No one writes dialog like Aaron Sorkin. I stopped watching the series after Season 4 when he left the show. He used some excellent song choices throughout the series, too.
"You know, if you don't want to run again I respect that. But if you don't run because you think it's gonna be too hard, or you think you're gonna lose, well, God Jed, I don't even wanna know you."
I started watching the West Wing again about the time the real election was taking place. In my mind their were so many paralells between Santos and Obama winning.
As for this episode I have watched it over and over. It was just on last week on Bravo. I hope Bravo just keeps running them again and again.
Their may never be a show like this again, so enjoy re-runs.
I saw this for the first time last night (am working my way through West Wing DVD box set from the beginning, as I missed it when on TV).
At the beginning of the sequence, I thought "corny". By the end, I thought "one of the best scenes on TV I've scene".
For me, the atmosphere they create is rare and breaktaking. Last time I was as impressed was during the scene in Road to Perdition where Hanks guns down his mentor in the rain, but no shots can be heard, only the music.
Ha! Me too - I bought the entire box set for £50 in the HMV sale last week and I'm working my way through and saw this for the first time last night as well! ^_^
I love everything about this segment, from the song to the way they all walk out of the white house, like a general with his lieutenants behind him. Amazing.
This is one of the best bits of television ever made, the editing, the musical choice, the writing, the choice to have the day be stormy and dark, the back and forth of emotion, exaltation to despair, and then that look of steely resolve. When Aaron Sorkin is on his game, he constantly delivers, and his West Wing team was sorely overlooked in terms of accolades for their work because of the theme of the show. Just phenomenal stuff, here.
I think you're mistaken; it won a lot of awards. In fact I believe it is tied for the most emmy's ever awarded to a show as well as setting a record for the most awards given in its first season.
Only a few more hours and maybe we can have a real president give us inspirational moments like these. I am an Australian and polls here say 87% would vote Obama, if McCain wins it means that the US will have let the world down
I've rewatched it several times and it will always be tearjerking (in a good way). One of the best moments of the WW and yes, I miss the show too. It's good to have the whole series on dvd.
There r 2 times when I cried when I saw a movie or something on TV.
First time was the end of Braveheart , the second time is this.
This is so great. Thank u Aaron Sorkin.
Everything its perfect. The Actor , the music , the camera. And at the end , Im not an american , but the flag at the end is sooooooooooooooooooooooo cool.
This has got to be the best 5 minutes of television drama ever. I've just got goosebumps watching it again. Putting that scene with Mark Knopflers haunting Brothers in Arms was pure genious.I so miss the West Wing and I love and adore Martin Sheen.
The actor playing Altman was my husband, who died in June '07. One of his great thrills was meeting Altman who sought him out after hearing he had a doppelganger. The real Altman didn't know he was being portrayed until a friend mentioned it in passing a few weeks later.
The old guy at 4:46 is a reporter CJ wanted the prez to call on to give him a softball question about something else before he took the "seeking a second term" question
how do you take a season finale and make it captivating, given that every viewer knows that all the principles are coming back for the next year and the president is going to run for reelection. well, if you're Aaron Sorkin or Tommy Schlamme, you just make the best hour ever on television. that ought to make it work.
Earlier in the eposide CJ indicated that there was going to be a medical reporter in the hall. He was going to ask about the President's medical condition. However, the President bypassed that and went for Sandy.
The old man was my husband who did a lot of extra work in the Baltimore/Washington area. He died in June of 07. He didn't know at the time that he had been singled out or had a close-up...and when he found out, he was in extra-heaven. I miss the show, but I miss the medical reporter doppelganger more.
Just an incredible bit of TV..from the writing to the acting to the soundtrack...unparalleled. I get goose bumps watching them all fall in behind him one by one...very moving indeed
niggling detail, but frustrating to me: there are no roads that close to the cathedral, nor is it on the way to anywhere from the white house. I f I didn't know that (I went to school there) than this scene would be totally perfect
There was a drop off after the second series; third series was still excellent; forth was about the same, then series 5, which was awful; 6 and7 were slightly better, but still nowhere as good as the first four seasons
Bartlet was told by CJ to pick him first because he was going to ask a medical question about MS. All the other reporters were going to ask if he was running for re-election, which at the time, everyone thought he wasn't going to. But after his epiphany with the memory of Mrs. Landingham, he decided he was going to run. So he chose someone else deliberately so that he could say he was running again.
