"West Wing" Season Finale

[Dave Sund]

Starting in about 5 minutes.

[deadparrot]

1. whoohoo!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

I'll talk to you all after the show, if not before.

[bluestateguy]

2. A brokered convention

Just like the good old days of party conventions: smoke filled rooms, fistfights on the floor, back slapping, horse trading and the good ole' boys. Those were the days.

[question everything]

64. This was nice of them to show us how it can be done differently

I know that during the past elections, in many states voters really did not have any say, as the nomination was finalized early. The "leaders" really prefer it that way - to prevent mud slinging during the primaries. But as we have seen just last year - this lack of real campaign ended up catching the Kerry campaign off guard: with the swifters, with all the "cultural issues" even with his vote on the Iraq war.

I know that most drop early because of lack of funds, because it costs so much money to run a national campaign but, it would be nice to have a brokered convention.

[Reverend_Smitty]

3. Holy crap...

this is getting good. I totally didn't see Baker coming

[pres2032]

4. totally

wow

[deadparrot]

5. Al Bundy for President!

Lord help us. :P

[FreedomAngel82]

72. This was my first time watching

and I enjoyed it. At first I wasn't quite sure what was going on (of course) but then I figured it out since I've seen a few DNC meetings and noticed they were voting. I never knew that's how they did it in the old days. I liked watching Mr. Sheen coming out at the end. Whenever I save up some money I'll have to save up to buy season's one through four on DVD since I enjoyed it. :) The ending confused me a little bit but then I was like "oh. that's the republican."

[deadparrot]

83. The Republican (Vinick) is actually very cool.

He's a real conservative--kind of like the anti-Bush. He's agnostic and pro-choice. I guess the liberal writers don't have it in them to write a likeable neocon. :)

Also, if you have cable, you can catch reruns on Bravo to get caught up. They're on Monday through Thursday evenings, with marathons on Monday. It's an excellent show.

[baldguy]

6. President Al Bundy?

Could it be?

[Reverend_Smitty]

7. well it would definitely be from left field...

and you know how much the West Wing loves it's cliffhangers

[huskerlaw]

11. That would be so wrong...

So very, very WRONG. :thumbsdown:

[tritsofme]

8. There's no superdelagates

They would have made the scenario more interesting, but its probably too complicated to fit in an hour tv show.

[Reverend_Smitty]

9. What about the security leak...

Do you think it's CJ?

[pres2032]

10. i thought

but Toby's expressions are making me think that it is him.

[liberalpragmatist]

39. My guess is CJ and she'll have to step down

Bartlet will pardon her but still be quite furious - she'll end up as a black sheep.

[ronzo]

60. Somebody put forth the idea that it might be the sqeaky media woman...

CJ is way too obvious, and I doubt the Feds would take it up with Toby if it's the chief o' staff...

[erinlough]

63. This is way out there

I was thinking that it might be Pres. Bartlett and that becomes his legacy. He won't be impeached, he doesn't seem to like the idea of using space as a platform for weapons, he is actually the only one who could do it, and if outed he has made enough noise to make it seem like it is an impossibility. Just a thought.

[Reverend_Smitty]

Never thought about that prospect...

it would be interesting, but if it was him, then why was he so damn pissed when he was demanding a name on his desk by Friday. I still think it is CJ

[elsiesummers]

67. That is possible - I agree

Bartlett previously did other coniving things - you never know.

My bet (1)Toby (2)CJ (and spoilers do claim it's her) (3)Bartlett (5) The First Lady (6) Leo - would be scandal and a new veep needed - could be crazy - or maybe Barlett chooses to take the fall for Leo and hides it - but seems out of charactr for Leo.

Still going with Toby.

The contrast of them actually finding the leaker "by Friday" against the Bush admin and the Valarie Plame leak - that will be fun for all of us.

[deadparrot]

12. Well, Baker might be finished now.

Wife is mentally unstable? That's a no-no.

Never say never, but looks like that's over.

[huskerlaw]

13. Gooooooo Santos!!!

Love him!

[Reverend_Smitty]

14. He is the best...

no doubt the heir apparent to Bartlet

[huskerlaw]

16. "I AM a member of the Democratic Party!"

:woohoo: :woohoo:

[librechik]

56. dean references hard to miss=I'm a member of the Democratic Wing

of the Democratic Party-- And we'll take it to Missouri! ands Nebraska! YEEEEAAAAAAUUUGHH!!!

