I still remember the first time I saw this scene...watched the show in real time in college, and that night several friends and I gathered to watch. The entire episode was moving, and we cried plenty. No one breathed from the moment President Bartlet stepped into the rain until the screen went black, and no one spoke for long moments afterward. Everything about the last 5 minutes of this ep was flawless. Though not a true cliffhanger, it still left us breathless. Absolutely beautiful.
"The West Wing" with its original writer(s), cast, and crew was lightning in a bottle. It was the perfect blend of everything. They tried to replicate it with the next administration (Jimmy Smits and fellow cast members) following Bartlet's but it just couldn't compare, though it would've been entertaining to watch anyway.
Battlestar Galactica was an above average show but so obviously weak in terms of internal consistency, really weak arcs and the ending half season. But like West Wing, when it peaked it was really up there.
Also anybody trying to bring 24 and Boston Legal onto the level of The West Wing (let alone The Wire) is surely kidding.
I'm from Italy, and I've seen West Wing so many times both into original voices (fantastic) and into Italian. The series is with no doubt a masterpiece, and nowadays I don't see any others so well done,cared, exciting, so full of real details, and capable to drow your love and attention towards actors, their lives, their stories, thier rules at so high levels. I've to say that its success in Italy is also due to the fantastic Italian voices of the characters, above all in the first 4 seasons...
Ah, to live in this fantasy world - instead of reality where the system is about to come crashing down, because the greedy don't care about how many they hurt. Remember this as we climb back out of the hole: There must be a Greed Cap for humanity to have a chance.
I been a fan of the West Wing for years. It inspires me..I have watched all 7 seasons once a year for 4 years now and I always prayed I could have such a cognitive, rational, honest good hearted man like Bartlett as our President. Now I realize we can. Ron Paul cured my apathy for politics. Everytime the MSM treats him like trash because their livelihood is connected to our tax dollars I remember Jed and know believe good men do not have to be election only in fiction.
An unforgetable Tuesday night in Melbourne, Australia. This poignant episode of the West Wing being interupted by news of planes flying into buildings in the U.S. All this confusion with Knopflers extraordinary playing as the soundtrack.
Thank you @PSBSMR , @Arsenal1501 and everyone else - looks like I better go make a start on The Wire, The Sopranos and 24 :) @NewDadLayne you're right, Excelsis Deo was truly superb, plus I thought John Spencer's acting (and Sorkin's writing, of course) in Bartlet for America was second to none
p.s. and this is a great song in it's own right - no matter what else happens, it's always a good day when they play Dire Straits on the radio
I'm pretty sure just after this episode in Sydney, Australia the first news reports came in that some idiot had flown a plane into the Word trade centre.
Watched this video probably 20 times; seen the episode probably at least that many. Still gives me goosebumps when everybody stands up; he just revealed he's been concealing a disease for years, that he deceived the public. Yet he's still the President and you stand when he enters the room. The most remarkable thing is, I think , that if that had happened IRL, the same cinematography would have occurred. The press would still stand when he entered the room. That is America folks.
My first reaction when seeing this was just. God, is this real life?
From the scene at the church to the smirk at the end, this is undoubtedly one of the best episodes on television. Ever.
The ending, the fucking ending!
All soaked in rain, asking the reporter to repeat a question he already knows. He looks around the room. Not a word is said but as he puts his hands inside his pockets, it speaks louder than any word can. To cap it off, he smirks the way only he can as the screen fades to black.
@benvolio85 Hopefully Obama himself is turning to these clips as well for some inspiration. We need to give him a 2nd term. A disappointing friend is better than anyone of the nutjob republicans.
Every so often I find myself typing "West Wing Returns" into google in the faint hope that this brilliant, brilliant show might be brought back. Probably too late to do it at this stage but........
Looking forward to "more as the story develops"...just hope that HBO let it do just that.
I miss this show so much. I used to watch it every week with my friends, and I swear this episode is one of the best if not THE best episodes ever put on television EVER. Such a powerful and amazing show.
one of my favorite scenes, with one of my favorite songs...I like how he looked at the reporter with the softball question and almost shook him off and jumped back into the fight
I love so many things about this scene, but mostly I love how Charlie mimics the president... "The President does not wear a coat so I wont war a coat"... That is so kick ass... And no,I am not a democrat either...
one of the best scenes in the whole series. with the possible exception of Leo's funeral/ death scene. miss this programme, maybe they could bring it back at the end of Santo's run with Josh still chief of staff :)
i just finished season 2, i love how this incredible scene came out of nowhere... the whole thing was giving me goosebumps, it was both sad and happy... leo's line watch this was so powerful... just unbelievable, I'm sorry if i don't make any sense just lost for words at the moment...
Utter perfection. I'm new to The West Wing - I attempted to watch it aged 8 when it first aired but got confused pretty quickly. Now I'm buying up each season systematically on iTunes and they can't download quickly enough! My only problem is this: now that I've seen perfection, where do I go from here?
@ForeverInDresses The Wire. It's the only other tv show i've seen that can come close to matching the quality of The West Wing, in a completely different way though.
@ForeverInDresses I'm with you on that, watched the 2nd season in just 1 day.... I'm lapping this programme up massively, hopefully my season 3 comes today or the morning. @kaffekj01 I've heard good things about the wire, i'll be buying that today to keep me tied over for the west wing 3 to arrive!
