Best 'West Wing' Episodes of All Time
by Allison Waldman, posted Nov 6th 2010 3:30PM
There has never been a television show quite like 'The West Wing,' which delved into the inner workings of politics from the point of view of the people working for the President of the United States, as well as the man himself.
NBC greenlit the show when Aaron Sorkin, who'd written the successful romantic comedy 'The American President,' came to them with material he had left over from that project.
The show debuted on NBC on September 22, 1999, and ended its on May 14 2006, after 146 episodes. In that time, 'The West Wing' had won four Emmys as the Outstanding Drama Series and a slew of other awards for the acting, writing and direction.
'The West Wing' was originally going to focus on the Sam Seaborn character, and Rob Lowe thought he would be the star. However, the show became an ensemble and a cast of little known actors emerged, including Allison Janney as C.J. Cregg, the press secretary; Richard Schiff as Toby Ziegler, Communications Director; Bradley Whitford as Josh Lyman, Deputy Chief of Staff; John Spencer as Leo McGarry, Chief of Staff; and Dule Hill as Charlie Young, Personal Aide to the President.
At first, Sorkin thought the show wouldn't need a President that was shown working with the staff, but it soon became clear they did. Martin Sheen was cast as President Josiah "Jed" Barlett, with Stockard Channing as First Lady, Abigail.
Over the years, new characters were added, especially in the last season when 'The West Wing' presented an election and Jimmy Smits, as Congressman Matt Santos, bested Alan Alda's Senator Arnold Vinick, ushering in a group to the White House.
While never a ratings powerhouse, 'The West Wing' was a success in the tradition of ensemble dramas, like 'ER' and 'L.A. Law,' but it was unique because of Aaron Sorkin's voice and Thomas Schlamme and John Wells' direction. The long master shots, in which the characters had to 'walk and talk,' became the show's trademark.
Here's what we deem the 10 best episodes of 'The West Wing.' You may agree or disagree, but please share your thoughts:
In a particularly poignant episode, Toby discovered that the man who died in a coat he'd donated to Goodwill was a Korean War veteran who'd been living on the streets. Using the power of the White House -- which got him in trouble -- Toby arranged for the vet to receive a military funeral in Arlington Cemetery. Joining Toby was Mrs. Landingham, whom we learned had lost her twin sons in Vietnam.
9. Twenty Five (Season 4, Episode 23) May 14, 2003
Could it get more dramatic than having to enact the 25th Amendment? As the trauma of Zoey Bartlet's abduction played out, the President realized he couldn't impartially perform the duties of his office. Bartlet resigned, temporarily, and turned over the reigns of government to the Republican Speaker of the House Glen Allen Walken (John Goodman).
The presidential election between Santos and Vinick turned on one major event ... the nuclear accident at the San Andreo plant. Bartlet had to order two engineers in to fix the problem, resulting in their deaths, while Vinick had to do major damage control since he vigorously supported the building of the plant for his state. After the incident, Vinick lost ground and Santos drew even, setting up a nail-biter election night.
7. Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1) September 22, 1999
This first episode of the series was dynamic and exciting, setting the pace for the show and establishing a bunch of characters, including C.J., Josh, Sam, Toby and Leo ... as well as featuring Lisa Edelstein as Sam's call-girl friend. We also learned that P.O.T.U.S. stands for President of the United States. If only Charlie had been included, and more Bartlet.
6. What Kind of Day Has It Been (Season 1, Episode 22) May 17, 2000
The way this episode was presented, the non-linear storytelling, was excellent. You were so involved with the President's town hall meeting, Toby's monitoring the troubled space shuttle (on which his brother was one of the crew), and the military racing to save a downed pilot in the Iraq, that you never suspected what would happen when the President left the hall. Shots rang out and people were hurt. As a season finale, this was a major cliffhanger.
5. Shutdown (Season 5, Episode 8) November 19, 2003
How ugly is the operation of government when the Congress is ruled by one party and the Presidency by another? Very ugly, as this show revealed. When the Speaker of the House changes the terms of the deal during budget negotiations, the President plays hard ball and the government gets shut down. Who would blink first? Great episode, showing how Bartlet used optics to gain an advantage, then held his ground when push came to shove.
