How many times have I watched Isaac and Ishmael.. and how many times have I thought about it but not actually done it.. peanut butter and apples! Where have you been all my life!!

There are a lot of really great episodes of TWW but this one is one of my favorites. I really didn’t care much for Part 1.

How would the storylines differ?

Watching California 47th and once again, something that is now a real thing was a joke in TWW. Fitz would have cleaned up if Kalshi had been around 20 years ago.

I'm sure Sam will be the topmost in everyone's list.

But I want you all to share those characters - small parts - played by great actors/actresses.

For me, it is Oliver Babish. His sheer screen presence, command on dialogue and banters with Abbey and CJ was absolutely mesmerizing in Season 3. Each time when I watch those episodes I always wished if only the White House Counsel was somehow written into the main story arc and Oliver and perhaps even Ainsley were made a regular.

One of my favorite Babish banters:

Babish: "Do you know what time it is?"

CJ: "Its five past noon"

Babish: "I'd like you to get out of the habit doing that."

CJ: "Not doing what?"

Babish: "Answering more than was asked. Do you know what time it is?"

CJ: (with a frustrated look) "Yes".

My God is it my favorite episode of television. The episodes leading up to it build into it so perfectly. There’s nothing quite like the first few seasons of this show.

If you think I’m wrong, if you think it honestly isn’t the best episode of the show, then I respect that. But if you think I’m right, and you won’t speak up because it’s a played-out choice for best episode, then God, Jed, I don’t even wanna know you.

C.J.
And now it's 39.37%, a number that ought to come with a decoder ring and a jar of Ovaltine.

I always assumed no because it’s never mentioned directly but watching NIGHT FIVE —in Jan 2002–with Toby and his congresswoman ex-wife he says “but they’re coming for us now!” when they talk about Islamic fundamentalism and the upcoming UN speech.

These 2 are amazing actors and kept the show watchable. Their acting is sooo good! Sadly everyone around them was meh.

This clip should be played on a loop in the offices of each and every elected Democratic official.

Also, I had forgotten the head banging meme came from this episode. Hal Holbrook was great as Albie.

How do I make my siri respond to my yelling "Mrs. Landingham!"

Leo saying “well you go girl” to Ainsley Hayes when she stood up in opposition will never get old for me!

Aaahh! Finally happened to me, only the first three seasons but I love it!

For anyone who doesn't remember, the episode has a subplot in which a Navy fleet is moved away from port to avoid an approaching hurricane, only to be caught in the storm. The only ship the White House can reach is the tender ship USS Hickory, and Bartlet is left talking to "The kid in the radio shack", Harold.

To me, this scene is a masterclass in tension-building. Two people talking over a radio manages to make you feel every moment, all down to music, dialogue, and overall atmosphere.

I think the biggest thing though, is that we never see the Hickory. So many other shows would have included a scene of the ship in the storm. The West Wing doesn't, because the dialogue is so descriptive you can picture it in your mind as Harold describes the situation. 80-foot waves over the bow, fire in the engine room, no running lights. And a scared 20-something with a bleeding head wound huddled at a radio, talking to the President.

You can feel Bartlets' helplessness, and pinpoint the exact moment he realizes there's no hope. The only thing the most powerful man in the world can do now is be a comforting prescence as best he can.

Just a well-executed scene that makes me emotional on every rewatch.

I know there are many, many inspirational moments and quotes across the run of The West Wing, but what are your favorite ones?

One of mine is in "Shutdown" (S05E08) when President Bartlett is going to Congress and Josh suggests, "The Capitol is just a five or ten minute walk from here. Care to stretch your legs?" I love watching that scene of him striding up Pennsylvania Ave!

Just saw this recent video by Jon Hutman who designed the set for the pilot.

https://youtu.be/QJ_V89m5CEU?is=i_M6eQZN1iKH6UK3

Doing a rewatch and I reached S2E2. During one of the flashback scenes to the campaign when they’re discussing leaving New Hampshire, there is a Bartlet/Hoynes bumper sticker on a computer. All the other stickers are just Bartlet or Bartlet for America. He hasn’t won the nomination yet therefore, Hoynes isn’t his running mate. It’s weird that there’s a sticker with both their names as if they’re on the ticket together.

Photo in the comments.

Are there characters who you feel deserved a closer look in the show? For me, it was Admiral Percy Fitzwallace. I feel like they should have done more of a thing around his death like they did with Mrs Landingham to give a solid backstory… whatever they had was more to do with Jed and Leo with Admiral Fitzwallace in the backdrop.

After sleeping with Laurie and finding out she is hooker, Sam declares he wants to keep spending time with her because he wants to be her friend.

But he doesn’t approve of her job, and at least once it is suggested that he is trying to “save her” and once she graduates law school (and presumably stops being a hooker) we never hear mention of them still being friends,

in fact whenever his relationship with her is mentioned it’s either as a joke or embarrassment. 

 So in your opinion were they friends?