Binge Watch Guide is a blog series to lead you through the many available series for streaming.
Time Commitment: High
Watching “The West Wing” is not an activity for a rainy day. (Well, it is, but you’ll need more than just one.) Episodes are about 42 minutes each, and they require some serious attention if you want to catch all of the witticisms that are probably way over my head already. Thanks to fast dialogue, it doesn’t feel slow at all. This is for the most serious of binge watchers.
If you love politics, you’ll love “The West Wing.” But if you don’t love politics — like me — you’ll still love it. I swear.
Most interesting character: C.J. Cregg, President Jed Bartlet’s press secretary. She won four Emmys for her role as this fearless feminist.
She is fierce and hilarious, and she is the most powerful woman character on the show. When I grow up, I want to be just like C.J. Cregg.
I can’t tell you how amazing this woman is, so I’ll let her rendition of “The Jackal” do it for you.
OK, here’s a few more C.J.-isms.
The good:
“The West Wing” is hilarious and emotional all at the same time. Sometimes, I like to go back and watch clips of my favorite scenes just as a little pick-me-up. I’m doing that right now.
For example, drunken Toby.
For example, Sam Seaborn making an ass of himself.
For example, the walking-and-talking scenes.
The bad:
I won’t ruin everything, but Sam Seaborn, who is the second most amazing character after C.J. Cregg, leaves the show after season 4. And then Aaron Sorkin left too.
Did I continue watching after season 4? Yes, of course I did. But if you only have so much time to dedicate to this hefty show, you can take it easy after season 4. The best is no longer coming.
The Takeaway:
If you haven’t watched “The West Wing” yet, stop that. And even if you don’t find public policy jokes hilarious, you might learn a thing or two about how your federal government works. And you will most certainly wish that Jed Bartlet was a real candidate for president.
If you need more encouraging, I’ll leave you with this.
If you liked this, consider watching this too:
This will sound most ridiculous, but if you loved “The West Wing,” you will probably love “Gilmore Girls.” Seriously. The dialogue is just as fast paced, the key characters are so heartwarming and heart wrenching and the combination of humor and drama is perfect for a binge-fest. I’m serious.
I haven’t yet watched “The Newsroom” or “The Wire,” but I’ve been told they’re very similar to “The West Wing.” Binge watch guide to come.
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