tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post6903838643829487077..comments2024-03-28T17:08:01.559-04:00Comments on Doux Reviews: The West Wing: PilotBillie Douxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-75184947984622782952020-12-13T07:42:59.011-05:002020-12-13T07:42:59.011-05:00Every time I thought to rewatch the West Wing the ...Every time I thought to rewatch the West Wing the last four years I couldn't bear to because it felt to painful what with The Loser infesting the White House. Now it's time for it once more. First time I've seen this in years, and it's better than ever.<br /><br />Gerontius.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-48501345469212554342019-01-01T09:46:32.988-05:002019-01-01T09:46:32.988-05:00Diane C, I'll look forward to reading them, th...Diane C, I'll look forward to reading them, then.Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-41734978507117159442019-01-01T09:44:52.337-05:002019-01-01T09:44:52.337-05:00Thanks Billie. Although having re-read my comment ...Thanks Billie. Although having re-read my comment I really should have done some proof-reading beforehand, duh!<br /><br />I will also continue to post comments on Farscape on this forum, but at present I am all geared up for politics and the long-running, will they won't they Josh/Donna & CJ/Danny Thing :)Diane Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-45699307268707179622019-01-01T09:12:58.022-05:002019-01-01T09:12:58.022-05:00Diane C, never apologize for a lovely comment! The...Diane C, never apologize for a lovely comment! They're never too long, as far as I'm concerned. Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-58079757971769620862019-01-01T09:10:06.075-05:002019-01-01T09:10:06.075-05:00Now that 2019 has rolled in (and a Happy New Year ...Now that 2019 has rolled in (and a Happy New Year by the way), I am aware – shocked even - that TWW is now 20 years old!<br /><br />I only came to notice the show when Channel 4 (UK terrestrial TV channel) started broadcasting it in the late 00s. However, it was the pilot that introduced me to CJ and co, but an episode from season 3 – who’s name I forget now. But it was sufficiently interesting for me to tune into the show on a weekly basis back then, and by the airing of season 4 (by which time the show as a whole had finished by 2006), I decided to do away with all the waiting around and just bought the DVD boxset and spent the following 2 months almost locked in my room watching 4 or 5 episodes per night, so engrossed had I become with American politics (I like politics anyway, more so British politics. But it was quite fun, and also eye-opening to get to grips with the machinations of American politics)<br /><br />I have since had 3 or 4 boxset marathons with this show, and on every occasion I have learnt something new and enriching. I don’t necessarily go along with its left-leaning politics, which seemed to shift ever-so-slightly to the centre ground when Sorkin left and John Wells mishandled the much maligned season 5; but the show as a whole remains one of my favourite TV dramas ever.<br /><br />So now that the show is approaching its 20th birthday, I have decided to pay another visit, starting with the Pilot. And I must confess when I first watch this back in the day I had grave misgivings about how the show would progress given that it felt like a Rob Lowe vehicle – more so with the opening scene and him eventually ending up in bed with a high-class hooker. I felt this was going to be another soap with only an inconsequential segment devoted to hard-core politics. And it was just as well the writers decided to give POTUS, Martin Sheen for more screen time than originally planned otherwise I would have probably given season 1 a miss.<br /><br />The Pilot also introduced us to Mandy – probably one of the worst-written characters in serious drama, and her introduction of driving a Beemer at speed, running red-lights while jibbing on over her mobile phone, as well as given some attitude to a traffic cop really set the level of hatred I had for her.<br /><br />But the episode as a whole wasn’t too bad, although it does feel a little too smug with itself while at the same time overdosing on the touchy-feely there but for the grace of God go I! And of course as the seasons progressed this episode looks like it plopped in from a completely different show.<br />But with the Pilot safely tucked away I will look forward to yet another season 1 indulgence for 2019.<br /><br />3/5<br /><br /><br />(apologies for the really LONG comment. I guess I got carried away)Diane Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-83305566850524471882014-07-15T19:48:47.935-04:002014-07-15T19:48:47.935-04:00So, I'm following everyone's advice and gi...So, I'm following everyone's advice and giving <i>TWW</i> a shot.