by Jeremy Clark

Created on: June 17, 2009

The West Wing, an NBC political drama, is perhaps among the greatest shows ever aired. The show follows the working lives of several high-ranking administration officials in a fictitious democratic presidency. Several factors combined to make this show a high-water mark for American television, including Aaron Sorkin's rapid-fire writing, the high level of acting talent in the cast, and an ability by the show's writers to reflect real-world political situations and problems and to subtly weave those into the larger fabric of a television show that also incorporates the characters personal and professional issues.

Sorkin's writing has been noted several times as one of the show's main draws. Fast paced and witty, the banter rarely fails to amuse, and always keeps the plot moving forward. The dialogue alone, however, does not make the scenes. Also noted, as much, if not more often that the dialogue, is the use of 'walk and talk' shots. Every show features dozens of these shots where cheaters are filmed, camera facing towards them, walking down halls while talking. In most cases, one or both characters break off, and link up with others for a continuation of the conversation, or for an entirely new bit of story. When combined, the dialogue and fancy camera work create a fast-paced atmosphere.

In turn, the atmosphere created by these scenes serves to enhance the show, create a realistic and believable life in a frenetic Whitehouse that operates at break-neck speeds. This segues nicely into the next portion of the review: the characters.

The main cast, played by Martin Sheen, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney and Janel Maloney work together, and by themselves so well as nearly to beggar belief. Throughout the series each character's back-story is examined. Some episodes feature scenes from characters' personal lives, but the true depth is given in episodes that show the formation of the administration, moments from the campaign and stories that make the whole show just seem that much more real. The only crticism I have to level at the cast, and I also at the writing is the naivet of Sam Seaborn, played by Low, and the brash recklessness of Josh Lyman, played by Bradley Whitford. Sam is frequently the victim of accidents, and plots that are set against him, because of his hopeless idealism. Josh, on the other hand, causes trouble because of his one-track mind, and his inability to see the larger picture.

Perhaps the best summary of the shows successes its total of 24 Emmy award wins, in addition to dozens of Emmy nominations. For a period in the late 90s and early parts of this decade the West Wing, its writers, produces, staff and technical crew were winning Emmy's faster than they could make space for them on their mantles. Many of the awards focus on the shows writing, acting and camera-work, bearing out the praise given earlier in this review.

Truly, The West Wing is one of the greatest shows ever produced, and is worth watching (and re-watching). DVD's of all seven seasons are available, and I would highly recommend picking up copies.

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