C.J. arranged that this reporter asks a question that isn't connected with the MS and decision of running again to ease the charge on it from other reporters.
God I wish Bartlet was really our president... its been said that this is the single greatest hour of television ever made.. strong statement, but I for one agree.
And the "closing the loop" shot of the janitor picking up the cigarette butt off the cathederal floor at the precise moment that the presidents motorcade passes...... brilliant!! (it was the presidents cigarette from earlier in the show) The kind of story detail work you rarely see in television.
I got hooked on this show when it was in its fourth season without ever seeing an episode. My mom had season 1 laying around so i put it in one saturday morning not knowing what to expect and, i say this a very conservative republican, i went to bed late sunday morning after watching all of season 1. I woke up and and bought/watched season 2 and 3. when i got to this scene i was phased after it ended. I didn't snap out of it until it went back to the dvd menu. you dont see this quality often .
Its easily one of the greatest shows ever,period, even though the quality of writing and general story waned off after sorkin left. And although i have my box set and watch frequently i miss the hell out of this show.
I agree...but I'm mad a sorkin for 2 things...First, he left them a HUGE mess with the Zoey kidnapping and leaving...then he changed the winner of the last election because Leo died.......
The season 4 finale was the last episode penned in any fashion by Sorkin. He was not involved in the series in ANY fashion from that point until the finale.
this is so unbelievably good it's allmost silly. when c.j. goes "here now, the president of the united states." there's something about here voice, and the entire situation that's so... goosebumping.
Aaron Sorking is an excellent writer. The very best. Add that to the production crew on the show are the best that has ever been assembled and the timming was perfect. I have never since seen televisiono elicit such emotion from a viewer. This show was Television at its finest.
Have you seen the episode? The Hands in the pockets thing is explained in the episode. it MAKES the vid. Along with Leo McGarry (John Spencer)'s "WATCH THIS!". Aaron Sorkin is a GOD of Television LOL
Martin Sheen shows incredible depth of emotion here without going over the top. Incredible piece of acting work. I am currently in the middle of season 2 and can't wait till I get to the finale.
i showed my friend this scene and didn't really understand it, so i let him watch the whole episode up until this point and then played it....he said it blew his fuckin head away (quote)
I just wanted to add that the Charlie bit with taking of his coat is a breat point. Also the panning shot when they're leaving the West Wing for the press conference is great. Those kind of panning shots encompassing an entire scene or large chunk (like here) are very difficult for both cameramen and actors. This cast and crew make it look easy!!!!
Easliy the best West Wing episode in the entire series. Pres. Bartlet's response at the beginning of season 3 is great as well. When asked if he's seeking a second term he responds "Yup....and I'm gonna win." Such bravado, but well earned.
This is the greatest scene I have ever seen on tv. Seriously sends chills down the spine.
Best part of the scene is when he looks right at the science writer he is supposed to call on and then has the cajones to call on the other woman. Man, I wish we could have a president with that kinda guts...
Perhaps the best 5 minutes of one of the best drama series ever produced. This scene / segment so blew me away when I first saw it tht i had to play this exact sequence back on my Tivo 2 more times. Everything was perfect from the marriage of sound and video to the silent expresnions of everyone's faces as they fall into line as they leave the Wnit House. Maybe one of the best done season-ending shows ever done
One thing I always admired about The West Wing was the way they married the perfect piece of music to what was happening onscreen. Amazing stuff. I miss it.
in a flashback scene earlier in the ep., young Mrs. L. wanted High school Jed to do something. At first Jed says no, Mrs L. smiles because Jed has a "poker tell" that means yes he will do something. Jed puts his hands in his pockets, looks away, & smiles. This vid harkens back to those high school Jed scenes.
