Martin Sheen is one of our best actors of the past 60 years. Somehow he flies under the radar when people have this conversation. But he played a great President and was completely believable. He played a closeted gay man who comes out in his 70’s, and was also completely believable and lovable. He can do comedy and tragedy and drama. Thank you Martin Sheen!
Martin Sheen is fabulous. The whole cast is great. The script is fabulous. Especially in the Sorkin years. The production is extraordinary. It makes me think I'm going to watch the whole thing all over again. Best tv show EVER !
There isn't a single moment of the entire seven seasons that aren't the pinnacle, the very zenith of absolutely outstanding television. The West Wing should be held as the benchmark of excellence in character-driven drama. It is 'lightning in a bottle' and highly unlikely to ever be surpassed. I'm so happy I was there to see it the first time around. But repeat viewings only cement its greatness in my mind.
We have a President Joe Biden and he's doing a phenomenal job. He's passed the baton to Karma-law Harris, so we will still be in great hands. Dump "trumpf."
Always loved President Bartlet's 'disproportional response' dialogue. Every inch of you screams to agree with him, but deep down you know it's the wrong thing to do. Such tremendous acting.
It struck me as amusing that they went here, when you put it in the context of this scene from The American President - where Martin Sheen's AJ is advising a retaliatory strike is a proportional response to Michael Douglas' Andrew Shepard: th-cam.com/video/9De2fNw3Q-w/w-d-xo.html
I am a brit, and I would love the whole world to led by the Jed Bartlet of each nation. I feel the world would somehow leap forward a great distance, in peace.
@@amandanilles8038 - 75 million Americans and a few Russian bots just voted for a guy who is about as far away from the merits and ideals of Jed Bartlet as the world will ever see.
Jed Bartlett's introduction in this series still sits in my brain nearly 30 years after I first saw the pilot episode. I hit 35 next month, so that says something.
I got Jimmy Carter at roughly the same age. Having a decent man of genuine (and therefore flawed and human) faith modeling advanced citizenship can dig a deep groove in a kid's brain. For the first time in a long time I have hope to see one decent human pass the baton to another decent human. 🤞🙏🕯️
Thanks for spelling the President’s name correctly… 🙂 … I think I read somewhere that Sorkin used the name Bartlet in a tip of the hat to Joshua Bartlett, the first signer of Declaration of Independence after John Hancock’s, who wrote (transcribed) the first (and only) copy of the Declaration. I believe I’m right about this.. I could be wrong. That’s worth $.02 as far as I know.
The scene with the priest telling the story of the man by the river occurred to me when we were in the middle of covid. That is some amazing television.
I watched this series when it first aired, and I've watched the entire series more times than I can remember. When I watch it, I feel as if I'm actually in the White House watching policy being developed. Martin Sheen was brilliant, and the entire cast kept me glued to each word. The writing was incredible and intelligent. To say thank you for this show seems so inadequate, but thank you with all my heart!
I absoluting agree with ALL that you said, this is by far my Absolute favorite show ever, and no matter how many times I've watched it, I still go back and watch it again, I too felt as though I was a part of the staff.
I watched this after the last show & then binged on it with my wife. We loved it, the characters, the action & dialogue. Maybe it's time to re-binge on it.
@@hersheyknight6841 - The show is the single best example of character development in the history of television. There are a few other great shows (The Wire, Sopranos, etc) that come close but The West Wing made the characters so real, so deep, it is nothing but incredible.
And Alan Alda made some good points, against Jimmy Smitts. I think the bottom line is, at least in our country, the two party system works, when the the norms are adhered to.
@@elizabethnobody6591 The two party system doesn’t work. They know they’re the only two real options so they continue to put up worse and worse options for us to pick from because they know they don’t have to worry about anyone else. Even the Primaries, were given a bunch of losers and the person they really want in office.
This first scene is outstanding. Martin Sheen is such a presence, it feels like the President is actually walking through the scene and everyone is struck dumb instead of actors hitting their cues
👍👍👍 Jed Bartlett was the president we still imagined was realistic. Now we shudder at the truth and mourn Decency, intellect and education, moral strength and moral courage. Now it's bonespurs and lawsuits to hide his grades to prevent realisations of unteachable stupidity. "Bartlett for America" "MAGA -Make America Good Again"
Barlet's finest hours, even the ones here, are great because he has so many great characters advising him--when Leo tells him to choose restraint because, as Leo says, "It's what fathers taught us"; or when Toby pushes Barlet to be brave in the face of all the pressures and fight to do the right moral thing; when CJ brings him down to earth or encourages him to be better. Or the subtle but powerful performance of a psychiatrist that Adam Arkin gives. I love this show and have seen the entire series many times.
