It's time to wax rhapsodic - Lord John is coming to town. The incomparable Roger Rees (ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS, CHEERS) debuts one of the highest- juiced characters in show history, as an emergency adviser on a military escalation between India and Pakistan. C.J. is frozen out of the loop regarding the latest military intelligence, over concerns she might leak it to the press. For any STARGATE fanatics out there, we've got two members of that cast, in one show: John Diehl, as a contentious Freedom of Information Act lawyer, and Eric Avari, as the pakistani ambassador. And the first romantic overtures between Charlie and Zoe! Charlie asks Jed for his blessing. One resultant scene, about racial non-issues, belongs on an all-time best Jed/Leo scenes list. About the show's liberal bias...the writers are quickly becoming more adept at even-handedness, as evidenced by occasionally giving a conservative argument to a series regular (or later on to Ainslie and Walken and Joe). And moments that feel biased, often aren't so at all. For example, Mandy floats the idea of working for a liberal republican, and Sam snaps at her that it's not her job to end the fight, it's her job to win it. If his outburst came from a conservative republican character, most would boo and hiss...yet with Sam we're much more tolerant. It's up to us to recognize that in ourselves...the screenwriter's only job is to convey truth.
4 Reviews
Classic Pre-9/11 World politics
kumar-jayanth11 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This episode has the ability of pissing off most people in the sub-continent, and China. Essentially, the episode begins with an Indian troop buildup moving into Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, or as other parties might call it, a disputed area.
It is common knowledge today, that the area of Kashmir is hotly disputed, but i'm not sure how it was in 2000, when this episode aired. Probably much different.
Truth however, was that in 1999, and in 2000, the two nations of India and Pakistan were about to fight a major war, due to increased tensions following a terror attack on India's Parliament in December of 1999.
Thankfully, nothing happened, but this episode seems to be inspired from those events.
The story also continues in Josh deposing on the drug investigation in the White House and his attempts to shield Leo.
I personally feel that this episode was really a great primer for the yet uninitiated world into terror and its effect on societies and Lord John's quote is spectacular.
He says something like this "Not since the 16th century religious wars have we seen anything of this intensity, that to an outsider, seems illogical" He was so right.
I personally find it preposterous that the President of the United States had not a single person that could counsel them about the situation in the sub-continent, and i think that was an intentional dramatization to illustrate how remote the area seemed to the American people then, but this episode was very ahead of its time, predicting the eruption of a global war fought in the 21st century against non-state actors emanating from the hotbeds of terrorism in the Pakistan region.
Indians, please lighten up, and see the depth of the episode here. Art imitates life, and this is an illustration of life in a dramatic way. Think about it some more, and enjoy the rest of the series.
It is common knowledge today, that the area of Kashmir is hotly disputed, but i'm not sure how it was in 2000, when this episode aired. Probably much different.
Truth however, was that in 1999, and in 2000, the two nations of India and Pakistan were about to fight a major war, due to increased tensions following a terror attack on India's Parliament in December of 1999.
Thankfully, nothing happened, but this episode seems to be inspired from those events.
The story also continues in Josh deposing on the drug investigation in the White House and his attempts to shield Leo.
I personally feel that this episode was really a great primer for the yet uninitiated world into terror and its effect on societies and Lord John's quote is spectacular.
He says something like this "Not since the 16th century religious wars have we seen anything of this intensity, that to an outsider, seems illogical" He was so right.
I personally find it preposterous that the President of the United States had not a single person that could counsel them about the situation in the sub-continent, and i think that was an intentional dramatization to illustrate how remote the area seemed to the American people then, but this episode was very ahead of its time, predicting the eruption of a global war fought in the 21st century against non-state actors emanating from the hotbeds of terrorism in the Pakistan region.
Indians, please lighten up, and see the depth of the episode here. Art imitates life, and this is an illustration of life in a dramatic way. Think about it some more, and enjoy the rest of the series.
Three Intense Focuses
Hitchcoc24 January 2021
The prime focus of this episode concerns a conflict between India and Pakistan. Troops are on the move and President Bartlet and the Joint Chiefs are at a loss as to what to do. C. J.'s feels her credibility is compromised because she is not let in the loop and embarrasses herself to the press. Thirdly, we have Josh facing a committee that is out to get Leo because of past problems with drugs and alcohol. Tight drama with several unresolved questions. We are also introduced to Lord John Marbury, the quirky expert on the Cashmere area. He is played by Roger Rees, the great British actor. Excellent storytelling.
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 11: Lord John Marbury
dalydj-918-25517517 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
THE WEST WING: SEASON 1, EPISODE 11: Lord John Marbury
Directed by: Kevin Rodney Sullivan
Written by: Story by : Patrick Caddell & Lawrence O'Donnell, Jr.
Teleplay by : Aaron Sorkin & Patrick Caddell
In the first West Wing episode of the new millennium the show continues its multiple storylines including the investigation into drug problems in the White House, war in the world and trust within the white house team. It is deeply upsetting that this investigation into drug abuse issues might take down Leo a man committed to his work who could lose everything he has worked for.
Josh sits in two depositions where he must deny & as he is questioned it gets difficult. Josh snaps in defence of one of his mentors. Then there is the Lord John Marbury who the episode is named after and while a small introduction with a great build up to his introduction.
Roger Rees plays the hell out this role in his scenes opposite Spencer & Sheen. While not as strong as the previous episode this is a good continuing episode for the series.
Teleplay by : Aaron Sorkin & Patrick Caddell
In the first West Wing episode of the new millennium the show continues its multiple storylines including the investigation into drug problems in the White House, war in the world and trust within the white house team. It is deeply upsetting that this investigation into drug abuse issues might take down Leo a man committed to his work who could lose everything he has worked for.
Josh sits in two depositions where he must deny & as he is questioned it gets difficult. Josh snaps in defence of one of his mentors. Then there is the Lord John Marbury who the episode is named after and while a small introduction with a great build up to his introduction.
Roger Rees plays the hell out this role in his scenes opposite Spencer & Sheen. While not as strong as the previous episode this is a good continuing episode for the series.
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