so, what's the consensus on The West Wing post-Sorkin?
10-30-03, 03:44 PM
#1
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so, what's the consensus on The West Wing post-Sorkin?
I'm keeping out of the current WW threads since I'm catching them for the first time on Bravo (I'm two episodes prior to Two Cathedrals, which I hear is nothing short of brilliant).
Am I going to be bitterly disappointed once I start watching season 5?
BTW, a bunch of the WW cast will be on World Poker Tour on Bravo December 9 for those interested.
Am I going to be bitterly disappointed once I start watching season 5?
BTW, a bunch of the WW cast will be on World Poker Tour on Bravo December 9 for those interested.
10-30-03, 04:04 PM
#3
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I don't like it one bit; a big reason I started watching WW was because I was trying to get over my Sportsnight-withdrawal. Now that Sorkin has left, the only thing I have are memories. I'm still going to keep watching (atleast until November sweeps), but this entire season has been a big letdown for me. Hopefully that's just because of the recent plotlines and not because of the actual show itself.
H
H
10-30-03, 04:09 PM
#4
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I don't know about a general consensus, but my opinion is that the overall acting and storyline seems to be just as good. However, the show is currently lacking in the quoteable/clever/laugh-out-loud lines department.
10-30-03, 04:13 PM
#5
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Originally posted by Tscott
I don't know about a general consensus, but my opinion is that the overall acting and storyline seems to be just as good. However, the show is currently lacking in the quoteable/clever/laugh-out-loud lines department.
I don't know about a general consensus, but my opinion is that the overall acting and storyline seems to be just as good. However, the show is currently lacking in the quoteable/clever/laugh-out-loud lines department.
10-30-03, 05:19 PM
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My father doesn't keep up with entertainment news at all. So I found it interesting when I was talking to him last night & he asked me if something seemed weird about the West Wing this season.
So it's being noticed by those who don't know Sorkin too. Which can't be a good thing.
So it's being noticed by those who don't know Sorkin too. Which can't be a good thing.
10-30-03, 05:54 PM
#7
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• Quoth Tscott •<HR SIZE=1>I don't know about a general consensus, but my opinion is that the overall acting and storyline seems to be just as good. However, the show is currently lacking in the quoteable/clever/laugh-out-loud lines department. <HR SIZE=1>
I agree. Keep in mind too that we're only 5 episodes into the season, and last night's episode was pretty darn good. I think we need a larger sample set before we pass any judgment.
das
06-07-04, 09:47 AM
#8
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okay, I just sat down and watched all of S5 over the past 3 weekends, after having watched S1-4 off of Bravo. Going thru the weekly threads for S5 later today to get the general consensus, but some observations:
Missing the witty banter and the care that these characters used to feel for each other. They've gone thru some rough patches before, collectively and individually, but you always got the sense that they each had each others back. S5 seemed way to confrontational between the Senior Staff.
Some ridiculous drama-music interludes at the end of a few episodes ("Shutdown", etc..) Previous season would let the situation dictate the tone, not some in-your-face interlude.
Some good moments (Barlett walking to the Capitol, "The Supremes") but Sorkin could have done so much more with the material if he was involved (the tree lighting ceremony with Prez and the grandson leaps immediately to mind)
And Joshua Molina is terribly underused. Ditto for Dule Hill.
It's still a show with a brilliantly talented cast. But it's no different than any other drama on TV now.
It's basically The W-ER-st Wing now. And that's a shame.
Missing the witty banter and the care that these characters used to feel for each other. They've gone thru some rough patches before, collectively and individually, but you always got the sense that they each had each others back. S5 seemed way to confrontational between the Senior Staff.
Some ridiculous drama-music interludes at the end of a few episodes ("Shutdown", etc..) Previous season would let the situation dictate the tone, not some in-your-face interlude.
Some good moments (Barlett walking to the Capitol, "The Supremes") but Sorkin could have done so much more with the material if he was involved (the tree lighting ceremony with Prez and the grandson leaps immediately to mind)
And Joshua Molina is terribly underused. Ditto for Dule Hill.
It's still a show with a brilliantly talented cast. But it's no different than any other drama on TV now.
It's basically The W-ER-st Wing now. And that's a shame.