"... so I'm going to say to the 17 global intellligence agencies listening in that he was kidding just now." Little bits of humorous banter worked into the dialogue is a big part of what makes this show so awesome.
Sheen was contracted for only 5-6 episodes in the 22 episode season. [They thought Rob Lowe would be the big star.) When he knocked the pilot scene out of the park, he was moved to top status.
@@paige7093yup. It was supposed to be about the back of the White House and not the President. Sheen was so amazing that he became the main man and I am glad they did.
I would vote for him. In addition to being a great actor, Martin Sheen is a person who lives his convictions. He is a pacifist (against all war) active in countless nonviolent acts of civil disobedience. He has been arrested 66 times as he stood up against America's aggressive wars and against nuclear power, nuclear weapons testing, our dangerous arms buildup, abuse of farmworkers, Canadian sealclubbing and other causes. He has been asked repeatedly to run for president, but he knows his nonviolence and history of activism would disqualify him
Because in real life men like him make no successful careers in politics, where you have to be a rascal to ascend and get elected. It is a job requirement because of the way States work.
my catholic high school debate teacher, headmaster, religion teacher, and priest gave me a signed photo of Martin Sheen as the President for graduation. he honestly might've been my best friend. we fought like hell over everything. always makes me think of the "do you have a best friend? is he smarter than you? that's your chief of staff" speech Jed gives Sam. he died at 50 a few years ago. rest in peace.
Bartlett is not perfect, has a temper, has doubts (e.g. "feckless thug"); all this makes him and the whole thing so credible and relatable. Loved it the first time, loving the TH-cam algorithm throwing more my way. I guess like many here I wish there were more world leaders with the depth and intelligence given to this character. Brilliiant.
That first scene, which was literally Sheen's first scene in the series, was the scene setter for his character. Guess I'll watch West Wing again for the eighth time.
From @5:00 thru 9:56 is an amazing piece of writing and acting. I was glued to my chair when I saw that air on TV. Sometimes I wish we had THAT president in office.
I recollect the first time I saw This West Wing, as a serial on television with commercial interruption, fabulous...then I borrowed the series from the public library and it was a completely different show... stupendous... the peterman...
I watched the series on TV and as a birthday gift my wife bought me the complete series on DVD, one of the material things I wish I'd brought with me rather than put it in storage when we were evicted. This lack is made worse when none of the TV companies I can afford have the series available.
I have loved this series since it was first on tv. But it breaks my heart now. I want America to be great, we in the world need a measured sane America with sane, measured people in the driving seat. If you don’t blow it in November, then maybe I can watch this series again be greatful that there is good in America and that for once, good triumphed. How would Jed Bartlett had dealt with MTG, Matt Gaetz and the other barking mad individuals that are making America small and ordinary. Step up and be Jed Bartlett.
It's a great bit of writing and dialogue delivery when Sheen is telling Tomlin it's a cash poker game and they don't play for matchsticks. She whips out a formidable clip of cash and in the middle of a sentence he changes subject and hits her up for a loan, while his facial features show his shock at what his secretary had in her pocket. That's well done.
As you could expect with political savvy of the US, years ago a survey (forget detail) shows about 20 percent of US believed Bartlett was the actual President
It's ridiculous to think that beef wouldn't bounce back. The ag industries would suffer, and maybe some restaurants would close. Once Americans were convinced that the crisis was over, they would go back to eating beef. It would be bad, but not as bad as Bartlett and Leo paint it out to be.
From the time that this show started until it went off the air I enjoyed EVERY minute of it ! This is without a doubt My favorite tv show of ALL time.Followed by MASH and All in the Family,not necessarily in that order !
@@janetkriegl6720 Don't get me wrong, I know who Karl Malden is and I've seen him in a lot - it's just that for some reason, that's what comes to mind. And of COURSE I've seen more commericals. So have you. Commercials outnumber the programs they sponsor, and they're flung in your face every 10-15 minutes, the very same ads over and over. If you watch teevee today, you'll see the same ad five or six times per one-hour program. It's pretty much why I don't watch a lot of teevee any more.
