« Not much to hail in 'West Wing' | Main | 'West Wing' returns with changes, additions »
October 20, 2004
'West Wing' cast ready for takeoff
By Mike Hughes
Lansing State Journal
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: "The West Wing," 8 p.m. and (season opener) 9 p.m., Channel 10 (NBC).
After an extra-long summer break, "West Wing" is back and big. It seems ready to re-establish itself as TV's best drama.
Last season's finale, which reruns at 8 p.m., had a bomb strike an American motorcade in Gaza. Two congressmen and a general were killed; Donna (Janel Moloney) was hospitalized.
The season opener, at 9 p.m., starts with Donna in surgery, Josh (Bradley Whitford) waits for her; so does a cynical Irish photographer who has quickly fallen for her.
The hour spends more time, however, in Washington. Urged to retaliate, President Bartlet hesitates, taking a last stab at peace talks. Staffers disagree with him; Leo (John Spencer) is enraged.
This is a terrific episode, with bigger things ahead. Next week, the Bartlet-Leo relationship reaches a turning point.
Producer John Wells expects to have nine straight new episodes, a brief break and then 13 more. With Bartlet as a lame duck, the presidential primaries will begin.
Key players include the vice president (Gary Cole), a former Houston mayor (Jimmy Smits) and a moderate Republican senator (Alan Alda). This sounds promising.
Posted by Jo at October 20, 2004 07:56 AM