Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1625 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-09-26
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Danish, Greek, Finnish, Swedish, Hebrew, Arabic
• Number of discs: 6
• Running time: 912 minutes

DVD Description
The West Wing returns for a behind-the-scenes look at another year in the life of the eclectic group of frenzied staffers in the Oval Office from creator Aaron Sorkin. The sixth season has enjoyed popular and critical resurgence in the US, thanks in part to the addition of recurring guest stars Alan Alda as Republican Presidential candidate Arnold Vinick and Jimmy Smits as Democratic candidate Matthew Santos, a bright and enigmatic congressman from Texas. Both go up against current Vice President and candidate, Robert Russell played by Gary Cole.

We rejoin the Bartlet administration in the aftermath of the Gaza Strip attack that seriously wounded Donna and killed several others and finds President Bartlet facing strong opposition to his peace plans. Defying the wishes of the majority of Congress - including some of the White House's democratic allies - the American People and the Vice President, Bartlet persists in the hope that inviting Palestinian and Iranian leaders to participate in peace talks will forestall the necessity of a U.S. military retaliation. Even Leo feels that the President should order an attack to make a decisive statement on terrorism.

Adding to the stresses of the peace negotiations, magicians Penn and Teller cause controversy at the White House when they burn the American flag as part of their act celebrating Bartlet's birthday. An asteroid hurtles towards Earth and a leak of oxygen on the International Space Station requires a controversial rescue mission and Bartlet is stricken by a paralyzing episode of his multiple sclerosis.

Synopsis
The Presidential race is on. Following the events of the Gaza Strip President Bartlett continues in his hope to bring the Palestinian and Iranian leaders to peace talks so stop any chance of military action. In addition to this, the American flag goes up in smoke during a magic act celebrating Bartlett's birthday; an asteroid is rapidly moving towards Earth; a rescue mission is required at the International Space Centre; and Bartlett is debilitated by his multiple sclerosis.

Customer Reviews

Things Fall Apart
'Things Fall Apart' is the title of one of the episodes of this sixth series, and serves as a useful epigram for what is an inevitable theme given the story elements which have led us to Season Six. The production team very bravely (and wisely) avoid mawkish sentiment in giving us a Bartlet who may be brilliant but is also human, and in this series we see the ideal President of the first few seasons fleshed out as we witness the final endgames of his administration. The cast are, as always, superb, and if we as viewers mourn the energy and intimacy they shared in the earlier series I believe that that is deliberate - change is hard, as hard for us as viewers as it is for the staffers we've come to love.

'West Wing' is, for my money, probably the best television drama ever made, and so long as the writers are willing to challenge our comfort it can certainly remain so. Whether it can succeed through future cast changes remains to be seen... Roll on Series Seven.

The Triumph and the Tragedy
American TV can be so cheesy - you know the stuff - canned laughter, pauses for effect etc etc. Sometimes it can be among the best in the world - and this season of the West Wing sits happily in that range. It's passionate; it's edgy; it's optimistic; and it's a fitting tribute to John Spenser who very sadly died shortly after it's completion. Among the best acting that all the main stars - and the superb supporting cast - have ever done. This is believable, with a little more grit and realism than some of the outright idealism that some previous seasons have embraced. This is the story of the fall of a great and noble King - and the making and rise of the next king. Martin Sheen has never been better. Alan Alda is totally believable as the Republican challenger and Jimmy Smits confirms the acting range previously hinted at in TV series he's held together in the past. Fans will not need converted or talked into watching and buying this set, but for newcomers to the West Wing, it just doesn't get better than this. Vive la Republic! Martin Sheen for PM!

GOOD - BUT WE MISS YOU, AARON
It has to be said. However much we would all like them to be, Series 5 & 6 are not as the ground breaking, immaculate, Sorkin written/controlled Series 1-4. As with all long-running, successful TV series, an inevitable decline in ratings eventually sets in. That's when producers and network bosses step in and start interfering big-time, insisting on more and more audience titillation, more and more outrageous plotlines, more new exciting characters and so on and so on. Was that why Aaron walked away?

There are two key things that make Series 6 (and 5) different from 1-4. For one, the plotlines have become more and more melodramatic and densely packed with 'story' and 'drama'. In just one episode here, Bartlett brokers the impossible deal between Israel and Palestine, then fires his Chief of Staff who has a major heart-attack which, despite spending more than 12 hours post-MI unconscious in the woods, proves not to be fatal. (Sorry to give plotlines away, but it is an early episode, it's in the in-pack synopses and it does make my point). Sorkin, on the other hand, was content to weave a witty, involving, moving story out of 2 Indians in the Lobby (to name just one of my favourite episodes). Yes, he had his moments of high drama - Bartlett wants to nuke the world when his favourite new medic is blown out of the air, Josh gets shot, etc. - but they have all the more impact for their rarity.

Secondly, it's the humour. There are jokes in this new series - some of them quite funny jokes. But Sorkin didn't have jokes. He had wit and humour that grew directly out of the characters and their relationships. It's different. It makes you laugh out loud (at least it did me) in a way that you don't with these new episodes.

Oh. And third. Sorkin had that rare writer's ability to turn things round abruptly and suddenly make your eyes prickle with tears, however much you resisted it. Sentiment not sentimentality. Now we just have to rely on a key-light shining in Martin Sheen's eyes to tell us what a deep and emotional human being he is.

No, Series 6 is not a patch on Series 1-4.

But, having said that, it is still a heck of a sight better than pretty much anything else on TV (depressing thought, that, isn't it?) The acting is absolutely top notch as always. The direction and editing still maintain that West Wing style - fluid camera-moves, cracking pace and perfectly paced moments of repose. And the writing, though sub-Sorkin, is still a league above most drama series. So, for all my grumbles, this West Wing series is well worth watching on its own terms. Just don't compare it to the early days too often.