The original post: /r/television by /u/HemmenKees on 2025-03-31 22:29:47.
So I’m watching West Wing for the first time (I know, I’m behind the curve). I am loving the show, but I just watched the season 2 finale and… I thought it was way below the show’s standard?
I am kind of anticipating most people disagreeing with me on this, and I’m prepared to take my beating, but nevertheless. I noticed a lot of people on the internet say they think its the best episode of the show, and that it takes cliches and makes them fresh again. I’m shocked by this.
— This episode is 20 years old, but: *Spoilers below this point* —
This is mostly because I felt the scene in the cathedral was extremely forced and trite. The episode revolves around it, and its basically the climax of the season, and yet I can’t get past this moment of immense emotional turmoil being communicated in such a not-subtle way as… the president yelling at God, in English and Latin (I get that the Latin is in character for Bartlett) and then putting out a cigarette on the floor in a massive church. Talk about telling your audience, not showing. IMO, that scene wouldn’t be out of place in a cheap one season flop. Again, I’m a huge fan of the show, which is why this stuck out to me so much.
This is far from my only gripe, though. Otherwise, I thought the flashbacks were a bit silly (much worse than the flashbacks to the campaign at the beginning of S2, which I enjoyed). Especially the one where his father hits him - its such a cliche, and IMO they put very little new spin on it. I also didn’t love the bit with Bartlett walking out into the tropical storm without a jacket right before his press conference just seemed far too self indulgent. Does anyone, anyone at all, feel the same way as I? If not, at the very least I’m happy to be told why I’m wrong.