The "Then, God Jed. I don't want to know you" & "Give me numbers" which is what he is doing at the begininng of the scene also takes you back to the flashback scened when Jed & Mrs. L first met: She was Jed's Headmaster Dad's secretary when Jed was in High School
The greatest moment in this scene is the subtle action of Charlie. When the President does not take the coat he is offered, Charlie doesn't just set the President's coat down, he takes his own off. Charlie will not allow himself to ever be more comfortable than the President. A small, but brilliantly done moment in this scene of imagery.
u know what the best part of this scene is. u already know he's gonna run for a second term b/c duh, if he didn't not really much of a show left to do bein it was s2.
but the way sorkin and schlamme set up that last scene (ie hands in pockets) with the episode was just pure genius.
I remember the first time I saw this....you know how you just know you're witnessing greatness?? The writing..the setup during the whole hour paid off! Absolutely stunning!
what can i say that hasn't been said? one of the best hours of television ever, and the moment when The West Wing carved out it's place among the best TV shows of all time.
"Two Cathedrals" is probably the most brilliant hour of dramatic television I've ever seen. It beats every other West Wing season finale hands down. "What Kind Of Day Has It Been," "Posse Comitatus" and "Twenty-Five," the finales of season 1, 3 and 4 (respectively) were also very powerful.
"...watch this."
never have those two simple words meant so much.
i get shivers every time i watch this scene.
and the final shot of his profile with the flag waving in the background with the lightning and the SONG was perfect.
*shiver*
quaintlullabies 3 years ago
They say perfection is only assigned to God, but I say this video is as close to perfection as possible.
The sense of loss for Jed,interrupted by his duty for the country, reflected in the music and incredible images, always brings me to tears.
robertdeeble 3 years ago 2
No one writes dialog like Aaron Sorkin. I stopped watching the series after Season 4 when he left the show. He used some excellent song choices throughout the series, too.
bffPaula 3 years ago
Best tv scene ever. What a show
stitch085 3 years ago
"You know, if you don't want to run again I respect that. But if you don't run because you think it's gonna be too hard, or you think you're gonna lose, well, God Jed, I don't even wanna know you."
Well, God Mrs Landingham, you knock my socks off!
nick7913 3 years ago
Totally incredible scene. I love the bit where the Cathedral Janitor picks up Bartletts cigarette end, just as his car is going past.
gimmesometruth33 3 years ago
Anyone know who the guy was that CJ said was front row on the right?
celticlofts 3 years ago
Looks like Hesh from The Sopranos.
cardiffchris 3 years ago
The guy who were going to ask a question regarding to the presidents MS, rather than ask if he were running for reelection like everyone else would
V3h3m3ns 3 years ago
I started watching the West Wing again about the time the real election was taking place. In my mind their were so many paralells between Santos and Obama winning.
As for this episode I have watched it over and over. It was just on last week on Bravo. I hope Bravo just keeps running them again and again.
Their may never be a show like this again, so enjoy re-runs.
Peace
donb010369 3 years ago
After the simpsons , west wing is the best series ever made.
And this episode is the best ever.
arberkusari 3 years ago
This is my favourite TV episode ever.
Pyr0tube 3 years ago 4
This is my favourite episode/scene/music ever.
jackieonassis 3 years ago 4
I saw this for the first time last night (am working my way through West Wing DVD box set from the beginning, as I missed it when on TV).
At the beginning of the sequence, I thought "corny". By the end, I thought "one of the best scenes on TV I've scene".
For me, the atmosphere they create is rare and breaktaking. Last time I was as impressed was during the scene in Road to Perdition where Hanks guns down his mentor in the rain, but no shots can be heard, only the music.
trweaver 3 years ago 3
Ha! Me too - I bought the entire box set for £50 in the HMV sale last week and I'm working my way through and saw this for the first time last night as well! ^_^
TV at its absolute best.
irillion 3 years ago
I love everything about this segment, from the song to the way they all walk out of the white house, like a general with his lieutenants behind him. Amazing.
