So, who knows why it took me so long, but I've become completely smitten with The West Wing, via its varied reruns on Bravo and the glory of Time Warner's majestic DVR technology. I mean, loved Sports Night from the get go. Why didn't I embrace TWW immediately? I couldn't tell you. Maybe because my parent's liked it and how lame is that? No, that doesn't work. They even appreciate Six Feet Under.
Also, before this recent discovery, I had only seen one episode of the show, C.J.'s letter home, aka "Who You Gonna Call? Filibuster." and whenever I felt like giving the show a shot, which happened every few months, no joke, that particular episode was on. Not one of its highest moments, a pretty hackneyed format for an episode, and repitition, left a steady sour taste in my mouth. Not to mention the fact that although it sticks to a steady Monster Of The Week Format in one shape or form, the meat of every episode, its subtext, is completely lost if haven't seen what happened before it.
Well, whatever the reason, I'm watching it now and it's fucking amazing. Bravo is hopscotching from the first season in the afternoon and the newly minted fourth season in the evening. Even a cursory glance at any of TWW's web-based acolytes will tell you that, apparently, the show isn't as good as it used to be, for a myriad of reasons.
a) Where Has All The Rob Lowe Gone?
Okay, granted I think my total episode count is maybe seven, tops, but in no way does Sam Seaborne make this show. He's great, yes, but everyone's great. But if I woke up tomorrow and there was no Josh? My nasal sound-alike Toby Ziegler? Then we'd have beef.
b) Where Has All The Sorkin Gone?
Now this could, conceivably, be huge potential beef. Keep in mind that I haven't seen any new episodes. Yes, my infatuation with the show is just that young and new and impressionable. It seems as if John Wells is the new Sorkin of the show and, well, obviously that's going to lead to a different look and feel. I'm not completely dejected, though. He was there from the beginning, and he was responsible for that great ER season of my Sophomore year, where the breezes sang with the voice of Sherry Stringfield and I felt, really felt, like Mark Green was one heck of an O.K. guy.
But what I have seen; the Christmas episode with the Korean War Veteran, the Hollywood Shindig, and Part One of the Season Four Premeire being incredible stand-outs; has left me way beyond impressed. Not only is the dialogue top-drawer and drama keenly focused, but the overall premise, this kind of Twainian American fantasy populated by real flesh and blood characters, where every other day is a Frank Capra movie, where every decision anyone makes is more important than all of the one's you've ever made combined; it's like the most optimal formula for High Stakes, No Limit, Texas Hold 'Em Drama ever conceived.
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