Bartlett needed the approval of republicans for the replacement. That's why he ended up with Russel, who was pretty mediocre. In the story, republicans wanted a weak VP who they could beat in the next election. But we all know it didn't work 😆
Some Americans say they miss the clarity and unity of a country a peace with itself and the world that Presdent Bartlett served. I don't know that such a place and time ever existed. But I do notice that it was once possible to speak of Cuban people fleeing poverty and oppression with something like admiration. Albeit that the words were spoken by actor in a fictional Presidency, they were surely scripted with some anticipation that this would be popular; would not drive the show's ratings down. Whereas now one of the candidates for US President is openly claiming that those living in America who fled from poverty and criminal persecution in Haiti steal their nelighbours pet cats and dogs in order to eat them. And he does so repeatedly, even after he has been warned that his words result in violence from some Americans toward the relevant populaton. And he shows no fear that this might be bad for his poll ratings. Not fictional Cubans but real live Haitians. examine these two pictures .,, they are not the same. Make the world real again a Brit
Nice compilation but it's too bad you left out the "Okay" that Oliver Babish says right after smashing the dictaphone. It's such a brilliant, understated and perfectly-delivered line!
From Longmen’s Dictionary of Contemporary English the finest hour means ”a time when someone is very successful, brave etc.” It doesn’t necessarily have to be an entire hour!
The use of the expression as a title, as is the case here or with the episode of “M*A*S*H” (“Our Finest Hour”, which, in fact, is the hour-long sequel to “The Interview”), is meant as a play on words.
And I deciphered Fitz's cryptic message to the President. At 22:20, Fitz mentions that the eagle faces the arrows during war and the olive branch in peacetime. Fitz basically was saying Nancy (NSA) is the olive branch, and he's the arrow. The person at the end of the situation table is directly opposite the President (Eagle), is the tone on the Hill. My political savvy is finally honing in on the frequency. 🤓
That's what is called a radical interpretation. Actually before 1945 the seal had the eagle facing left toward the arrows. In 1945 Truman modified the seal so it faced the other way. The press release said: "In the new Coat of Arms, Seal and Flag, the Eagle not only faces to its right - the direction of honor - but also toward the olive branches of peace which it holds in its right talon". The eagle doesn't switch directions, that was just a little myth Sorkin stuck in.
@@mattgilson1405 In short, what I was saying is that in episodes where the president was sitting straight across from Nancy or Fitz in the Situation Room, is determining which the eagle is looking at; the olive branch or arrows.
@@seanmcmurphy4744Yes, it’s a long-standing myth. However, it’s meant to convey whether the United States is in peacetime or wartime. So, in that regard, it’s a myth with a practical purpose.
Looks like Jed Bartlet is going to be my President for another 4 years…time to get the boxed set. Just in case we get down to generators & dvd players. I’ll keep it with the MASH collection. 😅
God, I love West Wing. There’s no denying that it is porn for us liberals. I mean, an intelligent, deliberative and empathetic person in charge; I get tears every time.
Especially when the real president was Clinton when he was at his most contemptible. I, a Republican, also loved The West Wing, President Bartlet, and Leo McGarry. Aaron Sorkin started out a great writer, even of characters with whom he disagreed.
The situation room scene around 9 mins is great, but technically inaccurate. The Chairman of the Joint chiefs, whilst being the highest ranked uninformed member of the US military, isn't in the chain of command. The president would give the order to the Secretary of Defence, who would then pass the order down to the appropriate commander in the field.
My understanding is that during Gulf War 1 General Colin Powell relayed orders from President Bush 41 or SecDef directly to General Schwarzkopf in the field. Admiral Fitzwallace is doing the same thing.
@@RiminiVirage Superior officers can always pass orders directly to subordinates, right down to the lowliest recruits. No body will even blink if an Admiral or General gives a direct order to a low ranking enlisted man. The CoC is biased that way and gives the higher ranks that privilege. The bias works against lower ranks, and for good reason, If you're going to submit a request, you damned well better go up the chain IN ORDER, from your immediate supervisor, to HIS superior, to THAT man's superior, and so on. You skip even ONE, and the wrath of God wlll quickly descend upon you - and likely from EVERYONE in the CoC above you. In any case, in the situation depicted, the Secretary of Defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs were both in the room, and very evidently following the orders of the President, who is in fact the highest rung on the CoC. NO issues at all with the validity of the orders or how they were passed along. If the senior officials were not present, the President would give orders via the established chain.
