I’d like to believe that the look on Bartlett’s face was an indication of gratitude that Walken was truly doing his best to get his daughter back. That he (Walken) has his back.
i think the expression of bartlett's face is meant to convey a man on the precipice of losing everything. his daughter is facing horrors beyond death and while he is lost in that sea of torment he sees another man assume his role in the country. bartlett is in crisis.
Meaning what? We aren’t allowed to admire the actor’s delivery of his lines from a well-written script? Seriously, why are people taking umbrage at my innocuous comment?
I have always liked the fact that President Walken did not shy away from defending President Bartlett's decision to assassinate Sharif. He easily could have blamed it on the last / current administration, but did not. I do not know if he would have been on the "Gang of 8" and had a hand in the decision, and that could have played a part in his defense of President Bartlett, but I like the fact he kept a unified front. This story arc and John Goodman were really good.
The Gang of 8 are the speaker/minority leader of the House, Majority/minority leader of the Senate, and the chairmen/ranking members of the intelligence committees of each one. He is part of the Gang of 8.
@@dunstvangeet1500 True but he was only informed. There was only a duty to inform not to get consent or anything. He could have still shooed the matter away.
@@johnnotrealname8168 Yes, his spontaneous answer on the fly as to how much he agreed with the decision from Bartlett and the staff was evidence to his whole point when talking with C.J. that the stuff that unites is far more than what divides us. It doesn't obviate the idea that he approves of the rule of law. He declared that specific evil thing must be ended. And if it were personal, he would have done it over again.
I agree it was a great story but it is something that would never happen in real life today. There is nothing left of a Republican Party that believed in democracy.
I think the last day we felt that as a nation was when SEAL Team Six whacked bin Laden. Zawahiri was killed a day or two ago and hardly anyone batted an eye.
@@UNIT294 zawahiri’s death was a glowing moment for American military, it was a ray of good news amidst a din of economic doom and Xino/russo aggression. And I’m not American but zawahiri killed my countrymen too. God bless America and the living corpse of a president. Even a man in early dementia knew smiting zawahiri from the map was the right thing to do.
@@ianbutler8776 he did neither. As he said international law was not violated in taking down a terrorist, and that's not "looking tough," that's looking confident. As opposed to the smug, condescending tone of Bartlett.
@@ianbutler8776 Didn't you hear Walken's take on international law... it has no law against taking out enemy command & control centers. And the deceased was a "walking command & control center". Blunt... but sometimes blunt works.
At first John Goodman agreed to do only the brief cameo at the end of season 4. But he enjoyed that so much that he agreed to reprise that role for the first 3 episodes of season 5 - all for scale and with no credit. Goodman also guest starred in "The Stormy Present" later in that season.
The amount of cameos on this show.had me announcing each actor and reciting their other work to my family and friends even though I know they didn't care 🤣
@@baileyjones4379 Just guessing but it wouldn't be hard. Just advance time. Say 3 weeks later and show Bartlett back in the Oval Office immediatelly after Walken (off screen) leaves. You can do a lot with "3 Weeks Later" if you write it well.
I like that they were able to show Republicans as politicians who want good too. There is good and bad on both sides. He was only on for a few episodes but he dominated his scenes and he really did radiate power! I was really impressed by his acting! I also liked Vinick and Calley they were awesome!
M. Padilla I consider myself a hardcore liberal. I've never voted Republican (other than in local, nonpartisan elections). My sister is the same way. After watching the debate between Santos and Vinick, she and I were looking at each other saying "holy crap, I'd consider actually voting for him". There are good people in both parties, and horrible people in both parties. It's a shame we can't focus on those that are good instead of what letter is next to their name. :(
I realize the top comment is from a year ago but John Goodman's career is currently going stronger than ever. He's not a leading man but he's one of the most sought after actors in the business
Is he though? The show only displays him for a tiny sliver of time compared to a real world politician. I bet you could take a sliver of most real world politicans (of both parties and across the spectrum) and absent all other reality make them seem principled and likeable. I love the West Wing but it's a fictional work where the world is molded by the writers. The real world is far more complicated.
Yeah, but, this being a product of show biz, it DID portray a Republican President calling our republic a democracy. Clearly this show, as entertaining as it was, was still a mouthpiece for Leftist ideology!!