<br /><br />I'd seen the pilot before and didn't love it. Not much has changed since then: it seems a little too smug and self-congratulatory for me. But, judging from the comments here, I'll soon come to love the characters.Josie Kafkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892717530356699008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-43703492793585803872013-03-15T20:22:04.466-04:002013-03-15T20:22:04.466-04:00It's coming as soon as I can, I promise! I'...It's coming as soon as I can, I promise! I'm sorry for the long delay - my workload at the moment is a special kind of hell (it involves proof-reading and indexing my book, writing and delivering lectures, huge piles of marking, an oral paper, a written paper, a field trip, a visit day and also a wedding and hen night, which are at least the fun parts!)Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-21549175554164778372013-03-15T12:05:51.301-04:002013-03-15T12:05:51.301-04:00Where's the next episode review????Where's the next episode review????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-76376786348615955572013-01-22T17:15:47.910-05:002013-01-22T17:15:47.910-05:00*right now*right nowJuliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-75920205965736421372013-01-22T17:14:50.703-05:002013-01-22T17:14:50.703-05:00Aw, Malutje, I'm so glad, thank you! So happy ...Aw, Malutje, I'm so glad, thank you! So happy to have brought another into the West Wing fold :) Review of episode 2 should be up soon - I'm alternating between The West Wing and Voyager, and it's a busy time of year work-wise right (so many essays to mark my brain is melting out my ears, plus some Book revisions - exhausting!). Hopefully the next review will be up within the next week.Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-17016999686485315772013-01-22T14:45:59.943-05:002013-01-22T14:45:59.943-05:00Hi everyone!
Long time reader and fan of the site,...Hi everyone!<br />Long time reader and fan of the site, first time poster here. I've gotta say, it was this review that made me finally decide to watch this series, and it's become my new favourite. I've seen most of the episodes these past two weeks, and the show is simply brilliant, especially first four seasons. So thank you, Juliette, for pointing me in that direction, it was sooo worth it. Can't wait for your next review!Malutjenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-36385914852821455752013-01-07T18:07:36.421-05:002013-01-07T18:07:36.421-05:00Thanks for this. I watched originally but just fin...Thanks for this. I watched originally but just finished watching all of the DVD's yesterday! all 7 seasons. it was so amazing! I lived for it during the Bush years as the parallels universe that I wished to be in. So many of the topics are current with some great things that have passedPodycatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-90863229954089367302013-01-07T08:21:21.026-05:002013-01-07T08:21:21.026-05:00Thanks everyone!
Kathy, Noel is the episode that ...Thanks everyone!<br /><br />Kathy, Noel is the episode that got me into the show! I'd seen the pilot but then nothing until I caught that one when home for Christmas. Two Cathedrals is my favourite though.<br /><br />Chris, I think Sorkin and Whedon are very similar (it's so weird seeing Bradly Whitford in Cabin in the Woods - you can tell how close their styles are suddenly!). I love both and I have similar problems with both, though Whedon doesn't accientally slip into patronising sexism as often as Sorkin and Sorkin doesn't feel like he's being manipulative as often as Whedon (though he's just as tricksy with the sudden character deaths!)Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-528409482905973742013-01-06T19:20:28.222-05:002013-01-06T19:20:28.222-05:00I am so excited that you are reviewing this show, ...I am <i>so</i> excited that you are reviewing this show, Juliette. One of my favorites of all time, I have watched the entire series several times. Re-watching the pilot just now was like reconnecting with some old friends.<br /><br />I must confess that I view Aaron Sorkin in the same vein that a number of people on this site view Joss Whedon. His ability to write a fully fleshed character, warts and all, and his ability to have that character say such great things just leaves me astonished. Even watching this pilot again just now (and this was probably the fifth or sixth time I've seen it), I listen in awe to some of the exchanges. And, it still makes me laugh out loud.