The West Wing - Complete Season 4

You will probably read some reviews for this season of the outstanding drama that is "The West WIng" that are somewhat derogatory. It has often been said that Season 4 is the darkest of the first four offerings, and this is indeed the case. But this is not necessarily a bad thing.Let me explain why...The first two seasons were phenomenal, and there really is no excuse for not having seen them. If you haven't, stop reading this review now, buy them, and settle back in your armchair for something like 29 hours of televesion that could conceivably change your life - they really were that good.The first two seasons were all about developing the relationships between the lead characters, and introducing the viewer to somewhat complex political process that exists in the US. This was tremendously successful, but could not form the basis of an ongoing drama series. The third season, whilst excellent in many ways, did seem to flounder somewhat in comparison. It lacked some of the comedy of the first two seasons, and this was seen by some as a weakness.So where to go with season 4? For me, it was all about going back to basics, and developing intriguing, in many cases powerful storylines, and then exploring some of the deeper emotional aspects of the characters within those stories. This differs from the first three seasons in that they often seemed to build the stories around the character rather than the other way around. This is, in my opinion, the greatest success of season 4. The emotional link that you build with the senior staff is much stronger than those seasons that went before it, as you see them face situations that have greater personal significance.My assessment would be that this season is not worse than 1 or 2, just different. There are some truly outstanding episodes - four to pay special attention to are 20 hours in America parts 1 and 2, Game on (perhaps one of the top 3 all time episodes), and the incredibly tense and gripping commencement.

Simply brilliant - still so slick, fresh and relevant. Seems we never learn anything - we are still making the same mistakes today and agonizing over the same unresolved issues.

(No spoilers in review)I cannot say this is the best series of the West Wing. The first series is the best, but this sure is close. I've seen series 1, 2, 3 and 4 - All are unbelievably great. This is better than series 3, it seems more focused and has some great story ideas. All the characters are up to their usual great standards and with some new ones added.The climax to the series, however, is possibly the best piece of television I have ever seen. Any fan of the West Wing will recognise "2 Cathedrals" from series 2 as a legendary episode - the final episode of series 4 "25", surpasses that.Right from episode one this series delivers the goods and it carries on all the way through. One or two episodes can't be considered brilliant, but there are certainly no bad episodes. Special mention goes to the episodes "Game On", "Evidence of things not seen", "Commencement", "25", "Inauguration part 1&2" (2 especially) and "The California 47th" - But as earlier stated, there are no bad episdoes.I cannot wait until series 5 comes out. Once you watch series 4 you will be thinking that exact same thing as well!