Both sides are "tangibly evil", when they decide cooperation is a lost cause. It means nothing gets done, and both sides get to blame the other for why.
@John McCloy We have no left. We have a Democratic party that is as conservative as the Republican party of the 80's (listen to Biden talk about Social Security vs. Reagan). And we have a Republican party that is nothing more than a cult devoted to a narcissistic sociopath.
The thing that makes this scene so interesting is if you remember, back in the early days it was Jed Bartlett pounding the table in the situation room wanting "unproportional response" and got talked down.
Steve Matda I was behind him at that moment. Reminds me of the “Swordfish” doctrine: a response 10x grater. At some point people will stop cooperating, harboring, and otherwise not care. What good is a terrorist agenda if your land and family are destroyed? At what point does one’s sacrifice, as a non-jihadist, make them wish they never cooperated? We’ll find out.
The scene I've always wanted to find but never have is the one where Josh confronts the newly-appointed Speaker of the House in some bathroom (can't remember if it's at the White House or in the Capitol Building) and tries to admonish him because he worries the Republicans are going to take advantage of Walken's tenure to fast track legislation through what I believed in the show at the time was a GOP-led House and Senate. And I love the reaction Steven Culp (the actor who played the Speaker), deadpanning at Josh and looking *insulted* before telling him how awed the Republicans were of Bartlett for having the courage to trust the opposition party with the responsibility of his office, and how it would be political suicide to take advantage of a grieving father. I could spend another fifty lines bemoaning both sides of the political aisle, but as much as I love(d) this show, watching it makes me so sad when I see the state of affairs in which we live and persist. We deserve so much better.
I mean, Josh was a massive asshole who represented the absolute worst of his party. The cherry on top being played by an actor with an extremely punchable face and who plays sleazy characters extremely well.
What a great character Walken was and a performance by John Goodman, a truly underrated actor I love Alan Alda as Vinnick but I wish Walken had been the GOP candidate in season 7
Santos would have won in a landslide. Walken would have been too conservative for the nation. He would never have carried California which was the deciding factor in a 2-vote margin to a 58-vote margin or more. Vinnick was and is the only logical choice to compete against Santos.
Exactly, A Latino Dem candidate from Texas, you would need a Republican from California. A very close race. Santos was much younger, that is why he barely won. One of reason of Carter won in 1976 was he is from Deep South.
I just realized. Walken didn't take CJ's advice. He looked at the reporters, the people he was talking to, instead of the cameras. He was a President his own way.
Imagine this kind of unity in modern politics. Your political opponents extrajudicially killed a terrorist and your reaction is "Fuck yeah we did and I'd do it again"
As much as the right and left dislike each other, we are like brothers. When someone outside of the family attacks us, it usually unites us. Look at post 9-11. I don't think the country had been that united since right after Pearl Harbour. Nothing unites Americans like a legitimate reason to go kick the shit out of a third party.
@@Elthenar Except the American People were lied to about that "legitimate reason" by a certain Republican, and we ended up invading Iraq and occupying Afghanistan for 20 years.
Tommy Schlamme and Aaron Sorkin had a joke that is was either going to be President Walken played by John Goodman or President Goodman played by Christopher Walken
Walken vs. Vinnick in the primaries, and then Walken vs Santos. Overall, if our Congress had more Santos and Walkena or even a Bartlet or two than what we currently have
They can't. He would have had to run on the Republican ticket and would have been a logistical nightmare. He had full secret service detail for life after a few days of taking over. He also had to resign as speaker of the house plus his district. It's why it's set this way. President, Vice, Speaker of the House for succession. Once he became president his political career was over. He could technically ran for president 2 times.
Great writing, perfect casting with Goodman. (Though the comments now have me thinking "My only REGRET... is THAT we only GOT to KILL the bastard ONCE." Yes, that's my internet Walken impression.)
Damn it! I watched a damned clip and now I have to go and watch the whole episode and then I'll watch another and another ... This always happens to me.
Woah... "You know I'm not the enemy. The things that unite us are far greater than the things that divide us. We both believe in democracy, preservation of American values, protection of our citizens, of the sometimes hostile world, life liberty and the pursuit of happiness." This would/could not be said in todays political climate where PARTY comes before COUNTRY.