Last episodes are always tricky, but 'The West Wing' finale was very satisfying. Santos celebrated his inauguration and was off and running as he staffed his West Wing. Vinick contemplated his future and received an unexpected opportunity from his opponent. And Bartlet's presidency ended with class and a lump in the throat. Abby asked him what he was thinking about as they flew home. Jed's answer, "Tomorrow."
3. Posse Comitatus (Season 3, Episode 22) May 22, 2002
Like 'What Kind of Day Has It Been,' this episode lulled us into a sense of security. C.J.'s stalker was captured, which meant that she and Simon, her Secret Service bodyguard (played by Mark Harmon), could act on their attraction. But in a random act of violence, Simon was killed in a convenience store robbery. In the same episode, Bartlet has a brief encounter with Governor Rob Ritchie (James Brolin), the Republican presidential candidate. Jed is unimpressed with Ritchie and resolves to "kick his ass" in the election.
2. 17 People (Season 2, Episode 18) April 4, 2001
From the time of the election, President Jed Bartlet had been keeping an enormous secret from the country, and most of his staff. He had multiple sclerosis. As his condition became more pronounced, Toby suspected something was wrong, and was told the truth ... becoming the 17th person in the world to know. In a heated argument, Ziegler contended that the President had to tell the American people. Was the president guilty of a criminal conspiracy?
A tour de force episode for Martin Sheen, which should have won him the Emmy. After the sudden death of Mrs. Landingham in a car crash, the President is reminded of meeting her when he was a student at prep school. She had challenged him then to step up, and those memories prompted Jed to decide whether to run for re-election in light of his revelation that he had MS and had lied about it. But before that decision, alone in the church, Bartlet let loose with an attack on G-d for taking the life of Dolores Landingham.
We're sure that have your favorites which may or may not have made the list, so share your feelings. Which episodes were unjustly omitted or which should have missed the cut? Leave your thoughts below!
Comments
by Gazzoo, posted Nov 6th 2010
For the sake of accuracy, the Vinick storyline you mention in "Tomorrow" did not take place in that episode, but a few eps earlier in "The Last Hurrah".
Reply
by William Moser, posted Nov 8th 2010
Your #10 was my #1, all most made me cry.
by Cary Simmons, posted Nov 6th 2010
I love this show way too much to have just 10 favorite episodes. Two Cathedrals is my favorite episode of anything ever, but here is my top 10 not mentioned in your list:
Noel, Stackhouse Filibuster, Election Night, Election Day, 20 Hours in America, Indians in the Lobby (Bartlet on the butterball hotline, anyone?), In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, Game On, Inauguration (parts 1 and 2), The Cold
Reply
by Calvin, posted Nov 10th 2010
The Stackhouse Filibuster was one of the best. Celestial Navigation is right up there as well. I watched WW from beginning to the end but I enjoyed the original characters and their banter most. The writing was excellent and the actors were great. I was sad when Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe) was no longer there. CJ, though, was my favorite. I was also sorry that Ainsley Hayes and Lionel Tribbey came and went so quickly. Also, the death of Mrs. L was a shock, she was so missed.
by Dawn L., posted Nov 10th 2010
I loved the episodes "What Kind of Day It's Been" and the 2-part "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen"; I think these are my favorite. Although, their choice for the #1 episode was great as well. This show was so well written and the cast was fabulous. My favorite character was Josh, loved watching Bradley Whitford in this role and his interaction with Donna.
by Jim, posted Nov 6th 2010
Although it started on a promising note, the series rapidly deteriorated into a liberal wet dream in which government was the answer to everything, conservatives were always conflicted about the evil social positions they were forced to take and the glib liberal always got the last word. Our biggest problem is that Obama never realized the show was fictional and has used it as a model for his disasterous presidency.
Reply
by Uzmati, posted Nov 6th 2010
I'd take some issue with that, Jim. For several seasons, The West Wing was very clear to show Republicans and Conservatives as Americans with their own ideals and notions of governance, but patriots. It showed both parties in their good and bad moments.
Yes, the West Wing of the show was populated by Liberals, but for several seasons I feel it showed balance in the way it treated both parties.
In it's latter years, it became much more one-sided, but I think that's more because of Sorkin's exit than anything else.
