"Toby, are you in here sticking up for Sam?" "Yes, I know it's.. strange, sir, but I'm feeling a certain big brotherly connection right now. Obviously, I'd like it to go away as soon as possible, but..." Sam and Toby's friendship is one of my favorites lmao
The order of the Commandments are different in Judaism and Christianity, and I think vary between Christian sects. Pretty sure the First Commandment is the First Commandment everywhere, though. Unusually for WW fans, I actually dislike this scene -- not the fact that there is confusion over the order, or even that someone got something wrong, it's that it's so clearly a set-up for Bartlet's walk-in, because nobody who even vaguely pretends to care about "Family Values" (the political code, not actual values, which pretty much everyone has) in the US would get that wrong. The arguments about posting the Ten Commandments (Protestant Edition) in public spaces was raging around the time this show aired. Richard Schiff's energy and Martin Sheen's embodiment of Bartlet save the scene, but it needs saving. Sam's reveal of what POTUS means is much better, although that's more to do with the constant repetition of the word and Sam's delivery than the scene with Sam. I get it, it was the pilot, rough edges are to be expected, and everything else was incredibly smooth.
@@saoirsevicteoiria2759 Not only are they different order but they're even subtly different. Catholics 9 and 10 are thy shalt not covet they neighbors possessions (9) and wife (10) but for Protestants that's just #10 and they add one about graven images that (hmm i wonder why) Catholics don't
I like the way they kept giving Toby new family members: His brother, the astronaut; his father, the gangster; his ex-wife, the congressperson, and then finally the twins.
It's very hard to see more sides of his personality without bringing family into it. But you can't use the same family member too much, because it's not reasonable that he would be that close to anyone.
@@BradyPostma Toby is developed to demonstrate how family matters create the motivations which for the other major characters are left largely unexplained.
@@jamesduggan7200, quite so. The only other character whose family you see much is the President's: his wife first, then the daughters, individually, his father in a flashback, & his mother & brother are only mentioned in dialogue. Josh's father died during a prologue. C.J.'s father was offscreen nearly the whole time and was only shown in his decline. Sam's father was addressed only in his correspondence. Charlie has a younger sister he somehow found time to care for after the death of his mother. Leo's marriage broke up early in the first season & his daughter's appearances were sporadic.
@@jamesduggan7200, who is Jebidiah? The president's first name was Josiah, named after the Bartlet that signed the Declaration of Independence. He never used the name Josiah, either: he went by the nickname "Jed", a contraction of J. Edward Bartlet. And Abby defended Charlie from Jed after Jed caught Charlie as Charlie left Jed's daughter's bedroom "after" her kidnapping.
I was too old to enjoy watching Sesame Street, but did watch the first episode of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. Toby is probably older than me, though, so how was he “raised” by Sesame Street?
Toby: "You think the United States is under attack from 1200 Cubans in row boats." Sam: I am not saying I don't like our chances" Toby: "Mind boggling that we ever won an election."
I was in a horrible car wreck and for the 5 months I was laid up I was able to binge out on this show on Netflix. Some of the best writing ever in television. Toby is awesome!
I binged on this show over a period of five months where my grandmother died, my brother had a stroke and was in a coma for three weeks and then my dad died of cancer. I'd get some downtime from all that and work and I would have the DVD already in the player ready to go.
I binge watched this series on DVDs while recovering from a motorcycle accident and multiple orthopedic surgeries. Laughter is truly the best medicine and this show had plenty of great laughs along with some very poignant moments. Kristen Chenoweth was a great add to the cast.
Fated Circles God Almighty!!! “You think?” Is a famous ‘Sorkinism ‘ that runs in Aaron Sorkin’s works, I thought you’ll appreciate that. Now don’t talk to me like am other people! NB. That’s another ‘Sorkinism’
I love how Josh surrenders and just agrees 3:26 , kidding around, and says what's the good of being in power if you're not going to drag your enemies in for questioning. I love how CJ snickers and kicks him in the tush to show her laughing along.
@@richarda29 you see I thought he left season 4 of the west wing due to let’s say personal issues. And it was his experience on the newsroom especially all the reshoots for season 3 that led him to say actually no I am not writing for tv ever again
Absolutely one of the best actors of all time. Richard Schiff was brilliant as Toby. So sharp, so genuine, and gave everyone a run for his money. West Wing was blessed with so many great actors, and I loved every one of them but Richard Schiff stands out as one of the greats. I so hope that after all these years of WW being "at rest." That everyone one of these actors who brought us so much fine acting and hilarious entertainment, have all found great joy and purpose to their lives before and after WW.
