The West Wing: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 89 Ratings

See All

8.1

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.1	Your Score
8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 89 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Season Details & Credits

NBC | Season Premiere Date: September 22, 1999

Starring: Mary McCormack, Alan Alda, John Spencer

Summary: The West Wing provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital as it tells the stories of the members of a fictional presidential administration. These interesting characters have humor and dedication that touches the heart while the politics that they discuss touch on everyday life. The first six seasons focused onThe West Wing provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital as it tells the stories of the members of a fictional presidential administration. These interesting characters have humor and dedication that touches the heart while the politics that they discuss touch on everyday life. The first six seasons focused on the administration of President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet (Martin Sheen). The seventh and final season transitioned to the 2006 Presidential Election between Democrat Congressman Mathew Vincente Santos of Houston, Texas (Jimmy Smits) and Republican Senator Arnold Vinick of California (Alan Alda). Broadcast History:
Seasons 1-6: NBC, Wednesdays, 9:00pm EST
Season 7: NBC, Sundays, 8:00pm EST

Theme Music:
The theme tune is an original composition by W.G. Snuffy Walden. There is a CD available of his work, which includes not only a suite from The West Wing, but also his music from Felicity, Once and Again, & thirtysomething, plus other non-TV compositions. Walden can be contacted at his official website wgsnuffywalden.com.

Awards:
As of October 24, 2008:
The show and its stars have won 26 Primetime Emmys, 1 ADG Award, 2 ALMA Awards, 2 Artios Awards, 2 ASC Awards, 1 Banff Rockie Award, 2 CAS Award, 1 Christopher Award, 2 DGA Awards, 1 Eddie Award, 2 Family Television Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards, 4 Golden Laurel Awards, 5 Golden Satellite Awards, 3 Humanitas Awards, 2 Imagen Awards, 2 Peabody Awards, 1 Prism Award, 6 SAG Awards, 2 Shine Awards, 4 Television Critics Association Awards, 3 TV Guide Awards, 3 Viewers for Quality Television Awards, 2 WGA Awards and 2 Wilbur Awards.

The show has been nominated for a total of 93 Primetime Emmys and holds the record for the most Emmys won in a single season for a single show which is 9 (for its first season).

The show also was named 1 of the 10 AFI TV Programs of the Year, received 1 Special Recognition from GLAAD Media Awards and 4 Commendations from the Prism Awards.

Syndication:
Airs all the time on Bravo (which is also part of the NBC Universal empire) and in some local areas during the "midnight hours."

DVD Releases:
All seven seasons have been released in all regions. There was complete series box set released in November 2006.… Expand

Creator: Aaron Sorkin

Genre(s): Drama

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E22. What Kind of Day Has It Been?
Air Date: May 17, 2000
tbd
S1:E21. Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
Air Date: May 10, 2000
tbd
S1:E20. Mandatory Minimums
Air Date: May 3, 2000

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Barry Garron

Apr 21, 2013

A compelling, intelligent and wonderfully engaging drama. [22 Sept 1999]

Ed Bark

Apr 21, 2013

All the president's men and women are deftly drawn and seamlessly woven through a crackerjack opening hour. Whether they'll be able to hold our interest remains to be seen. [22 Sept 1999, p.1C]

Terry Kelleher

Jun 27, 2013

The West Wing sure looks like a winner. Read full review

Phil Rosenthal

Apr 21, 2013

One serious failing of the pilot is that, well, the group is nearly all white. There's barely a healthy tan in the bunch. Sorkin and Wells claim this is true only of the first episode and that more people of color will be added in subsequent hours....They better be. Not only is their absence an affront to minorities everywhere, it's an insult to our intelligence in what otherwise is a very smart show. [22 Sept 1999, p.47]

Staff [Not Credited]

Apr 22, 2013

Tonight's premiere tries to be too cute, but Sorkin is good at creating likable characters. Blessed with a great cast, he may have given NBC a two-term lock. [22 Sept 1999, p.C10]