You don't. I imagine that this is trying to be satisfied after your first taste of smack. I guess we should be glad that the end of West Wing didn't cause years of recovery.....
@ForeverInDresses I agree this series (and this episode) is pretty perfect and it's hard to find a match
1 series I would recommend is 24 which has a political storyline & won the emmy for bestdramaseries
24 vs TWW:
1) 24 has an thriller side & the violence isn't ambiguous like it is on TWW
2) The West Wing is based on Hypotheticals (eg: there's an episode where there's the danger of a breakout of mad cow & it ends up being just a hypothetical discussion) but on 24 things actually happen.
@Ares99999 I love the west wing. It ranks (IMHO) along with Seinfeld and 24 as the best tv series ever made. I would never try to compare them. I've tried and I've ended up punching myself. TWW has flaws. 24 has flaws. Seinfeld has flaws. But they're all great in their own way.
I agree 24 has sometimes lost quality due to violence but I also think The West Wing shouldn't make it SOOOO ambiguous. Season 1, 3, 4 and 5 finales all contained small pieces of violence and there was no problem.
@ForeverInDresses You can watch Boston Legal which I thought at times reached a similar excellence. But nothing on television probably can ever get close to The West Wing.
@ForeverInDresses Well that's a great question because this could possibly be the greatest moment in the entire West Wing series. I've seen all episodes of every season and I can't think of one scene that rivals this one!
My all-time favourite TV show with one of my all time favourite songs. I have a little tear in my eye even as I type this. So poignant. Perfectly played.
It goes from getting chills and maintaining them for the better part of five minutes, and then getting tears in my eyes every single time he puts his hands in his pockets. Damn television show.
Honestly I saw this again yesterday and I honestly believe this is one of the greatest scenes and episodes for that matter I have ever seen. Everything about this scene is perfect, the music, the video, the acting, script, lighting ... perfect. The episode is also perfect.
Whilst this clip is highlights the best moment in television history, the clip by itself doesn't do the entire episode justice. As the culmination of the event's leading up to it (the funeral and Barlett's latin tirade against God, his flashbacks with Miss Landingham, and his hallunication in the Oval Office with Landingham), it was one of the finest pieces of work ever put on television.
@TomMoitie I totally agree. It's everything that leads up to it that makes this scene powerful. This show was nothing short of amazing. The writing was brilliant, the finest I might add. I hated to see this show end. Thank God for DVD's.
This was a season ending episode. A cliff hanger. Actually if you all watch the full episode there are many hints to the end and it really isn't a cliff hanger. One is in a flashback scene. One is kind of obvious, no I take that back it is obvious in this scene. Another is in a scene before this clip which has to do with what I said about an obvious hint in this scene. It is not when he puts his hands in his pockets. Think about it.
@AurynThePaladin Make me! LOL Come on make me go away! I bet you cant make me. I bet you cant! I bet you! I bet you. Come on make me. LOL Eat a cock bitch.
i'm french. I know the serie "the west wing" since 2001 july. It's forever the best serie i've never known.
Wonderful writing, actoring, also incredibly the best thing we've ever haved for the television.
And this piece of the serie: when the secretary appears to Bartlett and convinces him to seek another turn, and after with the music: about what does jed bartlett been guessing during these 5 minutes? the fascination h'es getting and moves on his men, toby, sam, josh.... and for the finish:
Watched the second series last night (fifth time) and these moments never fail to make your eyes water. Absolutely, without any doubt whatsoever, the very best television program made...EVER!
I love how Charlie takes off his raincoat as well. 'If the President isn't wearing one, then I'm not either.' Just a great subtlety to show the dedication and affection that Charlie had for Bartlet. This show did everything right.
Love this show so much, but the one critique I have is that I wish he would have thrown out the "Yeah...and I'm going to win" at the end of the episode. I think it would have been really effective. I mean, it's not like it was a cliffhanger. Everyone knew he was going to win just based on the fact that it wasn't the final season.
As awesome as this scene was, one little detail has always driven me crazy. There is NO WAY the President of the US would appear in public with rain water dripping from his hair and face. He never gets close to a camera without walking through a group of people who look at every facet of his appearance to make sure nothing's out of place. I appreciate the drama of this scene and wanting to preserve the intensity of emotion, but this just strays pretty far from reality.
I was a WW fan when it was on in prime time, I own the DVD's, and I've seen this episode I-don't-even-know-how-many times. And I still get chills. Truly, one of the best shows ever on television.
There have been many comments about this being a cliff hanger. If you watch this episode and pay attention through out it right up to the end there are many hints as to President Bartlet's actions in this scene. I haven't seen this in a while as Bravo doesn't show West Wing anymore and I don't have the set on DVD at this time. But, when I think about this episode the hints are there.
This is probably the best single episode of the the whole series. Their ability of combining music against high drama is not matched previously and certainly not since this series aired. Same for when Agent Sunshine died, wow.
The 14 people who didn't like this either have a much different idea of what making moving scenes, or they need to see Ainsley Hayes' explanation to her friends about why she became a WH lawyer.
2 great series have came out of America in the last 12 years The Sopranos & The West wing. Great writing & great casting. Martin Sheen one of the worlds greatest actors & activist....
@robg71 Along with The West Wing and The Sopranos, there's also The Wire (edges them both for me), Battlestar Galactica (great series too) and Breaking Bad (still being broadcast). I've said it elsewhere, but they make up my top 5
The one thing that never rang true for me with the West Wing was the press conferences. Surely real life White House ones are more dignified than 40 people in a room yelling the press sec's name over and over?
