Post by Paul Dudbridge on Jan 13, 2007 16:38:05 GMT
The West Wing - *****
The West Wing has just finished it's seventh and final run. The title comes from the area of the White House where the President works and lives and the show follows the Pres and his staff as they deal with political issues in the US and abroad. It's fast, it's involving, well acted, funny and informative. Some of the political stuff goes over my head with subjects dealing with US Congress and the constitution but it's done in such a way, that the essence of the scene or the troubles or consequences because of it are clear.
Important international events unfold, which we never see, as everything is from the point of view of the President's oval Office but we still feel so involved and in the thick of the action as it's so well described and documented. China is about to go to war with India, a submarine is sinking in Russian waters but to go help is to tell the Russians we are there in the first place, to the space shuttle is stranded with hours left of air. And a great one from season 7 was a nuclear reactor is breaking down and men have to go in to turn a valve to stop the leak putting themselves at serious risk of radiation. But we never cut to see the action...
Perhaps what I like about it the most is the comparison to our politics today and spin and the media. This is the heart of the show. What are we told, what is held back from us, what spin is applied to these announcements? And just how hard it is to be in power with the media and public judging you over every move you make.
One particular story which was involving, really showed how ignorant arm chair politicians at home can be. A meeting was held between the Pharmaceutical companies and aid charities in Africa. The charities were asking for tons of free medications to help Aids sufferers in Africa. Now these companies produce millions of dollars worth and in large quantities to boot and no one could see why "they can't just hand over the meds to us". The companies pointed out it is never as simple as how it seems. The medication has to be taken at 10 specific times of the day to have even a chance of doing any good. But the people who need it most...have no watches and can't tell the time...
Season six and seven changed formula slightly and followed the new Presidential candidates as they run for office to take over from Martin Sheen's President. Seeing how campaigns are run to get the maximum votes from people was simply mind boggling. Whether to leak this information or not, how the public feel about you because of your private life and appearance....
I think to sum it up, the insight into the mind is really what grabs me. Perceptions, second guesses, attitudes, beliefs that blind reason, common sense and logic. When really somethings are simply black and white and the answer to problems is really simply when weighed up sensibly.
Enjoy
The West Wing has just finished it's seventh and final run. The title comes from the area of the White House where the President works and lives and the show follows the Pres and his staff as they deal with political issues in the US and abroad. It's fast, it's involving, well acted, funny and informative. Some of the political stuff goes over my head with subjects dealing with US Congress and the constitution but it's done in such a way, that the essence of the scene or the troubles or consequences because of it are clear.
Important international events unfold, which we never see, as everything is from the point of view of the President's oval Office but we still feel so involved and in the thick of the action as it's so well described and documented. China is about to go to war with India, a submarine is sinking in Russian waters but to go help is to tell the Russians we are there in the first place, to the space shuttle is stranded with hours left of air. And a great one from season 7 was a nuclear reactor is breaking down and men have to go in to turn a valve to stop the leak putting themselves at serious risk of radiation. But we never cut to see the action...
Perhaps what I like about it the most is the comparison to our politics today and spin and the media. This is the heart of the show. What are we told, what is held back from us, what spin is applied to these announcements? And just how hard it is to be in power with the media and public judging you over every move you make.
One particular story which was involving, really showed how ignorant arm chair politicians at home can be. A meeting was held between the Pharmaceutical companies and aid charities in Africa. The charities were asking for tons of free medications to help Aids sufferers in Africa. Now these companies produce millions of dollars worth and in large quantities to boot and no one could see why "they can't just hand over the meds to us". The companies pointed out it is never as simple as how it seems. The medication has to be taken at 10 specific times of the day to have even a chance of doing any good. But the people who need it most...have no watches and can't tell the time...
Season six and seven changed formula slightly and followed the new Presidential candidates as they run for office to take over from Martin Sheen's President. Seeing how campaigns are run to get the maximum votes from people was simply mind boggling. Whether to leak this information or not, how the public feel about you because of your private life and appearance....
I think to sum it up, the insight into the mind is really what grabs me. Perceptions, second guesses, attitudes, beliefs that blind reason, common sense and logic. When really somethings are simply black and white and the answer to problems is really simply when weighed up sensibly.
Enjoy