But to suggest this show is the model for Obama's Administration is not only ignorant, but preposterous.
by Craig Ranapia, posted Nov 6th 2010
The "glib liberal" always got the last word? Yeah, except for all those times Ainsley Hayes handed Sam his lightly toasted ass. And Christopher Mulready in 'The Supremes.' Arnold Vinnick, anyone?
by Logan, posted Nov 7th 2010
Jim, it's pretty clear you've never seen the show.
But go ahead and pretend you have so that you can say something negative about a real person verse a TV character.
by Tom, posted Nov 10th 2010
Oh, sure. Prior to taking the Oath, the president watched as many episodes of "West Wing" that he could so that he would know what to do once he got to the White House!
by Jimmy_MO, posted Nov 6th 2010
I have to disagree with you on "25." It was an utterly implausible plot that was the beginning of the end in terms of The West Wing's quality. The only good thing that came out of that and a few episodes to follow was John Goodman as Glenallen Walken.
Reply
by steve, posted Nov 10th 2010
The episode that I would vote for was in
In the Shadow of Two Gunmen
(Part 1)
this gave background on how each character was recruited or came to be part of the white house team
by matt barnes, posted Nov 6th 2010
so funny that i'm sitting here ripping West Wing episodes for my AppleTV when you posted this.
i tell people all the time that the first four seasons of The West Wing are the best in the history of television.
my only disagreement would be your inclusion of "Tomorrow." it wasn't bad, but almost anything Sorkin wrote was just better.
it was never a bad show, but the Wells years didn't stack up to the Sorkin years because he took a show that, at it's core, was about a family doing life and living out their passions together and separated the family. it just wasn't the same. (also, the comedy of the first years was severely lacking in the last two.)
Reply
by segsig, posted Nov 6th 2010
The difference of opinion in top ten lists is to be expected, my top ten would have to include Noel, Stackhouse Filibuster, and Celestial Navigation. What is bothersome are the facts wrong in the article. For instance, "never a ratings powerhouse" when in the 2nd and 3rd seasons it was top 20 withover 17 million viewers. Also, the election storylines and those characters were brought in in season 6.
Reply
by Brett Alan, posted Nov 6th 2010
Three post-Sorkin episodes is about two too many (and the only really good episode of Season 5 was The Supremes). And I think you're too interested in the violence and the cliffhanger; those were not the show's biggest strengths.
I have to second Segsig's choice of Celestial Navigation, a wonderful episode with a great mix of comedy (CJ's struggle to speak after a root canal, Josh's "secret plan to fight inflation") and drama (built around Edward James Olmos). I also adore In This White House, with the introduction of Ainsley Hayes and the tremendous acting of Zakes Mokae as an African leader desperately trying to deal with his nation's AIDS epidemic. Either one might just be the best hour of television ever.
Reply
by segsig, posted Nov 7th 2010
The Supremes! That seemed like a Sorkin episode; it would be in my top ten.
by Craig Ranapia, posted Nov 7th 2010
The Supremes is in my top ten because, lets face it, Glenn Close and William Fitchner show you don't need a lot of screen time to make an impact.
by Hestia, posted Nov 8th 2010
As a certified "Wing Nut", I am currently on my fifth run through of the seven best seasons of television ever written, acted by the most talented ensemble ever assembled for a series. All those episodes mentioned have their shining moments, but I would have to say I agree that "Celestial Navigation" must be included in the top ten listing.
by John F.C. Taylor, posted Nov 6th 2010
I never watched West Wing when it was a first run prime time series. I only got interested in it after it went to Bravo channel and I became one of the long term unemployed. Too many episodes to make this a top 10 list. I just wish Bravo would bring it back on. It's certainly a whole lot better than an endless stream of reality shows.
Reply
by CC, posted Nov 6th 2010
I started watching The West Wing about midway through the first season and I really enjoyed it. Even though I am not a liberal/Democrat, and yes, they did tend to cast Republicans in a negative light, the banter between the characters was great.
I liked the first few seasons, but not the ones after Sam Seaborn left and especially not the ones with Matt Santos. Don't know if it's because the show was on for several years (I stopped watching after awhile) or if it was because the cast was changing and I didn't like that.
Some of my favorite episodes: the pilot, the episodes where Ainsley Hayes is introduced and then her first day at the White House, turkey pardoning with CJ ... I can't remember them all but the show was great.
Reply