@wishfulbeginnings You really need to watch the whole episode and if you have never watched the show watch ther first and second seasons of the show. This is the season finale of season 2 so then you will understand more.
Flat out one of the finest moments ever broadcast. Perfectly chosen music. Insanely high production values. John Spencer's "Watch this" at 4'40", the hands in the pockets and the Bartlett grin. If only our real leaders, in either party, had the moral courage or the intellect of a Josiah Bartlett or a Matt Santos or an Arnie Vinick
@attycyclist You're talking about a director instructing an actor to put his hands in his pockets and smile. If you think that this has anything to do with real moral courage or intellect, you're too simple to be trusted with a vote. It's FICTION. The world is whatever the writer pretends it is. It means nothing if the writer is a fool -- and that's exactly what most of these writers are.
It has the power to move your emotions. Be an adult and learn to master them.
@philWynk I think attycyclist was making two points. The hands in his pockets and smiling is with regards to the insanely high production values of not only this finale, but also of The West Wing in general. When he continues on to talk about moral courage and intellect, he's talking about Bartlet and Santos and Vinick. Give some credit to people - it's pretty obvious that the hands-in-pockets is merely a stage direction, and no one is idiotic enough to propose to vote for someone due to that.
@flamefrombeyond Give me similar credit. My point was that the entire image of Jed Bartlett's integrity is the creation of fiction writers and skilled directors -- with only incidental relation to reality.
No one's that idiotic? Sure they are. A large % of the voting population gets fooled by crafted, emotional images every election cycle. That's why the outcome of candidate debates turns on mere sound bites. That's why funding for campaign ads is so critical. That's why attack ads work.
@attycyclist.......You do realize that this was a television show written by a professional writer on a scrip that probably went through dozens of re-writes, don't you? Yes we can only wish our leaders could be like the characters on screen, but lets face it. They aren't and never will be.
@attycyclist not only the Bartlett grin,but im not sure if uve realized it or not,but the American Flag's flapping just to the right of his face as he grins ;)
The quality of this sequence and the character development that led to it was a masterpiece. You can watch it as a newbie and be moved but the style. However if you watched it as a fan, this was a confluence of many story arcs.
@worldwidedownload CJ, the press secretary who was talking to the press right before Bartlet walked in, had one of the reporters ask him a question about how the nature of his MS is at the moment. she set this up because everybody else would be asking the question that the reporter did end up asking. watch the full episode online or something and it'll make you value the last 20 seconds so much more
Received the boxset for Christmas having never watched it when it aired. A primetime TV show that doesn't insult viewers but actually inspires them in its writing and its depth. In the era of Simon Cowell, this is just a jewel.
@justinseiko What the hell does being a Canadian have to do with it? You think Corner Gas has something better? You can't take this scene out of context; the entire episode, and the entire first few seasons of this show are the best things that I've ever seen on television.
@AceTracer Yeah, I agree. I'm a Canadian too, and I don't understand what that has to do with this particular scene. This series was beautifully written, masterfully acted, and brilliantly directed.
One of the greatest things I've ever seen on T.V. The fact that there is so little dialogue between the Senior Staff just adds to the intensity. And it is a credit to their acting ability. Plus the song choice was amazing!
Unreal. Can't count the number of times i've watched this episode. Brings tears to my eyes every time. I absolutely love all the main characters, they are so perfectly cast. Such a funny, intelligent, touching show, there;s really nothing else like it
This scene sends a chill down my spine every time, it's just so...awesome.
When I first saw this episode, after it cut to black, I just sat there, and realised that I'd just seen the only ever cliff hanger to make me genuinely worry about the result.
I still remember the first time I saw this scene...watched the show in real time in college, and that night several friends and I gathered to watch. The entire episode was moving, and we cried plenty. No one breathed from the moment President Bartlet stepped into the rain until the screen went black, and no one spoke for long moments afterward. Everything about the last 5 minutes of this ep was flawless. Though not a true cliffhanger, it still left us breathless. Absolutely beautiful.
briakitchens 1 day ago
"The West Wing" with its original writer(s), cast, and crew was lightning in a bottle. It was the perfect blend of everything. They tried to replicate it with the next administration (Jimmy Smits and fellow cast members) following Bartlet's but it just couldn't compare, though it would've been entertaining to watch anyway.
Ovrkyl 1 day ago
Battlestar Galactica was an above average show but so obviously weak in terms of internal consistency, really weak arcs and the ending half season. But like West Wing, when it peaked it was really up there.
Also anybody trying to bring 24 and Boston Legal onto the level of The West Wing (let alone The Wire) is surely kidding.
crazedmongoose03 1 week ago
I'm from Italy, and I've seen West Wing so many times both into original voices (fantastic) and into Italian. The series is with no doubt a masterpiece, and nowadays I don't see any others so well done,cared, exciting, so full of real details, and capable to drow your love and attention towards actors, their lives, their stories, thier rules at so high levels. I've to say that its success in Italy is also due to the fantastic Italian voices of the characters, above all in the first 4 seasons...