Of course, there are those devout, self-professed “Christians” who have rejected Christ in favor of Trump as their new “messiah”. Then again, their consciences strike them when they inadvertently do something good and just, such as ‘loving their neighbors as themselves’.
Martin Sheen is one of our best actors of the past 60 years. Somehow he flies under the radar when people have this conversation. But he played a great President and was completely believable. He played a closeted gay man who comes out in his 70’s, and was also completely believable and lovable. He can do comedy and tragedy and drama.
Thank you Martin Sheen!
"Somehow he flies under the radar..."
"That wasn't a crack about my height?"
"No....yeah it was..."
Martin Sheen is fabulous. The whole cast is great. The script is fabulous. Especially in the Sorkin years. The production is extraordinary.
It makes me think I'm going to watch the whole thing all over again. Best tv show EVER !
There isn't a single moment of the entire seven seasons that aren't the pinnacle, the very zenith of absolutely outstanding television. The West Wing should be held as the benchmark of excellence in character-driven drama. It is 'lightning in a bottle' and highly unlikely to ever be surpassed. I'm so happy I was there to see it the first time around. But repeat viewings only cement its greatness in my mind.
I dunno about that. Literally everything after S4....
@@Shamino1 for a more subtle expansion on your point... Season 5 was choppy. But I thought they found their new voice in Seasons 6 and 7.
I agree.
But 'Six Feet Under' was pretty damn close.
Newsroom is pretty outstanding
@@Cynthiatomaski-s4b Six Feet Under was up and down, but the last episode lives in my soul and I've only ever seen it once.
I loved this program. I wish we really had a President Bartlett.
We have a President Joe Biden and he's doing a phenomenal job. He's passed the baton to Karma-law Harris, so we will still be in great hands. Dump "trumpf."
Sadly characters like Barrllett rarely make it to the top
We ended up with President Shartlett. It's tragic.
Always loved President Bartlet's 'disproportional response' dialogue. Every inch of you screams to agree with him, but deep down you know it's the wrong thing to do. Such tremendous acting.
His anger was palpable. It made for a very emotional scene.
only thing that grates on me is his completely different reaction to a British passenger plane getting shot down
@LordInter "why is a British life worth less to me than an American life"
"I don't know sir, but it is"
It struck me as amusing that they went here, when you put it in the context of this scene from The American President - where Martin Sheen's AJ is advising a retaliatory strike is a proportional response to Michael Douglas' Andrew Shepard: th-cam.com/video/9De2fNw3Q-w/w-d-xo.html
I am a brit, and I would love the whole world to led by the Jed Bartlet of each nation. I feel the world would somehow leap forward a great distance, in peace.
As an American, I'd love that as well!
@@amandanilles8038 - 75 million Americans and a few Russian bots just voted for a guy who is about as far away from the merits and ideals of Jed Bartlet as the world will ever see.
The funny thing is you look at what Bartlett actually accomplished for a two term president, and it truly wasn't that impressive.
@@preachizzleAha, but the show didn't cover every minute of every day did it. The easy successes would have been boring tv.
Jed Bartlett's introduction in this series still sits in my brain nearly 30 years after I first saw the pilot episode. I hit 35 next month, so that says something.
It debuted 25 yrs ago
😊9999😊99😊9😊😅9😅😅9😊😊9😊@@charlesrussek7118
@@charlesrussek7118 hence the word NEARLY
I got Jimmy Carter at roughly the same age. Having a decent man of genuine (and therefore flawed and human) faith modeling advanced citizenship can dig a deep groove in a kid's brain. For the first time in a long time I have hope to see one decent human pass the baton to another decent human. 🤞🙏🕯️
Thanks for spelling the President’s name correctly… 🙂 … I think I read somewhere that Sorkin used the name Bartlet in a tip of the hat to Joshua Bartlett, the first signer of Declaration of Independence after John Hancock’s, who wrote (transcribed) the first (and only) copy of the Declaration. I believe I’m right about this.. I could be wrong. That’s worth $.02 as far as I know.
The scene with the priest telling the story of the man by the river occurred to me when we were in the middle of covid. That is some amazing television.
It always brings me to the Leo speech about a man in a hole to Josh in Noel.
I'm an Atheist and love that story.
The man by the river thing... it's a rather popular joke. An old one, but a good one.
I watched this series when it first aired, and I've watched the entire series more times than I can remember. When I watch it, I feel as if I'm actually in the White House watching policy being developed. Martin Sheen was brilliant, and the entire cast kept me glued to each word. The writing was incredible and intelligent. To say thank you for this show seems so inadequate, but thank you with all my heart!