ForeverWog 3 years ago
everything about this is just amazing. all tv should be like this
orientcharlie 3 years ago
"watch this"
chrissierra13 3 years ago
Best episode of a TV series EVER. The writing, the acting, the music. It just doesn't get old.
my2c 3 years ago
true
supretaco 3 years ago
"Watch this..." BEST MOMENT EVER!
cyrano111 3 years ago
This is one of the best bits of television ever made, the editing, the musical choice, the writing, the choice to have the day be stormy and dark, the back and forth of emotion, exaltation to despair, and then that look of steely resolve. When Aaron Sorkin is on his game, he constantly delivers, and his West Wing team was sorely overlooked in terms of accolades for their work because of the theme of the show. Just phenomenal stuff, here.
thoughtful 3 years ago 4
I think you're mistaken; it won a lot of awards. In fact I believe it is tied for the most emmy's ever awarded to a show as well as setting a record for the most awards given in its first season.
jinkster2 3 years ago
Its tied with most awards won with MASH
timfox329 3 years ago
Watch this!
Kevin3200 3 years ago
This bit, in fact, the whole episode gives me chills.
MongTheMerciless 3 years ago 2
whats the song?
rchlhines3669 3 years ago
Brothers In Arms, by Dire Straits.
rambold85 3 years ago 2
Ranks up there with when Bartlet gives Leo the napkin at the end of "Bartlet For America".
AlecB76 3 years ago
Simply magnificent.
TKO24TKO 3 years ago
The best moment of the series.
borkobc 3 years ago 7
Only a few more hours and maybe we can have a real president give us inspirational moments like these. I am an Australian and polls here say 87% would vote Obama, if McCain wins it means that the US will have let the world down
briwilly79 3 years ago 4
I know its over but it is not out job to please the rest of the world or no let it down. Our government may act like it but It is not.
311herbs 3 years ago
that song always gives me goosebumps. Love it
philmneil 3 years ago
I've rewatched it several times and it will always be tearjerking (in a good way). One of the best moments of the WW and yes, I miss the show too. It's good to have the whole series on dvd.
stevendirk 3 years ago
I get shivers when I watch this scene.
crazedmongoose2003 3 years ago
I completely agree with SGMD84. Best moment in television history. Hands down.
MinorOED 3 years ago 2
This is easily the best television moment EVER, from the best episode of the entire series
wbrown4 3 years ago 7
u are right.Simply excellent.I loved it and i am not even an american.Sometimes tv can make art.
KonstantineTheGreat1 3 years ago 5
I think we'd make great friends....this is EXACTLY what I've been thinking since I first saw this episode. Best moment of television, ever. Period.
SGMD84 3 years ago
I would compare it to the Bartlet speech that was shown in "20 Hours in America" about the bombing at Kennison State University.
Yanksshash 3 years ago
There r 2 times when I cried when I saw a movie or something on TV.
First time was the end of Braveheart , the second time is this.
This is so great. Thank u Aaron Sorkin.
Everything its perfect. The Actor , the music , the camera. And at the end , Im not an american , but the flag at the end is sooooooooooooooooooooooo cool.
arberkusari 3 years ago 2
I agree with niamhdublin. The best tv-show ever and best clip ever and the worlds greatest song brothers in arms.
nybrotobias 3 years ago
This has got to be the best 5 minutes of television drama ever. I've just got goosebumps watching it again. Putting that scene with Mark Knopflers haunting Brothers in Arms was pure genious.I so miss the West Wing and I love and adore Martin Sheen.
niamhdublin 3 years ago 6
God I miss this show so much... Love it!!!
oneillsdm 3 years ago 4
It doesn't happen very often, but once in a while, you watch something on TV, and realize you're watching art.
damnyoustamos 3 years ago 17
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! That's the only word that anyone can use to describe this show, this scene...One of the best tv shows ever!
