So. The West Wing season finale was last night. The stage is set for next season's election between a moderate Republican senator from California (played by Alan Alda) and an idealistic young Democratic congressman from Texas (played by Jimmy Smits). I guess the writers figure the only way to beat a California Republican is to get a Texas Democrat.
An Aside: Hmm. A young, somewhat politically naive Texas politician is running for president, and his running mate is an old veteran politician with a somewhat shaky past and a history of heart problems. I know art imitates life, but geez--do they have to be so obvious about it?!
Of course, I want to see the Jimmy Smits character win. Even if Alan Alda's character is the most likeable Republican character I have ever seen, I simply have trouble believing that, in this day and age, a politician like him even exists--especially in the Republican party.
But I will still tune in to watch next season. Why? Because I think the show is AWESOME! And here are ten reasons why, in no particular order:
1) Josiah "Jed" Bartlett--This is the President we all wish we had. Intelligent, reasonable, honest, moral, even-tempered, and, above all, willing to put aside personal and political gain and actually work with Republicans and Democrats alike to make everyone's life better.
2) Martin Sheen--This guy is a class act. 'Nuff said
3) Intelligent Women--On most shows like this, the female characters are designed to be little more than good-looking window dressing. But there has never been a dumb Bimbo on this show. And, with this season's naming of a female to be chief of staff, it has given women even more prominence on the show.
4) Excellent writing--with the current crop of so-called "reality" shows and sitcoms that rely on sight gags and crude humor, it's nice to know there are still a few good writers left in Hollyweird. I can't begin to count the number of times an episode of this show has left me nearly in tears.
5) The First Season--From the pilot episode to the season-ending cliffhanger, this show hooked me and never let go. In the pilot episode, Jed Bartlett storms into a meeting with some religious conservatives, proceeds to dress them down for failing to denounce an extremist religious group, and then tells them to get their "fat asses" out of his White House. I stood up and cheered. Imagine our current president doing something like that. Yeah, right.
6) Ethical Republicans--In this day of Tom DeLay, George DUIbya Bush, and Bill Frist, it's hard to think that ANY Republican can be honest and ethical. This show, however, has developed its Republican characters so well that you almost like them. Almost.
7) The excellent supporting cast--The producers of this show have taken great pains to ensure that every single supporting part, regardless of how minor, has been cast with actors or actresses with actual talent, as opposed to simply good looks.
8) Dule Hill--Over the course of 6 seasons, his character has evolved from the position of presidential errand boy to one of a strong and confident Washington Insider. And he has matured as an actor as well. If he can avoid being type-cast, he has a good future in Hollyweird.
9) Stockard Channing--There may have been someone else who could've been better at the role of First Lady, but I can't think of anyone at the moment.
10) Toby and Josh--the perfect pair of political insiders, who know politics inside and out, and who know exactly how to work behind the scenes to get the job done.
So, that's why I like it. And why I will continue to watch it until the end.
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