West Wing Tracking Poll

season 2, but not when I thought that Isaac and Ishmael was in it (it's 3rd season)

noncanon

torn between 3&4

I think I'd have to go for 2, though they all have their merits. Still haven't seen Isaac and Ishmael.

They're all pretty blurry - basically pre- and post- going completely into the shitter. (Barlett becomes a big pussy having to face down a GOP Speaker, MS flares up for a year before that plot device becomes inconvenient to the Alda-other guy plotline, etc.)

probably 2, though

I swallowed the negativity that surrounded Sorkin leaving and that cheap-as-crap 'cliffhanger' at the end of series 4, and swore never to watch it again.

And I didn't, until the DVDs turned up in the local library about six months ago. I've just finished 5 and 6, and I've reached the concluision the supposed waterings-down and dumbings-down and glamings-up and other horrors are only visible to TV critics (pro and am, maybe especially am), in a kind of reversal of the Emperors New Clothes scenario. But it was unfortunate that the Zoey kidnapping was so clumsily handled in late series 4 and early 5.

season 5 is pretty bad, but the 6 and 7 are redeeming.

still can't see how season 2 won't run away with this one, even though 1 has some great stuff. "two cathedrals" and "somebody's going to emergency" are quality pieces of work.

season 5 is pretty bad, but the 6 and 7 are redeeming.

Too true. There's a ridiculous sequence in one ep where Will Bailey & Toby write some cockamamie retardo speech re: Bingo Bob becoming Veep, and the speech OH NOES ends up in the teleprompter, and the Prez has to wing it to cover their suddenly dumber-than-shit asses. Also, I think 5 features the "CJ avoids / moons over super-terrific manly man so her secretary actually gets some lines every week" sub-subplot, which was just awful. Tho isn't the Supreme Court Justice episode (w/ Glenn Close & William Fitchner) in 5? That's one of my faves, and might be one of the series' high points. I never actually watched the end of the series, and the season ender where Smits gets the Democratic nod was a bit shady, but both he and especially Alda were fantastic.

I only watched the show when Bravo was showing it 10 times a day, so my notion of which season's which is kinda shady. But whichever season features the flashbacks where Josh assembles the team and gets Bartlett the nomination -- 2? while he's in the hospital following the assassination attempt? -- gets my vote.

that's from In the shadow of 2 gunmen, season 2 opener.

Tho isn't the Supreme Court Justice episode (w/ Glenn Close & William Fitchner) in 5?

yea and this one is amazing. s05 in general picked up steam toward the end. need to rescreen s07 but it's not the same show really by that point.

can't remember anything good about s7 at all.

or any point after "CJ is c.o.s."

alda was good

Leo's funeral was good, also return of Sam Seaborn, and Annabeth's general Annabethness. Though, aargh, Josh'n'Donna, Leo can't deliver a speech, Kate Harper still exists, Helen Santos doesn't want to be in the public eye, Matt Santos has a secret son oh no it's his brother's, so many bad storylines.

troo

Series 2 cos of Ainsley Hayes ROWRs. Series 6 and 7 are fascinating in terms of the insights they offer into the campaign process but descend into drudgery in terms of the relationships and dramatic dynamic as the 'team' falls apart. Kate Harper and Will Bailey? YaaaaaaaaaaaawN.

Also ouchie my hand hurts

Anna-Beth almost makes it worthwhile voting for the later series.

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I'm the only vote for season 1, mainly because I just started Netflixing my way through the series a while back so I've only seen that and maybe half of season 2.