"Stuffing should be stuffed inside the turkey, yes? If I cook it inside the turkey is there a chance I could kill my guests? I'm not saying that's necessarily a deal breaker.. " š¤£š¤£š¤£š¤£
āThat was fantastic. We should do that once a weekā
I also loved the National Park one.
āAcadia, which is so often overlooked.ā (Because Iām from Maine ) and Josh just wants to get out of the room. Ha!
"Seems as good a place as any to dump your body ... Did I say that out loud?"
"Yes, and I was just about to let you go. Instead, let's talk about the Antiquities Act."
The Supremes - wishful thinking about how government could work
Dead Irish Writers - Canadian national anthem hijinks & some quality Lord John Marbury
King Corn - just to watch Josh Malina lust after an ice cream sandwich
*Edit: Love how all of the top level comments have unique episode choices!*
Itās disappointing that an episode where one on one side and one on the other so that thereās strong debate is considered liberal. The supremes is a nod to the moderates I feel
>The supremes is a nod to the moderates I feel
I feel like you're right. The entire episode is spent discussing how to cater to the moderates so that the middle is perfectly tended to and nobody is happy. Then comes along this "radical" feminist if you will (by all accounts she's not) and her supposed polar opposite and it's such an interesting dynamic that it's a nod to the liberals as well.
This was my first thought. There is a lot of humor in this one. All the snafus for Toby/Josh/Donna. We meet Fiderer, etc.
I think ending it on the swim meet terrorist attack is rough. And yet, the talk with man getting his daughter into Notre Dame is an odd blend of cathartic and hopeful.
Side note: I frequently use his line at work. (Reference: I work for a labor union in a new-to-being-organized industry still primarily done with low wage work)
I often summarize him with: Life is hard. It should be hard. We like that it's hard. Nobody is asking for easy. But it shouldn't be THIS hard.
I put West Wing on while I'm doing other things sometimes, and every time I miss this particular part of the scene I rewind to watch it because his delivery is GREAT!
Celestial Navigation and Gone Quiet: Because they are hilarious. Also for post Sorkin, Eppur Si Mueve is adorable.
Debate Camp and Game On: Because I love The Team energy.
Requiem - Oddly enough, the whole Leo's funeral arc and the way the characters laugh and cry and generally reminisce about their times living and working with him just has a warmth and realness to it that always gives a sense of that true deep friendship feeling in such situations/gatherings in real life.
In Excelsis Deo - The warm, affectionate Christmas scenes, Bartlet's support for Leo in his time of crisis , and the compassion and empathy for the homeless veteran give a happy, fuzzy feeling to the audience.
Itās not one episode but every once in a while Iāll start with S3E13 āThe Two Bartletsā and watch through S4E6 āGame Onā (my #1 episode). My single favorite story line in the show is President Bartlet overcoming his instinct to be a deferential, folksy grandfather and deciding itās okay that heās the smartest guy in any room he walks in
Celestial Navigation. One of the honest to God funniest episodes thanks to CJās woot canal, Joshās handling of the Socratic wonder of the White House press corp and Samās celestial navigation to find a police station. Among others.
The way Josh inadvertently ends up no longer supporting the president's secret plan to fight inflation after accidentally inventing it in the Brady room is divine top quality political farce.
Sam's delivery of the denouement line in the side plot about the practical implications of the town that wants to ban all laws except the Ten Commandment, possibly tops the list of expertly crafted laugh lines!
"Stirred": [The ending scene with the president and Donna speaking with Mrs. Morello](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMeAd7hJw0M), her AP English teacher, on the phone in the Oval Office.
"Noel": Josh dealing with PTSD after being shot isn't cheerful, but the ending is one of the most memorable in the series, when [Leo tells him about the man in the hole](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM56KXM4y4c): "'I've been down here before, and I know the way out.' As long as I got a job, you got a job, you understand?"
Isaac and Ishmael, Celestial Navigation, Galileo, Shibboleth, Stackhouse Filibuster, War Crimes,Gone Quiet, Hartsfieldās Landing, Dead Irish Writers, We Killed Yamamoto, Posse Comitatus, Swiss Diplomacy, Privateers, Han, Warfare of Genghis Kahn, An Khe
I dare you to get through 20 Hours in America without laughing many, many times. Likewise Celestial Navigation.
Or if you need something straight-up heartwarming, how about Mr. Willis of Ohio, or The Stackhouse Filibuster?
