All Episodes Talk: Walk With Me

[CheshireCat]

Stockard Channing was such a fantastic First Lady. I wish she'd have been on the show more or they'd made an Abby Bartlet spin-off or something.

[newsjunkie]

2 hours ago, BW Manilowe said:

You signed up for HBOMax, right? That’s where it’s airing, & it’s a totally different channel than HBO & I’d hate to have anybody miss the special (trying to avoid using the “R word” Sorkin doesn’t want the production described as) because they signed up for the wrong channel.

I already signed up for HBOMax quite awhile ago. I hope somebody releases the production on DVD though, because I’m sure it’ll be worth it for us “Wingnuts” to add to our collections & so anybody who somehow misses the HBOMax airing can at least see it that way.

If you have HBO via traditional cable that  most likely includes access to HBOMax.

[PeterPirate]

I think I am good to go, but I won't know for sure until October 15 rolls around.  I don't have a TV in my room and I watch everything through the internet.  I've been streaming HBOMax for the last day, and I am impressed by shows they offer that Netflix doesn't.  I have been going through the phenomenal miniseries about John Adams.  Jefferson lives.  

ETA:  I did a search for "West Wing", and while the show didn't come up, the upcoming special did.  So all the signs look good.  On the other hand, this means I have to stick with Netflix and it's oppressive rollover autoplay.  

Edited October 11, 2020 by PeterPirate

[BW Manilowe]

19 hours ago, PeterPirate said:

I think I am good to go, but I won't know for sure until October 15 rolls around.  I don't have a TV in my room and I watch everything through the internet.  I've been streaming HBOMax for the last day, and I am impressed by shows they offer that Netflix doesn't.  I have been going through the phenomenal miniseries about John Adams.  Jefferson lives.  

ETA:  I did a search for "West Wing", and while the show didn't come up, the upcoming special did.  So all the signs look good.  On the other hand, this means I have to stick with Netflix and it's oppressive rollover autoplay.

Regarding the bolded: It was announced in October, 2019 (last year) that TWW would be moving from Netflix to stream exclusively on HBO Max. It reads, in the linked article, like it was supposed to be on HBO Max when it premiered in the Spring of this year, but it wasn’t (the only TWW-related programming on the channel, as you know, is the theatrical staging of the “Hartsfield’s Landing” episode). The last I heard, TWW was supposed to be on HBO Max  by the end of this year (I think... at this point, it might not be until the beginning of next year [2021]).

[ClassicShowsFan]

From SitcomsOnline: TNT Airing The West Wing Reruns on Fridays

[A.Ham]

On 10/10/2020 at 3:34 PM, BW Manilowe said:

Does anyone have any thoughts about Emmy-winner Sterling K. Brown as Leo in the benefit performance (Sorkin said on the show he doesn’t want it to be called a “reunion”)? Just curious.

I love the idea. He is very talented and I look forward to seeing what he does with the role, even though he is a bit younger than the role calls for, perhaps. The actual age difference is only about 11 years (John Spencer was 55 when the episode aired and Sterling is now 44). 

[BlackberryJam]

In my rewatch of the show, it was just shocking how many guest stars they had.

Amy Adams looking so damn young.

Felicity Huffman, whose hair was looking amazing. Yeah, I know, Varsity Blues, but she took her punishment.

Eric Balfour, he has such an unusual look that I once I saw him again, I remembered him as the guy harassing Zoe at the bar.

Ian McShane, doing his terrible Russian accent.

Jane Lynch, a random reporter. 

Zeljko Ivanek, working for President Walken. I would have loved for him to become recurring.

Evan Rachel Wood, as a baby playing CJ's niece. 

[CailynA]

so unpopular opinion, I like Kate "bangs" Harper.

I always thought Toby was the leaker, I figured after the shuttle issue in season 1 he started talking to his brother again and that's where he found out and with his brother dead by the time of the leak he did it. No it doesn't really make sense but it was how I explained it to myself.

