The West Wing-Season 5ep17 The Supremes. Mainly through Josh Lymans initiative and a helpful idea from Donna the President is able to appoint the countrys first ever female chief justice in Evelyn Baker-Lang
That moment when Glenn Close manages to convey the enormity of the moment just by hesitating to add the words "Chief Justice" on a piece of paper brings me to tears. What an incredible actress.
I am not sure which, in reality, is going to make a greater impact: the first female Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, or the first female US President. Hopefully we will see one of those questions answered in November.
Someone who could hold a stance, but see the merits of opposing views, and wouldn't let his own beliefs color his decisions. In other words, what a judge (especially a Supreme Court Justice) should be.
*This is one of my fave episodes in the entire series. I regularly rewatch it, haha. And you're right, the casting for the two justice nominees was spot on. Casting director/executive's brilliant.*
@@davepullin8572 *Nope. This only happened because there were 2 vacant seats, one was a conservative justice who died, the other was the Chief Justice's who resigned because he wanted to see another young, liberal lion. The President must always choose a justice nominee who she or he thinks will serve the Court and the people well.*
@@fatboy1333 While a fraction of what you say may have merit. Let's be real though, while the left may use them as a voting block it is only because the right purposely passes legislation made to disenfranchise them. That is like flyover states constantly voting against their own interest and believing being educated is wrong and leftist. While I am a centrist at heart who swings both ways on the pole I can see hypocrisy in both parties.
@Thor Swenson The point he was making was that if you want to convince someone of your argument, you're not going to do it by raising the same argument they've rejected multiple times, but rather try a different tack. In this case, that affirmative action should be done because it works. African Americans who benefit are more likely to contribute to society. They get better paying jobs-that reduces minority poverty. Reducing poverty means there are fewer angry black men who want to work, but can't get a decent job because they don't have the skills. And Charlie is bright enough to see where that argument is heading.
I have always loved the small handshake at 2:09 between Fichtner and Close' characters. Just a subtle detail to capture respect and awe for the moment for them. It's two people who are the top of their field and have polar opposite views, at times, yet are about to set off on an adventure together. Just love it for some reason.
I think it's because, although they hold opposing views, they are each honest about those views and respect that honesty in the other. Politics in the 20th and 21st century seems to have become less about doing what is right for the country and more about what the individual politician can gain from his/her actions. Honesty and respect for others seem to have disappeared somewhere (probably out looking for morality and integrity which also seem unknown to modern politicians). What I like most about the West Wing is that from Jed Bartlett on down all of the characters try to be guided in their action by what is morally right - even if sometimes expediency gets in the way and doing the right thing has to give way to just doing the best they can.
The exchange between Mulready and Charlie on AA is a wonderful example of the intellectual honesty needed by our top decision-makers. You understand and attack the strongest counter to your position. Moreover, you encourage the people on the other side of a debate to bring their best game. That is the only way the conversation moves forward.
Unfortunately, the intellectualism once prominent on the right side has continued to dwindle, with conspiracy theories and bigotry the prevailers. As a 22 year old watching this nearly 20 years ago, I have looked forward to a scene such as this. Instead, we got Merrick Garland's nomination held up for half a year and got Gorsuch, who I still can't follow where his reasoning comes from, and Kavenaugh, who couldn't hold his temper during questioning, in a position where we often think you should be level headed and intellectual.
@@lordhawkeye I have never willfully withheld required disclosures, I have never said one thing during an interview and did the complete opposite, I have never lost my temper in front of a live judiciary on TV, I have never taken away rights from others, not sure what kind of projection or confession you're talking about
@@shahmask Amusing that you fail to see that both sides of the political aisle have devolved into mudslinging and personal attacks. Your stance is precisely how we got here: refusing to acknowledge that one's own party is actually guilty of many of the misdeeds they accuse the others of.
*This remains one of my favorite episodes in the entire series. I regularly rewatch it, haha. Brilliant, spot-on casting of Close and Fichtner for the two justice nominees. Always a joy to watch this episode.*
I am a moderate republican.... but I keep watching these wonderful excerpts from West Wing.... and wish that we had a president as erudite and caring as this one... even if I would disagree with some of his policies.
As shown in this episode, it's the debating of ideas and finding a balance that is good for all Americans not just one party. I vote on actions not party, more research but I feel good about my vote.
The entire story was a masterpiece of TV drama and it still makes me proud. The appointment of two Justices... a decision made in compromise... and it is all due to Donna's parents and their inability to decide which pet to chose. Masterpiece
I can't tell you how much I wish there had been a spinoff following clerks in the supreme court and those two as justices. It would have been amazing to see the discussions and debates behind the scenes.
This was one of - if not *the* best - episode from a casting standpoint in a show that was consistently excellent in casting even the most minor characters.