Dylanyo75 1 week ago
Ah, to live in this fantasy world - instead of reality where the system is about to come crashing down, because the greedy don't care about how many they hurt. Remember this as we climb back out of the hole: There must be a Greed Cap for humanity to have a chance.
gogledoessuck 1 week ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I been a fan of the West Wing for years. It inspires me..I have watched all 7 seasons once a year for 4 years now and I always prayed I could have such a cognitive, rational, honest good hearted man like Bartlett as our President. Now I realize we can. Ron Paul cured my apathy for politics. Everytime the MSM treats him like trash because their livelihood is connected to our tax dollars I remember Jed and know believe good men do not have to be election only in fiction.
Ron Paul 2012.
JohnnyMac2237 3 weeks ago
The lightning effects are a bit ridiculous.
TheBongoFrenzy 3 weeks ago
The President won't wear his coat so Charlie takes off his own. One of the greatest buddy relationships in TV history.
crimdell 1 month ago 5
@crimdell Only Trobed can come close in 2011...
foxh8er 1 month ago
Look close. The best frame of all is the very last one. The President looking resolute. The American flag. The lightning. Cut.
ryantrask 1 month ago 2
Aaron Sorkin and Martin Sheen raising the bar on the televisual arts with this episode.
johngalt23g 1 month ago 2
The nod that C.J.'s assistant gives as the president arrives....perfect.
mikedavis00 1 month ago 2
@mikedavis00 actually, they (the real folks) do that all the time.
histre101 1 month ago
They say The Wire is the greatest TV series of all time.
Personally, I disagree.
NickTremayne 2 months ago 2
@NickTremayne The Wire is undoubtedly overall the greatest TV series of all time. Probably followed closely by Deadwood.
But The West Wing at it's peak (which I consider this episode to be one of) is unparalleled.
It's just that The West Wing had obviously very weak streaks (notably when Sorkin left)
crazedmongoose03 1 week ago
An unforgetable Tuesday night in Melbourne, Australia. This poignant episode of the West Wing being interupted by news of planes flying into buildings in the U.S. All this confusion with Knopflers extraordinary playing as the soundtrack.
PartyBoy0274 2 months ago
If the president doesn't wear a coat why are the others - Charlie's got the idea!
throbbylovegusset 2 months ago
This was the best hour I've ever watched in television. Period.
VesuvioBR 2 months ago 4
Thank you @PSBSMR , @Arsenal1501 and everyone else - looks like I better go make a start on The Wire, The Sopranos and 24 :) @NewDadLayne you're right, Excelsis Deo was truly superb, plus I thought John Spencer's acting (and Sorkin's writing, of course) in Bartlet for America was second to none
p.s. and this is a great song in it's own right - no matter what else happens, it's always a good day when they play Dire Straits on the radio
ForeverInDresses 2 months ago
that gives me the creeps
crossgod17 2 months ago
It's all downhill I'm afraid. Unless you start over.
PedroStephano 2 months ago
@ForeverInDresses: The episode Excelsis Deo is the only episode equal to this one.
NewDadLayne 2 months ago
I'm pretty sure just after this episode in Sydney, Australia the first news reports came in that some idiot had flown a plane into the Word trade centre.
hanscombe72 2 months ago
Best Show Ever!
scifiwithacupoftea 2 months ago
Watched this video probably 20 times; seen the episode probably at least that many. Still gives me goosebumps when everybody stands up; he just revealed he's been concealing a disease for years, that he deceived the public. Yet he's still the President and you stand when he enters the room. The most remarkable thing is, I think , that if that had happened IRL, the same cinematography would have occurred. The press would still stand when he entered the room. That is America folks.
pierrelongshanks 3 months ago 4
My first reaction when seeing this was just. God, is this real life?
From the scene at the church to the smirk at the end, this is undoubtedly one of the best episodes on television. Ever.
The ending, the fucking ending!
All soaked in rain, asking the reporter to repeat a question he already knows. He looks around the room. Not a word is said but as he puts his hands inside his pockets, it speaks louder than any word can. To cap it off, he smirks the way only he can as the screen fades to black.
justforlescomments 3 months ago 15
The more Obama continues to disappoint me, the more I turn to TWW clips on youtube.
benvolio85 3 months ago 2
@benvolio85 Hopefully Obama himself is turning to these clips as well for some inspiration. We need to give him a 2nd term. A disappointing friend is better than anyone of the nutjob republicans.
Saebeck32 3 months ago
what is the song playing???
01lduff1 3 months ago
@01lduff1
Surprise: "Brothers in arms" Dire Straits. You've probably worked it out by now.
davidmorrison1955 3 months ago
The first 2 seasons of this show were the some of the best television EVER!
yankee2479 3 months ago 3
Unreal, the only five minutes of tv that has captivated me more than this is the last five minutes of The Sopranos. Unbelievable
niallmaccaleer 4 months ago 2
Still arguably the single greatest episode in the history of television.
Erdrick68 4 months ago 3
Every so often I find myself typing "West Wing Returns" into google in the faint hope that this brilliant, brilliant show might be brought back. Probably too late to do it at this stage but........
Looking forward to "more as the story develops"...just hope that HBO let it do just that.
Kpower81 4 months ago 2
If only it were real !!
44whf 4 months ago
I miss this show so much. I used to watch it every week with my friends, and I swear this episode is one of the best if not THE best episodes ever put on television EVER. Such a powerful and amazing show.
reallybadeggs 4 months ago
You already decided...you put your hands in your pockets, you looked away. And you smiled.
babytweeze85 4 months ago 6
Like to see Prez Obama watch this scene. Fight the good fight!
ndmclain 4 months ago
@ndmclain Obama is not in the same league as this fictional character, no politician in real life is, they all have their own motives...
