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Amazon.co.uk Review
There is no letdown in talent or skill for the third season of this blue ribbon drama. One could say these 22 episodes play as a continuation of the second season; there are no major new characters or earth-shattering plots and the Emmys rewarded the series with its third straight award for Best Drama (and unlike season 4, no one argued about the laurels). The third year starts with a stand-alone episode "Isaac & Ishmael", a special show created, shot, and broadcast 22 days after the 9/11 events. Although the final results tend to be sermonic, the fact the show was able to drop everything and commit to a new season opener is evident not only of talent, but of a disciplined work force operating at the top of their game.
President Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) decision to run for reelection after the disclosure of suffering MS fuels the fire for the first half of the season. Depositions are filed against the staff, minor mistakes take on more significance, and the White House consul (Oliver Platt) has the run of the table warning of worst-case scenarios. The focus soon turns to the First Lady (Stockard Channing) as the potential "Lady Macbeth" of the scandal. Channing aces her role and turns her birthday celebration ("Dead Irish Writers") into one of the season's highlights. Assistant Donna (Janel Moloney), her boss Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), and press secretary C.J. (Alison Janney) all have charismatic romances, but the ace supporting player this year is John Spencer as the relentlessly loyal Chief of Staff Leo McGarry. Whether delivering the hard truth, accepting the proverbial bullet for the President, or being our guide to how Bartlet ran in the first place (in another wonderful flashback episode, "Bartlet for America"), all roads lead to McGarry. Acting Emmys went to Channing, Spencer, and Janney, but the strength of this show is that the entire cast has glorious moments (Toby's taking on the President's mode of operation, Sam's belief in government, or the President's peculiarities of Thanksgiving are just a few). Recurring guest stars--the likes of Ron Silver, Tim Matheson, Mary Louise Parker, and Mark Harmon--deliver some of their career-best work. Crack writing, a breathless pace, plus you learn a bit about government. What else do you want from a TV drama? --Doug Thomas
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having already seen all the episodes on E4 what seems like an eternity ago, I can not wait for the release of Season three.
For those who are already fans of The West Wing... wait a minute - what am I talking about? Anyone who has ever seen the west wing will not be reading this review - they don't need me to tell them how great it is, and they will have just clicked on the "order now" button.
For those who have not seen it, I will quote a great line that Sam used regarding CJ's request for help understanding the Census in the excellent "Mr Willis of Ohio" episode from season 1 -
"let's forget the fact that you are late joining the party, and embrace the fact that you showed up at all."
The West Wing really is once in a generation television. The casting is superb, the story lines are solid, and the acting is little short of mesmerising. I honestly do not know anyone who, having seen one episode, has not become hooked. Season three continues the high standards set in seasons 1 and 2, wth a lot more political depth (don't let this put you off - I hate politics with a passion, but this is entertaining stuff), and even greater development of the personalities of the characters and their relationships.
I would recommend that you watch seasons 1 and 2 first if you have not already seen them, then buy this. It is an expensive business, being a West Wing fan, but believe me when I tell you that there are very few episodes that you will not watch again and again, so in terms of value for money, it is top notch.
Enjoy!
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The 3rd series of the West Wing continues right where series 2 left of, resolving the cliff hanger and moving on to the fallout of Bartlett’s shocking admission. Once again the cast deliver uniformly superb performances of Aaron Sorkin's unparalleled writing. The series has many standout moments including an episode with more of the back story of Leo convincing Jeb to run for president. The best moment of the series however comes near the end as CJ delivers a hugely emotional speech in the episode "Enemies Foreign and Domestic", the moment is guaranteed to leave you shocked, appalled yet strangely triumphant. The episode as a whole is among the best this stunning series has to offer, moving on from that emotional speech to end on a beautiful high note of the President meeting with an ordinary father and son.
The series continues the high standards of its predecessors and builds a beautiful story arc ending once more in a stunning finale to bring tears to your eyes. Relationships deepen, and new ones are started, policy is made and battles are fought, and all the while the characters retain warmth, humour, intelligence and wit. No other series comes close to the quality of the ensemble cast or beauty of writing. The sopranos may have the best character, 6 feet under be edgier, and 24 the action but none combines drama, tension and humour to such great effect.
If you have the 1st and 2nd series you will buy this, if you don’t buy them now, and then buy this and enjoy the finest TV and DVD can offer.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In actual fact, there's not much simple about the West Wing. I don't pretend to understand half of what's said, but neither does Allison Janney (C.J. Cregg) so I'm in good company!
However, The West Wing is undeniably superb. The writing and acting on the show is second to none, but perhaps more important is the topics that the show addresses, and the way they are addressed. Not many shows could put together a response to the Terror attacks on the World Trade Centre in such short time - most didn't bother in any time - and I'd rather have the 'preachy' element of the show than the marked silence of others.
In The West Wing, we see many difficult issues facing America and the world discussed, and it is reassuring that they are discussed, we hear the other side of the story; we see people change their minds, and it gives me hope that although fictitious, people like Toby, Josh and even POTUS himself might be in the White House in some way, shape or form.
Not many shows are thought-provoking, dramatic and funny as The West Wing.
Bartlet for America!
However, The West Wing is undeniably superb. The writing and acting on the show is second to none, but perhaps more important is the topics that the show addresses, and the way they are addressed. Not many shows could put together a response to the Terror attacks on the World Trade Centre in such short time - most didn't bother in any time - and I'd rather have the 'preachy' element of the show than the marked silence of others.
In The West Wing, we see many difficult issues facing America and the world discussed, and it is reassuring that they are discussed, we hear the other side of the story; we see people change their minds, and it gives me hope that although fictitious, people like Toby, Josh and even POTUS himself might be in the White House in some way, shape or form.
Not many shows are thought-provoking, dramatic and funny as The West Wing.
Bartlet for America!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great season, great series, but....
This is a great season of one of the greatest TV series ever. So why the two stars? Because of the lamentably poor quality of the dvd issue for us poor saps in the third world... Read more
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If your a fan you have to buy them all - enough said! The west wing is presented great in this box set and also has tons of extras on the discs and also in the box.
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