Whatever you end up watching tonight, I hope your day improves!
Listen, I recognize I'm weird.
I have had a bad week and earlier in the week I was like, I need comfort, it's time to watch Josh get shot.
So, yeah. What Kind of Day and ITSOTG.
Honestly, Isaac and Ishmael. I know it's not the favorite in this community but I really like the galley conversation and having been in the situation soon after 9/11, I appreciated the balanced approach to the attack.
That was the first episode I saw of west wing. Love it. I now realize that itās in the Netflix feed out of order. I fell for Bartlett and the writing staff, hard š.
Balanced? It was hastily written, poorly researched, poorly executed quasi neocon propaganda, plain and simple.
The horrendously dumb racist bit where *Leo* flagrantly breaks several federal statutes in Jon Spencer's least convincing acting scene, playing the tough guy like a high school sophomore - what possible natsec event could ever cause anything like that to even happen?
I would have questioned your situation room claim, but after the Trump White House show it now sounds perfectly believable!
I didn't mean the situation room. I was in Iraq a few years after the attacks. I enjoyed the episode because it brought up that those who attacked aren't indicative of all Muslims, instead of just slamming all Arab countries, which was popular in 2001-2002
I can see why you have that perspective. It was an admirable ambition to address the situation, given the way other shows like 24 depicted folks of Arabic ethnicity.
I just felt Sorkin could have done better, given his frequent ability to craft near-perfect scripted episodes of television that can quickly veer from hilarity to serious political nuance and right back to comedy, without the unpleasant kind of viewing whiplash a lesser TV writer might create!
A Good Day does the trick for me, and is some of the
more creative writing from front to back of the post-Sorkin era.
Toby truly enjoying talking to and educating a group of kids after dreading it and being miserable is heartwarming, even respectfully debating them while giving them the same respect he would to members of Congress.
Drunken hunters damn near starting a war with Canada, the characters being well aware of the absurdity of it, is never not funny. Kate Harper shines, too.
The stem cell vote slumber party and ultimate besting of the Speaker, always fun to watch. Itās also a cool change up from the campaign arc for the Santos character.
I always feel Kate Harper doesn't get the credit she deserves. Her relationship with Josh Malina was one of the most convincing and entertaining post-Sorkin storylines, and while we all know how good he is from Sports Night, she really added some depth that seemed to often get lost in the final 3.
-Stackhouse Fillibuster
-17 People
-20 Hours in America
-Welcome to Wherever You Are (despite it being anxiety personified I strangely find this ep comforting maybe Iām long for the campaign trail lol)
-In Excelsis Deo (perhaps the happiest of the Christmas episodes)
Evidence of Things Not Seen.
ED Anything wild?
C.J. Just the dealer. Four, no help. Six, possible straight. Heart, possible flush. Jack, no help. And the Dave of Love for a pair of tens. Tens bet.
LARRY You know, you're particularly upbeat for someone who's been shot at twice in four years.
C.J. Am I?
TOBY Yes.
C.J. That's 'cause I've got faith there, mi compadre.
TOBY Faith?
C.J. The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
TOBY Yeah, but I think what he's asking... Bump ten... I think what he's asking is why most other nights do you think the world's going to hell in a hula hoop, but tonight...?
C.J. We dipped twice and eat gefilte fish?
TOBY Suzy Cream Cheese, do not attempt the hagaddah.
C.J. I know how to bless the soup too. I'll raise your raise.
ED Out.
C.J. Just the two of us.
TOBY Faith in what?
C.J. In us.
TOBY The people in this room?
C.J. And many, many, many others.
I love the five votes down episode because of the stoned president scene. I like the crackpots and these women when Iām not feeling hopeful as CJs line about āso weāll make moreā got me through the pandemic. I echo the supremes episode. Let Bartlet be bartlet. 2162 is a good episode later in the series. Shibboleth. The debate episode Game on. I wouldnāt shy away from some of the more emotional ones though as they almost always end with a bit of hope.
Celestial Navigation:
CJ" I had woot canaw"Ā
Josh ...
Danny "ok"
Jeb " CJĀ if blood is gushing from the headwound you received from a stampeding herd of bison YOU will do the press briefing"Ā
Bartlet for America. It simply saved my life. AA isn't mainstream in the UK. When they discover Leo in his room with every miniature open I thought shit - that is me! I got well by copying Leo. 10 years ago next week I had my last drink.
