National Archives: Everything Goes Through the Situation Room | The West Wing

“Does anyone have a cigarette?”
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[@BlackBarney]

The casting of Admiral/Chairman Fitzwallace is one of the best television casting decisions of all time

[@wilson2455]

recent SCOTUS rulings mean that Bartlett could address the nation & state, " you bet I ordered the murder of Sharif & there's fck all you can do about it.. ".

[@antonbruce1241]

I have always LOVED John Amos in this role. His performance was always perfection in this role. It's a damned shame they killed the Fitzwallace character off...

[@bsgtrekfan88]

@@antonbruce1241 I remember when his character um....well spoiler free but I was literally half upset and half PISSED! I was like "Really?! Thats how he goes out?!"

[@BaseFury]

Agreed, remembering that virtually ALL of the casting was near genius.

[@theplourde]

Fitzwallace was the guy you wanted in a critical situation.

[@andrewgundy3045]

And doctor mcnalley!

[@AdanBean]

The best situation room scene was Fitz discussing with Leo how he can’t tell the difference between peace and wartime

[@timbushell8640]

But he is wrong regarding 'soldiers' of the Agincourt/Crecy period being treated with respect. Captured archers would lose their bow string fingers... hence the V sign with fingers that isn't Churchillian.

[@melissamarsh2219]

I love the situation room scenes, usually means we get to see Fitz

[@SFXDreamer]

"docking someone's allowance", "5000 dollar punishment for a 50 dollar crime" and all the President Walken scenes in the situation room and before the press core, still gives me chills. Best TV-show ever!

[@Vesperitis]

There is something terrifying in the simplicity of "Mr. President, we've put together a scenario by which we attack *Hassan Airport."* It showcases just how _easy_ it would be to inflict maximum harm, and that maintaining peace is the truly difficult choice.

[@paulc7486]

And yet, we don’t target civilian targets.

[@akshatverma6189]

😂😂😂😂😂​@@paulc7486

[@bigbadjohn7053]

Always appreciated to question that seen brings up. How moral is a proportional response, really? It has brought us decades of continual minor wars. Is this really better? Not saying it isn't better, but I would hope in halls were it matters, the question was asked.

[@heddalee]

I would think the Iraq war and the 3/4ths of a million people murdered by Americans because a corrupt administration ordered it would be example enough.

[@micky_qt]

@@bigbadjohn7053 A disproportional response would likely beget an even more disproportional response, basically MAD doctrine. Whether it's a drunk person in a bar that kills someone with a punch because of a perceived look, or a nuclear nation launching because of a radar blip.

[@dirdib69]

I love Margaret's judging stare as Leo lies about having eaten half a grapefruit.

[@TheDiablotak]

Fitzwallace has to be one of the best written military leaders in TV history. He’s not a stereotypical overconfident general, he’s contemplative and assured with out being overbearing and he’s understanding and accepting of Bartletts lack of military experience and foreign policy knowledge

[@zerocoolcat]

"Just another crazy general with guns. No offense Fitz." Legend.

[@joec9693]

I'm sure Admiral Fitzwallace was probably more offended at being compared to a General.

[@MHLegacy]

He should have replied, "None taken. I'm a crazy Admiral, not a crazy General."

[@s.h.5485]

Longer clips like this are super welcome!

[@joey3301]

Absolutely!! You took the words right out of my mouth! ❤

[@wilson2455]

the " Oh shit.. " look that Fitz sneaks to Leo is genius directing..

[@mvalovalo]

“Phil, if it ends up Fitzwallace has to call this kid’s parents I swear to God I’m invading Baghdad. Get him back.” Chills

[@esousa486]

Biden would NOT remember what was said, 5 minutes afterwards ....LOLOL 🤣🤣🤣😂🙃

[@georgepratt4988]

Wasn’t that his last episode before Nancy came in?

[@jamiestewart48]

I adore how he asks the pilot about his ankle and then for his parents number because usually he calls parents of lost service members and now he gets to have a waaaay better version!

[@mineown1861]

President suggested bumping it from a $50 fine to a $5000 one , what the joint chiefs came back with was bumping the fine up to a kneecapping .

[@bruenor82]

they managed their boss

[@summernightlavvy9771]

OH YEAH WE GOT LONGFORM NOW LETS GO!

[@timbushell8640]

Whole episodes, nay seasons even.

[@FlameKoRn]

I love how they introduce Lord John Marlbury. CJ on the phone to whomwever

[@scotthunt2479]

Yes! Keep the longer videos coming. We'll be watching all of them.

[@michaelhewitt258]

Bartlett for President 2024

[@joangibb7480]

At this point today yes

[@slapshot1343]

This is EXACTLY the compilation I was waiting for!

[@belvert1]

“Is this another crazy general with guns…..no offense, Fitz.” That always cracked me up!!!! Gawd, the casting of John Amos was so utterly perfect. Gravitas with a touch of wry.

