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Season 1 – The West Wing

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The West Wing Sep 1999 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 47 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Cutthroat presidential advisers get their personal lives hopelessly tangled up with professional duties as they try to conduct the business of running a country. Fictional Democratic President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet suffers no fools, and that policy alienates many. He and his dedicated staffers struggle to balance the needs of the country with the political realities of Washington, D.C., working through two presidential terms that include countless scandals, threats and political scuffles, as well as the race to succeed Bartlet as the leader of the free world.
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The West Wing — Season 1

The West Wing — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Practically a screwball comedy with Aaron Sorkin's rat-a-tat dialogue and the ensemble's wonderful chemistry, The West Wing resplendently renders every voter's dearest fantasy: competent politicians with good intentions.

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Critics Reviews

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Jim Schembri The Age (Australia) 03/30/2021
The show's US reputation preceded its arrival here and is thoroughly justified. There hasn't been a dead second so far in this dynamite, Emmy-sprinkled series. Go to Full Review Jonathan Green The Age (Australia) 03/30/2021
This is probably the best thing that's been on telly all year. Go to Full Review Brian Courtis The Age (Australia) 03/30/2021
It's a lot more entertaining than feeling Bushed or getting Gored every night on the news and current affairs shows. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 10/20/2024
3.5/4
It’s a fictional series that draws upon real-life incidents, and it’s rather remarkable how often it does that without ever feeling exploitative of the subject matter or condescending toward the audience. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Csar M. @muralles May 23 The best series ever ! See more Chris B @Papa13070 May 8 It really doesn't get any better than this. Universally excellent performances from every major cast member. Beautifully written, with exquisitely drawn characters each with their own human frailties. A show that deals intelligently with serious political issues but is as much about the nuanced relationships of its central characters than the wider political background. That said - how much better would the world be now if the White House had a Bartlett administration, or if there was a little more idealism and a little less febrility around in the political world! So many unforgettable scenes; how Toby deals with the return of his coat, ("In Excelsis Deo"); Leo's speech to Josh about the man in the hole ("Noel"); Bartlett turning up to speak to Josh at the Airport; numerous Donna and Josh exchanges; and "Two Cathedrals" remains the best episode of any tv series that I have ever seen. If you haven't seen it yet you have much to look forward to! See more Mark C. @mrpiggy1992 Apr 22 Best season of the series ever the cast is incredible I love everything about it ❤️ See more Hunter B. @JohnRickC-137 Jan 30 Toby and Josh are really horrible and it needs more color in the main cast. See more Mick O. @Greenguy33 Dec 29 One of the best TV series ever! See more Dream D @RT05926293 Nov 5 The West Wing remains a towering achievement in television storytelling. Aaron Sorkin’s political drama didn’t just humanize the White House. It made governance feel idealistic again. Fast-paced, whip-smart dialogue and a cast firing on all cylinders (Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, and Richard Schiff among them) gave viewers an ensemble that still feels unmatched in the genre. At its best, the show was an ode to public service. It captured the moral tug-of-war between idealism and pragmatism with more nuance than most news coverage of its time. The “walk-and-talk” camerawork became a signature rhythm for ambition and exhaustion in the same breath. When Sorkin left after season four, the tone shifted from philosophical to procedural. Still, even with uneven arcs in later seasons, the series’ emotional intelligence and moral compass kept it compelling. Nearly two decades later, The West Wing feels both nostalgic and instructive. It’s a reminder of what intelligent, principled leadership could look like—and how desperately audiences still crave that vision. See more Read all reviews
The West Wing — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Martin Sheen