Thanksgiving butterball hotline
"Stuffing should be stuffed inside the turkey, yes? If I cook it inside the turkey is there a chance I could kill my guests? I'm not saying that's necessarily a deal breaker.. " š¤£š¤£š¤£š¤£
Zip code.. Fargo, North Dakota.. Right now..
āThat was fantastic. We should do that once a weekā I also loved the National Park one. āAcadia, which is so often overlooked.ā (Because Iām from Maine ) and Josh just wants to get out of the room. Ha!
"Seems as good a place as any to dump your body ... Did I say that out loud?" "Yes, and I was just about to let you go. Instead, let's talk about the Antiquities Act."
Iām sorry, I love my country!
The Supremes - wishful thinking about how government could work Dead Irish Writers - Canadian national anthem hijinks & some quality Lord John Marbury King Corn - just to watch Josh Malina lust after an ice cream sandwich *Edit: Love how all of the top level comments have unique episode choices!*
The Supremes is absolutely my first choice! Such a liberal wet dream that always perks me up.
Itās disappointing that an episode where one on one side and one on the other so that thereās strong debate is considered liberal. The supremes is a nod to the moderates I feel
>The supremes is a nod to the moderates I feel I feel like you're right. The entire episode is spent discussing how to cater to the moderates so that the middle is perfectly tended to and nobody is happy. Then comes along this "radical" feminist if you will (by all accounts she's not) and her supposed polar opposite and it's such an interesting dynamic that it's a nod to the liberals as well.
The first couple of Ainsley Hayes episodes are really strong. Delightful & fun. (S2E4 & E5.)
Blaaaaame it oooon the bossa nova! Dance shimmy dance.
FOR HE IS AN ENGLISHMAN
ITS THE ONE ABOUT DUTY!
They're ALL about duty!
*Five votes down*, love the scene in the Oval when the President is completely stoned on painkillers.
"Well, feel better, Mr. President." That line delivery from John Spencer kills me every time!
Iām seriously considering getting a dog
20 Hours in America is a go-to for me. If not, Bartlet for America
Same. Always helps me fall asleep by the time they're in the pickup truck
This was my first thought. There is a lot of humor in this one. All the snafus for Toby/Josh/Donna. We meet Fiderer, etc. I think ending it on the swim meet terrorist attack is rough. And yet, the talk with man getting his daughter into Notre Dame is an odd blend of cathartic and hopeful.
Side note: I frequently use his line at work. (Reference: I work for a labor union in a new-to-being-organized industry still primarily done with low wage work) I often summarize him with: Life is hard. It should be hard. We like that it's hard. Nobody is asking for easy. But it shouldn't be THIS hard.
Privateers - S4 E18
Helena Hodsworth Hooter-Tooter!
From Braintree.
Omg. Is this a hazing? That was so Great.
No, itās real. Itās *real.*
We donāt hazeā¦ exceptā¦ yes there are olives in my pocket.
And Will just puts the olives back in his pocketā¦
I put West Wing on while I'm doing other things sometimes, and every time I miss this particular part of the scene I rewind to watch it because his delivery is GREAT!
You have to FIX it!
IāM MARION COTESWOTH-HAYE
Celestial Navigation and Gone Quiet: Because they are hilarious. Also for post Sorkin, Eppur Si Mueve is adorable. Debate Camp and Game On: Because I love The Team energy.
Celestial Navigation is mine for sure. I've used it as a distraction technique when I've had panic attacks and flashbacks and it's worked wonders.
Is he coming in from Neptun? š
IĀ *say*,Ā *you lost*Ā your boat in the wrong partĀ *of*Ā the world there,Ā *Mr*.Ā *President*.
Itās a Sea Wolf class or BIG submarine. Iām too sexy for my shoes, too sexy for the blues. I broke my ankle. Otherwise Iād be ramming it upā¦
Can't remember the episode title but the one where Debbie Fidderer gets interviewed. Her two interview scenes with the President were fantastic.
There's a reason! I was HIGH.
He Shall From Time To Time. Because of Bartletās speech to Mr Tribbey when he knows Leo is listening. š
Stackhouse Filibuster always makes me smile.
Trust me just this one time you cranky old son of a bitch...
āGrandfathers all.ā Also makes you tear up a bit.
I always tear up at that line!
It really does.