[Reverend_Smitty]

68. seriously...

all it was missing was the "Dean scream"

[FreedomAngel82]

73. I noticed that

I also noticed they used the words "talking heads" and "flipflopper." Hehe. I liked that. :) I also thought it was very sweet of the guy who said he wasn't going to play dirty on the man's wife and her depression. Sweet. :loveya:

[Reverend_Smitty]

15. OMG!!!!

Leo as VP??? Can it be???

[deadparrot]

17. Holy mother of God...

Did anyone see *that* coming (re: VP)!?

[Kire]

18. I didn't see it come.

are you sure?

Edit: I guess so.

[deadparrot]

19. There it is.

Santos-McGarry.

[pres2032]

21. holy fuck

[Reverend_Smitty]

25. This is exactly why I love this show...

Damn what an excellent episode!

[pres2032]

30. yup

I loved it, it had me gripped the entire time.


and holy hell, how about Toby!!

[deadparrot]

28. ::happy dance::

I'm fucking pumped. Go Leo!

That was a hell of an episode. My heart is pounding. Real political conventions should be like that.

[Reverend_Smitty]

20. I got goosebumps when it was announced...

I am so excited for next season!!!

[deadparrot]

22. sqeeeeeeeeee!!!

LEO! LEO! LEO!

[FreedomAngel82]

74. When does the new season start??

[mcscajun]

27. NFW did I see THAT coming! but I like it! I Like It!

It's gonna be a very interesting next season, I think.

[question everything]

65. Only when Josh was actually talking to him, a few sec. earlier..

[deadparrot]

66. Yeah, once Josh started talking all sly,

I kind of figured it out and started shrieking a little.

But until then...nothing.

[tritsofme]

23. Leo as VP?

That was sure unexpected...

Guess its kind of the Cheney theory, pick the old guy that has no higher ambitions.

Surprised the hell out of me.

[SaveElmer]

33. Bad ...and unbelievable

And way too contrived!!!

C'mon...the guy nearly died a few months ago...and he is an admitted alcoholic and drug addict...there's no way!

[leyton]

42. He also has no wife and is basically a member of the Bartlet administratio

It's equivalent to Bill Frist picking a Bush staffer to be his VP. Bad move.

[liberalpragmatist]

46. Yeah, I'm not aware of chiefs-of-staff being considered politicians

I mean, you don't usually hear of a Chief of Staff ascending to the presidency or vice presidency - at least not without going through some other pathway like Cheney - House, Cabinet, etc.

It would be kind of like Bill Frist picking Andrew Card as his running mate.

[Kilroy003]

48. Leo was a Cabinet Secretary and served under a Republican Prez.

Feel better now?

[liberalpragmatist]

49. Ah

Thanks! Was he a Republican? And what cabinet position?

[Kilroy003]

52. Sec of Defense, I think, but don't quote me on it

He's definately no repub, but he alluded to serving in some capacity for a a repub admin.

[pres2032]

53. Secretary of Labor

[Kilroy003]

54. That makes more sense

Thanks. I don't have my WW fact book handy.

[pres2032]

55. hehe, i never leave home without it

i remember them talking about how he ran the labor dept when he was addicted to Valium.

[Dave Sund]

50. He was a secretary under a Democratic Prez.

[Kilroy003]

51. Right

but he also served as something or another for a Repub. Dude's pretty f'in old, after all.

[elsiesummers]

69. At least Leo didn't select himself!:)

[leyton]

80. Hee!

I watched the ep with my dad, he pointed out that he does have some Cheneyesque qualities: long-time politician, heart trouble, old and not extremely charismatic, etc.

[Scooter24]

24. Amazing Finale...

Next season...wow...

[huskerlaw]

26. Die, Alan Alda! Die!

Ok, is it entirely sad that I'm like, "Kick Republican ASS Santos-McGarry!"? And the mere sight of Alda's character makes me quite angry? I think I need counseling.

[Reverend_Smitty]

29. I didn't dislike Vinick until...

Leo was announced as VP...now we must kick ass!

[liberalpragmatist]

36. Did I miss something?

What did Vinick do that was so offensive when they announced Leo as VP?

I thought he just said, "well, let's go win this thing"

[Reverend_Smitty]

38. nothing...

I'm just pumped about Leo...for the first time, I'm really excited about a Santos presidency

[liberalpragmatist]

40. Ah, ok N/T

[deadparrot]

32. LOL.

I'm pumped, too. Did not see that one coming.

But Alda's a liberal in real life, so I can forgive.

[liberalpragmatist]

37. I want Vinick to win

It would infuse some new energy into the show. Santos is great but it would feature much of the same cast and many of the storylines have already been exhausted.

