"The West Wing," created by Aaron Sorkin and airing from 1999 to 2006, stands as one of the most critically acclaimed political dramas in television history. Set in the heart of the White House, the series offered a deeply immersive and at times idealistic look at the inner workings of American politics. With a strong ensemble cast led by Martin Sheen as President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet, the show was equal parts policy wonkery, personal drama, and inspiring rhetoric. It consistently balanced complex storylines with engaging characters, solidifying its place in the pantheon of great television.
Across its seven-season run, "The West Wing" oscillated between moments of brilliance and occasional stumbles, largely following the trajectory of Sorkin’s involvement. From sweeping social issues to the personal dilemmas faced by the staffers in the West Wing, the series remained politically resonant, even prescient. Below is a closer look at each season, charting the highs and lows of this modern television classic.
Season 1 (1999-2000): Introducing Idealism
"The West Wing" premiered at a time when American politics was in a relatively calm period, at the end of the Clinton administration. Aaron Sorkin's debut season sought to reflect both the potential and the pitfalls of American governance. Right from the pilot, the show set a tone that blended intellectualism, passion, and humor, immediately capturing attention with its now-iconic "walk-and-talk" sequences.
The first season centers on establishing the principal players within the Bartlet administration. Martin Sheen’s President Bartlet is portrayed as a highly intellectual and deeply moral leader who genuinely believes in public service. Alongside him, we meet the Senior Staff: Chief of Staff Leo McGarry (John Spencer), Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), Communications Director Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), Press Secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney), and Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe). The ensemble chemistry was instantly palpable, as their banter brought energy to the show’s exploration of policy, governance, and the human stakes involved in each decision.
The season revolves around the day-to-day challenges of running a White House, including legislative battles and international crises. Key episodes like "Let Bartlet Be Bartlet" set the tone for the show’s idealism, with the President choosing principle over political pragmatism. The season finale, "What Kind of Day Has It Been," ends with a cliffhanger as gunshots ring out, leaving the fate of several characters in question.
Season 2 (2000-2001): Sorkin’s Emotional Mastery
The second season of "The West Wing" is widely regarded as its finest. Aaron Sorkin, in top form, deepened the emotional stakes and created some of the most powerful television of the early 2000s. The opening two-parter, "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen," resolves the season one cliffhanger, with Josh critically injured and the rest of the team grappling with the fallout.
One of the major arcs of this season is the deeper exploration of President Bartlet’s character, specifically his struggles with multiple sclerosis, a secret he has kept from both the public and his staff. This personal revelation becomes one of the season’s key emotional through-lines, testing the loyalty and moral fortitude of the characters.
Episodes like "Two Cathedrals," the season finale, highlight the show's ability to blend the personal with the political. In this episode, Bartlet contemplates whether to run for re-election while grappling with the death of his beloved secretary, Mrs. Landingham. It features one of the series' most iconic moments, with Bartlet’s defiant monologue in the National Cathedral, delivered partly in Latin. This season solidified "The West Wing" as a cultural phenomenon and swept the Emmys.
Season 3 (2001-2002): A Shift Post-9/11
Season three saw "The West Wing" grappling with a real-world shift: the September 11 attacks. While largely continuing its pre-9/11 storyline, the show paused to air a special episode, "Isaac and Ishmael," which addressed the terrorist attacks. This stand-alone episode, while not canon to the series, demonstrated the writers’ awareness of the shifting political landscape, even as the season itself largely proceeded as planned.
The core of season three revolved around Bartlet’s re-election campaign and the ethical implications of hiding his MS from the public. The tension comes to a head in "Hartsfield's Landing," where the election stakes are set against a backdrop of international diplomacy and domestic politicking.
The season also continues to explore personal subplots, including Josh’s simmering romance with Amy Gardner (Mary-Louise Parker) and C.J.’s evolving role in the administration. While the season maintains the high standards of previous years, some storylines, particularly the resolution of the MS scandal, felt slightly more procedural and predictable than Sorkin’s earlier work.