FccNunes 3 years ago 16
this episode gives me goose bumps ever time i watch it.. it truly is brilliant.. amazing
Ryanger91 3 years ago 8
THAT MAN AT 4:48 IS SO CUTE!!!
hilarykolefanx0x 3 years ago
This might be the best six minutes of television I've ever seen.
scottyboy1928 3 years ago 5
The man at 4:46, in the episode and real life, is Lawrence K. Altman, veteran medical correspondent for the New York Times
revjht 3 years ago
The actor playing Altman was my husband, who died in June '07. One of his great thrills was meeting Altman who sought him out after hearing he had a doppelganger. The real Altman didn't know he was being portrayed until a friend mentioned it in passing a few weeks later.
rbhurwit 3 years ago 5
Thank you for this fascinating note about this great scene -- and condolences on the death of your husband.
revjht 3 years ago
May he rest in peace. I can only hope that watching this clip brings back some fond memories of him
TehCheese 3 years ago
i miss this show
jeretang 3 years ago
agreed...one of the best clips ever.
AnthonyJoeseph 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
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ewaaa 3 years ago
The old guy at 4:46 is a reporter CJ wanted the prez to call on to give him a softball question about something else before he took the "seeking a second term" question
ryeguy812 3 years ago
The "old guy" was my husband, who did a lot of "extra" work in the Baltimore/Washington area. He passed away in June 2007 leaving this legacy.
rbhurwit 3 years ago 6
What an awesome episode on an awesome show. This is brilliant: cuts, lighting, acting. And to top it off, the music. Wonderful!
krupafan 3 years ago 2
how do you take a season finale and make it captivating, given that every viewer knows that all the principles are coming back for the next year and the president is going to run for reelection. well, if you're Aaron Sorkin or Tommy Schlamme, you just make the best hour ever on television. that ought to make it work.
WillBraden 3 years ago 5
whose the old man at 4:46?
PHANTOM1OF1OPERA 3 years ago
Earlier in the eposide CJ indicated that there was going to be a medical reporter in the hall. He was going to ask about the President's medical condition. However, the President bypassed that and went for Sandy.
tmarley2003 3 years ago
The old man was my husband who did a lot of extra work in the Baltimore/Washington area. He died in June of 07. He didn't know at the time that he had been singled out or had a close-up...and when he found out, he was in extra-heaven. I miss the show, but I miss the medical reporter doppelganger more.
rbhurwit 3 years ago 10
mrs landingham was one of the best characters on the show...
she's the only one who gets away with mouthing off to the president
L0rdrexion 3 years ago
well, her and abbey
auntbecky 3 years ago
This makes me wanna learn Latin
stromboliman01 3 years ago
This scene was absolutely amazing!! This scene and the end of the 1st season are my two favourite tv moments ever!
01xGemsx01 3 years ago 2
So I am thinking the cleaning up of the cigarette by the janitor is a metaphor for Jed's sins being cleansed away by God.
wormer1968 3 years ago
If you watch the scene in the church just before this one Jed speaks of his sins and how he is being punished. Josh being shot, Ms.L. etc.
wormer1968 3 years ago
this is my favorite episode, too. the dire straits song was perfect for the context.
baggnz 3 years ago
Oh Pierno you crazy lad. Good work.
jsdwyer 3 years ago
The best epsiode I have EVER seen!!!
MAC8721 3 years ago 2
Just an incredible bit of TV..from the writing to the acting to the soundtrack...unparalleled. I get goose bumps watching them all fall in behind him one by one...very moving indeed
frisch01 3 years ago 4
One of the best EVER. I could watch WW for eons. I only wish we could have a pres like Jed.
whtsnxt 3 years ago
Especially Charlie taking off his raincoat.
ttlms 3 years ago
niggling detail, but frustrating to me: there are no roads that close to the cathedral, nor is it on the way to anywhere from the white house. I f I didn't know that (I went to school there) than this scene would be totally perfect
anonyme8 3 years ago 2
The best moment of the show...ever
A spanish fan
EnderoIF 3 years ago
and thats where they left you for like five months until the fall season started up again....CLUTCH!!
simonright 3 years ago
This episode blew me away and still does. I wish the show had stayed this good.
JFMJJ 3 years ago 6
It did stay this good.
Hartzen123 3 years ago 2
There was a drop off after the second series; third series was still excellent; forth was about the same, then series 5, which was awful; 6 and7 were slightly better, but still nowhere as good as the first four seasons
bouloux29 3 years ago 3
Brothers in Arms, By Dire Straits
hughdawkins 3 years ago
The most powerful piece of televison i have ever seen...