She is just being professional. He just told her he wasn't going to be talking about bipartisan supporting American values. After comparing her to a stripper and expecting her to automatically serve him and fix his tie. She even sighs to show she's tired of him.
If Obama has one weakness in his leadership style, its that he is too measured and deliberative; to professorial. Sometimes Americans just want a short, sharp answer.
Ras Fiend There is no such thing as a "leader." Different people follow others for different reasons. If Obama isn't the kind of guy you'd follow, OK. Not everyone's style meshes.
Ras Fiend Steve Jobs was a terrible leader, people detested him and he made their lives miserable. He was a visionary however. There are different kinds of leaders, not every leader works in every situation or for everyone. Hell, some people are self motivating and don't need leaders at all.
Ras Fiend No, my definition of a leader is someone who builds a team, achieves goals with that team and still has a team afterwards. I was in the military and I've served under officers who either couldn't lead period, or achieved their objective but so alienated their soldiers they couldn't do it twice. Then, I've met officers who build units that not only achieved, but made men stronger for the experience and grateful for having been there. There is difference between using people and utilizing them.
Ras Fiend Off the top of my head, Generals Marshall and Eisenhower. Admirals Spruance and Halsey. Presidents Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, F. Roosevelt, Eisenhower and Bush (the elder). Moral leaders, lets say MLK, Ghandi and President Carter.
Man, WW rightly decided to keep Walken away from an election storyline, because my goodness, I don't think WW could have written a legit way for Bartlet to win reelection.
I know it couldn’t have worked but it would have been cool if two of the most underrated yet amazing actors of all time (Sheen, and Goodman) had battled out an election
Walken would have been so awesome as a recurring character in the first 4 seasons. I mean he was Speaker of the House, it’s weird that he never showed up til Bartlet’s 2nd term.
@@TheLibran38 when Walken ascended to the acting presidency, he had to resign his speakership and his House seat, so the House had to elect a new speaker in his place, who continued as speaker even after Bartlet came back to office (tough break for Walken). This new speaker was the one who caused Bartlet to shut down the government
@@TheLibran38 There were several Speakers of the House. The first was played by "Roger Dorn" Corbin Bernson (L.A. Law vet... like Jon Spencer, Jimmy Smits... the 7th season Democratic ticket was an L.A. Law ticket) Apparently... that Speaker retired. His successor was Glenallen Walken. When Walken became acting President... he to resign from Congress to not be part of two branches of government simultaneously. So... we get Haffley... who was the young Speaker that Bartlett had to square off with in the Shutdown episode.
This marked a big change to the show. No longer were Republicans out and out the bad guys. We got guys like Walken and Vinnick, guys who were Reuplican, yet were as committed to America and its people as anyone inside the West Wing.
LestatandBerial I remember when Republicans weren't the "enemy" -- just people with a different view of how to solve the problems that this country confronted. And they could even join together with Democrats in a common cause, such as the Watergate hearings. A sane opposition is necessary to help keep the checks and balances in balance. Not sure if we've got that sane opposition though.
+caliscribe funny thing is that compared to the time when the nation was first founded, differing parties are less hostile towards one another. Back then, the goal was not just to win the election, but to absolutely destroy the other party, make sure they do not nominate anyone else afterwards. it was absolutely brutal.
When the Soviet Union went away, the pressing need for bipartisanship and that ugly word, compromise, started to go away. The Clinton years saw the beginnings of the polarized political climate we find ourselves in, were the parties are more like warring tribes than Americans with different views. I guess we really may need a common foe, something that forces us to work together.
That's because there were only two parties. Remove one of them and finally america is free from partisan fighting! So destroying the other one could be construed as protecting the young fragile union.
Richie was based upon George W. Bush, who (despite his electoral success) already had that reputation. And Bartlett was an idealized president, but an idealized president is necessary for a show regarding an a idealized look at government service.
whether you like republicans or democrats, they need to serve the people. that might sound cliche but that means all the people, not just the radical left or the radical right. todays politics are filled with intolerance and that goes for all corners of the world not just the US.
The things that unite us a far greater than the things that divide us. We both believe in democracy, preservation of American values, protection of our citizens in the sometimes hostile world, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Would've loved to have seen a Goodman / Alda (Walken / Vinnick) GOP ticket in season seven against Jimmy Smits / John Spencer (Santos / McGarry) and have the plot.still turn out like it did. Wouldve seen more of John Goodman.