[BW Manilowe]

From Primetimer: The West Wing’s “Hartsfield’s Landing” Has Never Made Any Damn Sense

Edited October 14, 2020 by BW Manilowe
To add quotation marks.

[Moose135]

1 hour ago, BW Manilowe said:

From Primetimer: The West Wing’s Hartsfield’s Landing Has Never Made Any Damn Sense

Sorkin has never let reality get in the way of telling a good story - I think he's even said as much himself. Mr Willis of Ohio isn't real either - House seats are not filled by appointment if the member leaves before his/her term expires, there is a special election. I was watching Angel Maintenance the other night - as they are getting ready to begin their decent from cruising altitude, the pilot reports that there is a problem with the landing gear, because they can't get confirmation that it is down and locked. As a former Air Force pilot, I can tell you there is no way they would be screwing around with the gear at that point, they wouldn't lower the gear until a couple thousand feet and a couple miles from the runway.

There are plenty more I'm sure I could point out, but the thing is, Sorkin has never let reality get in the way of telling a good story.

[GHScorpiosRule]

On 9/24/2020 at 8:28 AM, BW Manilowe said:

From TV Line: The West Wing Reunion Sets October 15 Premiere Date on HBOMax

 

DAMMIT. That means I have two days...TWO DAYS to get through season 4, and I'm only less than halfway through season two.

But then again, I do have the DVDs, so...

[Moose135]

2 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

DAMMIT. That means I have two days...TWO DAYS to get through season 4, and I'm only less than halfway through season two.

Sleep is overrated...

😉

[GHScorpiosRule]

2 hours ago, Moose135 said:

Sleep is overrated...

😉

This is true.

So out of curiosity, I called Netflix to confirm that this show will be pulled on Thursday.

After two disconnects, the third person I spoke to told me that there is no such notification that The West Wing is going to be pulled from its rotation. 

When I told her Netflix had announced it last year, she told me to go the their media section online. Well that was pointless because I couldn’t find anything.

So. When is the special airing on HBOMax again? This Thursday?

[BW Manilowe]

2 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

This is true.

So out of curiosity, I called Netflix to confirm that this show will be pulled on Thursday.

After two disconnects, the third person I spoke to told me that there is no such notification that The West Wing is going to be pulled from its rotation. 

When I told her Netflix had announced it last year, she told me to go the their media section online. Well that was pointless because I couldn’t find anything.

So. When is the special airing on HBOMax again? This Thursday?

I linked an article, (1 of multiple) in this post , from October 2019 (the article, not necessarily the post) saying TWW was moving to HBO Max. Then, sometime later, there was a graphic ad which looked like it should be DVD box artwork & featured at least some cast members—which, of course, I can’t find anywhere now, though I swear I posted the link to it here—saying TWW would air exclusively on HBO Max by the end of the year. Maybe it’s delayed, like most everything else in the world is now, thanks to the virus.

Yes, the special airs on HBO Max THIS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15TH. I haven’t been able to find the time though. (I’m assuming 8 or 9PM Eastern, but that’s just a GUESS).

Hope this is at least a little helpful.

 

[PeterPirate]

3 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

So out of curiosity, I called Netflix to confirm that this show will be pulled on Thursday.

After two disconnects, the third person I spoke to told me that there is no such notification that The West Wing is going to be pulled from its rotation. 

When I told her Netflix had announced it last year, she told me to go the their media section online. Well that was pointless because I couldn’t find anything.

This is just my speculation, but I think the current lockdown situation has boosted Netflix' revenues and they can afford to keep the show on its menu.  I've made a similar speculation as to why The Crown got its sixth season back.  I am glad to hear the show is going to stick around Netflix.  At least Netflix skips that annoying Warner Brothers trumpet blast at the end of the credits.

 

10 hours ago, BW Manilowe said:

From Primetimer: The West Wing’s Hartsfield’s Landing Has Never Made Any Damn Sense

Maybe "Benjamin" will show up to splain why the episode makes sense.  