One of? One of how many? Ten? One hundred? One thousand? Using the phrase 'one of' is not only disengenuous, it's ridiculous. Schiff is a competant actor, that's it. Acting is what Daniel Day-Lewis does and I would suggest Schiff could not play a single role that Day-Lewis has.
@@ericfenstermacher5925, yes, I have. I also know that the ship was called the Niña, meaning "little girl." Just because the character mispronounced it does not obligate me to repeat the mistake.
@@richarda29 It's not a mispronunciation, the line is an emphatic reference to the fact that the refugees are so desperate to get to America that they didn't have time to name the rafts they were on. It's meant to be humorous in a dark way and "mispronunciation" implies it is a mistake, which it is not. It is deliberate to call attention to the plight.
my favorite lines from Toby is when he's defending Sam and he tells the President that Sam and Laurie didn't have that type of relationship except once and "he didn't know what was happening." lmfao.
@@op3129 It really is. Though CJ giving a Josh a "shut the hell up" nudge like a big sister chastising her annoying little brother at least still gives a smile.
It's so hard to pick a favourite character in this show. My Dad thinks he's like Leo, he's really like Toby. My Dad thinks I'm like Josh, and I agree. Mum thinks I'm like Will. My Mum thinks she's like CJ, but we all agree she's Abigail Bartlett.
Thank you, very nicely put together. I thin you could also have added when Toby and Charlie are being bailed out of jail during their visit to California to bring support for Sam. When the police officer says, :Sign here, here, here, and here. Initial here, here, here, here, here, here, here......: And Toby goes, excuse me, I think they are getting em to buy a house. Hilarious!! But this is good without it. Congratulations on a job well done.
It was absolutely a hoot when, on an episode of Mom in a fantasy/dream scene, “Toby” is shown walking the halls of the West Wing once again along side Allison Janney, this time portraying the President.
Reflecting on this show, you realize that, on their very, VERY worst day this crew was far better than our current ACTUAL administration on their very best day. Yes it's fiction and yes it's idealized but the benchmarks for competency addressed are real and the gargantuan gap between that competency and the performance of the current White House is just as real. It's good to be reminded of how it should be.
They tried very, very hard to "get it right." Enough even to include the flaws. Bartlet's MS, Leo's rehab. And yes, this show should be a firm reminder of what the founders had in mind when Thomas Jefferson wrote that document we call The Declaration of Independence. "Some people see things as they are and ask, "Why?" I see things as they could be and ask, "Why not?" JFK
He didn't win the popular vote But he won the election The majority of Americans didn't vote for him! He was sworn in! I was standing 10 feet from the chief justice!
All I can say is that Toby is the real life human equivalent of Squidward Tentacles. Or sort of. Yet still, Toby is an amazing human being just like Richard Schiff is an amazing human being...
The best part I think is how Toby is such an ass, and you don’t blink an eye, but then he does something nice, like with Mendoza and the cops, or sam and Laurie and it just cracks my cold hard heard
Best part, Toby complains that their approval rating is only 48%. It is a fictional story, and even when they try to make it sound bad, that didn't go as low as Trump is. Trump has yet to get as high as that.
"This is why you have a reputation as a pain in the ass." "I cultivated that reputation" "Could I get you to try harder?" "Sure, cause right now I'm not trying at all" This is good writing
Honor thy mother and father is actually the 5th commandment for Jews, Calvinists, and Orthodox Christians. It’s the 4th for Lutherans, Samaritans, the Latin Church and Catholicism. So neither Toby nor the guy he’s lecturing are correct here, sorry Sorkin.
People used to compare me to Toby when I was 16. I didn't know what the hell they were saying but by watching this, I can say there isn't anyone on this planet I don't hate because they were right. LOL.
There needs to be a season 2 compilation. And a season 3 compilations. And a season 4 compilation. And a seaso..............you get where I'm going with this right?
Notice the "Reverend" doesn't correct him though (continuing the theme that he doesn't know the proper order either) and it's Bartlett's booming "I AM THY LORD GOD! THOU SHALT HAVE NO GODS BEFORE ME!" from off screen that shuts everyone up. Those were the days.
The third commandment is thou shall not take the Lord’s name in vain. Toby said we’re going to get the commandments right and proceeds to quote them wrong. Honor thy father and mother is the fifth commandment.
