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The West Wing : Complete Season 2

RRP: £61.99
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The second season of The West Wing takes up literally where the first season left off and, after a few moments of patriotic sentimentalism, maintains the series' astonishingly high standards in depicting the everyday life of the White House staff of a Democratic administration. The two-part opener covers the immediate aftermath of the assassination attempt on President Bartlet (Martin Sheen), switching between the anxious wait on the injured and flashbacks to Bartlet's campaign for the Presidency. Other peaks in a series exceedingly short on lows include "Noel," the episode in which Alan Arkin's psychiatrist forces Josh Lynam to confront his post-traumatic stress disorder and the episodes in which President Bartlet, following a tragic car accident, rails angrily against God in Latin.

Other new aspects include the introduction of Ainsley Hayes, a young Republican counsel hired after she beats communications deputy Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe) in a TV debate ("Sam's getting his ass kicked by a girl!" crow his colleagues), as well as the revelation that the President has been suffering from multiple sclerosis. Tensions grow between him and the First Lady (Stockard Channing) as she realizes, in the episode "Third State of the Union," that he intends to run for a second term in office. It becomes clear to Bartlet that he must go public with his MS, and his staff is forced to come to terms with this, as well as deal with the usual plethora of domestic and international incidents, which apparently preclude any of them from having any sort of private lives. These include crises in Haiti and Columbia, an obstinate filibuster, and a Surgeon General's excessively frank remarks about the drug situation. Thankfully, the splendid Lord John Marbury (Roger Rees) is on hand to make chief of staff Leo McGarry's life more of a misery in "The Drop-In."

These episodes, though occasionally marred by a sentimental soundtrack and an earnest and wishfully high regard for the Presidential office, are master classes in drama and dialogue, ranging from the wittily staccato to the magnificently grave, capturing authentically the hectic pace of political intrigue and the often vain efforts of decent, brilliant people to do the right thing. The West Wing is one of the all-time great TV dramas. --David Stubbs

The Best Of Them All
Review date: 2007-03-12 Rating: 10 out of 10

The very best season of the series takes off in rocket pace after the season 1 cliffhanger of the shooting at Roslyn. It continues with some of the best acting I have ever seen on any screen. Janel Moloney's performance, the look on Donna's face when she learns Josh has been shot is nothing short of breathtaking. And likewise, Brad Whitford's portrayal of Josh' post traumatic stress disorder in "Noël" (quite possibly the best episode of the entire series) is equally captivating. We also get some good flashbacks, showing us how the gang got together in the first place.

While recovering from those events, political life ensues, and brings the now well-known Emily Procter into her first major TV role as a republican attorney given a job at the democratic White House. This is funny stuff, and the scene where she is introduced to the fiercely democratic White House Counsel Lionel Tribbey in "And it's surely to their credit" is one of my favourites. What makes this season the best is the mass of great episodes - the perfect blend of an intricate story line, well-written lines and a cast of actors who have now gotten used to each other and give their relationships that extra hint of the real thing. These guys are friends, not just colleagues. It shines through.

As we approach the end, the MS saga begins, and the stage is set up for an incredibly gutsy re-election campaign along with a possible Grand Jury investigation in season 3. In between you get the stand-alone episodes that don't really fit in with the ongoing story, providing a break from the whatever and allowing you to catch your breath. Truly, 22 consecutive episodes of nothing but a single story line would have been too much. The single episodes are woven elegantly into the rest, constructing traits and letting you into the lives of the various characters. The whole thing is rounded off with an absolute masterpiece of an episode named "Two Cathedrals", where we say goodbye... to someone.

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Reviews

What happened?
Review date: 2006-10-16 Rating: 8 out of 10

I love this show. The casting and subsequent acting is great.
But really, what's happening? I don't know most of the time and I don't care because bizarrely enough it doesn't seem to effect how much I like this show.
Buy it!!!

Superb!
Review date: 2006-09-23 Rating: 10 out of 10

Season two of the award winning drama had a lot to live up to after the success of season one. The truth is, if anything, this season is wittier, more intelligent and more innovative - producing the almost impossible and topping the dizzy heights of season one's brilliance.

Season one's finale left us shocked and on the edge of our seats with a racist group of teenagers defying secret service security and managing to fire gunshots towards our beloved protagonists. Season two immediately kicks off into the action with a shock announcement from Abbey Bartlett (Stockard Channing) about her husband's health becoming the backdrop to a heart pounding 21 episodes. Throughout the season, Aaron Sorkin's sentimental writing just gets better and better. The concept of such an ideal administration makes us live in hope as well as being thoroughly entertained along the way.

Fittingly, the highlight of season two are the final two episodes: 18th and Potomac and Two Cathedrals. As the weight of the world presses on President Barlett's (Martin Sheen) shoulders - his possible defiance of his wife, the deception over his MS and the death of a friend just to name a few pressures - we witness a rousing rant at God, capturing the President's elloquence. But it is the finale, set to the backing track of Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms that brings the hairs up on the back of neck and sends a chill down your spine.

Superb acting, superb writing, superb drama. The West Wing season two is a must buy.

Drama at its very best
Review date: 2006-02-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

Season 2 of the 'West Wing' has to be the best of the lot. Sorkin's writing abilities are beyond words, as his intelligent and witty lines are at a fast and intreging pace. The plots in this season I believe are the best the West Wing has to offer, and the politics involved is both relevant and superb, even if it is sometimes hard to follow! The episodes of '18th And Potomac' and 'Two Cathedrals' are i think two of the finest episodes made, and the latter being my favourite. The first four seasons are the best, as the last three are written wothout Sorkin. If you love witty and intelligent drama, and are fascinated by American politics, then the West Wing is for you.

Smooth, Witty and Smart
Review date: 2006-01-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

The West Wing- Season 1 and Season 2 both have a very smooth flow to them that come from a combination of great writing, smart acting and smooth directing. Each episode is a joy to watch as nothing is over played, nor yet underdeveloped or contrived.

Aaron Sorkin has put together a real masterpiece here, which not only is entertaining but also educational.

Smart Entertainment.

Product Details/Specifications

Actor(s):
Martin Sheen
Allison Janney
Brad Whitford
Rob Lowe
Stockard Channing

Creators:
Aaron Sorkin (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900246170
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 6
Format: Box set, Letterboxed, PAL, Subtitled,
Release date: 2003-10-20
Number of discs: 6
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 888 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1999-09-22
Language: English (Original Language)

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The West Wing : Complete Season 2

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