My Personal Opinion of the West Wing CharactersSite Under ConstructionWelcome to my online opinion of those we all know and love, (or hate for that matter). Personally, I hate no one on the West Wing. But hey, who am I to argue with strangers who choose to hold a grudge against fictional characters. I could let myself be angry that all of Sorkin's charcters were created to hate Republicans. Thus, if they did exist in real life, they would in turn, hate me. And even if they did, I still wouldn't hate them back. Anyway, enough of my philosophizing! Let the analyzing commence!!
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Joshua Lyman Bradley Whitford
“Josh, Josh, Joshua, Josh.” By far my favorite character on the show. In my opinion, Josh Lyman, the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Bartlet Administration, provides most of the humor on the show. Granted, most of the other characters have their moments of hysteria, but Bradley Whitford honestly cracks me up. Whether he spits out coffee or falls asleep in fishing gear at his desk, he always seems to “bring the funny.” Although, the talented actor that he is, Bradley Whitford has no problem bringing the serious side to his character as well.
I also feel that Josh is the most developed character on the West Wing. We know he likes coffee (much to Donna’s dismay). We even know that he likes his hamburgers burnt. So far, the viewer has been allowed to see pieces of Josh’s past, as well more personal moments in his life. Of course it goes without saying that when you mention Josh Lyman, you have to also mention his Assistant Donnatella Moss, or as she calls herself, the Deputy Deputy Chief of Staff.
Their Working relationship has what can only be discribed as a Dance. I like to compare Donna and Josh to Shakespeare’s Bennidict and Beatrice from Much Ado about Nothing. Two people whose banter only serve as a type of flirting with each other. I think the majority of the people watching this show are dying to see them get together somehow, yet I think Aaron Sorkin will continue to drive us crazy by watching them struggle to keeps things at a safe distance.
BARTLET: C.J., on your tombstone, it’s gonna read, “Post hoc, ergo propter hoc.” |
Donnatella Moss Janel Moloney
Donnatella Moss became a part of the regular cast during the second season. I feel that she adds a bit of common sense to the otherwise brilliant minds of the West Wing staff. Donna is a very caring and compassionate person, and very capable of handling the most difficult people, including her boss Josh Lyman. Maintaining a delicate balance of order to her job and her boss's never ending chaos, Donna finds solace in the fact that she does her job and does it well. She also serves as a way for Aaron to explain the inner workings of politics to the viewer, since she commonly asks Josh how and why the Bartlett Administration does the things it does. Donna, on many occasions, has served as the strength for other cast members, especially Josh. Whether it was after Josh’s surgery or the First Lady’s decision to lose her medical license, everyone, including the President, thinks of Donna highly. All the characters on the show seem to have an unspoken respect for Donna’s determination; a girl who never graduated from college, yet who has become an important part of their administration.
JOSH: You just lurk there in the shadows, like... Whatever. What are you doing? |
Toby Zeigler Richard Schiff Richard's character, Toby Zeigler, is a man of little words. Ironically, he is the man who ultimately writes speeches for the president. Being the Communications Director, he works closely with Leo, the President, Sam, and C.J. Toby is the pessimist of the West Wing. He feels that it is his job to point out that there is a negative side to everything, which is sometimes what the people of the West Wing need to hear in order to make important decisions. I like Toby for that. There are so many "bouncy" moments in the West Wing, that the seriousness of Toby's character can be refreshing at times. I like to call him "the sad clown" because something is not quite right with the world if Toby cracks a smile. Little is known about Toby’s past except on how he was picked to be the major speech writer for the Bartlet campaign. At first glance, Toby appears to a be a lonely man, enjoying his own company more than being social. However, I feel that Toby longs for a happiness that he beleives is beyond his reach. Lastly, when an important issue is at hand, Toby relieves his stress by bouncing a ball and catching it over and over again, a characteristic that I find endearing.
TOBY: Still, eighty-one percent. . .
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Sam Seaborn Rob Lowe
Sam Seaborn was the White House Deputy Communications Director.(Up to season Four) He was pulled from a promising career in a law firm to work on the Bartlet campain by his friend, Josh Lyman. Sam could be decribed as the nice guy. He may act tough in most cases, but underneath he’s a softie. He cares deeply for his co-workers, and will go to all extreams to follow his heart on the issues he believes in. Loyal, determined, patriotic, and intelligent would all describe Sam’s Character. The only problem is that though these characteristics are good, they sometimes hinder his efforts in the ruthless game of politics. Still, if there is a question in the legality of a certain issue, Sams’ the answer man.
TOBY: We're Batman and Robin.
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C.J. (Claudia Jean) Cregg Aliison Janney
Allison Janney plays CJ Cregg, the no nonsense woman of the White House. The stressful job of being a Press Secretary may be slowly taking its toll on her, but her fiery attitude and quit wit saves White House blunders from becoming “a thing”. I think Allison has made her character a role model for many young women. She remains a strong, intelligent, witty, and professional all while maintaining a strong sense of femininity in an otherwise masculine profession. C.J has to be careful about what she says about any activity in the White House, and especially to whom she releases inside information to.
DONNA: CJ, I can't... |