West Wing, The - Season 3  (2001)

Rating: NR

Distributor: Warner Home Video

Release Date: November 2, 2004
Review posted: November 10, 2004

Reviewed by Dennis Landmann

SYNOPSIS

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin's brilliant television drama THE WEST WING follows the hyper dramatic, behind-the-scenes moral struggles that accompany everyday political life in the White House. Starring Martin Sheen as President Jed Bartlet, the series addresses topical issues such as welfare reform and criminal executions while dissecting the interpersonal relationships among White House staffers with a fast-paced, cerebral style. Rounding out the topnotch cast are Rob Lowe, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, and the always-stellar Stockard Channing as First Lady Abbey Bartlet. This collection includes every episode from the series' third season.

CRITIQUE

I've been catching up with The West Wing on DVD for the past few weeks, starting with the first season and then going right into the second. Since I've heard so many great things about the show, and because the third season was almost out, I just figured it was time for me to see what it was all about. Granted, it kind of feels like I may have seen too much of the show in the past weeks, but the whole experience has been exhilarating.

The West Wing is a powerful drama that tells interesting and smart stories, but also knows how to amuse the viewer by inserting natural humor and making the characters as realistic as possible. The people who work for the President in the show have different jobs, sure, but inside they are also the same, they are dedicated, resourceful, smart, funny, and sometimes a little down on their luck. But of course, they each have their own little idiosyncrasies from time to time, and also celebrate their moments of victory. The whole cast surrounding The West Wing is excellent, an incredible ensemble of actors and actresses who share great chemistry and make their characters memorable and recognizable.

The show's third season keeps up with the previous two by continuing to tell exciting and dramatic, but mostly smart, stories. I'd rather not discuss the new developments and stories because otherwise I'd spoil the surprises. Series creator Alan Sorkin and the consultants on the show, as well as staff writers, must be congratulated for their extraordinary work. The amount of detail and research that goes into every show is remarkable, and coming from that is The West Wing's most rewarding factor; aside from the entertainment is the education value that comes with each episode. The show teaches about what goes on in the White House, or at least what is supposed to go on, all in a fictional sense, of course.

The third season's twenty-two episodes break down per disc as follows:

Disc 1 Side A: Isaac and Ishmael, Manchester Part I , Manchester Part II, Ways and Means

Disc 1 Side B: On the Day Before, War Crimes, Gone Quiet, The Indians in the Lobby

Disc 2 Side A: The Women of Qumar, Bartlet For America, H. Con-172, 100,000 Airplanes

Disc 2 Side B: The Two Bartlets, Night Five, Hartsfield's Landing, Dead Irish Writers

Disc 3 Side A: The U.S. Poet Laureate, Stirred, Enemies Foreign and Domestic

Disc 3 Side B: The Black Vera Wang, We Killed Yamamoto, Posse Comitatus

Disc 4: Special Features

THE VIDEO

Warner Bros. presents The West Wing in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. Colors are bright and clear. Sharpness looks quite good, but some grain persists in scenes. Tiny compression artifacts occur in spots, but it doesn't distract from the viewing experience.

THE AUDIO

Warner Bros. presents The West Wing in English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand, as is the lighthearted and dramatic music by W.G. Snuffy Walden. I didn't hear any noise coming from the speakers, in fact the front speakers are very active, and the rear speakers come alive in spots. Optional subtitles include English, French, and Spanish.

THE EXTRAS

The previous season DVD sets featured some good extras, and this release continues the trend.

There are three audio commentaries on select episodes. They are Manchester Part II by Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme, and Allison Janney, Bartlet For America by Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme, and John Spencer, and Posse Comitatus by Aaron Sorkin, Alex Graves, and Thomas Schlamme. The discussions here are interesting overall and humor is present also, but there is a little downtime in all three tracks where nothing is said.

Next are several deleted scenes, which add up to roughly five minutes, from the following episodes: The Two Bartlets, Enemies Foreign and Domestic, and Posse Comitatus. These are not bad, and fans will appreciate them the most.

More substantial than the deleted scenes are three all-new featurettes. The first one is called A Property Master's Story (11 mins) that focuses on the number of different props seen in the show. Interviews with cast and crew are featured. The Chief of Stuff (13 mins) looks at the character of Charlie Young, the President's aide, played by Dule Hill. Again, with cast and crew interviews supplying the information and thoughts.

Lastly, the Reel-Life To Real-Life Documentary Special (42 mins) features interviews with past US Presidents (I won't spoil who) and White House staffers from the Reagan, Bush, and Clinton administrations. The interview subjects recount their experiences and have some interesting things to say. This is definitely the set's best extra, and therefore a very welcome inclusion.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The West Wing is simply a great show. The DVD set is excellent, with great video and audio quality, and a number of good extras, especially the fantastic special documentary.

VERDICT: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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