This is an amazing show.
An aussie fan.
gaggster 3 years ago 7
absolute poetry
Jigsawed 3 years ago 2
hea, thats amazing, how did you rip that? or how did you get that upload it?
Flyingace16021 4 years ago
One of my favourite scenes!
lillamysko 4 years ago 2
Charlie really looks like his father Martin :)
thomsund 4 years ago
This song also is so perfect for this scene..
clebo99 4 years ago 2
what song is playing and who wrote it or rather who performed it
FOULMOODMCBOO 4 years ago
I'd like to know it too.
One of great scenes in the series.
Is there any news about new seasons?
FirstPro1 4 years ago
Dire Straits "Brothers at Arms"
clebo99 4 years ago
Mark Knopfler, lead singer and songwriter of Dire Straits, is perhaps the greatest guitarist in the world today.
GGUBoss 4 years ago 2
You're absolutely right
titfor2tats 3 years ago
thanks for posting this
What's the significance of the old guy in the front?
k042491 4 years ago
Bartlet was told by CJ to pick him first because he was going to ask a medical question about MS. All the other reporters were going to ask if he was running for re-election, which at the time, everyone thought he wasn't going to. But after his epiphany with the memory of Mrs. Landingham, he decided he was going to run. So he chose someone else deliberately so that he could say he was running again.
skudplayr 4 years ago 4
C.J. arranged that this reporter asks a question that isn't connected with the MS and decision of running again to ease the charge on it from other reporters.
FirstPro1 4 years ago
when he puts his hands in his pocket that means he will be president again
graceisaloser 4 years ago
this is the best fucking show ever
graceisaloser 4 years ago
MAGIC! Shivers all over! I'm speechless about this geniuses at work! All my respect to the whole crew.
GinLin76 4 years ago
God I wish Bartlet was really our president... its been said that this is the single greatest hour of television ever made.. strong statement, but I for one agree.
moony2082 4 years ago 3
MOONY2082 (20, Canada):
> I wish Bartlet was really our president
President of Canada?
HKLivingston 4 years ago
Heh, I live in the US now.
moony2082 4 years ago
And the "closing the loop" shot of the janitor picking up the cigarette butt off the cathederal floor at the precise moment that the presidents motorcade passes...... brilliant!! (it was the presidents cigarette from earlier in the show) The kind of story detail work you rarely see in television.
calzephyr56 4 years ago 4
I got hooked on this show when it was in its fourth season without ever seeing an episode. My mom had season 1 laying around so i put it in one saturday morning not knowing what to expect and, i say this a very conservative republican, i went to bed late sunday morning after watching all of season 1. I woke up and and bought/watched season 2 and 3. when i got to this scene i was phased after it ended. I didn't snap out of it until it went back to the dvd menu. you dont see this quality often .
dashleyj 4 years ago
Its easily one of the greatest shows ever,period, even though the quality of writing and general story waned off after sorkin left. And although i have my box set and watch frequently i miss the hell out of this show.
dashleyj 4 years ago
I agree...but I'm mad a sorkin for 2 things...First, he left them a HUGE mess with the Zoey kidnapping and leaving...then he changed the winner of the last election because Leo died.......
clebo99 4 years ago
Sorkin did nothing of the kind.
The season 4 finale was the last episode penned in any fashion by Sorkin. He was not involved in the series in ANY fashion from that point until the finale.
prometheus59650 4 years ago 3
this is so unbelievably good it's allmost silly. when c.j. goes "here now, the president of the united states." there's something about here voice, and the entire situation that's so... goosebumping.
forsland27 4 years ago
greatest episode of any show ever
chandy
chandy141 4 years ago 4
absolute poetry
Jigsawed 4 years ago 3
Maybe one of the best pieces of tv made ever.
hellomarc01 4 years ago 4
Line after this vid ends: "Yeah....And I'm gonna win!".....and he does!!!!! I LOVE JOSIAH BARTLET!