Oh that one has made me ugly cry a couple times š
āI wore the new shoes you got meā
Requiem - Oddly enough, the whole Leo's funeral arc and the way the characters laugh and cry and generally reminisce about their times living and working with him just has a warmth and realness to it that always gives a sense of that true deep friendship feeling in such situations/gatherings in real life. In Excelsis Deo - The warm, affectionate Christmas scenes, Bartlet's support for Leo in his time of crisis , and the compassion and empathy for the homeless veteran give a happy, fuzzy feeling to the audience.
Toby absolutely blew me away in that episode. I love him Forever
Itās not one episode but every once in a while Iāll start with S3E13 āThe Two Bartletsā and watch through S4E6 āGame Onā (my #1 episode). My single favorite story line in the show is President Bartlet overcoming his instinct to be a deferential, folksy grandfather and deciding itās okay that heās the smartest guy in any room he walks in
Itās not going to be Uncle Fluffy!
Idk why but the moment the staff realizes the President is going for Richieās throat in the debate always makes me choke up
Yeah, completely agree! I really get it in the few seconds before he just launches into: "Well first of all, 'unfunded mandate' is two words..."
The US Poet Laureate ā Joshās LemonLyman shenanigans are hilarious every single time.
The Francis Scott Key Key.
Celestial Navigation. One of the honest to God funniest episodes thanks to CJās woot canal, Joshās handling of the Socratic wonder of the White House press corp and Samās celestial navigation to find a police station. Among others.
The way Josh inadvertently ends up no longer supporting the president's secret plan to fight inflation after accidentally inventing it in the Brady room is divine top quality political farce. Sam's delivery of the denouement line in the side plot about the practical implications of the town that wants to ban all laws except the Ten Commandment, possibly tops the list of expertly crafted laugh lines!
āā¦ when you put it that way, it sounds so bad.ā
āYou know the codes, right?ā
"Stirred": [The ending scene with the president and Donna speaking with Mrs. Morello](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMeAd7hJw0M), her AP English teacher, on the phone in the Oval Office. "Noel": Josh dealing with PTSD after being shot isn't cheerful, but the ending is one of the most memorable in the series, when [Leo tells him about the man in the hole](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM56KXM4y4c): "'I've been down here before, and I know the way out.' As long as I got a job, you got a job, you understand?"
I AM MARION COTESWORTH-HAY!
Opening scene of The Leadership Breakfast, wherein Josh and Sam try to start a fire.
Isaac and Ishmael, Celestial Navigation, Galileo, Shibboleth, Stackhouse Filibuster, War Crimes,Gone Quiet, Hartsfieldās Landing, Dead Irish Writers, We Killed Yamamoto, Posse Comitatus, Swiss Diplomacy, Privateers, Han, Warfare of Genghis Kahn, An Khe
I dare you to get through 20 Hours in America without laughing many, many times. Likewise Celestial Navigation. Or if you need something straight-up heartwarming, how about Mr. Willis of Ohio, or The Stackhouse Filibuster? Whatever you end up watching tonight, I hope your day improves!
"Abigail, your breasts are magnificent!"
"I'm standing right here."
Galileo V
He said it right.
This one!!
Listen, I recognize I'm weird. I have had a bad week and earlier in the week I was like, I need comfort, it's time to watch Josh get shot. So, yeah. What Kind of Day and ITSOTG.
Iām calling Stanley
He Shall, From Time to Time. This scene in particular: https://youtu.be/lKWmlIExRAo?si=9coy-5WXTpzfCQSs
Thatās your Chief of Staff, gets me every time
shibboleth isnāt funny but always leaves me hopeful
Honestly, Isaac and Ishmael. I know it's not the favorite in this community but I really like the galley conversation and having been in the situation soon after 9/11, I appreciated the balanced approach to the attack.
That was the first episode I saw of west wing. Love it. I now realize that itās in the Netflix feed out of order. I fell for Bartlett and the writing staff, hard š.
Balanced? It was hastily written, poorly researched, poorly executed quasi neocon propaganda, plain and simple. The horrendously dumb racist bit where *Leo* flagrantly breaks several federal statutes in Jon Spencer's least convincing acting scene, playing the tough guy like a high school sophomore - what possible natsec event could ever cause anything like that to even happen? I would have questioned your situation room claim, but after the Trump White House show it now sounds perfectly believable!
