Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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121 of 128 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Season 3, October 2, 2004
The West Wing's third season began in sadness. The 9/11 attacks would change much about our country (and this show), and we got an episode after them (Isaac and Ishmael) that attempted to show sensitivity and comfort during a confusing time. At that time, it wasn't generally liked, but it seems to have aged well (it was voted the 10th best episode by Bravo viewers earlier this year). After this, though, the season began in earnest, picking up where the astonishingly good "Two Cathedrals" episode left off and begins a multi-episodic story arc that has the staff at odds with each other as well as the introduction of the fabulous Ron Silver as Bruno Gianelli (he would get an Oscar nod for his performance). Truth be told, this season didn't have the same uniformity of excellence that previous ones did--the middle of the season was lukewarm, with episodes like "The Two Bartlets" and "Night Five" which rank among the lowest in the series (let's keep it in perspective, though: the worst of this season is still better than the best of the current one). However, the show pulls off one of the best episodes of the show in the finale, "Posse Comitatus", which has President Bartlet grappling with faith, law and morality in the matter of having an Osama bin Ladin-like terrorist assassinated. The sheer shock of the final act still brings chills down my spine every time I see it. Also notable: perhaps the most emotional episode in the series, "Bartlet for America" won an Emmy and its final scene between the President and Leo rivals the denouement in Kubrick's Paths of Glory for full-force emotional impact. "Gone Quiet" is a gripping story about a lost submarine, and features a wonderful, curmedgeonly performance by Hal Holbrook as Assistant Secretary of State Albie Duncan. "100,000 Airplanes" is an example of the complex narrative structure of the series: there are no less than four major stories revolving around Bartlet's State of the Union address, each of which are engaging. One of my favorites is "The U.S. Poet Laureate," which covers the scandal following an off-air gaffe on the part of the president. Says C.J. Cregg, "It's a classic Washington scandal. We got in trouble for telling the truth." But all through this season are these character threads: the President and Abbey (leading to a surprisingly touching scene in "Dead Irish Writers"), Josh and Amy's budding relationship, Toby and his ex-wife, Andie, and, of course, the President and Leo. The final one was always one of the most satisfying relationships with the show, and the fact that the current WW writers have all but eliminated it is one of my major beefs with the show right now. Enough soapboxing. Season 3 of the West Wing contains powerful drama and excitement, examination of real political issues and real people. It's definitely worth the money for anyone.
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63 of 70 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Emmy Winning Drama Show, October 21, 2004
The third season of The West Wing follows President Bartlett and his staff as they kick off his re-election campaign. This comes in the wake of President Bartlett's admission to the public that he has M.S. and concealed it from the public during the campaign.
The season actually starts off with an episode entitled "Isaac and Ishmael," a stand alone episode written in response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Many people did not like the episode (although it has gained popularity) but I really enjoyed it. After that, the season resumes where it left off in "Two Cathedrals" (the second season finale). Ron Silver comes on as Bruno Gianelli, the campaign director for Bartlett's re-election. There are some spectacular guest appearances throughout this season (besides Silver). First is Mark Harmon, as a Secret Service Agent who is assigned to protect CJ Cregg after she receives several death threats. Also, Hal Holbrooke is great as Assistant Secretary of State Ablie Duncan.
Bartlett's opponent in the presidential race is Republican Governor Richie, a man with a President George W. Bush-type persona. Besides having to overcome his lie about his medical condition, Bartlett must compete with a candidate who seems to be more like the "average American" and he must decide whether to try and take that path, or stick with being himself, an academic liberal from New England.
All in all this is a great season, although perhaps not as consistent as the first two. The last episdoe, "Posse Commitatus," is a great finale in which the President must decide whether or not to use military foces to assisinate a foreign leader. West Wing fans should own this season as it continues on the tradition of superb writing, wit, and drama.
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49 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
West Wing: Complete Third Season, September 5, 2004
Although the special episode "Isaac and Ishmael" is not part of the regular season three, I have read that it will be included on this DVD set. I was unable to find out anything about the features or whether another midseason show, a documentary special, would be included. Maybe this season is not quite as good as the first two, but it still beats most of what is on TV. Here is a brief recap of the episodes.
Special: Isaac and Ishmael: The White House goes into lock down following 9/11/01. Music: Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth".
1. Manchester: Part I: Reporters hound C.J. about the president's health. Staff debate wheterh Bartlet should apologize for not revealing his medical condition.
2. Manchester: Part II: Staff clash with consultants on Bartlet's reelection campaign. The situation in Haiti escalates.
3. Ways and Means: The Special Prosecutor begins a probe. A labor leader's loyalty is questioned. Congress battles over the estate tax.
4. On the Day Before: gs: Kevin Tighe. Bartlet vetoes the "death tax". A governor considers running against the President.
5. War Crimes: gs: Gerald McRaney. Donna lies to a Congressional committee.
6. Gone Quiet: gs: Hal Holbrook. Bartlet must decide what to do when an American spy submarine goes silent.
7. The Indians in the Lobby: Indians want an answer to an application to buy back land stolen from them.
8. The Women of Qumar: An arms sale secures an airbase lease with a Middle Eastern country with a history of atrocities against women.
9. Bartlet for America: The House committee continues the probe of Bartlet's failure to disclose the fact that he has M.S.
10. H. Con-172: A dismissed White House photographer has written a tell-all book about the Administration.
11. 100,000 Airplanes: Sam is trailed by a magazine reporter. Staffers debate including a cancer initiative into the President's address.
12. The Two Bartlets : There is a protest against arms testing in Puerto Rico. Two congressmen want an inventory of Fort Knox.
13. Night Five: gs: Adam Arkin. Bartlet can't sleep. A White House reporter has been abducted while in the Congo.
14. Hartsfield's Landing: Staff want Bartlett to win the first primary.
15. Dead Irish Writers: The medical board's decision on Abbey's medical treatment of Bartlett causes concern. The Secret Service doesn't give Donna clearance to attend a birthday party.
16. The U.S. Poet Laureate: Toby tries to persuade the Poet Laureate from speaking out against the government's lack of support for a land mine treaty.
17. Stirred: Terrorism isn't ruled out when a truck carrying depleted uranium-fuel rods crashes. Charlie gets help with his tax return.
18. Enemies Foreign and Domestic: Satellite photos show an Iranian nuclear bomb facility built with Russian technology before Bartlet is supposed to meet with the Russian president. C.J. receives death threats after making remarks about the deaths of young Saudi girls.
19. The Black Vera Wang: Staffers work to avoid a predicted terrorist attack. C.J. doesn't care for Secret Service protection.
20. We Killed Yamamoto: When an important Middle Eastern official plots terrorism, Bartlet must decide whether to forfeit the principle of diplomatic immunity.
21. Posse Comitatus gs: Adam Arkin, James Brolin, Lily Tomlin. Bartlet makes a decision regarding a foreign diplomat who is a known terrorist.
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