First things first. If you've watched the first three seasons of "The West Wing" and are wondering if the fourth is worth watching too, yes, it is. There are plenty of highly enjoyable episodes in here, and the show covers new territory, as much of the first half of the season focuses on Bartlet's re-election campaign. But, it has to be said, the flawlessness and satisfaction enjoyed at the end of almost every episode in the previus seasons does begin to rub off slightly in this season. The characters are the same, the situations just as interesting. That's not the problem; there's simply an unknown quality missing, especially in the second half of the season, that set the first three apart as the hallmark of excellence in TV entertainment.However, fear not avid fan. A dip for "The West Wing" still keeps it head and shoulders above most other TV dramas, and the change is not so bad you notice or care less about Bartlet and his staff, or root for them with any less loyalty. Much of the season, in any case, is as good as it gets for the show, helped by the timing of Bartlet's re-election run. Until now, we've only seen short flashbacks to his first presidential campaign; in Season 4, the election gets much more coverage. Arguably the best episodes of the season is the opening two-parter, "20 Hours In America" which begins with an election swing through Indiana that has comic results for Josh, Donna and Toby, landing them right in the middle of "real America" and confronting them with the worries and concerns of the most average of voters. "Debate camp" is another highlight, and gives us another glimpse into the past as the staff recall their turbulent transition and earliest days in the White House. Bartlet's debate with Ritchie is also great viewing, and Sam's own run for office in California is also something different, though ultimately the departure of Rob Lowe's character does have a dent on the ensemble performance of the main characters (Joshua Malina's replacement character, Will Bailey, is funny and engaging but long-term lacks the wit and charm of Seaborn). As the season rolls on and Bartlet is re-inaugurated, gives another state-of-the-union, and has to deal with yet more melodrama and scandal in his White House, the staff are made to work for every victory they get, and are never far away from political or foreign attack. The continuing threat from Qumar, carried over from the Season 3 finale, has dramatic consequences for this season climax, and should leave jaws firmly glued to the floor.The cast, for their part, still seem to be enjoying themselves, along with newcomers Joshua Malina and Lily Tomlin, the latter playing Bartlet's new personal secretary Debbie Fiderer. Having lost the unforgettable Mrs Landingham (Kathryn Joosten) at the end of Season 2, the writers wisely make Debbie into something totally different, though she has all the brains and wit needed to blend in with the rest of the cast. Christian Slater also makes a few brief appearances, as does "Friends" star Matthew Perry as a new assistant White House Counsel, though his character Joe Quincy is never quite as at home in an opposition White House as Ainsly Hayes was. And of course all the regualrs are here, Martin Sheen as engaging as ever as the Commander-in-Chief, John Spencer, Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford and Allison Janney all making the most of playing characters that, by now, must be second nature to them. Josh and Toby in partiular seem to crave more opportunities to flex political muscle in year four, perhaps with one eye on the future, and the chemistry between Josh and Donna continues to simmer under the surface, though Josh's relationship with Amy Gardner (Mary-Louise Parker) continues to complicate things. A particularly memorable episode for CJ fans is "The Long Goodbye", an episode that doesn't really have a place in the chronology of the show, but is a one=off special about Alzheimer's Disease, and follows CJ as she travels home to Ohio to speak at a high school reunion and vist her father. It is a moving and poignant episode, and Allison Janney takes her character to new territory with a fantastic performance.So, plenty to see here folks, even if some of the later episodes might lack some of the early series magic. Part of the draw of this show is to see how Bartlet and his staff adapt and continue to work in the White House. The cast are as comfortable as ever in their roles, and Aaron Sorkin continues to keep the storylines fresh and interesting. See how they continue to run in "The West Wing", Season Four.

Works great

The fourth is the last season written by Aaron Sorkin, that genius, after which I lost interest. But boy was it fantastic while it lasted.

I was given the first few episodes of season 1 on tape and was immediately hooked and ordered series 1 & 2 on DVD. Seasons 2 and 3 were great and as a bonus, by the time season 4 was issued for the UK they had managed to get the display format correct for our TVs. Series 2 & 3 were in 4 by 3 format which was mildly irritating but didn't detract from the content.What a pity British drama does not often come up to this standard.

SAFE TO READ - NO SPOILERS!This, in so many ways, is what we hope Pennsylvania Avenue, Downing Street and other seats of government are like. I don't think they are but there is nothing wrong with sitting round the television imagining and wishing; the detailed and imaginative storylines and the situations with which they have to deal are, perhaps, the reasons seats of government are not like this. (Recent picture of President Obhama, Secretary of State Clinton and Vice-President Byden sitting with their war cabinet watching events playing out in Pakistan was not so shocking to those of us who have seen it so often on the WW.)President Bartlett is a character with whom many of us could do business, as are many of the team which surrounds him - all credit to the script-writers. This, and others like it, have a great effect on the electorate's view of politicians, politics and the system in which they live but that is more a PhD thesis rather than a review here, e.g. the thought of a woman or a black president had already been mentally digested by the public in other series.The maelstrom that is politics is portrayed so well by such a talented group of actors, technicians and script-writers it is easy to understand why this series became so popular and why there were so many.Even if you have already seen it when it was first broadcast, buy it. I am sure, in this fast-moving programme, you must have missed something.

EXCELENTE PRODUCTO!

初めて挑戦する作品ジャンルでまだ見始めたばかりですが、全米が絶賛する、人気の理由の一つがわかったような気がします。

The item was described as "Used-Good," and the box shows signs of regular use, as it should! However, the DVDs are in perfect condition.

Great series! Loved to see it again. Great writing! This series still reflects the pitfalls of politics today. Had to watch the entire series over again.

Great!