Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1628 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-09-11
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Subtitled
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 6
• Running time: 957 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
And so this is it. The seventh series of The West Wing, collected together in this season boxset, marks the final swansong for one of the finest, snappiest American television productions of the last decade. Fortunately, and there are no spoilers here, it does go out with some style.

That said, even the most ardent fan of The West Wing would argue that its finest moments came in the first four or five seasons, at the point where its creator, Aaron Sorkin, was still heavily involved in its day to day running. Yet that’s meant that some of the later episodes have, unfairly, been given short shrift, when in fact they more than capably demonstrate the winning blend of character, sharp dialogue and cleverly constructed, relevant plotlines of life in fictional US President Bartlet’s administration.

That said, though, season seven of The West Wing still doesn’t hit the heights that the show has scaled over its run, yet it’s got enough within it to more than justify a purchase, and for far more reasons than simply completing a collection. Not least is the superb, respectful manner in which actor John Spencer’s tragic passing was written into the show. When the credits roll for the last time come the final episode, there’s a real sense that something quite special has come to an end. --Jon Foster

Synopsis
From the mind of screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (A FEW GOOD MEN) comes this controversial NBC drama, which became an immediate smash after premiering in 1999. Starring Martin Sheen as President Jed Bartlet, the series follows the hyperdramatic tension that accompanies everyday life in the White House. Addressing topical issues in every episode, Sorkin's drama features stellar supporting turns by Rob Lowe, Stockard Channing, and Moira Kelly. Features all the episodes from the seventh series.

Customer Reviews

A swansong that recaptures the Sorkin magic
Season 7 of The West Wing sees the end of the Bartlett administration and the start of...well, you'll have to watch to find out who becomes the new President. The main contenders for the soon to be vacant Presidency are Republican Arnold Vinick (the sublime Alan Alda) and Democrat Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits). The race for the Presidency introduces new characters, while involving old favourites like Josh, Donna, CJ etc. In mixing old with new, the producers deftly avoid allowing the show to turn into a rose-tinted retrospect of the glory years, yet retains the focus on the Bartlett staffers. The death of John Spencer (Fmr. Chief of Staff Leo McGarry) is handled superbly, and several plot strands (including the Josh and Donna relationship) are wrapped up nicely. The show admittedly lost its direction in the fifth season (not to the extent that some Sorkin fans would argue), but returned to form with season six. This final season marks a fitting farewell to one of television's greatest ever drama series.

A fitting end to an amazing series
The West Wing has been one of the most-underated shows in the UK since Channel 4 started to air the show in the summer of 1999.

A hit since it began in the US, starring Martin Sheen as the President of the United States, it also starred Rob Lowe (until he left after a pay dispute in the 4th year) and the always fantastic Bradley Whitford as Dep Chief of staff Josh Lyman.

The 7th (and final) series of Wing continues to hurtle towards the election and the announcement of the new President. Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits return as the candidates as do their aides (Ron Silver, Janeane Garofalo, and ROB LOWE!!). All of the characters are on top form, as is the writing - which is great as the same could not be said for the 6th year.

The sad passing of John Spencer (Leo McGarry) towards the end of the season is handled as well as could be, with grace and dignity. He is a true actor who will be very badly missed. The show does not dwell on this, but does honour John (and Leo) in a very nice setting.

Buy this season today and enjoy every moment of the best TV show to come out of the USA ever!

Back to the beginning
You have to remember that whilst The West Wing's been must-see TV ever since series 1, it's also had the ability to educate and inform our understanding of the political process. You may disagree with the politics (definitely a democratic leaning) and some of the scenarios may be a little warped, but the backbone - the fundamentals of the American political process - remains throughout.

So we return to the beginning of the presidential process. In series 6, Santos secured the Democratic nomination. So series 7 outlines what happens next, and what it's like to tick down the clock on the last 365 days of a presidency. We get to savour the full panoply of Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits leading the charge for the Republican and Democratic parties respectively, and also have time to honour the passing of John Spencer mid-series.

Despite the introduction of many new characters, I found the symetry and resolution that this series produced satisfying. Brief appearances in the final two episodes of a host of 'usual suspects' will round off any die-hard's viewing pleasure.

The last series 7 episode airs on More4 in the UK this evening, and I for one will miss this quality programming. Time to dust off those dvds and start my personal re-runs....

Fans of Aaron Sorking may wish to hold their breath to see if a uk network picks up his new series, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip". If they do, lets hope they have more consistency in scheduling than Channel 4 has given to TWW over the years.