On the other hand, a liberal Republican president going up against a reactionary Republican Congres would be a LOT of fun to watch (and a great critique of Bushco from a classical Conservative angle)

[leyton]

44. I am also a Vinick fan.

Because he has so much more political confidence than Santos. Santos is like a child compared to Vinick. Vinick was also able to approach Jed Bartlet as an equal - that takes cajones.

Anyone know where I can get a Vinick bumper sticker?

[IntravenousDemilo]

71. Something's always bugged me...

If it's president Josiah Bartlet, why is he called Jed? I thought Jed was short for Jedediah. I've noticed the first lady doing it more than a few times.

[dsc]

31. What an episode

It will be interesting how they end up getting Santos to win given the senario they set up. In real life no one with Leo's history could really be VP but still they make a great pair.

[pres2032]

34. can anyone photoshop some kind campaign banner?

we should all get Santos-McGarry '06 banners.

can someone do it?

[Borgnine]

35. Damn!

I actually started jumping up and down with the Leo as VP twist. It actually builds on continuity too, because Josh has been beating that horse since the fourth season.

Oh man, when this show is good, it's good.

Edit: But yeah, it's a little unrealistic, since he had to step down as Chief of Staff after his heart, you know, exploded. Then again, look at Cheney.

[mcscajun]

41. Did anyone notice that Alan Alda has been added to the opening credits?

Or is it just that I didn't notice that he'd been added earlier than this week?

[Dave Sund]

45. Alda's been there

Every episode (other than his first) that he's been in, he's been in the opening credits.

[leyton]

43. That was a disappointing episode, IMO.

So much time wasted on ShakyCam (as it's called at TWOP) and depictions of chaos. What about the characters? I wanted to see more of Hoynes for one.

[GalleryGod]

57. "Hoynes" sat next to us at Broadway theater on Easter Saturday

Came to see Adam Arkin's play, "Brooklyn Boy"

Refused to give-up the Season Finale:popcorn:

Tim Matheson is a great guy:woohoo:
And his daughter is beautiful:applause:

[Reverend_Smitty]

58. He will forever be "Otter" to me

:P

[ronzo]

59. Jonny Quest... n/t

[elsiesummers]

70. Shakey Cam is a subtle NYPD blue reference, IMO

I think they are hoping that the combination of shakey cam and Jimmy Smits might bring new viewers.

They have serious competition in Alias and a problem in that people are watching Lost (so then Alias). ABC is gonna own 8-10.

I sort of think they should move the show to 10pm next season, or 9 on Thursday preceding ER. Though I can't imagine them moving The West Wing off Wednesday.

[LeftyDarthBrodie]

81. Lost, Alias and The West Wing Watcher

ABC was really sketchy/innovative in having Lost and Alias run 61 minutes to keep people from switching channels although with The West Wing I'd just miss a minute of the previous week's recap.

Lost has been excellent all season and Alias finally got a large story arc going last night. I think people who haven't seen those shows should check them out.

I assume season 7 of The West Wing will follow a fairly regular election type schedule if the season opener is the first debate and we are led to assume the summer was spent by our fictional candidates fictionally campaigning.

[kodi]

47. well done. best WW in a while. politics is the backbone of the show

last several shows are close to sorkin's first two years in political backstories and jokes.

anyone who watched WW for years figured barlett would eventually step up for santos. legacy and all that.

nice to see leo accept in santos the same traits he saw in bartlett. an important feature of being a follower is to see in your leader personal attributes found rarely in others.

[THUNDER HANDS]

61. psst

Alan Alda is going to win it.

[Not_Giving_Up]

62. Too fucking cool!

Leo as VP...Vinnick didn't have much to worry about until now!

[orleans]

75. so is martin sheen supposed to be a dem or repuke?

never watched the show until the other night (in rerun i guess, and i only saw part of it).

who was stockard channing supposed to be?

[Dave Sund]

77. You should watch

It's great, particularly the early episodes.

Bartlett (Sheen) is most decidedly a liberal Democrat. Stockard Channing plays his wife.

[Mojambo]

78. Do you mean Sheen's character on the show?

President Bartlet is a Democrat and a liberal's wet dream. Stockard Channing plays the First Lady, Abigail Bartlet.

My all-time favorite description of the West Wing is that it's "political masturbation for liberals."

[MrScorpio]

76. I still haven't seen an entire episode this season

My loss, or what?

[Beaverhausen]

79. ARe they kidding? Leo is a recovering alcoholic & just had a heart attack

like the repubs won't go after both of those things?

anyway how exciting was that????

[GalleryGod]

82. I Was at a Ball Game. I Missed it.

If Hawkeye's "In" I'm "Out":thumbsdown: after 6 seasons:hi: