ChrisB13

To claim something is unequalled is a huge statement and to back it up with reason is difficult and yet, I think The West Wing is unequalled in so many ways it's almost impossible to describe. The subject matter had not been attempted before this and that, in and of itself, is huge. The Presidency, the inner workings of the White House and how Congressional support or interference or misunderstanding can impact issues. They are the source of everything that unfolds. To craft a story around the inner working of the White House, a certain presidency and how all the people in and around an administration fit into that daily grind and make it believable, is a herculean effort. I am on my third viewing of this MASTERPIECE and I'd been looking to see if there is or was one thing, one episode or one person that stood out from the rest. The problem is that it all stands out so it is impossible to choose a defining moment and yes, there are that many! The casting is superb. The writing is top-shelf. The acting is flawless. The pace and rhythm are beautifully cadenced. The direction is, without question, one of the best for an ongoing series I've ever seen. I, for one, wished it could go on longer but two terms in office had been our limit since FDR's historic three elected terms in office...and alas, it had to end. One would think that eight years of this would be more than enough but somehow, it wasn't and isn't. Yes...that's how good it is.