TV - The West Wing 5
Posted 12 October 04 by Scott AndrewsOkay, so I said I wasn’t going to watch this show any more.
After the sole writer, Aaron Sorkin, left at the end of year four I was certain that no-one could follow him. He created the show and wrote every episode. The show was the product of a singular talent and viewpoint. Why would I want to see a second rate knock off of Sorkin? West Wing Lite?
Well, I’m now 8 episodes into season five and it’s fabulous. But it is, there’s no getting around it, not quite as good as it used to be.
The writing is crisp and clever and the performances as good as ever – is there anyone in the cast who’s not top notch? Even Matthew Perry, who should have been a huge disappointment, really impresses in his guest shots (aside: he really should do some low budget indie dramas and get some credibility, because he’s easily good enough on the strength of his WW appearances, and if he sticks with lame comedies he’s dumpster-bound).
I’m nagged by the feeling that Sorkin scripted installments would just be better, but there’s no getting around it – even in its diluted form The West Wing is still the best show on US TV.
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