The West Wing (1999–2006) 8.5
Inside the lives of staffers in the west wing of the White House. Creator:Aaron Sorkin |
|
| 0Share... |
The West Wing (1999–2006) 8.5
Inside the lives of staffers in the west wing of the White House. Creator:Aaron Sorkin |
|
| 0Share... |
| Series cast summary: | |||
| Allison Janney | ... |
C.J. Cregg
(154 episodes, 1999-2006)
|
|
| John Spencer | ... |
Leo McGarry
(154 episodes, 1999-2006)
|
|
| Bradley Whitford | ... |
Josh Lyman
(154 episodes, 1999-2006)
|
|
| Martin Sheen | ... |
President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet
(154 episodes, 1999-2006)
|
|
| Janel Moloney | ... |
Donna Moss
(149 episodes, 1999-2006)
|
|
| Richard Schiff | ... |
Toby Ziegler
(144 episodes, 1999-2006)
|
|
| Dulé Hill | ... |
Charlie Young
(136 episodes, 1999-2006)
|
|
| NiCole Robinson | ... |
Margaret Hooper
(105 episodes, 1999-2006)
|
|
| Melissa Fitzgerald | ... |
Carol Fitzpatrick
(100 episodes, 1999-2006)
|
|
| Rob Lowe | ... |
Sam Seaborn
(84 episodes, 1999-2006)
|
|
| Joshua Malina | ... |
Will Bailey
(79 episodes, 2002-2006)
|
|
| Stockard Channing | ... |
Abbey Bartlet
(69 episodes, 1999-2006)
|
|
When the erudite Democrat Josiah "Jed" Bartlet is elected U.S. president, he installs his administration. He places confidants from his electoral campaigns in the White House. Each of these people play a significant role in the Washington power game: the Chief of Staff (Leo McGarry), his deputy (Josh Lyman), Communications Director (Toby Zeigler), deputy (Sam Seaborn, and later, Will Bailey), and press secretary (CJ Cregg). Also in key positions are the assistants of each of the power players. We follow these people through many political battles, as well as some personal ones. Also playing roles are the First Lady (Abigail Bartlet), the President's daughters (Elizabeth, Eleanor, and Zoey), and the personal aide to the President (Charlie Young). All make this series, which supposedly follows the political events (often paraphrasing historical reality) almost day by day, more than merely a political soap. The demands of office on each character show the personal sacrifice and the ... Written by KGF Vissers
So much political reporting seems to be an attempt to fake a drama out of little material. I missed the West Wing when it started, but am catching up now, and find that it turns the specifics of politics into gripping human drama with a fast pace.
The camera seems to move as quickly as the people, following one conversation, then picking up another as two corridors intersect, and going off after that conversation instead. It's a remarkably effective dramatic device, that helps generate a sense of many topics, issues and personalities all being constantly on the move in response to events.
The acting is uniformly good, and often not on screen, Martin Sheen's president remains a constant presence shaping every story.