President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet

John Spencer

Chief of Staff Leo McGarry

Rob Lowe

Sam Seaborn

Bradley Whitford

Dep. Chief of Staff Josh Lyman

Richard Schiff

Communications Dir. Toby Ziegler

Allison Janney

Press Secretary Claudia Jean "C.J." Cregg

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 22, 1999 Pilot The president (Martin Sheen) and his White House staff make up an eclectic group; with John Spencer, Brad Whitford, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 29, 1999 Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc Sam pursues a call-girl with whom he spent a night of passion; C.J. tries to defuse a clash between the president and the vice president. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 6, 1999 A Proportional Response After an American jet is downed in the Mideast, President Bartlet urges an attack that could result in thousands of casualties. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 13, 1999 Five Votes Down The chief of staff (John Spencer) seeks five more House votes to get a bill passed restricting the sale of automatic firearms. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 20, 1999 The Crackpots and These Women Josh is troubled when he receives privileges denied to most White House co-workers; Toby opposes President Bartlet's plans for a California trip. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 3, 1999 Mr. Willis of Ohio Toby and Mandy work to convince some congressmen to approve a commerce bill that includes a census provision. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 10, 1999 The State Dinner Amid the festivities of a fancy state dinner, the president keeps his eye on multiple problematic situations; a reporter flirts with C.J.; Sam's call-girl friend makes an appearance. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 17, 1999 Enemies The president's political rivals threaten the future of his banking bill; Leo isn't pleased having his daughter date Sam; a reporter tries to woo C.J. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 24, 1999 The Short List A clash of ideologies forces the president to have second thoughts on nominating a favorite judge to the Supreme Court; accusations of substance abuse hit the White House staff. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 15, 1999 In Excelsis Deo As the president leaves the White House to do some Christmas shopping, Toby finds out about a war hero who died alone; a persistent reporter begins to win over C.J. for a date. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 5, 2000 Lord John Marbury President Bartlet calls on an eccentric British diplomat for help when the threat of nuclear confrontation is imminent. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 12, 2000 He Shall, From Time to Time ... The president is found unconscious shortly before his State of the Union address, and the first lady doesn't believe the official explanation. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 26, 2000 Take Out the Trash Day President Bartlet must deal with a new sex study and discord over a hate-crimes bill-signing ceremony. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 9, 2000 Take This Sabbath Day A campaign manager (Marlee Matlin) for a congressional candidate seeks a meeting with the president; Bartlet consults a priest (Karl Malden) about a murderer sentenced to death by a federal court. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 16, 2000 Celestial Navigation Sam and Toby must secretly spring the president's primary Supreme Court choice, who has been jailed for drunken driving and resisting arrest. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 23, 2000 20 Hours in L.A. The president goes to Los Angeles for a star-studded fund-raiser; Leo pressures the vice president to break a Senate voting deadlock. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 22, 2000 The White House Pro-Am The president's and first lady's staffs feud over rival agendas; the president must name a replacement for the late chairman of the Federal Reserve. Details Episode 18 Aired Apr 5, 2000 Six Meetings Before Lunch Police make arrests at a fraternity party attended by the president's daughter; Sam and Mallory clash over the issue of private-school vouchers. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 26, 2000 Let Bartlet Be Bartlet A White House insider writes a scathing memo for a political rival that outlines the weaknesses of the president's administration. Details Episode 20 Aired May 3, 2000 Mandatory Minimums The president names two Democrats to the Federal Election Commission despite threats from political opponents to introduce embarrassing legislation. Details Episode 21 Aired May 10, 2000 Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics The president nervously awaits the results of a poll to determine his favorability rating; guest Marlee Matlin. Details Episode 22 Aired May 17, 2000 What Kind of Day Has It Been The president prepares for a town-hall meeting with college students, while the military searches for a downed pilot in the Iraqi desert. Details

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The West Wing — Season 1

The West Wing View more photos

Season Info

Director
Christopher Misiano, Laura Innes, Thomas Schlamme, Arlene Sanford, Marc Buckland, Ken Olin, Anthony Drazan, Robert Berlinger, Alan Taylor, Bill D'Elia
Executive Producer
Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme, John Wells
Screenwriter
Aaron Sorkin, Ron Osborn, Lawrence O'Donnell, Patrick Caddell, Paul Redford
Network
NBC
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 22, 1999