Edited October 14, 2020 by PeterPirate

[GHScorpiosRule]

12 hours ago, BW Manilowe said:

I linked an article, (1 of multiple) in this post , from October 2019 (the article, not necessarily the post) saying TWW was moving to HBO Max.

I know. Which is what I told them when I called. But again, according to the person I spoke with, they see nothing on their end that this show is being pulled as of tomorrow.

Back to the show.

I never realized how many times, so many, if not all of the characters respond with "yeah" as their answer/acknowledgment/understanding of whatever is being said in the conversation!

Like I mentioned in the Unpopular Opinion thread here, I absolutely LOATHE Donna and find her annoying as heck.

It's interesting how the show handled Bartlett's MS. I have the same type of MS--that is under extreme stress, I would experience the numbness and tingling--but near my lung area, and sometimes my hand. I was diagnosed in 1990, and the numbness was what led to tests that led to the diagnosis. The worst symptom was seeing "triple" back in...2000, I think it was. Back then, there was no medication to "control" it and I had to "ride it through" until the late 90s, when I saw a new neurologist, who was relatively young, and put me on a weekly injection (which ended up not working and I suffered needlessly with the fever/chills that lasted two days after each injection), to another one, which did help with the prevention of symptoms. It wasn't Betaseron, though. 

But I never experienced any pain; of course, it's television and there are different strains. But I haven't had any relapses in over 16 years, and when I moved away, didn't see a new doctor, and haven't used/continued that last injection. There still isn't a cure, but sometimes I wonder if my Breast Cancer kicked its (MS) ass to make room for its unholy self, while I underwent my mastectomies and chemo? Because stress, undue stress, and overwork always were the cause of the remitting numbness. And I've been under a LOT of that in the past 15 years. But not a peep from MS.

The point of that whole convoluted story is that, watching it as someone who has the same type of MS, I'm not as angry as Toby and CJ were; nor do I think he perpetrated a fraud, because MS isn't fatal--unless you have the more aggressive strains. I mean, the level of rage is just...I don't know the way to describe it, just seemed...a bit too much?

At first I thought Sam was the only one who was the most understanding of it (like Donna was (and I can't believe I just typed that)), and not as angry, but I was wrong. Sam also was angry and felt betrayed and we saw that in season 3. I still don't know how Josh felt.

I swear, Leo's was the most relatable and believable reaction to me.

That's my take on it anyway.

I ADORE Kathryn Joosten and I LOVE Mrs. Landingham. I'll never understand why they killed her off. Then again, if they hadn't, we wouldn't have gotten "Two Cathedrals" which was so very, very good. And stoopid Netflix doesn't provide the translation of what Bartlett is saying in Latin when he's cursing God. I know the DVDs' do, and even when that clip was shown on Colbert's show, the closed captioning provided in ENGLISH, what he was saying in Latin, along with the Latin! But then Netflix, along with other cable networks, always use "speaking in foreign language" when it' not Spanish, German, Italian, or French being spoken. Yeah, that's a huge peeve for me.

I can't pin down my one and only favorite character because there's more than one, flaws and all: Leo, CJ, Bartlett, Charlie, and Sam.

I'm dragging today, because thanks to @Moose135's snark that "sleep is overrated", I was awake to nearly 2:00 am watching! My eyes hate you right now!

I don't normally post because I'm not as eloquent as many of you are. I mostly lurk and "like" the comments.

Edited October 14, 2020 by GHScorpiosRule

[Moose135]

45 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

I'm dragging today, because thanks to @Moose135's snark that "sleep is overrated", I was awake to nearly 2:00 am watching! My eyes hate you right now!

Sorry about that!  I never had HBO, so I only saw a few random episodes of Sorkin's The Newsroom when it first aired. I got the first season DVDs when they came out, and stayed up until 4am one night finishing the last few episodes. I paid for it at work the next day, but it was so worth it!

[GHScorpiosRule]

3 minutes ago, Moose135 said:

Sorry about that!  I never had HBO, so I only saw a few random episodes of Sorkin's The Newsroom when it first aired. I got the first season DVDs when they came out, and stayed up until 4am one night finishing the last few episodes. I paid for it at work the next day, but it was so worth it!

I've done my share of marathon watching that lasted as long as 23 hours! And for shows that aren't as good as this one is.

I need a mental day.

[blondiec0332]

47 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

The point of that whole convoluted story is that, watching it as someone who has the same type of MS, I'm not as angry as Toby and CJ were; nor do I think he perpetrated a fraud, because MS isn't fatal--unless you have the more aggressive strains. I mean, the level of rage is just...I don't know the way to describe it, just seemed...a bit too much?

I agree that their reaction seemed to be an overreaction.  I justified it by thinking they were mad because their jobs could be in jeopardy.  

48 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

I swear, Leo's was the most relatable and believable reaction to me.

Didn't Leo already know? It's been awhile since I have seen this particular season.

49 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

I can't pin down my one and only favorite character because there's more than one, flaws and all: CJ, Bartlett, Charlie, and Sam.

I don't know if I ever had a favorite character.  Out of the main characters I liked all of them except Toby.  I could never warm up to him.  At various times I loved all of them for one reason or another.    Although I had a major soft spot for Leo because I had a major soft spot for John Spencer.

6 minutes ago, Moose135 said:

Sorry about that!  I never had HBO, so I only saw a few random episodes of Sorkin's The Newsroom when it first aired. I got the first season DVDs when they came out, and stayed up until 4am one night finishing the last few episodes. I paid for it at work the next day, but it was so worth it!

I loved the Newsroom. I have enjoyed all of Sorkin's shows.

 

[GHScorpiosRule]

1 minute ago, blondiec0332 said:

Didn't Leo already know? It's been awhile since I have seen this particular season.

Leo didn't always know. Bartlett told him in Season 1, shortly after his recent relapse. Leo was hurt...and asked why he didn't tell him? But there was no rage, no flailing of the arms or any "how could you NOT! Tell MEEE!" drama.

Meep! Forgot to add Leo to my favorites list! Which I just did!

[AriAu]

Another tough loss for 2020-Conchata Ferrell died....she'll always be Berta to me

Conchata Ferrell was in Mystic Pizza with

Annabeth Gish who was Liz Bartlet Westin

[BlackberryJam]

I felt that Annabeth Gish was so underused. 

[GHScorpiosRule]

And as others have said, this was the BEST introduction of any character! I LOOOOOVED Martin Sheen here. And ESPECIALLY loved Bartlett telling Al and that HORRID Mary Marsh: "You'll denounce these people, Al. You'll do it publicly. And until you do, you can all get your fat asses out of my White House."

OH SNAP!!!!!!

 

[Bastet]

18 hours ago, BW Manilowe said:

Yes, the special airs on HBO Max THIS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15TH. I haven’t been able to find the time though. (I’m assuming 8 or 9PM Eastern, but that’s just a GUESS).

Since HBOMax is a streaming service, not a cable channel, there wouldn't be a specific time - you watch it whenever you want starting 10/15.

[blondiec0332]

1 hour ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

And as others have said, this was the BEST introduction of any character! I LOOOOOVED Martin Sheen here. And ESPECIALLY loved Bartlett telling Al and that HORRID Mary Marsh: "You'll denounce these people, Al. You'll do it publicly. And until you do, you can all get your fat asses out of my White House."

OH SNAP!!!!!!

 

Oh the good old days. When religious bigots were put in their place.

[PeterPirate]

15 minutes ago, Bastet said:

Since HBOMax is a streaming service, not a cable channel, there wouldn't be a specific time - you watch it whenever you want starting 10/15.

So Hartsfield Landing opens at midnight, just like the polls in Hartsfield Landing?  Talk about an Aristotlian confluence of events. 

[wknt3]

7 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

I ADORE Kathryn Joosten and I LOVE Mrs. Landingham. I'll never understand why they killed her off. Then again, if they hadn't, we wouldn't have gotten "Two Cathedrals" which was so very, very good.

Sorkin killed her off because Kathryn Joosten told him she got a pilot (which ended up not going to series unfortunately) so he started to think about writing her off and realized what a great story it could be. Full details here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56e27eb82fe131d8eec3a4e3/t/59f8d9b6e2c4835d8f536530/1509480886659/2.22+part+2+-+Two+Cathredrals.pdf

[GHScorpiosRule]

44 minutes ago, wknt3 said:

Sorkin killed her off because Kathryn Joosten told him she got a pilot (which ended up not going to series unfortunately) so he started to think about writing her off and realized what a great story it could be. Full details here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56e27eb82fe131d8eec3a4e3/t/59f8d9b6e2c4835d8f536530/1509480886659/2.22+part+2+-+Two+Cathredrals.pdf

Yeah, I found that earlier today.

[slasherboy]

2 hours ago, Bastet said:

Since HBOMax is a streaming service, not a cable channel, there wouldn't be a specific time - you watch it whenever you want starting 10/15.

Wait.  Please explain this to an old person.  We don't watch it on TV?  We download the HBOMax app and watch it on our phone?  Could someone explain this to me ASAP because I have to tell me friend.  Thank you!

[GHScorpiosRule]

4 minutes ago, slasherboy said:

Wait.  Please explain this to an old person.  We don't watch it on TV?  We download the HBOMax app and watch it on our phone?  Could someone explain this to me ASAP because I have to tell me friend.  Thank you!

You can stream this if you have Roku, as they made a deal with HBO and it's now a supported app; I did a behind the door way to get it on my firestick, so you can watch it on your television. There was a extensive discussion over in the Paid Streaming Services thread about how to "slide load" the app on your firestick.

[slasherboy]

8 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

You can stream this if you have Roku, as they made a deal with HBO and it's now a supported app; I did a behind the door way to get it on my firestick, so you can watch it on your television. There was a extensive discussion over in the Paid Streaming Services thread about how to "slide load" the app on your firestick.

I don't even know what Roku is.  Is having that the only way I can watch?  And thank you for responding.

 

 

[GHScorpiosRule]

1 minute ago, slasherboy said:

I don't even know what Roku is.  Is having that the only way I can watch?  And thank you for responding.

 

 

Roku is an online platform app. Just like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Amazon Firestick, etc. If you don't have a Rocku device or an Amazon firestick, then your phone will be the only way to watch this. I think.

I'm a techno turd, so I hope someone more tech savvy can clarify.

[newsjunkie]

You can also watch it on your computer via the HBO Max website, either if you pay for it separately or if you have HBO with cable you log in that way.

 

[slasherboy]

Thanks everybody.  We'll try to figure this out.

Edited October 14, 2020 by slasherboy
ETA: How are people supposed to know all of this stuff? I'm glad some of you do!

[lurkerbee]

1 hour ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

You can stream this if you have Roku, as they made a deal with HBO and it's now a supported app; I did a behind the door way to get it on my firestick, so you can watch it on your television. There was a extensive discussion over in the Paid Streaming Services thread about how to "slide load" the app on your firestick.

Roku doesn't have HBO Max yet. I just checked to make sure I didn't miss that news. You might be thinking about Peacock.

I stream HBO Max to my phone and cast it to my TV.

[ProudMary]

11 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

Leo didn't always know. Bartlett told him in Season 1, shortly after his recent relapse. Leo was hurt...and asked why he didn't tell him? But there was no rage, no flailing of the arms or any "how could you NOT! Tell MEEE!" drama.

Meep! Forgot to add Leo to my favorites list! Which I just did!

Jed Bartlet didn't tell Leo. Abby told Leo, after Leo realized something was very wrong and pushed her for an answer.

[BW Manilowe]

It’s (the special’s) up for viewing! It must’ve gone up at Midnight Pacific/3AM Eastern; I looked at Midnight Eastern & the trailer was all that was up. So I surfed elsewhere awhile & just found it about 10 minutes ago (a little after 3:30AM Eastern). I have to admit, I almost teared up when Snuffy Walden & a small chamber orchestra played the opening theme. And I think you’ll like the narrator. No other spoilers unless someone wants them. Stopped watching long enough to post this—going back now. Enjoy!

[BW Manilowe]

From TV Line—Richard Schiff: West Wing Special Is Poignant Look at ‘The Beauty of Voting’—Plus, Why Leo Recast Is ‘Brilliant’

[BizBuzz]

Coming out of a long-term, self-imposed posting hiatus to say that the past hour I spent with The West Wing special has got to be the only hour I have had in the last seven or so months where I didn't think about the crazy world I live in. Instead, I spent an hour with friends I have known for more than a decade, and felt as safe and secure as I do when sitting with a comfy comforter in front of a fire, drinking a spiked cup of glorious coffee.

I want more of that, please.

LOVED.EVERY.MOMENT.

[Guest]

22 hours ago, blondiec0332 said:

I agree that their reaction seemed to be an overreaction.  I justified it by thinking they were mad because their jobs could be in jeopardy.  

Not only their jobs, but everything they had hoped to accomplish in their jobs. If the investigation had gone on instead of the resolution, the White House wouldn't have been able to accomplish anything.  At one point, Charlie was told he would be paying roughly $100k in legal fees. All the senior staff likely would have needed similar legal counsel. 

Fraud on the American people may have been hyperbole, but the Bartletts were breaking the law with the shipping medicine in Abby's name, etc. so it wasn't as innocent as they wanted to pretend nor was the criticism of Abby as out of line as the show tried to pretend.

[GHScorpiosRule]

Just as an FYI, this show is STILL on Netflix as of this morning.

[PeterPirate]

Lin Manuel Miranda's schtick was very funny.  As was Marlee Matlin's complaint about having to "play the moron".  As I recall, the term used by people for that role is "exposition fairy".

I wasn't impressed by the actor who played Leo, but the more I think about it the more I realize that John Spencer was irreplaceable.  

And I gotta say, there was something in the way that Janel Moloney played Donna, then and now.  I know there is a substantial constituency of people here who don't like the Donna character, but that doesn't take away the extra vibrancy that Janel brought to the role.  I don't have a problem with the way Donna moved up the ranks in the Democratic party, and that's mainly due to the way she was played.  

 

Edited October 16, 2020 by PeterPirate

[GHScorpiosRule]

14 hours ago, ProudMary said:

Jed Bartlet didn't tell Leo. Abby told Leo, after Leo realized something was very wrong and pushed her for an answer.

Oh, right! Sorry, I was just remembering the conversation with Bartlet and Leo later.

D’OH!!!

And this is also a huuuge peeve. The mispronouncing of Kashmir. It is not pronounced as if it was a sweater made out of cashmere! It’s Kush-Meeeer.

Okay, off my soap 📦.

ooh! Dulé!!!! Laters!!!!

Edited October 15, 2020 by GHScorpiosRule

[BW Manilowe]

3 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

Just as an FYI, this show is STILL on Netflix as of this morning.

I read that Netflix supposedly has it until December 25th.
From Republicworld.com: Is ‘The West Wing’ Leaving Netflix? Learn More About the Political-Drama’s Fate

The article is from July this year; I believe the publication/site involved is from India, given “clues” on the linked page.

Edited October 15, 2020 by BW Manilowe
To add an article link and comments about it. Then to fix the publication/website’s name.

[GHScorpiosRule]

50 minutes ago, BW Manilowe said:

I believe the publication/site involved is from India, given “clues” on the linked page.

What does India have to do with it? Honestly asking because I don't see why that had to be pointed out as if coming from India means it's suspect.

If it's not coming from Netflix or a source I trust/that is known to me, I'm not clicking on it.

[shoregirl]

It was so good to see this cast again. Nancy , and members of the press corps,Carol and Ed and Larry (i wasnt expecting that)

The music ,seeing Marlee Matlin , Elizabeth Moss and Emily Procter all of it was great.