Ken Tucker

Jun 12, 2013

One of The West Wing's executive producers is ER's John Wells, and the new series replicates that show's swooping cameras and frenetic pace. Combine this visual style with a slightly toned-down version of the overlapping dialogue Sorkin uses in his other series, ABC's Sports Night, and you've got one zippy little hour. That's good, because when you stop and examine each plot strand, the show starts to unravel. Read full review

Caryn James

Apr 21, 2013

That still makes the series more daring than most of what's on television; the problem is, its creators know that and the show's self-satisfaction becomes annoying. The floundering first episode (the only one available for preview) is sometimes smart, sometimes stupid, eventually gooey and, despite its sharp cast, not often entertaining. One of the season's most hyped and anticipated series, The West Wing is by far its biggest disappointment. Read full review

SEE ALL 23 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

8.1

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

locuta

Apr 21, 2012

The best TV series ever. Period. And quite weird that not more people have written that here. This thing really is better than real life. I miss it so much. Give me back Bartlet!

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

Kunrya

Oct 22, 2015

The first five seasons are some of the best television I've ever watched, but seasons six and seven aren't even close to being as good. The writing took a major step backward and the newly introduced characters (especially Jimmy Smits and Kristin Chenoweth) are forgettable. Despite the lastThe first five seasons are some of the best television I've ever watched, but seasons six and seven aren't even close to being as good. The writing took a major step backward and the newly introduced characters (especially Jimmy Smits and Kristin Chenoweth) are forgettable. Despite the last few seasons, though, this is still one of the best shows I've ever watched. A great cast with great cohesion that has the writing and dialogue to make brilliant show.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TheWaffle

Oct 11, 2015

A great series, no doubt about it. An optimistic and hopeful dramatization of governance and public service. Season 1 is a bit rough, and the Mandy character is painfully out of place, fortunately she's gone by the time the good stuff starts (believe me that's not a spoiler, that's a tip, itA great series, no doubt about it. An optimistic and hopeful dramatization of governance and public service. Season 1 is a bit rough, and the Mandy character is painfully out of place, fortunately she's gone by the time the good stuff starts (believe me that's not a spoiler, that's a tip, it gets better). You won't go far wrong watching the whole series, but the real meat comes in seasons 2-5. The stakes are high, the drama is well executed, and there are plenty of pitfalls for the characters. After that, it starts to tail off. In seasons 6 and 7 the show starts to go from left-leaning political drama and turns into liberal-fantasyland. The show starts having President Bartlett come up with magical solutions for the country's and world's most enduring problems.

I'm not going to go through and review each individual season, but here's the rough idea:
- Season 1 = 6/10
- Seasons 2-5 = 9/10
- Seasons 6-7 = 7/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mayfieldja

Mar 20, 2019

Aaron Sorkin is a master of his craft and West Wing is a wonderful example of what it looks like when a writer is firing on all cylinders. Strong character development and fast based dialogue give us a solid foundation for what will prove to be one of the best shows ever written. With allAaron Sorkin is a master of his craft and West Wing is a wonderful example of what it looks like when a writer is firing on all cylinders. Strong character development and fast based dialogue give us a solid foundation for what will prove to be one of the best shows ever written. With all that in mind, each well-written character is given life by a top-notch troop of performers that put us right in the center of all of the chaos.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ForReals13

Sep 27, 2020

Pilot B+. Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc B-. A Proportional Response B+. Five Votes Down B.
The Crackpots And These Women B+. Mr. Willis Of Ohio B+. The State Dinner B. Enemies B-.
The Short List B+. In Excelsis Deo A. Lord John Marbury B. He Shall From Time To Time B+. Take Out The Trash DayPilot B+. Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc B-. A Proportional Response B+. Five Votes Down B.
The Crackpots And These Women B+. Mr. Willis Of Ohio B+. The State Dinner B. Enemies B-.
The Short List B+. In Excelsis Deo A. Lord John Marbury B. He Shall From Time To Time B+.
Take Out The Trash Day B. Take This Sabbath Day A-. Celestial Navigation A-. 20 Hours In L.A. B-.
The White House Pro Am C+. Six Meetings Before Lunch B-. Let Bartlet Be Bartlet A-.
Mandatory Minimums B. Lies Damn Lies And Statistics B+. What Kind Of Day Has It Been A.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