Season 4 (2002-2003): Campaigns and Transitions
Season four starts off with a bang, focusing on President Bartlet’s re-election campaign. The opening episodes, "20 Hours in America," show the team on the campaign trail, complete with the series' trademark blend of policy minutiae and personal stories. The season also gives more attention to secondary characters like Donna Moss (Janel Moloney), Josh's assistant, whose own role in the show becomes increasingly prominent.
By midseason, the campaign reaches a fever pitch with the arrival of Republican candidate Governor Robert Ritchie (James Brolin). Bartlet’s landslide victory, culminating in the episode "Election Night," allows the series to shift gears from the pressures of campaigning to governing once again.
One of the season’s most shocking developments is the assassination of Secret Service agent Simon Donovan (Mark Harmon) in the episode "Commencement," which sets up the kidnapping of Zoey Bartlet (Elisabeth Moss), the President's daughter, in the season finale. This tense cliffhanger was another signature Sorkin move, expertly crafted to leave viewers desperate for resolution.
Season 5 (2003-2004): Post-Sorkin Challenges
Season five is marked by a significant behind-the-scenes change: Aaron Sorkin left the series at the end of season four. His departure led to a noticeable tonal shift, as new showrunner John Wells struggled to maintain the unique voice and rapid-fire dialogue that had become "The West Wing's" hallmark. The fifth season is often viewed as the weakest, as it struggles to find its footing in Sorkin’s absence.
The season opens with the resolution of Zoey’s kidnapping, which leads to Bartlet temporarily stepping down as President, handing the reins to Republican Speaker of the House Glen Allen Walken (John Goodman). The political and constitutional crises make for compelling drama, but the season often feels weighed down by its darker tone and lack of Sorkin’s characteristic levity.
Still, there are standout moments, including C.J. Cregg’s rise to Chief of Staff and Leo McGarry’s heart attack, both of which shake up the status quo. Yet the season lacks the narrative cohesion and emotional resonance of earlier years, leaving some viewers frustrated.
Season 6 (2004-2005): A New Generation of Politics
Season six begins to rejuvenate the series as it moves toward the next presidential election. With Bartlet nearing the end of his second term, the focus shifts to who will succeed him. The introduction of two new characters, Congressman Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) and Senator Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda), injects fresh energy into the show, setting up a dramatic political race that would dominate the final two seasons.
The season splits its time between Bartlet's final year in office, including his struggles with MS and foreign policy challenges, and the burgeoning campaign to replace him. This dual structure reinvigorates the show, as Santos and Vinick represent different ideological perspectives, with Santos embodying the show’s progressive heart and Vinick offering a more pragmatic, center-right worldview.
The standout episode of the season is "2162 Votes," the Democratic National Convention, where Santos secures the nomination in a thrilling, Sorkin-esque moment of high drama. The series, now fully focused on the upcoming election, seems to regain some of its earlier momentum.
Season 7 (2005-2006): A Compelling Finale
The final season of "The West Wing" successfully brings the series to a close with the Santos-Vinick election as its primary focus. This storyline drives much of the season's tension, with both Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda delivering strong performances that elevate the series' swan song.
The political battle between the charismatic Democrat and the experienced Republican offers a nuanced take on the ideological divides in American politics. The writers also deserve credit for treating Vinick with the same respect and complexity as Santos, avoiding a simplistic good vs. bad narrative. Their debates, both public and private, offer some of the series’ best moments.
The series finale, "Tomorrow," balances the inauguration of President Santos with the departure of Bartlet and his team, offering a bittersweet goodbye to the characters fans had grown to love. The finale brings closure without overly sentimentalizing the end, fitting for a show that always balanced optimism with political realism.
Conclusion
"The West Wing" remains a towering achievement in television drama, a show that, at its best, perfectly balanced the personal with the political. Though it stumbled slightly in its later seasons, the brilliance of its writing, acting, and cultural impact is undeniable. Even nearly two decades after its finale, the series continues to resonate with audiences longing for a vision of politics driven by conviction, competence, and a genuine desire to make
The West Wing: The Complete Series includes all 156 episodes from all seven seasons on 28 discs, plus over 20 commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, unaired scenes, gag reels, and more. This is the first time The West Wing has been available on Blu-ray and is ready to order today!