Anybody who has ever watchedThe West Wingwill likely say that it is one of the best shows they’ve watched. This may seem like a generalization, but the show is one of the most celebrated dramas ever, tying four other shows for the most Outstanding Drama Series winsat the Emmysin history. Aaron Sorkin’s masterpiecefeatured a cabinet filled with starsand actors whobecame stars from their workin the show.
The West Wing
The show did have a tonal change after Sorkin left following season 4, but even then, it was able to rebound with two strong closing seasons and an unforgettable series finale. If interested in reliving the Bartlet administration, rewatching the series 26 years after it premiered may seem like a good idea. But there are some stark truths that one realizes when doing so. Here are some of the harshest realities from season 1.
8One of the Last Great Network Dramas
It seems a bit foreign now to focus on being at home during a set time to watch an hour-long drama series on a basic cable network. With streaming taking over the TV landscape, it’s much easier to watch something that’s available at any time. Most people who watch a show weekly probably only know when it’s going to be put up on their preferred streaming service, rather than what night it airs on TV.The West Wingwas a show that made people sit down and tune into NBC.
The WestWing’sseason 1 introduces the entire Bartlet administration, from the President to Josh, Sam, CJ, Toby, Leo, and beyond. But once those introductions are over, the cast is set in their characters, and the ride begins. It made it feel like viewers were in the White House, following along with conversations that they shouldn’t be hearing. That’s what made it so special.
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7The Relationship Between Politics and the Press
In today’s political landscape, a journalist may not even be allowed in a room, let alone have their questions answered. The tension betweenthe media and politiciansis at an all-time high. In President Trump’s first presidency, there were several White House Press Secretaries who made their way through the role. The Bartlet Presidency saw a few shakeups as well, but for most of the two terms, it fell on C.J. Cregg to communicate with the media.
Cregg had a great relationship with the media, but it wasn’t always that way. It took some time to build up that trust. The season 1 finale saw Cregg feeling unsure of how to hide the truth from the press to protect a covert mission the President had ordered. But as the show went on, she became great at the job.
6The Fast-Paced Dialogue Can Be Hard To Keep Up With
The show was known for its dialogue, thanks toSorkin’s incomparable writing style, and scenes moved at lightning speed. The audience couldn’t be distracted, or they’d miss important plot points. It felt different from today’s writing, as some movies and TV series overexplain what is happening through short speeches, so people can scroll their phones while keeping up with the show.
The show defined what it means to watch a “walk and talk,” meaning people are walking through a building and talking about important plot points. It’s something frequentlyseen in Sorkin projectsand has never been more evident than inThe West Wing. Season 1 has a lot of these types of scenes, many of which follow Leo discussing something incredibly prescient or President Bartlet giving Charlie some wisdom on their way to the Oval Office.
5Weak Scandals Compared to Today’s Political Landscape
Political scandals are something that have been around forever. There have been plenty of politicians who have had to resign because of scandalous behavior.The West Wingdidn’t let viewers think that wouldn’t be the case for the show from the get-go. Sam had a relationship with a call girl in the premiere episode.
That didn’t go far in the series, as it was squashed after a few episodes. But that kind of activity is not unforeign to the political landscape. Because of that, it doesn’t really make for great TV either. It’s arguablyone of the weakeststorylines in season 1.
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4It Takes an Informed Viewer To Appreciate the Writing
When the series began, there weren’t nearly as many 24-hour television news networks as there are today. People still got a lot of their news from newspapers or the early stages of using the Internet. That’s completely different from today, as you’re reading this story on a website, perhaps while scrolling on your phone. News access is more readily available today, giving people more opportunities to be more informed on the issues of the world.
The West Wingintroduced a lot in a behind-the-scenes look at a U.S. presidency that citizens had never seen before. Today, plenty of what is happening at the White House is broadcast on television. More briefings are televised at the White House than ever before. When season 1 came out, audiences had to be more in tune with what was happening worldwide to follow some of the storylines, which meant seeking out the news rather than seeing a reel on TikTok.
322 Hour-Long Episodes Can Feel Like a Slog
Season 1 ofThe West Wingfeatured 22 hour-long episodes. That was standard for many drama series in 1999. With streaming services taking over the television landscape, fans will rarely have a season of a show that lasts for more than 15 episodes. There are still episodes thatclock in at an hour. But more often than not, viewers have to consume shows at a quicker rate.
Sorkin was able to gradually tell stories throughout the seasons and build up longer plots. In today’s age, the stories have to come faster and more furiously. The ability to binge a series in one sitting is considered when they are created, meaning that actions and consequences to them are resolved faster.
2Outdated Moral Discussions Feel Like a Relic
From the onset of the series, it was clear that President Bartlet weighs decisions through a lens of politics vs. religion. He is a proud alumnus of Notre Dame and quotes scriptures throughout the run of the show. Bartlet takes time to consider the morality of his decisions, weighing not only how it will look politically but how it will affect him as a Christian. However, he always tended to trust his instincts to do what was right for the American people as a whole.
While there is still plenty of that going on in politics, it doesn’t feel like it is openly discussed as much as in previous generations. Doing somethingthat is morally rightversus something that can get someone ahead isn’t always seen these days. It’s hard to argue that Bartlet was portrayed as a President for all people.
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1Outdated Technology Landscape
There’s no way around it: people relying on newspapers more or trusting news websites is an obvious part of the series that sticks out in today’s world. Everybody who needs to talk to someone grabs a corded or cordless phone. Nobody had cellphones, let alone social media. The optics of the White House and its staffers are covered only by the physical media press.
Season 1 had a ton of problems for the White House staff to deal with. But none of it was amplified by false allegations on social media. Not saying that is all social media is used for, but it can be a prominent aspect of the political landscape these days.The West Wingjust has to focus on keeping Cregg’s media pool in the loop and at bay.
