Television: 'The West Wing: The State Dinner' (1999) (Episode 1x07)

(Prepared long in advance as holiday cover)

"You have a big brain, a good heart and an ego the size of Montana. You do, Jed."

Have we touched on 'The West Wing' yet here? No? That's quite the oversight, but is explained by the fact that I literally watched every episode from the golden first four seasons on a repeat loop for several years just after release, and had to abandon the series for a lengthy period of time as a result. It was so excellent that it couldn't be put down, much like those legendary first four seasons of 'M*A*S*H', which is equally difficult to settle down to now due to magnificently excessive over-familiarity.

There are many episodes in the first half-season of 'The West Wing' which could be called the beginning of the 'super golden' period that are the first two of creator Aaron Sorkin's four seasons in charge. (Any season without Sorkin can be written off.) 'The State Dinner' has a very good claim as it features a veritable pile of overlapping story elements, and a definitive abandonment of the shoutiness that mars the first four. For the record, my own personal tipping point is episode 5, 'The Crackpots And These Women', but this one is much more even, showcases the strengths and weaknesses of every character, and introduces the First Lady of the series. It has less Bradley Whitford and John Spencer, though, and no wolf only highways or the sneaky early career appearance of Nick Offerman.

A unifying feature of 'The West Wing' and 'M*A*S*H', as well as many other things I love, is the capacity they have to show characters that care, and are passionate about those things they have chosen to believe in. In fact, the only character to be booted from the cast is the most cynical Mandy of the first season, who is also the most culpable of shoutiness in early episodes. She's used well in 'The State Dinner', which is a tour-de-force in ensemble acting. It's fantastic to watch as Sorkin weaves the material so that every character gets their moment, but also so that it collapses down to the finale where the president is talking to the radio operator of a storm-struck tender ship. Yes, it all did matter, but when you see your room full of main characters listening, and caring, you can't help but realise you're watching something truly special. This is the same episode with a comical multi-step English to Bartok sequence, after all, and a staffer's reaction to their hostage rescue plan leading to casualties. It fits together wonderfully.

We will revisit 'The West Wing', as its sheer magnificence unfolds in my re-watch, and the power of all these magnificent actors in their defining roles is revealed. It's a great show, and this episode begins the sporadically recurring Yo-Yo Ma motif. Do you need any more incentive? No? Well done, you passed the test. Take three golden bananas and please don't leave the state.

O.

PS Don't ever claim to be a sorceror in Indonesia, especially if the locals are wielding scythes. This episode fully reveals the importance of Josh's assistant Donna, who I might have had a massive crush on at the time, continue to now, and will have throughout all time. Donna is one of the best.