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Amazon.co.uk Review
The second series of The West Wing takes up literally where the first series left off and, after a few moments of slightly toe-curling 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 troughs include "Noel", the episode in which Alan Arkin's psychiatrist forces Josh Lynam to confront his post-traumatic stress disorder and the concluding episodes in which President Bartlet, having lost his secretary Mrs Landingham in a tragic car accident, rails angrily against God in Latin.
Other new features of this series 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 (to us first, then later his staff) that the President has been suffering from multiple sclerosis. Meanwhile, the White House must move heaven and earth to make incremental political gains as well as deal with a host difficulties abroad, demonstrating, some might argue, more compassion, skill and restraint than that exercised by the real-life US administration.
With Aaron Sorkin's dialogue ranging as ever from dry, staccato mirth to almost biblical gravitas, an ensemble of overworked (and curiously undersexed) characters and an overall depiction of the workings of government that's both gratifyingly idealised yet chasteningly realistic, The West Wing is one of the all-time great American TV dramas. --David Stubbs
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Continuing straight from the first series epic climax, season two deals largely with the aftermath of the shooting at Roslyn. It has great story archs for all the main characters, who are all affected in largely differing ways (not least Toby and Josh).
The second season was able to retain the startlingly fast pace which helped make the first season so successful (something many fans feared they would not be able to do) and the dialogue is as slick as ever.
The truly great thing about the west wing is its ability to seamlessly shift from moments of comic genius into the kind of serious situations that most other programmes and even films are affraid to tackle.
But above all, the West Wing shows us exactly how we would like world leaders to be in real life. We would love to see President Bartlett sitting in the real White House surrounded by people who are passionate and totally committed to trying to make the world a better place. Almost makes politics a noble thing.
A must for fans. This has to be added to your DVD collection.
27 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
At the end of the first series we were left with the explosive shoot out in Roslyn but what has become of poor President Bartlett in the second series. Since the release of the second series on television i personally have to say i have been champing at the bit to get my hands upon the latest series on DVD.
This highly entertaining programme from the pen of Aaron Sorkin has returned in triumph once again to DVD with much anticipation, the writing is of an incredibly high standard and is a pleasure to watch. The sophistication, wit and sarcasam remain amongst the cast of the multi emmy award winning show and prove that the first season was not just a lucky first run. This highly insightful inside view of American political dealings has caught the political imaginations of many in this time of crisis in world politics and has led to a real interest and a desire to understand partisan politics in America. Its ability to show not just the business side of professional politics but the relationships, joys and moments of sadness shared by these professional political operatives is genuinely heartwarming and well worth watching.
I believe this programme is undoubtedly worth five stars and can be enjoyed by all no matter where you sit on the political fence.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The West Wing is affecting TV in the noughties like MASH affected it in the seventies. This DVD has some more classic episodes, including (in episode 3) the comprehensive dissing by POTUS (if you're a fan, you'll know and if you're not, you'll work it out) of a pseudo-psychologist bible-bashing DJ. A classic piece of television that I watched 3 times in a row and it still made me laugh. The West Wing is so well-written and so good - we know that the chances of someone as principled as Martin Sheen's President Jed Bartlet making it to the White House are miniscule, but it doesn't stop us hoping. There's no special features here - if you want the cast interviews, etc you need to get the 1st season - which is a bit of a shame. But when the main feature is this good, I guess it doesn't really matter.
If you think you can cope with the confusion, watch a film called "The American President" starring Michael Douglas as the President. It's a bit of a forerunner of the West Wing and it has Martin Sheen as the White House Chief of Staff and others from the West Wing, but no-one in the role they ended up playing in the TV series. An interesting film to watch if you like the West Wing, and a good film in its own right.
Let's be honest - if politics was really like this, a lot more of us would vote...
PS Can I have CJ's job please? She really kicks ass.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Why does it reduce me tears?
As seasons progress you do wonder whether the initial magic will disappear. Take my word for it this season sustains its magic..and how! Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2005 by c lowe
Wow! - A stunning continuation of the excellent season 1!
The first half of "The West Wing"s season 2 is an excellent continuation of many first season themes. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2003 by "gtew3"
Wow
Never caught the West Wing on TV but then they had a special offer on the season one DVDs and we thought we'd give it a try. Read more
Published on 17 July 2003
Hate soaps? Me too, but this one is worth watching.
I didn’t see The West Wing when it first came to TV in the UK. I’d seen the trailers and was more than interested, but missed the first few episodes and that interest... Read more
Published on 23 Jun 2003 by Debbie Churchill
Better than I remembered
On first impressions, this series got off to a slow and poor start and new characters only seemed to add a bit of freshness to an otherwise struggling set of scripts. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2003 by addled adder
Just love Westwing
We don't watch much TV and missed this show completely.
Friends recommended that we watch it - well we had missed the beginning so we we bought the first series and this first... Read more
Published on 23 April 2003
The west wing returns
Stunning. Once again writer, director and actors pull together to create a series that is above all others. Read more
Published on 22 April 2003 by Mr. Peter R. Urquhart
Breathtaking Stuff
Wow! This is drama at it's best. Having got the first series in my Christmas stocking and getting through all 22 episodes well before New Year's Day, I couldn't wait for the second... Read more
Published on 21 April 2003 by Tom
The world we wish we lived in
After an awesome beginning with the fallout of the shootings, this series tails off slightly and the smugness, and all-round cleverness of everyone gets a little annoying. Read more
Published on 21 April 2003 by Adam Foster
The series' high point, and maybe the start of its decline
The 2-hr premier of season 2 is possibly one of the greatest 2 hours in TV drama history, and certainly the high point of the series to date. Read more
Published on 15 April 2003 by J. Hardy
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