The West Wing (TV Series) In This White House (2000) User Reviews

This almost had a movie feel to it...in a good way.

[mcrocket-33814 · 10/10 · 15 April 2021]

Imo, a sheer, brilliant job of writing this episode. First, we have the new, wonderful Ainslie character skewer Sam in a funny way. And, amongst other things, we have this plot about AIDS-drugs to Africa...which I assumed was going to be a sub-plot to Ainslie and CJ's fears. But no.

Slowly, I am caring more and more about this AIDS plot. I am starting to like this African leader more and more. Then they come up with a decent - if flawed (best under the situation) - solution to help the African country.

Then I assume we are going to deal with Ainslie coming on board...but no...they switch to this other, military thing.

And my first thought was: 'not another military crisis, already'. But I was wrong...the African leader has been deposed. And suddenly, this African leader is the character I care most about.

I have spoiled enough - I will skip the ending...but it was wonderfully written, IMO.

The writer(s) (I assume it was just Sorkin - not sure) could have done what I assumed they would do...leave the AIDS thing as a compromise, wish the African leader well and welcome Ainslie to the West Wing. And it would have been a very, good episode. But no.

He pushes it.

And it REALLY got me thinking...about AIDS, about Africa, about judging people without getting to know them first...and about how utterly horrible it must be to live in much of Africa if you are poor. You try to fix one HUGE problem and something even bigger falls on your head.

And when the ending came...I had a tear in my eye and I felt like I had watched 90 minutes of TV...when I had only watched about 45 (I watch the episodes for the first time on iTunes - in order.).

I thoroughly enjoyed it, I was surprised by it, I think the writer took a chance and he balanced it well and it got me thinking and it moved me.

That is what I hope to get from drama - and VERY rarely do.

But this episode gave it to me.

Thank you Mr. Sorkin.

10/10.

Confirming Bartlet's character .

[akicork · 9/10 · 26 May 2023]

Here we have confirmation of a critical aspect of Bartlet's character: that he would surround himself with people whom he could trust to tell him the truth, even if that truth might be distasteful, rather than with sycophants who would feed him the information they thought he wanted to hear. The episode is a worthy follow-on from the series opening two-part premiere, with many strands visible apart from the main script. The obvious question was, if Bartlet wasn't the target, who was? The only convincing ones were Zöe and Charlie, although some of the administration assistants might just have scraped in. I guess we'll see in upcoming episodes just exactly who is responsible, and why.

Sir?? Sir, you have interrupted me again!!

[robrosenberger · 7/10 · 29 October 2012]

Ainslie! The debut of one of the show's most beloved characters. Emily Proctor would do twelve episodes as the spunky, conservative White House lawyer. How can a character this great be born of an episode this ham- handed?? Caricaturish republicans spouting amateurish dialogue...a plot line with Ainsley and C.J. that is embarrassingly contrived...here but for the grace of a story thread featuring Zakes Mokae (A DRY WHITE SEASON) as the leader of an AIDS-ravaged African country, would be the first sub-good episode in show history. After Josh and Toby figure out a way to get HIV medications to Africa more cheaply, President Nimbala finds out that he has been ousted in a coup. He returns home, and is shot getting off the plane. Ted McGinley (HAPPY DAYS, THE LOVE BOAT, MARRIED WITH CHILDREN, REVENGE OF THE NERDS) plays the suave, genial host of "Capital Beat", on which Ainslie skewers Sam.