"West Wing" fantasies ridiculous to the point of grotesque

[Inland]

It is bad enough that Bartlet is not only smart, but a Nobel Laureate. It is bad enough that in addition to his doctorate in economics, he is schooled in Latin and classic Greek. It is bad enough that he knows the volume of the moon.

It is bad enough that Bartlet is a democrat's wet dream, but now, the republican candidate for the next presidential election (played by Alan Alda) is just another fantasy character.

A moderate republican from California who--as the plot veers from ridiculous to the pathetic--is supposed to be actually able to win the republican nomination. Only wants to talk the issues. And at his announcement of his candidacy he says he will not his senate committee to investigate whether a flag was burned in the white house, to the cheers of the republican crowd.

We'd like to believe such a republican exists, and would be cheered by a republican crowd, and could get to the finalists for the pubbie nomination. We'd like to believe that the republicans really, really want someone who isn't a right wing dick to run the country. But come on. Even on TV we can't be that silly. Cancel West Wing, and put Star Trek TNG reruns on.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Also, the preview for next week shows a meteor heading for Earth.

It struck me that The West Wing has finally jumped the shark. Too bad...

[mark414]

4. wait are you serious?

a meteor?

i wouldn't doubt it after last season...

oh aaron sorkin where are you???

[alittlelark]

2. I will start TIVOing it - there are 3 or so threads on it.

Perhaps this is the set-up.....they seem logical on the surface, but are whacked-out douchbags underneath.... you have to BELIEVE before the exposure will become real enough to effect you.

[norml]

3. It was all a dream.

And Bartlet will wake up in Gitmo.

[Mojambo]

5. It is political fantasy and there is nothing wrong with that

Frankly, I love what they are doing. I don't know if you've checked out reality lately, but it kinda sucks... I could use some political fantasy now and again.

I've heard the West Wing described as "political pornography for liberals." I think that definition fits.

I love Alda as a liberal Republican and I think the matchup they are angling for is the moderate Democrat (Smits) vs the moderate Republican (Alda.)

They've changed the dynamic of the show and (personally) it's working for me.

[bobbieinok]

6. Alan Alda plays a repug???? no, o, no....from MASH to this??????

[Mojambo]

7. Actually he plays a reasonable Republican

The kind we need, and used to have.

[madison2000]

8. Do you think Josh and Donna will ever get together?

I mean, with the end of the administration in sight?

[Beaverhausen]

9. I think Clinton was as smart as Bartlet is supposed to be

and damn it...I want the smartest guy around to be president!

and I think Alan Alda's character will be really interesting!