06-07-04, 09:56 AM
#9
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Ha. I had a similar thread, I had just watched the 4 seasons on Bravo, and forgot to Tivo the S5 stupid me. So I need to wait for the 1st half of S5 to check it.
I did watch the last 2 episodes of S5 to see what happened.
I did watch the last 2 episodes of S5 to see what happened.
06-07-04, 11:35 AM
#10
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• djbrown •
It's still a show with a brilliantly talented cast. But it's no different than any other drama on TV now.
It's still a show with a brilliantly talented cast. But it's no different than any other drama on TV now.
das
06-07-04, 11:38 AM
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Originally posted by das Monkey
I'd agree with this. It went from being one of the best things on television and the cream of the network crop to simply a good show. It was really sad to watch that happen.
das
I'd agree with this. It went from being one of the best things on television and the cream of the network crop to simply a good show. It was really sad to watch that happen.
das
It is not even that anymore. There was one brilliant episode this season - The Supremes - I'm sure this will be one of the episodes they send to the Emmy committee. The rest of the episodes can be summed up with one word - mediocre.
06-07-04, 12:00 PM
#12
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I thought about using the word "good" for a while before typing it, but I do think it still stands above the average network drama. "Mediocre" may be a better word, but I'd still rather watch it than most of the network shows, even if only for the acting.
das
das
10-15-04, 02:05 AM
#14
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tvguide has a bunch of stuff on the upcoming season.
One story that I think could be interesting is
I guess Sheen has until Christmas to decide if he's coming back or not for next season
One story that I think could be interesting is
Spoiler:
I guess Sheen has until Christmas to decide if he's coming back or not for next season
10-15-04, 02:08 AM
#15
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Originally posted by MrX
tvguide has a bunch of stuff on the upcoming season.
One story that I think could be interesting is
I guess Sheen has until Christmas to decide if he's coming back or not for next season
tvguide has a bunch of stuff on the upcoming season.
One story that I think could be interesting is
Spoiler:
I guess Sheen has until Christmas to decide if he's coming back or not for next season
Spoiler:
This show needs some spice.
10-15-04, 11:39 AM
#19
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Originally posted by Red Dog
Yep - John Wells is turning this into another ER. A show I coincidentally stopped watching after S5.
Yep - John Wells is turning this into another ER. A show I coincidentally stopped watching after S5.
If it's anything like the first 8 seasons, I am A-O-K.
10-15-04, 11:43 AM
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I only remember one fantastic episode from last season, the one where
In my opinion, they even screwed up the
storyline that Sorkin left them with.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
10-15-04, 09:59 PM
#22
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I watched the first few episodes post-Sorkin and didn't like them. Then I would let 3 or 4 episodes build up at a time in TiVo. Eventually they would go *poof* due to space limits before I watched them. I ended up deleting my season pass.
However, I got a (very) minor chill watching the promo for the new season, and on a whim added it back to my season pass list. The promo reminded me of the way it use to be for me, where almost every episode left me with a "my goodness would it be any more possible for me to love this show???" feeling. It's the feeling I currently get with Scrubs, use to get with Alias (and hope to get again), and just may possibly get from Lost after I give it a few more eps.
However, I got a (very) minor chill watching the promo for the new season, and on a whim added it back to my season pass list. The promo reminded me of the way it use to be for me, where almost every episode left me with a "my goodness would it be any more possible for me to love this show???" feeling. It's the feeling I currently get with Scrubs, use to get with Alias (and hope to get again), and just may possibly get from Lost after I give it a few more eps.
10-15-04, 11:14 PM
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i read the tv guide spoilers and the only thing that pops into my head is "WTF!?!" i have been with this show since day one and have loved every sorkin moment. i still get chills everytime i see "in the shadow of two gunmen". then last season, it all started the quick plunge downhill. those possible storylines sound pretty ridiculous, especially the one about cj.
10-20-04, 09:48 AM
#24
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New question: For someone who has only watched this show on DVD, will the big shakeups they have in store be a good place to start watching this season? Or will I be totally lost?
10-20-04, 12:52 PM
#25
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Originally posted by Chew
New question: For someone who has only watched this show on DVD, will the big shakeups they have in store be a good place to start watching this season? Or will I be totally lost?
New question: For someone who has only watched this show on DVD, will the big shakeups they have in store be a good place to start watching this season? Or will I be totally lost?