants! And as for "Agent" Casper: I did think he might flirt with Donna during his first couple of episodes, but it never came to anything. And I loved one of his lines, that probably has a ring of truth to it, even to this day:

Thanks for the useful replies :) I did have a peek on Google Maps for a flight between Manchester, NH and DC. But its mostly inland. So I guess the rationale of flying over the Eastern seaboard to avoid cities and busy air-traffic, is a logical; and I guess we can forgive a few liberties for the sake of a good closure to a great show!

Have just completed "Tomorrow", and not for the first time either, and it certainly won't be the last! However, the very final scene has the president and Abbey flying off into the sunset via a huge expanse of water! I don't know if this a geographical goof or not, given that I don't live in the US. But if they're heading home (presumably Manchester, New Hampshire) from Washington DC, what river/ocean are they flying over in this particular scene?

Season 2: "Ways and Means" A lovely little scene between CJ and Ainsley. Ainsley, was not only intelligent, shrewd and a little naive at times, but exceedingly cute too!

.... and how could we not forget his wonderful appreciation of Abbey's "magnificent breasts!" Clearly Marbury is respected quite highly by Bartlet (and Abbey!), otherwise there would be absolutely no way he would get away with such sexist and discourteous comments!

Lord John Marbury - How could I forget "Gerald's" best friend, lol! An eccentric and completely over-the-top caricature of a British peer and ambassador. Couldn't quite believe in the character when he first introduced himself to the President in the Oval Office - suspiciously drunk, unshaven, untidy and a smoker to boot! Not the sort of protocols one would expect when in attendance with the leader of the free world. But I let that side-issue go. What I did find charming about Marbury is his dry humour and objective observations about how the US was dealing with keeping the global peace. And he really came into his own during "Dead Irish Writers" and discussing at length the "Irish Problem" with Toby. But I will always love him for his wonderful put-down to Leo and his "I thought you were the butler!"; and then later in the episode goes on and impresses everyone in the Oval Office by quoting an extract from the Book of Revelations - an extract that not even Bartlet could recall :-

It certainly ranks as one of my favourites too: very touching, especially when he confronts Bartlet about social care for former war veterans:- This is one reason I love Toby - brittle, bullying and belligerent at times; but in reality he is probably the most altruistic/philanthropic staffer in the White House! I'm pretty sure Josh wouldn't give the issue a second thought; and probably not Sam either (although it would probably play on his mind). Only Toby (and perhaps CJ) would actually stand up to Bartlet and question what the government intends to do about the issue - rightly or wrongly. But politics aside, the final Act of Excelsis Deo, was incredibly moving, underlined by "The Little Drummer Boy" song running throughout the military funeral. That and having Mrs Landingham accompany Toby really topped it off, and had me in floods of tears!

Fair enough I suppose. And to be honest, I stopped watching Game of Thrones midway through S5. Bored me senseless; so I guess I share your angst/antipathy. :)

if you like political campaigning, then I would definitely suggest you dip your toe midway through S6 ("A Change Is Gonna Come") and stay with it till the end of S7 and closure! Yes, there's some silly stories going on back at the White House, which are rather tiresome; but the Democratic Presidential nomination campaigns make up for all that,especially with the arrival of Alan Alda's statesman-like Republican, Arnold Vinick!

Ah, the "Presidential Voice". I recall that episode - "Freedonia". And I particularly loved the scene between Josh and Santos after Josh had fired Amy. Josh really put the fire under Santos when he said "Here's what Amy won't tell you about the presidential voice: you have to become President to use it!" But then it was equally fun watching Amy wrap tape around Josh so that he won't go calling journalists about Santos' one-off tv commercial. And Josh just sits there and takes it!

Many fine episodes from S2, with all the usual suspects way out in front (Two Cathedrals, ITSOTG, 17 People) But for me the stand-out episode is "Noel", if only because we get to see the gradual unravelling of Josh's thin veneer of bravado and aggressive belligerence at the hands of Dr Stanley Keyworth! Right from the opening scenes between the two men, Josh was immediately on the offensive with some quite spiteful salvos:- Of course Stanley has probably seen it all before with other patients suffering from PTSD but are in complete denial over it. So it was kind of cool letting Josh have his childish vent before coming back with the "How did you cut your hand, Josh?" non-reply; followed by a great putdown of his own I loved every moment from that episode, purely because it focuses on Josh and how he handles his devastating personal trauma both personally and especially to his work colleagues - not least to the President, confessing that But Josh goes off the rails at the president in the Oval Office anyway! But the the 3rd Act, Josh really is on the defensive, more so now that the good Doctor diagnosed his condition within 5 minutes of meeting him, and that the sound of horns or bells are the triggers that might send Josh down a hole..... but then we have Leo and his truly wonderful "Guy walking down the street...." tale, followed by A great episode with some terrific scenes and wise words of wisdom!