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October 18, 2004
The "West Wing" aims to soar again via twists
By Joanne Ostrow
Denver Post
After running on fumes last season, "The West Wing" returns this week with political and romantic jump-starts.
Warning: Spoilers ahead. Those wishing to be surprised should jump to the real-world politics item below.
"West Wing's" sixth season, debuting at 8 p.m. Wednesday on KUSA- Channel 9, posits President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) as a lame duck. He is pondering his legacy - another Nobel Prize? - as possible contenders eye the next election.
"We were a year and a half into the administration when we started the show," executive producer John Wells said in a telephone news
conference. "We have term limits
in this country, and so, on our
electoral schedule, Bartlet's second term would end a year from this
coming January."
Expect a season of split priorities, looking forward and back.
Jimmy Smits ("NYPD Blue") will play a former mayor and congressman from Houston who will vie for the Democratic nomination. Alan Alda ("M*A*S*H") plays a senator from California hoping for a Republican candidacy. Bartlet's vice president, Robert Russell (Gary Cole), is another potential challenger, with brilliant young staffer Will Bailey (John Malina) crafting his speeches.
The series is expected to extend beyond this season, Wells confirmed. Sheen's contract expires this year, but he may show up for explorations of Bartlet's life post-presidency.
On the romantic front, the will- they, won't-they tease between Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) and Donna Moss (Janel Maloney) will be resolved. The cliffhanger ending from last season will find Donna recovering from wounds suffered in a Mideast bombing. She and Josh, who flew to her bedside, will return to Washington. Expect significant changes within the staff as Lyman and Moss depart to pursue their relationship, each working for a potential candidate.
The president's chief of staff, Leo McGarry (John Spencer), will suffer a heart attack. Although he'll still show up as a close adviser, press secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney) will be offered the position of chief of staff.
New dynamics, new cast members. Clearly the network hopes this all translates into renewed ratings.
Posted by Jo at October 18, 2004 07:15 AM