<br /><br />For me, the Josh/Donna chemistry was evident as soon as she brought him that cup of coffee. I also love the fact that someone as smart and handsome as Sam doesn't know when women are looking at him. What a great character beat.<br /><br />Fantastic review! And, what a great excuse to watch this show all over again.ChrisBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843864158239536750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-45075948020008289142013-01-06T18:52:25.675-05:002013-01-06T18:52:25.675-05:00Oh, man. The West Wing is probably still my most f...Oh, man. The West Wing is probably still my most favorite series. My favorite season was season 2, but I adored TWW. Josh was my favorite character. My favorite episode? "Noel."<br /><br />So happy that you're reviewing this awesome series!<br /><br />KatKathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00609424771874961444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-43828366861089247742013-01-06T15:18:35.514-05:002013-01-06T15:18:35.514-05:00I knew Martin Sheen was very politically active be...I knew Martin Sheen was very politically active before The West Wing, hadn't heard so much about more recent stuff. I love him, he's fantastic in everything. I went to see Spiderman basically for him and Andrew Garfield.Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-91832582750004406572013-01-06T15:15:27.077-05:002013-01-06T15:15:27.077-05:00Billie, I love that you couldn't stand to comp...Billie, I love that you couldn't stand to compare he-who-must-not-be-acknowledged-to-have-actually-been-president to Bartlett. <br /><br />Martin Sheen is incredibly politically active, which I love. Have you seen him on the Colbert Report? http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/415114/june-11-2012/martin-sheensunbunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08553429350476841139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-14576361874609248002013-01-06T15:03:19.740-05:002013-01-06T15:03:19.740-05:00Juliette, I am so happy that we're adding TWW ...Juliette, I am so happy that we're adding TWW to our site! Being one of those bleeding heart liberals that relates to this show, I have to admit that I was so upset with what the Bush administration was doing that I couldn't bring myself to watch a single episode of <i>The West Wing</i> while it was airing. I became a fan just a couple of years ago when Dan and I went through the entire series in the space of a couple of months, and now you're giving me an excuse to rewatch it.<br /><br />Bartlett is an exceptional character, and I'm so glad they immediately saw his awesomeness and increased Martin Sheen's involvement with the show. Did you know that Martin Sheen led anti-war marches in Los Angeles during the Bush administration?<br /><br />But as much as I love Bartlett, CJ is my favorite character and I loved the way she was introduced in the brief scene in the gym. LOL funny.<br /><br />Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-54614275899578200542013-01-06T14:55:06.153-05:002013-01-06T14:55:06.153-05:00My ex-boyfriend had a beeper when we were going ou...My ex-boyfriend had a beeper when we were going out... I'm gonna stop sharing now!Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-91260563949176125422013-01-06T14:44:37.536-05:002013-01-06T14:44:37.536-05:00I live on Planet Earth, with one TV and a ludicrou...I live on Planet Earth, with one TV and a ludicrously high speed internet connection.....But I've never watched it. Yes, I've heard about it. So much good stuff out there, here and then. On this continent an on the others.<br /><br />I'm adding this one to my "potentially to be watched" list...celticmarchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06018881585193380762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-79639855388140676182013-01-06T14:42:07.399-05:002013-01-06T14:42:07.399-05:00I watched the show during its original run when I ...I watched the show during its original run when I was a little older than the fourth graders Sam was talking to and I liked it then. Loved it now. So glad you're doing these Juliette! I love that the show is on Netflix Instant.<br /><br />Oh, and can I just say, WOW on the beepers. Really? Was this THAT long ago?sunbunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08553429350476841139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-19966539431858926362013-01-06T14:38:14.933-05:002013-01-06T14:38:14.933-05:00Nice review, Juliette. It reminded me that one of ...Nice review, Juliette. It reminded me that one of these days I really should get around to watching the rest of the series. I only got as far as season four. Mark Greighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12984193299389764649noreply@blogger.com