@@robertchandler4033 The White House had already made a deal with the Senate Judiciary Committee guaranteeing Justice Baker-Langs confirmation, hence Toby had no reason to be superstitious.
"The 5th season basically sucks except for The Supremes which was AWESOME!" One of the sharpest episode-to-rest-of-season contrasts in all of television I think haha.
it really shows character development when Toby, who wanted to avoid tempting fate in the first season of the West Wing, is now willing to tempt the wrath of high above to ask for the inscription of the first nominated female chief justice
The best series I have watched ni TV in my life! Aaron Sorkin created a legacy and model not only about a series but about what a leader should be! When I hear what we have and what they show in the series I wonder how can we get there...
I’ve seen this clip a number of times and I just realized that this is the only time that by having her sign using the title of Chief Justice that Toby has tempted the “wrath of whoever from high atop the thing”. Not his usual behavior.
well considering that the deal had already been made with the republican party that they could have who they wanted and Bartlett then got who he wanted it was a fate a complie
It's moments like this that remind me how much I love this show... The West Wing had it all... humour, drama, the ability to tug at heart strings... showing that good people can have flaws and rise above them.
Ahhh! Evelyn Baker Lang! One of my all time favourite characters on that show, even if it was just one episode! Christopher Mulready was also an awesome character! Excellent acting on both of them!
When Santos is sworn in as President in the final episode the Chief Justice is a blonde female. Chief Justice Lang is still there even if she’s not portrayed by Glenn Close.
@@Manolo0528 Actually, if you put caption, you can read that it is Evelyn Baker Lang as Chief Justice who sworn Santos as President, that type of details it is amazing and it is why The West Wing is one of my favorite shows in TV
@@nataliasepulveda8957 Except in the episode where they appointed Lang & the new AJ, WW read off the names of the sitting Justices & Mendoza, who was appointed by Bartlett in Season 1, was not listed.
The situation we find ourselves in is her fault. She should've retired after Obama won his first term. He had a suoer majority in both houses & could've easily replaced her with a like minded justice. Instead she hung on until we git stuck with Trump appointees.
@@wthwasthat8884 Actually yes, it is her fault. She'd had major health issues for years. She didn't die suddenly from some random event. Her health had been in decline for quite some time.
@@wthwasthat8884 well tyro apache isn't wrong. Obama tried to get her to retire before the midterms in 2014 but she wanted to stay because she was afraid she would be bored at home since her husband died and because she hoped that a woman (Hillary running in 2016 was the worst kept secret in Washington at the time) would name her replacement. As much as I feel for her, that was selfish on her part. Thurgood Marshall made the same mistake and look who ended up being his successor, Clarence freaking Thomas who was nominated at age 40. Conservative judges do play the long game. Look at how Kennedy retired. I just hope that Breyer doesn't make the same mistake.
I liked the show, even though I'm a bit more conservative than Sorkin et al. This was the best episode I ever saw. Close really dominates every scene she's in. Great writing, from the most trivial scene (they got both cats) to the end. The scene where Josh watches Lang walk out after the first 'interview' is just great wordless acting. The problem with TWW is how small our real-life politicians seem in comparison!
I love this episode. The debating between Fichtner and Glenn Close was so brilliantly written. Showing that a conservative ideologue could also be invested in interpreting the Constitution without their own personal agenda was brilliant but also, as evidenced lately, a bit of wishful thinking. Or, maybe just hope in the future of our country.
@@talavb9301 History will prove the error of this statement. They are bought and paid for and base judgements not on the constitution but on the self interest of the millionaires/billionaires who purchased the seats.
One of the best episodes of a great dramatic series! I had the pleasure and privilege of working on one episode which centered around CJ and her father titled, "The Long Goodbye".
It can run like this but not yet in the US. The Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia (equivalent of the US Supreme Court) is a woman. It will happen eventually.
its the closes thing to a perfect episode. though you know the endgame, but the script and performance from everyone was just brilliant. never ever gets old.
Canada here; we did this back in 2000. She was originally nominated in 1989 as a justice and in a few days is just retiring. Her name is Beverly Maclachlin, born in Alberta, raised in British Columbia. She legalized same sex marriage and also is widely regarded as our greatest Chief Justice.Your move America,
This series is worth rewatching every few years if only for the reminder of what we're supposed to be as a country. Is it a bit too saccharine and idealistic at times? For sure. But, that's also what makes it so great. With a huge dose of integrity and caring for others, it could, in some ways, be reality.
That show was SO GREAT! Highlighting what American politics SHOULD BE, what staffs MUST BE, and what OFFICE HOLDERS NEED TO RETURN TO BEING! THE BEST, BRIGHTEST, MOST DRIVEN, MOST DEDICATED, MOST WILLING TO LEAD THIS COUNTRY. SHAMEFULLY, our current crop of politician ended, when this show ended (and is no longer there to REMIND US), which is what politicians/politics SHOULD/COULD/NEED TO BE!