drlowdon

Apr 2, 2013

The opening season to the acclaimed drama followed the administration of President Bartlett and their first year in the oval office. On occasions the show arguably gave a slightly idealistic portrayal of what those in power are like but with a fantastic cast, that included HollywoodThe opening season to the acclaimed drama followed the administration of President Bartlett and their first year in the oval office. On occasions the show arguably gave a slightly idealistic portrayal of what those in power are like but with a fantastic cast, that included Hollywood heavyweights Martin Sheen and Rob Lowe, it quickly established itself as one of the smartest and most intelligent shows seen on TV in a long time.

Being a character lead drama The West Wing was obviously not going to be for everybody, particularly those that prefer action to dialogue heavy scenes. Aaron Sorkin's scripts were however fast paced, witty and even humorous in places allowing the focus to remain firmly on the well realised characters and their attempts to deal with apparently endless demands of working in the White House. The stories were complex, knowledge of US politics or having Wikipedia on stand-by was essential, and based firmly in reality. Any concerns one may have as to how a political based show would hold up when this first season is now over ten years old are unfounded and the issues raised are every bit as relevant today, most likely promoting many a debate amongst family or friends watching alongside you.

Give it four or five episodes and those interested in thought provoking drama will be hooked.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Simplyfabulous

May 29, 2012

Unfortunately, this has been a bland show with a very skewed telling on internal dealings. As a part time political editor, the sheer amount of dramtic juxtaposition present is somewhat unbelievable. Whilst we're not business-like all the time. A degree of proffesionality within any publicUnfortunately, this has been a bland show with a very skewed telling on internal dealings. As a part time political editor, the sheer amount of dramtic juxtaposition present is somewhat unbelievable. Whilst we're not business-like all the time. A degree of proffesionality within any public sector is expected. Whilst dwelling into private lives as well; it offers the textbook, stressed situation. I do, however praise the good, subtle acting. Even if it feels that the actors aren't quite throwing themselves into their respective roles. Oh well, maybe another political drama might satisfy the grey areas and not the grittiness of work in public sectors.… Expand

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

Seasons & Episodes

78

Series Overview
Season 7

tbd
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: September 25, 2005
Season 6

tbd
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: October 20, 2004
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: September 24, 2003
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: September 25, 2002
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: October 3, 2001
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: October 4, 2000
Season 1

79
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 22, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E22. What Kind of Day Has It Been?
  Air Date: May 17, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E21. Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
  Air Date: May 10, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E20. Mandatory Minimums
  Air Date: May 3, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E19. Let Bartlet Be Bartlet
  Air Date: April 26, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E18. Six Meetings Before Lunch
  Air Date: April 5, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E17. The White House Pro-Am
  Air Date: March 22, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E16. 20 Hours in L.A.
  Air Date: February 23, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E15. Celestial Navigation
  Air Date: February 16, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E14. Take This Sabbath Day
  Air Date: February 9, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E13. Take Out the Trash Day
  Air Date: January 26, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E12. He Shall, from Time to Time
  Air Date: January 12, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E11. Lord John Marbury
  Air Date: January 5, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E10. In Excelsis Deo
  Air Date: December 15, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E9. The Short List
  Air Date: November 24, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E8. Enemies
  Air Date: November 17, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E7. The State Dinner
  Air Date: November 10, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E6. Mr. Willis of Ohio
  Air Date: November 3, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E5. The Crackpots and These Women
  Air Date: October 20, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E4. Five Votes Down
  Air Date: October 13, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E3. A Proportional Response
  Air Date: October 6, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E2. Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc
  Air Date: September 29, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: September 22, 1999