So The West Wing aired it's final episode on Sunday evening. It was a fitting ending, though it is beyond me that Will and Grace, a gratingly annoying sitcom warrant an epsidoe four times it's normal length (2 hours to its regular 1/2 hour)and the Wing gets an hour episode like it'll be on again next week. Wtf?
Anyway, I wanted to just remember a bit about my favorite Wing episodes since NBC couldn't even be bothered with a retrospective before the finale.
So, in no particular order...
In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, Parts 1&2: In the aftermath of the shooting of President Bartlet and his posse, the staff ponders the way it came together in such a seamless set of flashbacks that other series should take their cues from this. Though at times difficult to watch for it's high emotions, these were the epsides that said, "This is the best show on tv at this time."
In Excelsis Deo: Toby arranges a miliatry funeral for a homeless man who froze to death while wearing his coat. Mrs. Landingham accompanies Toby to the funeral and the final scene is played over a boy's choir singing Little Drummer Boy. I tear up every time.
Shibboleth: Thianks giving brings all sorts of happenings to the White House as "Thanksgiving Cruise Director" CJ finds out. Jed pardons a turkey and drives Charlie nuts until he presents Charlie with a precious family heirloom. Sam and Josh sort out a situation with Chinese Christians claiming assylum in the US.
These Crackpots and These Women/Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail: Both episodes take place on Big Block of Cheese Day, a day Leo designates to throw open the doors of the White House to the likes of Cartographers for Social Equality, a man who tracks UFOs and a group bent on setting up a highway sytem for wolves. The staff comes out of each meeting a little bit less cynical than before. Oh, and in These Crackpots... Charlie and Zoey meet for the first time.
Take the Sabbath Day: The staff, at work on Saturday, ponders the meaning of capital punishment from the Jewish, Christian and Quaker point of veiw on the eve of the exicution of a high ranking drug lord. And Josh meets Joey Lucas.
Two Catherdrals: The second season comes to a head when Mrs. Landingham dies and Jed flashes back to their meeting. He then goes on to denounce GD in an incredibly powerful monologue, done mostly in Latin before holding a press conference regading his coverup of him MS and the furture of his presidency.
There are so many great moments from this wonderful show that I can remember as well as the excellent dialogue. The West Wing, though a shell of it's former self by the end was always great tv and I will miss it.