ScotchyMcDewars1979 4 years ago
Aaron Sorking is an excellent writer. The very best. Add that to the production crew on the show are the best that has ever been assembled and the timming was perfect. I have never since seen televisiono elicit such emotion from a viewer. This show was Television at its finest.
omarty 4 years ago
Gods this was one the best shows of all time.
memoryanddream 4 years ago
Wow. Still gives me goosebumps after all these years. Amazing scene.
dstrauss 4 years ago 13
inexplicably done
kieun11 4 years ago
the greatest moment and the greatest scene in all seven series of West Wing!
paulritchie67 4 years ago 2
'kin chills.
Applemask 4 years ago
My favorite moment on film. Period.
mrspandex3 4 years ago
Best scene ever.
Nintendo2k 4 years ago
Probably one of my favorite if not one of the best pieces of Television you ever see.
The pacing, acting,direction and score.
And Leo "watch this" I will never forget watching this for the first time and still well up seeing it again now.
Perfect television from a series that although had its peaks and troughs was consistently better than anything else on.
Fantastic
aviduser4880 4 years ago 4
and still better than anything on television today. i had forgotten how good television could be until i saw this clip again. wow. just wow.
yellowrocket 4 years ago
Amen to that, yellow. God, I love that small smirk on his face - always has me chuckling.
LiquorMeUp 4 years ago
Have you seen the episode? The Hands in the pockets thing is explained in the episode. it MAKES the vid. Along with Leo McGarry (John Spencer)'s "WATCH THIS!". Aaron Sorkin is a GOD of Television LOL
ScotchyMcDewars1979 4 years ago
you can see the explanation in 'young bartlet makes up his mind'
theyak47 4 years ago
Great choice of song too. 'Brothers in Arms' by Dire Straits ... accompanies the scene perfectly.
rambro2001 4 years ago
Martin Sheen shows incredible depth of emotion here without going over the top. Incredible piece of acting work. I am currently in the middle of season 2 and can't wait till I get to the finale.
lylelovett11 4 years ago 2
i showed my friend this scene and didn't really understand it, so i let him watch the whole episode up until this point and then played it....he said it blew his fuckin head away (quote)
tommybluenose 4 years ago
Arguably the greatest TV show in recent years.
This one scene is enough to make me buy the whole collection.
DirAlbino 4 years ago 3
I just wanted to add that the Charlie bit with taking of his coat is a breat point. Also the panning shot when they're leaving the West Wing for the press conference is great. Those kind of panning shots encompassing an entire scene or large chunk (like here) are very difficult for both cameramen and actors. This cast and crew make it look easy!!!!
chrisnminn 4 years ago 4
Easliy the best West Wing episode in the entire series. Pres. Bartlet's response at the beginning of season 3 is great as well. When asked if he's seeking a second term he responds "Yup....and I'm gonna win." Such bravado, but well earned.
chrisnminn 4 years ago 2
Damn I miss this show!
dlbarch 4 years ago
This is the greatest scene I have ever seen on tv. Seriously sends chills down the spine.
Best part of the scene is when he looks right at the science writer he is supposed to call on and then has the cajones to call on the other woman. Man, I wish we could have a president with that kinda guts...
theglovesd 4 years ago 4
I do too....
foxh8er 4 years ago
Perhaps the best 5 minutes of one of the best drama series ever produced. This scene / segment so blew me away when I first saw it tht i had to play this exact sequence back on my Tivo 2 more times. Everything was perfect from the marriage of sound and video to the silent expresnions of everyone's faces as they fall into line as they leave the Wnit House. Maybe one of the best done season-ending shows ever done
steev4444 4 years ago 3
this was the first episode i ever saw. it got me hooked.
Lahela12 4 years ago
definitely the best piece of tv ive ever watched.
fantastic storyline building up to it.
mattmcm84 4 years ago
the music is perfect.
jshanahan1133 4 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
HUGE cock
casecola 4 years ago
so fucking badass
mmace91 4 years ago 2
One thing I always admired about The West Wing was the way they married the perfect piece of music to what was happening onscreen. Amazing stuff. I miss it.