I absoluting agree with ALL that you said, this is by far my Absolute favorite show ever, and no matter how many times I've watched it, I still go back and watch it again, I too felt as though I was a part of the staff.
I watched this after the last show & then binged on it with my wife. We loved it, the characters, the action & dialogue. Maybe it's time to re-binge on it.
The whole show sparkled!
@@hersheyknight6841 - The show is the single best example of character development in the history of television. There are a few other great shows (The Wire, Sopranos, etc) that come close but The West Wing made the characters so real, so deep, it is nothing but incredible.
Bartlett is the absolute best President we never had.
Beat me to it!
I dream of one like him in office.
@@siddmic It's basically why I don't want to vote right now. There is no Bartlett on the 2024 ticket. Or 2020. Or 2016.
And Alan Alda made some good points, against Jimmy Smitts. I think the bottom line is, at least in our country, the two party system works, when the the norms are adhered to.
@@elizabethnobody6591
The two party system doesn’t work. They know they’re the only two real options so they continue to put up worse and worse options for us to pick from because they know they don’t have to worry about anyone else. Even the Primaries, were given a bunch of losers and the person they really want in office.
I have lost count of the number of times I have watched that first scene and yet Bartlett's last 2/3 lines still give me goosebumps.
This first scene is outstanding. Martin Sheen is such a presence, it feels like the President is actually walking through the scene and everyone is struck dumb instead of actors hitting their cues
It amazes me how watching the West Wing always calms me 😊
It makes me sad for a time that never was.
Whenever we watch this show, I always feel a strong urge to stand up as the theme music begins.
👍👍👍
Jed Bartlett was the president we still imagined was realistic.
Now we shudder at the truth and mourn
Decency, intellect and education, moral strength and moral courage.
Now it's bonespurs and lawsuits to hide his grades to prevent realisations of unteachable stupidity.
"Bartlett for America" "MAGA -Make America Good Again"
I teared up during the Joe Quincy scene. RIP Matthew Perry.
That boy could act.
Barlet's finest hours, even the ones here, are great because he has so many great characters advising him--when Leo tells him to choose restraint because, as Leo says, "It's what fathers taught us"; or when Toby pushes Barlet to be brave in the face of all the pressures and fight to do the right moral thing; when CJ brings him down to earth or encourages him to be better. Or the subtle but powerful performance of a psychiatrist that Adam Arkin gives. I love this show and have seen the entire series many times.
"... so I'm going to say to the 17 global intellligence agencies listening in that he was kidding just now."
Little bits of humorous banter worked into the dialogue is a big part of what makes this show so awesome.
Love this line
@@segoleneginibre859 18 if you count the another kind of space shuttle.
I loved this show. Aaron Sorkin is so brilliant and the actors are too.
Sheen was contracted for only 5-6 episodes in the 22 episode season. [They thought Rob Lowe would be the big star.) When he knocked the pilot scene out of the park, he was moved to top status.
Wow had no idea
@@paige7093yup. It was supposed to be about the back of the White House and not the President. Sheen was so amazing that he became the main man and I am glad they did.
why cant we live in a world where Jed Barlet is POTUS
I would vote for him. In addition to being a great actor, Martin Sheen is a person who lives his convictions. He is a pacifist (against all war) active in countless nonviolent acts of civil disobedience. He has been arrested 66 times as he stood up against America's aggressive wars and against nuclear power, nuclear weapons testing, our dangerous arms buildup, abuse of farmworkers, Canadian sealclubbing and other causes. He has been asked repeatedly to run for president, but he knows his nonviolence and history of activism would disqualify him
From your lips to GODS ears
Because in real life men like him make no successful careers in politics, where you have to be a rascal to ascend and get elected. It is a job requirement because of the way States work.
You mean a fictional world
I do. 😂
Easily the best written, acted and well rounded show there ever will be
WoW !!! I thought I was the only one who thought that ;0)
@@hersheyknight6841You thought you were the ONLY one? You think you're unique in your thinking?🤯
I put it alongside MASH.
@@elimb6071It was a positive figure of speech.
@ vastly different shows but yes mash was a great show. Still is.
my catholic high school debate teacher, headmaster, religion teacher, and priest gave me a signed photo of Martin Sheen as the President for graduation. he honestly might've been my best friend. we fought like hell over everything. always makes me think of the "do you have a best friend? is he smarter than you? that's your chief of staff" speech Jed gives Sam. he died at 50 a few years ago. rest in peace.