This is the best post Sorkin WW episode. Although it fails to mention the Bartlett appointed Justice Alberto Mendoza at any stage which always irritates me. Imagine a spin off show featuring Close, Fincher and Olmos going at it - wow.
One of the best things about this scene, is how Mulready seems open to arguments that hold up liberal standards. He was portrayed as a conservative, yes, but a conservative who knew how to uphold the law and not make decisions based on ideology.
I have loved the West Wing since I first saw it. As a Brit who knows next to nothing about the US system of government I was always impressed when, as in this episode, we see a President who is prepared to make the decisions he believes are right; no matter how hard they may be to implement. And here we see two candidates for the Supreme Court who, despite having opposite views, nonetheless respect the other and are able to put the needs of the country above their own ambitions or party. Superb writing; If only life was really like that.
It would be interesting to see a future President to appoint two Supreme Court nominees in a "package deal",one of them is a liberal, the other as a conservative.
Current Republican senate would make sure they voted on the conservative first, approved them, then Moscow Mitch would refuse to have a vote on the liberal.
Adam R. Wyss what really disconcerting is that if things stand as is I don’t think RBG has another 4 years and Thomas will likely retire pushing the court farther right.
IIRC this is modeled on an actual event from the pre Civil War era. A pro and anti slavery justice were both replaced together to maintain the status quo.
I honestly think this is how it should be done. The President’s staff negotiated with the Republican controlled Senate Judiciary Committee and Chamber to guarantee Baker-Lang’s confirmation, so long as they got to fill the other seat. Imagine, the majority gets a seat, the minority gets a seat. I think it would take a lot of contention out of the process.
It's not very often that more than one seat comes open. This only worked on the show because they had an aging liberal Chief Justice would could be convinced to step down if they could get a liberal like Lang to replace him. In the real world, it's normally only one seat that comes open at a time, there are instances where the Chief Justice steps down or dies and an Associate Justice is nominated to replace him, but even then only one seat is being filled at a time because the Associate Justice isn't kicked off the court if he or she ins't confirmed to be the new Chief Justice. Would it be nice to see Democrats and Republicans come together to preserve the balance of the court by allowing say Justice Ginsberg and Justice Thomas to retire while filling their seats with people of similar ideology, of course it would. But it can't happen because the Court has been turned into a weapon by both sides and neither of them would be willing to give up the chance of gaining a seat and further swinging the balance of the court in their favor.
Zackery Baum Well had the Republicans not committed a judicial coup by not even giving Garland a hearing, it might have been possible. The dems base is already pissed of about how they let Gorsuch through without a fight. A deal like the one Josh struck would be political suicide in today's political climate.
@@yao052 - How is it a coup to not click your heels when Messiah Obama gives orders? Do you want a list of all the other presidential SCOTUS picks that didn't get confirmed?
I wish i lived in this universe instead our shity one. Silica dies the first thing you here is one side celebrating and the other rushing to promise a block on obamas appointment. We dont talk it out anymore, we dont even ask we just generalize and hate each other.
Remember during the Mendoza confirmation vote, Toby was concerned about premature celebration and was worried about tempting fate? How interesting to see the development of his character here four years later, with no reservations whatsoever about asking the not yet even announced nominee to sign as Chief Justice. Talk about growth and progress. What an example for all to follow.
I AM A RIGHT LEANING LIBERTARIAN AND I BELIEVE THREATS TO BURN IT DOWN BY BLM AND ANTIFA ARE MUCH BETTER THAN COMPROMISE...WOULD LOVE TO HEAR BARTTLETS THOUGHTS ON "MOSTLY PEACEFUL PRROTESTS"
Pretty sure that in the background at the ceremony they announce Chief Justice Lang and the stand-in is a blonde woman. Perhaps she was unavailable for the episode.
I always thought Fichtner might have gotten his role on 'Mom' based on his guest role in The West Wing. But from what I've read, they've known each other for a long time.
As this episode comes to an end the President says he looks forward to taking questions. But this is the virtual last time we see or hear about JC E Baker-Lang. The questions would, imho, have been very interesting.
Such incredible attention to detail, but they didn't show the podium used in the Brady Press Room that is used when the president speaks. Well when he is scheduled to speak. He does sort of photo bomb the room once in a while.
The great thing about the result of this episode, which would have to rate up in the top ten of the best episodes of the WW, is that Donna and her parents cats is what led to it all. Hows do you like them apples?
I went to Harvard, where there was considerable opposition to affirmative action. However, people from "good families" were admitted solely on the basis of that. (I had to earn my way in.)