MelbourneBoy76 4 years ago 13
Amazing show, and this has to be one of the best scenes in the entire shows history. Thanks for uploading.
TheBritishWatcher 4 years ago 4
could somebody please explain the significance of this scene?
k042491 4 years ago
in a flashback scene earlier in the ep., young Mrs. L. wanted High school Jed to do something. At first Jed says no, Mrs L. smiles because Jed has a "poker tell" that means yes he will do something. Jed puts his hands in his pockets, looks away, & smiles. This vid harkens back to those high school Jed scenes.
Manolo0528 4 years ago 2
The "Then, God Jed. I don't want to know you" & "Give me numbers" which is what he is doing at the begininng of the scene also takes you back to the flashback scened when Jed & Mrs. L first met: She was Jed's Headmaster Dad's secretary when Jed was in High School
Manolo0528 4 years ago 3
I'm the same as you guys.
Without doubt the best moment of The West Wing and I'd go so far as to say my fave all time tv moment.
The part that really gets me is Leo sayin to Toby "watch this". Genius.
moothafooka 4 years ago 5
The greatest moment in this scene is the subtle action of Charlie. When the President does not take the coat he is offered, Charlie doesn't just set the President's coat down, he takes his own off. Charlie will not allow himself to ever be more comfortable than the President. A small, but brilliantly done moment in this scene of imagery.
travlinmatt 4 years ago 6
Not just "more comfortable" because he's the president, but because he's practically like Charlie's father by this point. My favorite moment as well.
RMSpuhler 4 years ago 2
It's totally a moment of solidarity. "Fuck it, if he's not wearing a coat, neither am I."
damnyoustamos 4 years ago 2
I love this show. The best part is at the end. You see the American Flag blowing the back round.
seldon452 4 years ago 3
This really is the West Wing at its best. Awesome stuff and there's no song better suited to the moment.
jollygreenjeep 4 years ago 3
I've thought about it often but this has defenitely got to be the finest piece of television ever made.
Tomcuk 4 years ago 7
Best scene in a tv series ever, bar none!!
jack493 4 years ago 3
Yes but watch the spooks counter surveillance scene, it's very clever.
Tony63efc 4 years ago
u know what the best part of this scene is. u already know he's gonna run for a second term b/c duh, if he didn't not really much of a show left to do bein it was s2.
but the way sorkin and schlamme set up that last scene (ie hands in pockets) with the episode was just pure genius.
daddiorc 4 years ago
oh man, the hands goin in the pockets gets me every time!!
daddiorc 4 years ago 7
to this day still the best scene in west wing history.
this shows sorkin's and schlamme's genius.
daddiorc 4 years ago 3
This clip really proves how much of a great team Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme are.
Campe79 4 years ago 4
I love this scene. The whole episode was great in fact. I love when the President cusses out God.
I'd have started this cut from the point where the door flies open, though, and he yells for Mrs. Landingham
LostInNC06 4 years ago 2
I always get goosebumps whenever I see this scene!!
TnTalways 4 years ago 2
me2 well sed
inkmanuk 4 years ago
I remember the first time I saw this....you know how you just know you're witnessing greatness?? The writing..the setup during the whole hour paid off! Absolutely stunning!
drdiecutter 4 years ago
Pure Class
zinzanzut 4 years ago
Quite simply THE best episode of a tv show ever. Best ending ever als, thanks very much for posting this!!
sircliff05 4 years ago
what can i say that hasn't been said? one of the best hours of television ever, and the moment when The West Wing carved out it's place among the best TV shows of all time.
thedchen89 4 years ago 3
I wish you would post the diatribe that Jed does in the Cathedral before this scene
slwagoner1 4 years ago
"You get Hoynes !!". Amazing scene!!
steev4444 4 years ago
"You get Hoynes!!" Great scene also>
steev4444 4 years ago
"Two Cathedrals" is probably the most brilliant hour of dramatic television I've ever seen. It beats every other West Wing season finale hands down. "What Kind Of Day Has It Been," "Posse Comitatus" and "Twenty-Five," the finales of season 1, 3 and 4 (respectively) were also very powerful.
Technosquid 4 years ago 5