[@bradrothberg5863]

What a cast ensemble! Spencer was terrific.

[@wonder528]

Bartlett was Walken in sheep’s clothing.

[@patriciafleming8402]

Sure this is television and not real. But this is how I want POTUS to react; by taking those moments to find clarity for what he has to do. Find clarity for the decision he is about to make. Understanding fully that there will be a reaction to his actions that will put others in harms way. Clear heads should prevail in a crisis.

[@Hesitatedeye]

I gotta admit showing a prospective love interest how their hometown is gonna be during a nuclear strike is a hell of a opening moving in the game of woo.

[@bsgtrekfan88]

I mean who else can say they used a billion dollar defense network computer to show your date her hometown during a first strike on the U.S . . . .LOL!!

[@Hesitatedeye]

@@bsgtrekfan88 pretty sure Howard from Big Bang Theory would do it.

[@JenThePirate]

I’m so thrilled that TWW has an official KZbin channel ❤ keeping the best tv show or all time, alive

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing this show.😊

[@markc7440]

TWW was one of the best TV series ever. President Bartlett was the best President that the US never had. I did wonder about the proportional response though. The situation went from one basic response to huge response and no stops along the way. "Four rated targets" well why not hit eight or ten rated targets, but well below the wholly disproportionate response. Apparently Martin Sheen is a softly spoken and kind man. This shows how strong and actor he is with the performance of rage he gives. Even his first lines on the show, end of the first episode, quoting the Commandments was a powerful introduction for his character.

[@zerocoolcat]

3:48: I love the way Leo looks at Bartlet here: now you will all see why I made this guy president.

[@Gredddfe]

I always smile whenever I see President Goodman.

[@esousa486]

John Goodman is an AWESOME actor 👌👍👍👍

[@user-hh9mr7sr7f]

@@esousa486 I never seen anyone say something negative about him.

[@rudyjuarez4535]

That part where Leo snaps at that guy over diplomatic talks to save that pilot. I felt that. That's Leo's own personal experiences being shot down.

[@Drumma516]

Thank you to whoeverade this video

[@mannyram9717]

John Goodman was fantastic in this role

[@michaelmuldowney8]

I agree with the disproportionate response.

[@howardchambers9679]

I really miss this show.

[@votemonty1815]

THIS...BRILLIANT. 👌

[@janisthibodeau3861]

Brilliant 😮

[@pamelaunderwood7983]

This goes off but my favorite of Fitzwallis is when he walks in on the meeting about gays in the military...John Amos was so wonderful! He was one of my favorites...wish he had been used even more!

[@thejanitor3337]

John Goodman is amazing.

[@HAL_NINER_TRIPLE_ZERO]

I HATE what they did to Toby's character with regard to the military space shuttle story line. First off, I do not for a moment believe Toby's brother would have revealed that information to Toby. Second, even if he did, while Toby may have disagreed with any decision not to employ the military shuttle for a rescue mission, he would have respected the President's reasoning and kept mum. Thirdly, if Toby could not reconcile that reasoning, then he would have simply resigned. No way he gives the quote to a reporter.

[@FullmetalSP1]

Oopsy. Looks like someone got their first little bit of bloodlust.

[@jamiestewart48]

He was pissed as his personal physician was killed, and he had kids

[@user-tm9qs7jo9j]

The show is very generous with its portrayal of politicians but its portrayal of the generals and joint chiefs has to be spot on. Most of the time the politicians dont deserve to be in the same room with them.

[@jamespearson6887]

I am reading " the situation room by George Stephanopoulos, very good book!

[@2013jpm]

The "proportional response" scene is ridiculous. That Fitzwallace and his team, in giving the president a supposedly more robust response option, present one which involves possibly thousands of civilian casualties, is preposterous. As opposed to maybe....every military airfield, port and headquarters in half of the country is destroyed overnight, or something similar in scale.

[@galwitprifor001]

That’s the point he’s trying to make - he took the extreme option to show the President what it means to take a disproportionate response.

[@2013jpm]

@@galwitprifor001 - But that isn't what it means. Massive destruction to the enemy's military ability with minor, if any, civilian casualties is exactly what Bartlett asked for. Fitzwallace did not give it to him when it was certainly within the US military's ability to provide.

[@galwitprifor001]

@@2013jpm That’s what Bartlett thought he was asking for. But Fitz knew that such an action would eventually escalate to the point where civilians would be targeted because there was no other way to get to the enemy’s leaders. So he skipped the intermediate steps and showed Bartlett the worst case scenario short of a nuke.

[@2013jpm]

@@galwitprifor001 - that's a possibility, sure, but it's not what the president asked for. An overwhelming response that reduces the enemy's military capabilities to the point that not only is its ability to cause mayhem around the globe threatened but its survival in the region is at risk might just do the job - which was exactly what Bartlett wanted. USN F-14s shooting down two Libyan Migs once accomplished this very thing.

