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Years after departing Netflix, acclaimed drama The West Wing is back on the streaming service, and it still makes for perfect viewing — even if it feels too good to be true. Created by Aaron Sorkin, the series debuted in 1999 and followed the staff members surrounding President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet (Martin Sheen) as they navigated minor and major political obstacles. It ran for a total of seven seasons and, within that time, won 26 Primetime Emmys and two Peabody Awards. It represents a different era of television, but still remains one of the greatest dramas of all time, with its impact stretching beyond Hollywood.
Politics is a fraught topic even in the best of times, and today’s headlines don’t exactly fit that descriptor. It seems more common for political films and shows to be rife with corruption, soap opera-level drama, and a fair number of unpredictable twists. The West Wing doesn’t exactly avoid all of this, but its depiction of the American government claims to be a more straightforward, realistic view of what happens at the White House. Instead, as reality has gotten increasingly absurd, President Bartlet’s administration has started to resemble a fantasy.
‘The West Wing’s Idealistic Depiction of American Government Is Both Comforting and Sobering
In Bartlet’s very first scene, at the end of the West Wing pilot, he eloquently calls out three conservative religious leaders for their hypocrisy. Mere moments later, he speaks of a group of Cuban refugees who are approaching the shores of the country with respect and kindness, indicating he intends to welcome them with open arms to honor their bravery. These are the only things he does in the episode, but they speak volumes about his character and the kind of president he is. Delivered with Sheen’s gravitas, it’s a memorable introduction. It’s also rather devastating in the year 2025.
The West Wing is practically a utopia, imagining an administration filled with hardworking people who only want to make their country better. They preoccupy themselves with issues both monumental and seemingly mundane, many of which still apply to American life today. Take, for example, the early episodes of Season 4, where Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) and Communications Director Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff) tackle the high costs of attending college. Other political television shows might deem that kind of policy boring, but on The West Wing, it feels just as significant as whether the United States should go to war.
For American citizens actively facing issues like the sharply rising cost of living and a brutal job market, it’s almost a relief to watch the politicians on The West Wing fight so hard for them. It’s a recurring thoroughline that Bartlet’s staff works overtime, barely leaving the White House; in fact, it’s rare that the show even reveals the inside of characters’ homes. It’s the perfect picture of what a presidential administration should look like, and that makes it especially jarring. Regardless of one’s affiliations, today’s political landscape prizes spectacle over progress.
It’s a strange moment to watch The West Wing, to see episodes such as the one where staunch Democrats happily invite a Republican, Emily Procter‘s Ainsley Hayes, into their White House. That kind of bipartisan collaboration feels like fantasy, as does so much of what happens within the series. President Bartlet willingly steps aside in moments where his judgment is compromised, Press Secretary CJ Cregg (Allison Janney) listens to Native American activists seeking an audience, and Josh knows when to step back and let people vote how they want to vote, regardless of whether it’s for his guy. They’re all moments that feel like foregone conclusions for government officials, but real life has proven it’s not so simple anymore.
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‘The West Wing’s Characters Are the Ones People Want in Charge – and Not Because of Their Politics
Even more than the aspirational view of governing, it’s the characters of The West Wing who are remarkable in this chaotic era. These are people with the weight of the world on their shoulders, dealing with situations that few could imagine. They’re larger-than-life and, as with politicians in reality, could seem distanced from normal people. Instead, they’re relatable, both goofy and prone to mistakes, and ultimately just trying to do their best. Josh is possibly the most clumsy character in the series, CJ gets into a prank war with Charlie (Dulé Hill), and Toby gets superstitious about the presidential election.
Even with its primetime-worthy drama and perfectly snappy dialogue, The West Wing is filled with believable personalities. They’re the kinds of people viewers picture when they imagine the ideal civil servant: dedicated, passionate, and inexhaustible. It’s no surprise people have gone on record to say the show inspired them to go into public service (via Vanity Fair). It helps that Sorkin assembled an incredible cast, with most of the core ensemble being nominated for Emmys. The most memorable West Wing guest stars included Glenn Close, Laura Dern, and Matthew Perry, but they only scrape the surface of the wealth of talent this show possessed.
Over the years, The West Wing has faced criticism for its idealized view, which didn’t even match reality when it aired. It favored liberal views over conservative ones, and it did at times offer broad stereotypes. Still, it remains a bittersweet comfort watch. It’s a relief to turn off the news and revisit this unfamiliar world, where the people at the heart of the government genuinely want to do good and work around the clock for it. With The West Wing now back on Netflix, it’s a balm for these confusing times.
- Release Date
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1999 – 2006-00-00
- Showrunner
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Aaron Sorkin