And wouldn't it be great if the West Wing got a reboot with Sam Seaborn as President, fulfilling Bartlett's faith in him.
Please reboot The West Wing, America needs it!
I fear the moment has passed.
Although I would have loved to see Matt Santos for eight years. With Arnie Vinick heading up Foggy Bottom.
Without this cast it would be something else..... but not this good. 💙🇺🇸💙
Bartlett is not perfect, has a temper, has doubts (e.g. "feckless thug"); all this makes him and the whole thing so credible and relatable. Loved it the first time, loving the TH-cam algorithm throwing more my way. I guess like many here I wish there were more world leaders with the depth and intelligence given to this character. Brilliiant.
Best first entrance of a character EVER! "I am the Lord your God."
There is NOTHING on television, network or cable, that is like this program.
That is a shame.
There is nothing like this program in Washington either. That's the real shame.
part 2 is presumably only 1 minute and 2 seconds long
The hour was so fine it wasn’t even an hour
Well said, sir. Well said. @@batters5110
😂 ok, that was funny!
But one hell of a minute!
One of the best shows...EVER!!
That first scene, which was literally Sheen's first scene in the series, was the scene setter for his character. Guess I'll watch West Wing again for the eighth time.
Wish I could watch this moments for the first time again.. Martin sheen. ❤
Michael Douglais said it when Martin was his chief of staff... "This job is all about character".
I don't think I could pick a better actor for Fitzwallace.
watching the day after we all found out he's been gone since August 😞
From @5:00 thru 9:56 is an amazing piece of writing and acting. I was glued to my chair when I saw that air on TV. Sometimes I wish we had THAT president in office.
One of the best damn shows ever made. Illuminating, fascinating; easy to forget this is fiction.
I felt this show was the one series that reminded people of just how good the entire cast is.
Best tv series ever written!!
"To the 7 different intelligence agencies that are listening; he was kidding!"
LOL. Classic Leo. RIP!
The score for this series is just ❤
I just noticed that Bartlet starts and ends the series using a cane.
I only wish our next president was half as good as this man.
Fitzwallace was a real one.
Amazing actors, acting, stories and writing!
So much for making my bedtime tonight! 😆
Saves me digging in to my complete DVD set for a bit. 👍
Babish smashing the tape recorder makes me laugh every time without fail
I recollect the first time I saw This West Wing, as a serial on television with commercial interruption, fabulous...then I borrowed the series from the public library and it was a completely different show... stupendous... the peterman...
I watched the series on TV and as a birthday gift my wife bought me the complete series on DVD, one of the material things I wish I'd brought with me rather than put it in storage when we were evicted. This lack is made worse when none of the TV companies I can afford have the series available.
I have loved this series since it was first on tv. But it breaks my heart now. I want America to be great, we in the world need a measured sane America with sane, measured people in the driving seat. If you don’t blow it in November, then maybe I can watch this series again be greatful that there is good in America and that for once, good triumphed. How would Jed Bartlett had dealt with MTG, Matt Gaetz and the other barking mad individuals that are making America small and ordinary. Step up and be Jed Bartlett.
How I miss this show.
Martin Sheen is of course brilliant in this - as are all the cast. But Matt Perry was really great - I so so wish his character could have stayed.
It's a great bit of writing and dialogue delivery when Sheen is telling Tomlin it's a cash poker game and they don't play for matchsticks. She whips out a formidable clip of cash and in the middle of a sentence he changes subject and hits her up for a loan, while his facial features show his shock at what his secretary had in her pocket. That's well done.
The finest tv drama series ever.
"Find it NOW." Man, if that glare were weaponized, Mary Marsh would be a smudge on the couch.
You can so easily see a President Bartlet for real!
As you could expect with political savvy of the US, years ago a survey (forget detail) shows about 20 percent of US believed Bartlett was the actual President
The mad cow discussion...to tell the people or not...hits a little differently post COVID.
They certainly had fudged that one, Mr.T or not… everyone drown from the inadequacy. There ain't no Churchill or Mother Theresa during that.
It's ridiculous to think that beef wouldn't bounce back. The ag industries would suffer, and maybe some restaurants would close. Once Americans were convinced that the crisis was over, they would go back to eating beef. It would be bad, but not as bad as Bartlett and Leo paint it out to be.
@@bsb1975 Beef is that big of a deal in the US, especially for exports
Best show. Best President.
season 1 was something special man
Yes it was!! I was the Sound Mixer for the pilot and 1st season. Not a day went by that we weren't in awe of what we were apart of.
Love Jed Bartlet! 👍🏾
Loved the show.
The moment i saw Trumpy running, i knew he wasnt able to do the job and i thought he was a thief. Sadly an terrible understatement.
"and half of it you don't even get"
Boy was that true
From the time that this show started until it went off the air I enjoyed EVERY minute of it ! This is without a doubt My favorite tv show of ALL time.Followed by MASH and All in the Family,not necessarily in that order !
"He has a better office than I do."
"That matters less to me."
Karl Malden as the priest was powerful 😢
Pretty sure it was his last acting role as well
What's in YOUR wallet? Sorry, every time i hear that name, that's what my brain flashes to.
Small role brilliantly acted
@@xaenon You've possibly watched a kajillion more tv commercials than quality programming. THAT is one ANCIENT commercial!
@@janetkriegl6720 Don't get me wrong, I know who Karl Malden is and I've seen him in a lot - it's just that for some reason, that's what comes to mind.
And of COURSE I've seen more commericals. So have you.
Commercials outnumber the programs they sponsor, and they're flung in your face every 10-15 minutes, the very same ads over and over. If you watch teevee today, you'll see the same ad five or six times per one-hour program. It's pretty much why I don't watch a lot of teevee any more.
Bartlet should have picked Fitzwallace to replace Hoynes.
Bartlett needed the approval of republicans for the replacement. That's why he ended up with Russel, who was pretty mediocre. In the story, republicans wanted a weak VP who they could beat in the next election. But we all know it didn't work 😆
the proportional response speech is some of the best writing (and acting) to ever grace a TV screen, bar nothing.
Bartlett and Fitz were a great team.
Remember when we could go to bed not worrying about what a narcissistic madman would say or do while we were sleeping?
Certainly before William Jefferson Clinton was inaugurated.
@@Egilhelmson I was talking about trump. Clinton was a great president.
I never knew that the great Karl Malden was on "The West Wing"!
The Bible he used in the scene was the same one from On the Waterfront!
Some Americans say they miss the clarity and unity of a country a peace with itself and the world that Presdent Bartlett served.
I don't know that such a place and time ever existed. But I do notice that it was once possible to speak of Cuban people fleeing poverty and oppression with something like admiration. Albeit that the words were spoken by actor in a fictional Presidency, they were surely scripted with some anticipation that this would be popular; would not drive the show's ratings down.
Whereas now one of the candidates for US President is openly claiming that those living in America who fled from poverty and criminal persecution in Haiti steal their nelighbours pet cats and dogs in order to eat them. And he does so repeatedly, even after he has been warned that his words result in violence from some Americans toward the relevant populaton. And he shows no fear that this might be bad for his poll ratings.
Not fictional Cubans but real live Haitians.
examine these two pictures .,, they are not the same.
Make the world real again
a Brit
Nice compilation but it's too bad you left out the "Okay" that Oliver Babish says right after smashing the dictaphone. It's such a brilliant, understated and perfectly-delivered line!
From Longmen’s Dictionary of Contemporary English the finest hour means ”a time when someone is very successful, brave etc.” It doesn’t necessarily have to be an entire hour!
The use of the expression as a title, as is the case here or with the episode of “M*A*S*H” (“Our Finest Hour”, which, in fact, is the hour-long sequel to “The Interview”), is meant as a play on words.
Fantastic show
I love the man who drowned story but I would say that was one of Bartlet's low moment.
I am not a religious person but this is the best ever movie seen.if religions told the truth they would have more followers.
And I deciphered Fitz's cryptic message to the President. At 22:20, Fitz mentions that the eagle faces the arrows during war and the olive branch in peacetime. Fitz basically was saying Nancy (NSA) is the olive branch, and he's the arrow. The person at the end of the situation table is directly opposite the President (Eagle), is the tone on the Hill. My political savvy is finally honing in on the frequency. 🤓
That's what is called a radical interpretation. Actually before 1945 the seal had the eagle facing left toward the arrows. In 1945 Truman modified the seal so it faced the other way. The press release said: "In the new Coat of Arms, Seal and Flag, the Eagle not only faces to its right - the direction of honor - but also toward the olive branches of peace which it holds in its right talon". The eagle doesn't switch directions, that was just a little myth Sorkin stuck in.