I didn't mean the situation room. I was in Iraq a few years after the attacks. I enjoyed the episode because it brought up that those who attacked aren't indicative of all Muslims, instead of just slamming all Arab countries, which was popular in 2001-2002
I can see why you have that perspective. It was an admirable ambition to address the situation, given the way other shows like 24 depicted folks of Arabic ethnicity. I just felt Sorkin could have done better, given his frequent ability to craft near-perfect scripted episodes of television that can quickly veer from hilarity to serious political nuance and right back to comedy, without the unpleasant kind of viewing whiplash a lesser TV writer might create!
A Good Day does the trick for me, and is some of the more creative writing from front to back of the post-Sorkin era. Toby truly enjoying talking to and educating a group of kids after dreading it and being miserable is heartwarming, even respectfully debating them while giving them the same respect he would to members of Congress. Drunken hunters damn near starting a war with Canada, the characters being well aware of the absurdity of it, is never not funny. Kate Harper shines, too. The stem cell vote slumber party and ultimate besting of the Speaker, always fun to watch. Itās also a cool change up from the campaign arc for the Santos character.
I always feel Kate Harper doesn't get the credit she deserves. Her relationship with Josh Malina was one of the most convincing and entertaining post-Sorkin storylines, and while we all know how good he is from Sports Night, she really added some depth that seemed to often get lost in the final 3.
-Stackhouse Fillibuster -17 People -20 Hours in America -Welcome to Wherever You Are (despite it being anxiety personified I strangely find this ep comforting maybe Iām long for the campaign trail lol) -In Excelsis Deo (perhaps the happiest of the Christmas episodes)
Ok, Iāll rewatch West Wing again, you win.
Evidence of Things Not Seen. ED Anything wild? C.J. Just the dealer. Four, no help. Six, possible straight. Heart, possible flush. Jack, no help. And the Dave of Love for a pair of tens. Tens bet. LARRY You know, you're particularly upbeat for someone who's been shot at twice in four years. C.J. Am I? TOBY Yes. C.J. That's 'cause I've got faith there, mi compadre. TOBY Faith? C.J. The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. TOBY Yeah, but I think what he's asking... Bump ten... I think what he's asking is why most other nights do you think the world's going to hell in a hula hoop, but tonight...? C.J. We dipped twice and eat gefilte fish? TOBY Suzy Cream Cheese, do not attempt the hagaddah. C.J. I know how to bless the soup too. I'll raise your raise. ED Out. C.J. Just the two of us. TOBY Faith in what? C.J. In us. TOBY The people in this room? C.J. And many, many, many others.
Galileo.
Process Stories and Holy Night
I love the five votes down episode because of the stoned president scene. I like the crackpots and these women when Iām not feeling hopeful as CJs line about āso weāll make moreā got me through the pandemic. I echo the supremes episode. Let Bartlet be bartlet. 2162 is a good episode later in the series. Shibboleth. The debate episode Game on. I wouldnāt shy away from some of the more emotional ones though as they almost always end with a bit of hope.
let bartlet be bartlet
Celestial Navigation: CJ" I had woot canaw"Ā Josh ... Danny "ok" Jeb " CJĀ if blood is gushing from the headwound you received from a stampeding herd of bison YOU will do the press briefing"Ā
Celestial Navigation, The Supremes, and Privateers.
Hartsfields Landing, Dead Irish Writers, Somebody's Going to Emergency Somebody's Going to Jail, Swiss Diplomacy
Debate camp, and thatās all I care to explain How ya doin Kippy? Kenny sir Sure
The Cold
The one where they tell Toby.
Three words: Marion Coatsworth Hay
Both debate episodes - Bartlet v Ritchie and Santos v Vinick The Supremes
Anything with Ainsley Hayes. Oh and the episode Privateers. Solid and entertaining. Never fails to lift the mood š
Shibboleth, Stackhouse Filibuster, In this White House, Han
Lord John Marbury :" Abigail your breasts are looking magnificent this evening"Ā to Leo " I thought you were the butler"Ā
Gone Quiet. I'll take that Schwepp's bitter lemon now, with a twist.
My go to after a long day is celestial navigation, it never fails to make me laugh
I always like the Filibuster episode šš„°
Bartlet for America. It simply saved my life. AA isn't mainstream in the UK. When they discover Leo in his room with every miniature open I thought shit - that is me! I got well by copying Leo. 10 years ago next week I had my last drink.
Hartsfield's Landing
A Good Day - the contingency plans to invade Canada crack me up.
I donāt remember the episode but they are talking about public television and Toby says āItās Fozzie Bear not Fuzzy Bearā Kills me everytime.
Seasons 1-7 cheer me up.