Ashwin Prabaharan ’26
Chief Opinions Editor
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Above my mini-fridge in my illustrious Clark dorm stands gallantly a poster of the Emmy-winning hit political show, “The West Wing.” Set in the late 1990s/early 2000s, the show follows the Democratic presidential administration of Josiah Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen. The Nobel Laureate in Economics, former New Hampshire Governor and Congressman, and father of three was encouraged to run for the presidency by his close friend and future Chief of Staff Leo McGarry. After unexpectedly winning the party’s nomination and the White House, President Bartlet and his loyal cadre of political operatives work to navigate the tricky terrain of Washington politics. Whether it is dealing with the fictional Republicans on the Hill or the regimes of unfriendly nations, the Bartlet White House never fails to excite and capture the attention of its viewers.
The genius that is Aaron Sorkin, with his writing and directing of the “West Wing”, deserves academia-credited research in my opinion. The “Walk and Talk” style of directing was his signature move, giving rapidity and urgency to the show’s atmosphere. Sorkin’s writing until today, to me, remains unparalleled by any other show. Combining facets of history, philosophy, religion, culture, political ideals, and life principles to create the show’s dialogue leaves one wondering: Do I read nearly as much as I should? The sheer quality of his writing, coupling raw emotion with personal principles, a devotion to greater, beyond-human qualities we aspire to see in our politics today leaves his viewers yearning only for more. His ability to take his viewers out of their current setting and transport them to a world where politics seems like an enjoyable topic of entertainment is production brilliance at its peak. In comparison to present-day shows depicting politics and government work as corrupt, crime-ridden, and gut-wrenching, (i.e. House of Cards, Scandal, and many more), you leave watching the “West Wing” with some strange, usually unfounded sense of hope and joy. I will be the first to admit that the show does unrealistically portray the working field of politics, the interactions, and the expectations of the game. Watching just about 5 minutes of any mainstream news outlet discussing contemporary American politics on either side of the spectrum is enough to dissuade viewers from turning it back on again. It is pure anguish to have to watch and listen to our “leaders” use rhetoric unbecoming of their offices. “The West Wing” takes you out of this mental equation, bringing you to an office where Bartlet loyalists are nakedly unambitious for themselves but rather for the people and principles that got them there. Sure, is it all too pie-in-the-sky? Yes, but when was the last time anyone turned on their television to watch a series accurately depicting anything remotely close to what we experience regularly? Television is a chance for us to see our dreams play out, to have our most cherished ideals and wishes born for our very own entertainment without any of its consequences or having to work towards it. “The West Wing” does exactly that.
Jed Bartlet, the brilliant and “aw-shucks” dad of the White House cares for his dedicated staff as if they were his own children, and that relationship goes both ways. His staff, composed of press secretary CJ Cregg (Alison Janney), deputy chief of staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), deputy communications director Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), comms director Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), and personal aid Charlie Young (Dulé Hill), enter work daily ready to walk over hot coals for their boss. Putting out political fires, passing legislation on the Hill, and strategizing for the President’s agenda take up their normally 11-hour days, but they stand prepared to make those personal sacrifices for something, and more importantly, someone, they believe in to be greater than themselves.
Discussing the quality of writing, here is one line I think best captures the ethos of the show, delivered by President Bartlet: “Joy cometh in the morning, scripture tells us. I hope so. I don’t know if life would be worth living if it didn’t…” I could only wish speeches today merely echoed the quality, style, and language this one sentence emanates to listeners. So, when deciding what to watch this week when you get some downtime, check out the “West Wing.” I am usually not in the habit of making promises to people, but I can promise you this: “The West Wing” will not disappoint you.
Copy Edited by Colette Potter ’26
The Spire 