AusPolitico 4 months ago
Saw this gif'd on tumblr - amazing song to put to this moment!
stacybones29 4 months ago
one of my favorite scenes, with one of my favorite songs...I like how he looked at the reporter with the softball question and almost shook him off and jumped back into the fight
altstu2 4 months ago
I love so many things about this scene, but mostly I love how Charlie mimics the president... "The President does not wear a coat so I wont war a coat"... That is so kick ass... And no,I am not a democrat either...
TheCphforever 4 months ago
One of fictional television's best moments ever. I do wish British politics could inspire moments like this. Where did the days of Churchill go?
JCaithness 5 months ago
one of the best scenes in the whole series. with the possible exception of Leo's funeral/ death scene. miss this programme, maybe they could bring it back at the end of Santo's run with Josh still chief of staff :)
c14ppy 5 months ago
gets me everytime, and im not even american.
MrDuckieone 5 months ago 4
as my father said about this scene as he handed season 2 back to me; "absolutely f**king brilliant"
lane0065 5 months ago 2
i just finished season 2, i love how this incredible scene came out of nowhere... the whole thing was giving me goosebumps, it was both sad and happy... leo's line watch this was so powerful... just unbelievable, I'm sorry if i don't make any sense just lost for words at the moment...
AgentMrX7 5 months ago
Outstanding. Fantastic. Amazing. Best TV clip I've seen for a long time, if not ever.
Watch this....
Skommen 5 months ago
Best network TV show ever. Period.
OSUalum41 5 months ago
"I'm sorry, Sandy, there was a bit of noise there, could you repeat the question?" Bad. Ass.
B4Bandana 5 months ago 4
Best 5 minutes in TV....ever.
jennyinjapan 5 months ago 4
Leo's ''watch this'' is spine-tingling
45pjones 5 months ago 2
I will never be able to divorce this song from this moment. Fucking awesome.
ckel29 6 months ago
fab song. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
alastarter 6 months ago
I love that Charlie takes his own raincoat off.
skirby7521 6 months ago 4
@skirby7521 Man i never caught that! and i watch this like everyday haha Right On
benvanop 5 months ago
Utter perfection. I'm new to The West Wing - I attempted to watch it aged 8 when it first aired but got confused pretty quickly. Now I'm buying up each season systematically on iTunes and they can't download quickly enough! My only problem is this: now that I've seen perfection, where do I go from here?
ForeverInDresses 6 months ago 63
@ForeverInDresses The Wire. It's the only other tv show i've seen that can come close to matching the quality of The West Wing, in a completely different way though.
KaffeKJ01 6 months ago
@ForeverInDresses I'm with you on that, watched the 2nd season in just 1 day.... I'm lapping this programme up massively, hopefully my season 3 comes today or the morning. @kaffekj01 I've heard good things about the wire, i'll be buying that today to keep me tied over for the west wing 3 to arrive!
73kudos 5 months ago
@ForeverInDresses
You don't. I imagine that this is trying to be satisfied after your first taste of smack. I guess we should be glad that the end of West Wing didn't cause years of recovery.....
scmang3 4 months ago
@ForeverInDresses Nowhere but down. They don't make shows like this anymore.
yankee2479 3 months ago
@ForeverInDresses The wire
Arsenal1501 3 months ago in playlist Arsenal1501's favorites
@ForeverInDresses I agree this series (and this episode) is pretty perfect and it's hard to find a match
1 series I would recommend is 24 which has a political storyline & won the emmy for bestdramaseries
24 vs TWW:
1) 24 has an thriller side & the violence isn't ambiguous like it is on TWW
2) The West Wing is based on Hypotheticals (eg: there's an episode where there's the danger of a breakout of mad cow & it ends up being just a hypothetical discussion) but on 24 things actually happen.
PSBSMR 2 months ago
@PSBSMR 24 is also repetitive and has is sometimes too loose with violence.
Hey, if you're going out of your way to say how 24 is BETTER than TWW, I'll say how its NOT.
This is a TWW thread, not a 24 thread.
Ares99999 2 months ago
@Ares99999 I love the west wing. It ranks (IMHO) along with Seinfeld and 24 as the best tv series ever made. I would never try to compare them. I've tried and I've ended up punching myself. TWW has flaws. 24 has flaws. Seinfeld has flaws. But they're all great in their own way.
I agree 24 has sometimes lost quality due to violence but I also think The West Wing shouldn't make it SOOOO ambiguous. Season 1, 3, 4 and 5 finales all contained small pieces of violence and there was no problem.
PSBSMR 2 months ago
@ForeverInDresses welcome to the club, we had jackets made.
tolkkiturilli 2 months ago
@ForeverInDresses You can watch Boston Legal which I thought at times reached a similar excellence. But nothing on television probably can ever get close to The West Wing.
snigsbeats 2 months ago
@ForeverInDresses Well that's a great question because this could possibly be the greatest moment in the entire West Wing series. I've seen all episodes of every season and I can't think of one scene that rivals this one!
rtthree3 2 months ago
@ForeverInDresses Only one direction for good scripting and excellent dialogue... Battlestar Galactica!
ChaseWilliams 2 months ago
@ForeverInDresses Indeed, you can't beat this show, it doesn't happen, not even Doctor Who...
Endilbiach 1 month ago
@ForeverInDresses Wait two years, star over.
GoFeri 3 weeks ago
@GoFeri... I've watched the entire series 7 times now...
parappa 3 weeks ago
@ForeverInDresses When the series ended, I literally went through withdrawals. There was nothing...NOTHING on TV or cable that could compare.
Ovrkyl 1 day ago
My all-time favourite TV show with one of my all time favourite songs. I have a little tear in my eye even as I type this. So poignant. Perfectly played.
gibbom73 6 months ago
'Please, I can only answer fourteen or fifteen questions at a time.'
Amongst all the phenomenal, emotional acting and sombre music, Sorkin still finds space for a witty one-liner. The guy's a genius.
Skelex20 6 months ago
tv at its finest
staffa93 6 months ago
Most powerful scene I have ever seen. Ever.
CALIFORNIAHARDCORE 6 months ago 6
one of the best endings to any tv show ever
TheTurksMusic 6 months ago
It goes from getting chills and maintaining them for the better part of five minutes, and then getting tears in my eyes every single time he puts his hands in his pockets. Damn television show.
DoctorJansen 6 months ago 4
@DoctorJansen Man. Me too sir. Me too...
RandyVRuffin 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
i think its brilliant.
alastarter 6 months ago
John Hoynes disliked this 14 times
GrahamW1010 7 months ago 107
Season Two of the West Wing is a masterpiece in it self. Not to mention this scene being one of the greatest moments in TV history.
JustinTinaFey 7 months ago 4
Honestly I saw this again yesterday and I honestly believe this is one of the greatest scenes and episodes for that matter I have ever seen. Everything about this scene is perfect, the music, the video, the acting, script, lighting ... perfect. The episode is also perfect.
tdrider2008 7 months ago
Just watched the end of season 2.. If only all world leaders were like Sheen..
Can't wait to start watching the next 5 seasons! :)
josepheuan09 7 months ago
Whilst this clip is highlights the best moment in television history, the clip by itself doesn't do the entire episode justice. As the culmination of the event's leading up to it (the funeral and Barlett's latin tirade against God, his flashbacks with Miss Landingham, and his hallunication in the Oval Office with Landingham), it was one of the finest pieces of work ever put on television.
TomMoitie 7 months ago 5
@TomMoitie I totally agree. It's everything that leads up to it that makes this scene powerful. This show was nothing short of amazing. The writing was brilliant, the finest I might add. I hated to see this show end. Thank God for DVD's.
lifesaver72 7 months ago
"...Yeah, and I'm gonna win."
jamesthemod 7 months ago
This was a season ending episode. A cliff hanger. Actually if you all watch the full episode there are many hints to the end and it really isn't a cliff hanger. One is in a flashback scene. One is kind of obvious, no I take that back it is obvious in this scene. Another is in a scene before this clip which has to do with what I said about an obvious hint in this scene. It is not when he puts his hands in his pockets. Think about it.
faceprecious 8 months ago
Without doubt the best five minutes of TV ever created.
JasmineLilyChandler 8 months ago 2
Do you think that Sorkin wrote this knowing that this music would be used? The scene just wouldn't be the same without this song.
crimdell 8 months ago 4
The President refuses to wear a coat, so Charlie takes his off.
crimdell 8 months ago
Toby for president!!!!
throbbylovegusset 8 months ago
Which episode shows him getting his head blown off?
gsxrbuckeye 8 months ago
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AurynThePaladin 8 months ago
@AurynThePaladin Make me! LOL Come on make me go away! I bet you cant make me. I bet you cant! I bet you! I bet you. Come on make me. LOL Eat a cock bitch.
gsxrbuckeye 8 months ago
Comment removed
AurynThePaladin 8 months ago
@AurynThePaladin First of all kid, there is no such thing as an Ex Marine. Secondly, how are you even typing with a throat full of cock???? Amazing.
gsxrbuckeye 8 months ago
for the finish, the great, dignified, proud, loyal leo who perfectly knows the president and says "Watch this !!!".
This is absolutely fantastic !
piouxe32 8 months ago
i'm french. I know the serie "the west wing" since 2001 july. It's forever the best serie i've never known.
Wonderful writing, actoring, also incredibly the best thing we've ever haved for the television.
And this piece of the serie: when the secretary appears to Bartlett and convinces him to seek another turn, and after with the music: about what does jed bartlett been guessing during these 5 minutes? the fascination h'es getting and moves on his men, toby, sam, josh.... and for the finish:
piouxe32 8 months ago
Perfect!.
Watched the second series last night (fifth time) and these moments never fail to make your eyes water. Absolutely, without any doubt whatsoever, the very best television program made...EVER!
Well done to all!
RudeBhoy21 8 months ago
You have to wonder if this particular segment of TV will ever be bettered.
MrJtl73 8 months ago
@MrJtl73 Nope...... because it is perfect
Devsk1 7 months ago
I love how Charlie takes off his raincoat as well. 'If the President isn't wearing one, then I'm not either.' Just a great subtlety to show the dedication and affection that Charlie had for Bartlet. This show did everything right.
clmetsfan 8 months ago 4
Love this show so much, but the one critique I have is that I wish he would have thrown out the "Yeah...and I'm going to win" at the end of the episode. I think it would have been really effective. I mean, it's not like it was a cliffhanger. Everyone knew he was going to win just based on the fact that it wasn't the final season.
jct329 8 months ago
i am still in awe of this scene. no matter how many times i watch it.
Mithnoviel 8 months ago
Magical - A once in a generation TV moment.
TheSmithDorian 8 months ago 5
I loved this whole sequence and scenes.
nascarkraz 9 months ago
there were 8 people in the room when this came on...total silence.
internet123ism 9 months ago 2
best show ever on tv bar none
TheBlade126 9 months ago
I love the look on President Bartlett's face at 2:46 as the motorcade passes the cathedral.
klamath632 9 months ago
As awesome as this scene was, one little detail has always driven me crazy. There is NO WAY the President of the US would appear in public with rain water dripping from his hair and face. He never gets close to a camera without walking through a group of people who look at every facet of his appearance to make sure nothing's out of place. I appreciate the drama of this scene and wanting to preserve the intensity of emotion, but this just strays pretty far from reality.
Rasha5377 9 months ago
I was a WW fan when it was on in prime time, I own the DVD's, and I've seen this episode I-don't-even-know-how-many times. And I still get chills. Truly, one of the best shows ever on television.
sparkster2 9 months ago
Ive just seen this episode for the first time. One of the best things I've ever seen. Mind-blowing.
narvinek 9 months ago
I gotta be honest, I stole these DVDs off a mate and really wondered what all the fuss was about...
Until I got to this.
HuDaFuK 9 months ago
Please I can only answer 14 or 15 questions at once....
emmyjo720 9 months ago
I'm Biritish. I watch this and I want to be American! I've got series 5 and 6 coming - can't wait for the postman!!!!!
throbbylovegusset 9 months ago
i swear this version sounds slightly different, the sound quality and contrast is better
DisgruntledBastard01 9 months ago
Charlie takes off his coat. And that right there is why Charlie is awesome.
bananiepie 9 months ago 5
bravo
ballerz61 9 months ago
he reminds me of Donald Trump.
ThomasAChang 9 months ago
This is the highpoint of all television. It doesn't get better than this.
tilnej 9 months ago 2
The way Leo says, "Watch this," just perfectly delivered. Flawless television.
RTLasVegas 9 months ago 3
This show must have cost an absolute bomb to make!
Worth every cent of course!
gtrmagic 10 months ago
@gtrmagic Six million an episode.
lizzysparrow123 9 months ago
Martin Sheen is unbelievable
arsenalgoonerable 10 months ago
There have been many comments about this being a cliff hanger. If you watch this episode and pay attention through out it right up to the end there are many hints as to President Bartlet's actions in this scene. I haven't seen this in a while as Bravo doesn't show West Wing anymore and I don't have the set on DVD at this time. But, when I think about this episode the hints are there.
faceprecious 10 months ago 2
@faceprecious Absolutely, if you know what to look for you know exactly what he's going to say.
HuDaFuK 9 months ago
this gives me goosebumps every time i watch it. so well done.
friendsfreak8518 10 months ago 3
Just fucking brilliant!!! No matter how many times I watch, it's always amazing. The best hour of television I've ever seen.
Oceandreams313 10 months ago 5
Just fucking brilliant!!! No matter how many times I watch, it's always amazing. The best hour of television I've ever seen.
Oceandreams313 10 months ago
I saw this episode for the first time the other day. Chills ran through my body, this was perfect.
princessnessie 10 months ago
This is probably the best single episode of the the whole series. Their ability of combining music against high drama is not matched previously and certainly not since this series aired. Same for when Agent Sunshine died, wow.
HarshawJ 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Such a fantastic series, such a great song. Yeh, it's a bit corny but it's brilliant.
throbasonic1982 10 months ago
Such a fantastic series, such a great song. Yeh, it's a bit corny but it's brilliant.
throbasonic1982 10 months ago
For the first time watching this, I noticed that Charlie doesn't wear a coat when he sees the President doesn't wear his.
Turcaill 10 months ago 3
Sounds slightly pitched.
DogSwede1 10 months ago
The 14 people who didn't like this either have a much different idea of what making moving scenes, or they need to see Ainsley Hayes' explanation to her friends about why she became a WH lawyer.
SNight322 10 months ago 3
2 great series have came out of America in the last 12 years The Sopranos & The West wing. Great writing & great casting. Martin Sheen one of the worlds greatest actors & activist....
robg71 10 months ago
@robg71 Along with The West Wing and The Sopranos, there's also The Wire (edges them both for me), Battlestar Galactica (great series too) and Breaking Bad (still being broadcast). I've said it elsewhere, but they make up my top 5
tfn105 6 months ago
I agree entirely. This few minutes is the gold standard of the show that was also the gold standard in television.
pauldehav 10 months ago
This scene is just total perfection
anglopaulr 10 months ago 4
"Watch this."
RobinGal2010 10 months ago 18
The one thing that never rang true for me with the West Wing was the press conferences. Surely real life White House ones are more dignified than 40 people in a room yelling the press sec's name over and over?
MongTheMerciless 11 months ago
Even after 20 odd views of this, it still has the same impact! Mighty!!
GDon047 11 months ago 3
@wishfulbeginnings You really need to watch the whole episode and if you have never watched the show watch ther first and second seasons of the show. This is the season finale of season 2 so then you will understand more.
faceprecious 11 months ago
I'm literally in tears from the word go. Amazing...
joel8lyric 11 months ago
Flat out one of the finest moments ever broadcast. Perfectly chosen music. Insanely high production values. John Spencer's "Watch this" at 4'40", the hands in the pockets and the Bartlett grin. If only our real leaders, in either party, had the moral courage or the intellect of a Josiah Bartlett or a Matt Santos or an Arnie Vinick
attycyclist 11 months ago 68
@attycyclist You're talking about a director instructing an actor to put his hands in his pockets and smile. If you think that this has anything to do with real moral courage or intellect, you're too simple to be trusted with a vote. It's FICTION. The world is whatever the writer pretends it is. It means nothing if the writer is a fool -- and that's exactly what most of these writers are.
It has the power to move your emotions. Be an adult and learn to master them.
But, yeah. Good TV.
philWynk 8 months ago
@philWynk I think attycyclist was making two points. The hands in his pockets and smiling is with regards to the insanely high production values of not only this finale, but also of The West Wing in general. When he continues on to talk about moral courage and intellect, he's talking about Bartlet and Santos and Vinick. Give some credit to people - it's pretty obvious that the hands-in-pockets is merely a stage direction, and no one is idiotic enough to propose to vote for someone due to that.
flamefrombeyond 8 months ago
@flamefrombeyond Give me similar credit. My point was that the entire image of Jed Bartlett's integrity is the creation of fiction writers and skilled directors -- with only incidental relation to reality.
No one's that idiotic? Sure they are. A large % of the voting population gets fooled by crafted, emotional images every election cycle. That's why the outcome of candidate debates turns on mere sound bites. That's why funding for campaign ads is so critical. That's why attack ads work.
philWynk 8 months ago
@attycyclist.......You do realize that this was a television show written by a professional writer on a scrip that probably went through dozens of re-writes, don't you? Yes we can only wish our leaders could be like the characters on screen, but lets face it. They aren't and never will be.
chrissline77 7 months ago
@attycyclist not only the Bartlett grin,but im not sure if uve realized it or not,but the American Flag's flapping just to the right of his face as he grins ;)
chrisbrown456 5 months ago
The quality of this sequence and the character development that led to it was a masterpiece. You can watch it as a newbie and be moved but the style. However if you watched it as a fan, this was a confluence of many story arcs.
joninaz 11 months ago 3
Greatest television drama ever. Period.
MadHatterFM 11 months ago 4
I fucking cried
AntPride 11 months ago
14 people voted Republican
Bismarck870 1 year ago 2
gives me goosebumps every time
Bismarck870 1 year ago
For someone who has never watched the show can you put this scene into some sort of context for me pls.Who was the guy in the front row?
worldwidedownload 1 year ago
@worldwidedownload CJ, the press secretary who was talking to the press right before Bartlet walked in, had one of the reporters ask him a question about how the nature of his MS is at the moment. she set this up because everybody else would be asking the question that the reporter did end up asking. watch the full episode online or something and it'll make you value the last 20 seconds so much more
Bismarck870 1 year ago 3
just great television.... just great. it's one of these rare tv-moments.
Apfelfee 1 year ago
just great television.... just great....
Apfelfee 1 year ago
Received the boxset for Christmas having never watched it when it aired. A primetime TV show that doesn't insult viewers but actually inspires them in its writing and its depth. In the era of Simon Cowell, this is just a jewel.
Vennegoor10 1 year ago 3
Hasta ahora estos cinco minutos me parece que son lo mejor que se ha hecho en televisión jamás.
Magnanimobizarro 1 year ago
The world would be a much better place if everyone watched this episode once. This video makes me wanna be a better citizen of the world!
infinite2k5 1 year ago 5
This comment has received too many negative votes show
as a canadian i can only chuckle.....best scene ever LOL hardly.....great song tho
justinseiko 1 year ago
@justinseiko What the hell does being a Canadian have to do with it? You think Corner Gas has something better? You can't take this scene out of context; the entire episode, and the entire first few seasons of this show are the best things that I've ever seen on television.
AceTracer 1 year ago
@AceTracer you mean Trailer Park Boys..... Corner Gas isnt funny at all....
as for American shows.....The Wire
justinseiko 1 year ago
@AceTracer Yeah, I agree. I'm a Canadian too, and I don't understand what that has to do with this particular scene. This series was beautifully written, masterfully acted, and brilliantly directed.
Kaalec 1 year ago
One of the greatest things I've ever seen on T.V. The fact that there is so little dialogue between the Senior Staff just adds to the intensity. And it is a credit to their acting ability. Plus the song choice was amazing!
tipplegend99 1 year ago 3
Unreal. Can't count the number of times i've watched this episode. Brings tears to my eyes every time. I absolutely love all the main characters, they are so perfectly cast. Such a funny, intelligent, touching show, there;s really nothing else like it
mickypickle 1 year ago 3
This scene sends a chill down my spine every time, it's just so...awesome.
When I first saw this episode, after it cut to black, I just sat there, and realised that I'd just seen the only ever cliff hanger to make me genuinely worry about the result.
willbxtn 1 year ago
@willbxtn
Can't believe we are still commenting on this show! Truly amazing that The West Wing has so touched us.
I have the DVD set and pop it in when working out in my rec room. The memories are incredible.
shootpar71 1 year ago
I think what always gets me is the American flag flying in the background as Bartlet makes his decision. Absolutely fantastic.
kadgemadge123 1 year ago
So.. explain to me why there isnt intellectual drama of this calibre on the small screens right now?
There is an obsession with witchcraft, vampires, cop shows, hospital shows... nothing at this level!
Please bring something back of this quality, of these production values...!!
gtrmagic 1 year ago 2