I thought  Sterling K Brown did a nice job. He wasnt John Spencer but no one could have been. It had to hard to jump in with a cast who have known each other for more than 20 years.

[slasherboy]

Who narrates this?

[GHScorpiosRule]

1 hour ago, slasherboy said:

Who narrates this?

Emily Procter. She played Ainsley in the original show.

This was really well done. I got all the FEELS! 

And while Sterling K. Brown did a credible job, there’s only one Leo and only one John Spencer. 

Of course I’m now watching the original, and aside from the set and that 18 years have passed-all slipped into their characters as if this show was still on the air!

Edited October 16, 2020 by GHScorpiosRule

[BW Manilowe]

1 hour ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

Emily Procter. She played Ainsley Haines in the original show.

This was really well done. I got all the FEELS! 

And while Sterling K. Brown did a credible job, there’s only one Leo and only one John Spencer. 

Of course I’m now watching the original, and aside from the set and that 18 years have passed-all slipped into their characters as if this show was still on the air!

Ainsley’s last name was Hayes, not Haines.

[ProudMary]

I started smiling right off the bat when I saw Emily Procter as the scene setter. Great way to bring her back, even though Ainsley wasn't in this episode.

We knew that the actors playing all the major characters would be in the production, excepting John Spencer of course, but it was GREAT to see so many of the supporting players: Carol, members of the WH press corps, the Asst. Secretary of State, Ed and Larry, and the magnificent Anna Deavere Smith as Nancy McNally. 💖

I did miss the great James Hong from his guest role as the Chinese Ambassador. His absence was felt in that scene.

I liked the set design, with the offices set apart on stage and the characters walking out the office door and into the "hallway" over to the other office. The hallway was so important to the show.

That theater was gorgeous!

While I admit that overall I haven't seen him in too many different things since the show ended, I am an avid watcher of Grace and Frankie, and I have to say that I'm rarely impressed with Martin Sheen's performance there, with one notable exception: He shines when he's in scenes with only Lily Tomlin. Those two have a comfort level that's apparent. So, I was a bit concerned going in to this production, if he could still bring it as Jed Bartlet. The answer is a resounding YES. To me, so much so, that I wonder if there's a way Martin Sheen could FINALLY get an Emmy for playing Jed Bartlet? I'm not sure where this production might fit though. It's not a television movie; It's a dramatic special but while there are writing and directing categories for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special, the acting category only seems to cover the first two of those. 🤔

The breaks between acts were fantastic. First, seeing some of the behind the scenes footage was wonderful. I loved the use of black and white for them.

Then we had the guest spots or spots with cast members giving valuable voting information:
Bradley Whitford and Marlee Matlin still have great chemistry together!
I thought the appeal to young voters with Elizabeth Moss and Dule Hill together was excellent.
Samuel L. Jackson! Loved his spot, although I fully expected him to end by saying, "Get out there and vote, mother f***ers!" Hey, it's HBO. 😄
The bit with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Janel Maloney was a bit too cutesy, but I did like that LMM began an anecdote about James Madison, only to be rebuffed by Janel's "No, no." I immediately thought of "You should read the James Madison. It'll help you." I'm assuming that was the intent.
And, Michelle Obama. During her speech the DNC in August, I said that I wish she could speak to Americans every night.  She was great. That woman can do no wrong in my book. ❤️ 

I am definitely a fan of Sterling K. Brown having seen and been impressed by him in many different films and shows and although he did a good job, I was taken out of each scene just a bit, each time he made an appearance. What seemed wrong to me was that in light of how much the major characters have aged since the show ended, SKB just seemed too young for the Chief of Staff role in comparison. Hell, even Dule Hill's a bit older than SKB is! He's a great actor at the top of his game and it's not as if I have anyone else in mind. I guess seeing anyone but John Spencer as Leo was going to be tough on all of us who loved him so. 😢

The Avett Brothers!

I will most definitely be watching this again. Loved it!

Edited October 16, 2020 by ProudMary
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