How remarkable Sorkin was to display the differences in the way that republicans and democrats behave when they are genuinely in charge of a bad situation. I have been watching Lincoln Project video and have to admit that those former republicans are badass and good at what they do. They do not pussy-foot. I might counter, however, that Adam Schiff in his handling of rowdy congressional representatives was also strong throughout the intelligence committee hearings. Creeps like Nunes, Gomert, Jordan or Stefanik got patiently pushed back and aside. His summary at the conclusion of the impeachment hearings was also badass and one for the ages as they say. Compliment to Goodman, he played the part well.
You think Schiff looked "bad ass" for pushing a lie in which he helped push with ZERO evidence to support it? Jim Jordan thoroughly and ruthlessly torn Pencil Neck apart and exposes him for the weasel he is Just remember, when a Embassy was under attack, Obama went to bed. When an Embassy was under attack, Trump sent in the Marines, and Airborne division, then killed the terrorist who organized it
You have to enjoy the fact that everyone wanted to know what was in his statement that he had his staff write without help from the White House staff, and no one has noticed all these years that he never gave a statement. 😂
@@trevornott2488 lol. We talking about the same guy now claiming he never said "lock her up"? The one convicted for falsifying business records and for financial fraud?
The only one part of non- completed direction in this scene was if that The Speaker had walked in and deliberately loosened his tie just so CJ could straighten it while he gave her the home truth.
If you're asking if they have some similarities, then there's a case to be made. If you're asking if one is based upon the other, then that's doubtful, as Gov. Christie was elected three years after this show went off the air.
This was a show about liberals and liberal values, written by a liberal. Yet, Sorkin represented the conservative side very well. In particular, Walken and Vinnick were both awesome and measured up very well to Bartlett. I'd have killed to have seen Barlett have to run against Walken instead of Gov Ritchie. At least we got the Santos/Vinnick debate.
Vinnick although good character screamed moderate. But Walken was a Republican that the Republican Base would of loved. He also would have bitch slapped trump all across the primaries. No the WW would have been better off to have offered Walken inplace of Vinnick and had him beat Santos. It would have drawn a a fresh audience and put a defibrillator to the scripts and plot line.
OK, I totally and completely and freely, freely, freely, concede this point, CJ was being gracious here. However, as an old dog think Walken would’ve known that little tidbit of advice
He wouldn't have had to do that at that scale before. Even Speaker's PCs don't have that kind of gravity, triply so in the case of crisis and imminent military incursion. Except in the case such as this as when the Speaker must take the reins. Which incidentally has never happened (David Rice Atchison stories notwithstanding)
This show generally showed republicans as reasonable humans, which I like. I’m very, very liberal, and the right in TWW (except that bastard Hafley) is shown as having the same goal but different approaches to it. I love that
King Ralph! I loved that movie. Honestly, John Goodman is one of those guys who just makes anything better. He's one of the most charismatic actors around. He was amazing here as President Walken.
I know Republicans criticized this show a lot, calling it "The Left Wing". But this episode shows there's talent on both sides, and unreasonable suspicions too. The White House staff learned they weren't right about Walken. They aren't right all the time. Just humans, like the rest of us. We have differences, but we need to see the talent in each other.
Christie MIGHT HAVE gotten to the White House if that damn "bridgegate" catastrophe had never even been thought up.................though there were a few other foibles that got him and a few other people in his administration in hot water.............
This was written and aired in 2003. Chris Christie had just become the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey; I doubt outside of law enforcement circles that very many people knew who he was, even in New Jersey. He didn't come to national prominence until he became New Jersey Governor in 2009, 3 years after "the West Wing" went off the air. However, in 2003, the Speaker of the U.S. House was a beefy, smart guy from Illinois named Dennis Hastert (who unfortunately was also a serial child molester, unknown until decades later).
awesome! I've been looking for clips of Walken for a long time! Do you have the clip where he says something to the effect of he'll bomb whatever person/country is holding zoey bartlet?
First time since joining YT in 2007 (under my other channel) where I clicked the LIKE button and the number of LIKES went from 999 to 1,000. I ONLY MENTION THIS BECAUSE THIS West Wing CLIP shows what I think is John Goodman giving one of his best performances. I hope that on some level - in some way - this gives John Goodman; good karma.
