Great antidote to the horrific events of election day??

Perhaps what's most interesting about this thread is that, two years or so into the series' original run, we had another election stolen -- that one courtesy of the Supreme Court -- and the series provided much the same "sanity balm" during the darkest of the Bush years (although admittedly some of that darkness came from outside forces). Sorkin admitted during one of his voice-over commentaries (which is one reason I prefer watching the series on DVD -- it's something you don't get on Netflix) that 9/11 changed his perspective on government and foreign affairs, and that he never really could "get it right" during the last two years that he was still the principal writer, and it helps to explain the darker tone that began in Season 3.

I didn't discover this series until a few years ago, and watching it with a much better President in the Oval Office made it seem a bit more . . . resonant. Now we're back to having to use it as a kind of antivenin for the soul.

But it is a delightful show, with characters depicted as genuinely caring about the American people and the legacy to be left for our children and grandchildren, and not just how to use the powers of the executive branch to further enrich those who are already doing quite well, thank you very much. The dialogue and the interlocking storytelling, especially during the first two seasons, was so artful and complex that repeated viewings are still quite satisfying; revisiting episodes like "Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc," "A Proportional Response," or "In Excelsis Deo" are like reconnecting with old friends.

I've heard it said that what makes something a masterpiece is that you can always go back to it and find something you missed the first time. "The West Wing" certainly fits that definition.

I'm feeling the same way. However I do get depressed thinking how was I wish Martin Sheen would make a better president and seeing the inner workings of a fictional show what would really happen if that was what it will be like with the new administration

Yup. This is exactly why IMDB is getting rid of these boards. Posters like this who have nothing intelligent or even pertinent to add to the conversation. Just spewing their nasty, obnoxious bile.

I'll miss the boards, but not idiots like this.