Uhh, idk that the NSA being the "olive branch" meshes that well. If she were the Secretary of State, sure.
@@mattgilson1405 In short, what I was saying is that in episodes where the president was sitting straight across from Nancy or Fitz in the Situation Room, is determining which the eagle is looking at; the olive branch or arrows.
@@seanmcmurphy4744Yes, it’s a long-standing myth. However, it’s meant to convey whether the United States is in peacetime or wartime. So, in that regard, it’s a myth with a practical purpose.
If only more men had the integrity of Jed Bartlet...
If the history of television were written right now, this would be a big part of it.
“Josh walking in the door wasn’t even close.”
If only we had Jed Bartlett as our President
Damn we could use a leader like this now.
Leo in front of Congress is such a baller move scenario!
5:04 “we’re there.” is honestly a chilling sentence.
Coffee cup so small in his hand and most men's. Ah that was the fancy one. The Black mug was properly sized
Looks like Jed Bartlet is going to be my President for another 4 years…time to get the boxed set. Just in case we get down to generators & dvd players. I’ll keep it with the MASH collection. 😅
Since language is important....
The United States of America is a Constitutional Republic.
Hardly a finest hour with such self-righteousness on BOTH sides.
There's something to be said for that. Thanks for saying it.
Talk about a powerful argument for immigration! Thank you for your service President Bartlett! President Harris will take it from here.
That aged badly LOL
God, I love West Wing. There’s no denying that it is porn for us liberals. I mean, an intelligent, deliberative and empathetic person in charge; I get tears every time.
Especially when the real president was Clinton when he was at his most contemptible.
I, a Republican, also loved The West Wing, President Bartlet, and Leo McGarry. Aaron Sorkin started out a great writer, even of characters with whom he disagreed.
Funny how Tim Matheson had a wild time in college 😂
Only in fiction do we get a President like Jed Bartlet. In reality, we get Donald Trump.
: Tim Matheson should've been a much, much bigger star than he was. He's totally an actor's actor. The man can do anything.
The West Wing wasa terrific show
It would be fun to handwrite his name on the ballot. Well, anyway I can dream, can't I?
I love how he and Charlie put on their coats.
LOVED AND LOVE THIS SHOW!!! PERIOD!! Don't care about their real life politics NOW, but while they were actors in THIS show... THEY ALL ROCKED!
This was when it was rare for A list actors like Sheen to star on weekly TV shows but actors kill for an entrance like Bartlet's on the pilot.
The situation room scene around 9 mins is great, but technically inaccurate. The Chairman of the Joint chiefs, whilst being the highest ranked uninformed member of the US military, isn't in the chain of command. The president would give the order to the Secretary of Defence, who would then pass the order down to the appropriate commander in the field.
SecDef is in the room with both the JCS Chairman and POTUS. I think it's safe to say that chain of command is preserved.
My understanding is that during Gulf War 1 General Colin Powell relayed orders from President Bush 41 or SecDef directly to General Schwarzkopf in the field. Admiral Fitzwallace is doing the same thing.
@@RiminiVirage Superior officers can always pass orders directly to subordinates, right down to the lowliest recruits. No body will even blink if an Admiral or General gives a direct order to a low ranking enlisted man. The CoC is biased that way and gives the higher ranks that privilege.
The bias works against lower ranks, and for good reason, If you're going to submit a request, you damned well better go up the chain IN ORDER, from your immediate supervisor, to HIS superior, to THAT man's superior, and so on. You skip even ONE, and the wrath of God wlll quickly descend upon you - and likely from EVERYONE in the CoC above you.
In any case, in the situation depicted, the Secretary of Defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs were both in the room, and very evidently following the orders of the President, who is in fact the highest rung on the CoC. NO issues at all with the validity of the orders or how they were passed along.
If the senior officials were not present, the President would give orders via the established chain.
Did you mean "uniformed"? Uninformed is quite the Freudian slip. Lol
"Not to mention his son, Jesus Christ".
That's gotta be a kick in the guts to a devout Christian. What more do you want from him?
Of course, there are those devout, self-professed “Christians” who have rejected Christ in favor of Trump as their new “messiah”. Then again, their consciences strike them when they inadvertently do something good and just, such as ‘loving their neighbors as themselves’.
@@thomash.schwed3662 I was talking about faith not politics, but okay.
Honor thy Mother and thy Father is the 5th commandment
This is weird....am watching this on Americas bigget election day yet from South Africa. I pray all goes well...
There's no hatred like christian love...