[@KosherCookery]

I would actually suggest it's a great example of managing up. Adm. Fitzwallace wants Pericles One, so the alternative he offers is deliberately unacceptable to the President's moral imperatives. It could have been more subtle (e.g. a more comprehensive response that risked American attrition), but they're writers not strategists.

[@steveanderson8137]

John Spencer was meant to play Leo. So good!

[@timbushell8640]

"I am not at liberty..."

[@A.D.0306]

Eagle... Right Face!

[@Matthew10950]

Love how he asks for the parents phone number. I wonder how many 26 year olds now know that off hand somewhere over the middle east.

[@Dominus_Maximus]

This opening sequence drove me crazy. You mean to tell me that the brightest military minds in the world couldn’t come up with a better idea that would reduce civilian casualties…. I highly doubt that.

[@iandowall153]

Love this channel, keep it up. However, I want to point out that there has been an unconscionable lack of Anna Deavere Smith clips uploaded so far, Nancy McNally may have only been in 20 episodes but she was one of the greatest side characters in an already stacked cast.

[@PantherU]

She’s in this video

[@iandowall153]

@@PantherU Yeah, obviously. And that's the only clip of Nancy uploaded to the channel so far.

[@andrewgundy3045]

She’s wonderful in this show and American president

[@nickmcmahon623]

The greatest president America never had🇺🇸

[@SiavashAgharazi]

Every compilation I watch just hammers in the fact that the non-Sorkin seasons are so inferior.

[@GardenerTobak]

It would really help if you could please put time stamps in the comments telling us which episodes these segments are from, so we know which episode we want to watch in full.

[@Mrsnichols1965]

Seriously, the whole Kumari plane deal, but NOT the scene in the Sit room where Fitzwallace and Leo argue over what war is and if the target is worth hitting?

[@blindspott1060]

An unarmed F-117 flying patrol in a no fly zone...how does he defend himself, spriballs? The F-1178 was designed to be a stealth bomber...no guns, not designed to dogfight.

[@joen0411]

How could you not have the one with Canada.

[@stereoroid]

12:20 something that just occurred to me: why would a F-117A patrol a no-fly zone? It was a bomber, it had no air-to-air combat capability and carried no air-to-air weapons at all.

[@georgepratt4988]

Can anyone make an All Leo Scenes video?? I’d really love that. I love John S. He deserves it too.

[@lekoman]

Does anyone know how they actually *do* do the thing with the carpet?

[@fendypradanasaputra8068]

23:00 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@TairnKA]

I wonder what happened with "Gail", C.J. Cregg's goldfish, did Allison Janney keep it? ;-)

[@mannyram9717]

That was such a funny flex: “let’s see if your hometown survives the nuclear apocalypse”

[@pbdye1607]

29:52 - If looks could kill...

[@user-hh9mr7sr7f]

Sheen 2028? lol I think he is 85-90 now

[@heddalee]

Charlie was ridiculous coming out of her room in deshabille.

[@LuLu-xs4sh]

Is Phil in this scene David Axelrod?

[@jonnnyren6245]

Anything that happens in the Situation Room is a dangerous scenario to me if there's anything I've learned from this TV series. In reality it's the same thing. Whoever the President may be, if you're sent to the Situation Room that means SOMETHING REAL SERIOUS IS ABOUT TO GO DOWN and a RIDICULOUSLY NERVE WRACKING AND HEART POUNDING AND SOUL CRUSHING DECISION HAS TO BE MADE.

[@graysono]

I am staggered that the company that in 1886 got the Patent-Motorwagen, for what is widely regarded as the first internal combustion engine in a self-propelled automobile. The slogan for the brand then was "The Best or Nothing!". What an amazing waste of Court time when all they had to do was spend what - $200? - and simply replace the steering wheel. How does three-pronged remain one of the most sold car brands? How?! Keep up the superb journalism JC! MB may give you a car as a thank you?!

[@ProntoReseller]

John Paul guy story line was never fully explained, just dropped. Odd.

[@Coyote5005]

I always liked the situation room scenes, but man could they have used a military tech advisor. It’s like they flipped through a book of military terms and just picked them at random.

[@tyyip1829]

The question is : how and where did Leo get to know the details and ends to the sit-room's operations? He was a cabinet member in the previous administration, but there was no reason why he'd been in the situation room before!

[@jamiestewart48]

Leo was in the military. At this point the only former military member, and he’s worked at defence contractors. He knows the jargon, the way things go.

[@LuvHurtsEitherWay69]

And every chef of staff is in that room with the POTUS

[@edmundfuerst5662]

And yet this is almost always the LEAST important factor voters consider even though EVERY President says this is the hardest part of the job 😩😩😩😩

[@pyroslev]

When you could do politics in a show and do it right.

[@grantairias]

hey, people uploading these clips- would you consider adding subtitles?

[@evanfinch4987]

America at peak hard power.

[@monizdm]

One wonders if Bibi has watched this. Probably not...

[@danielserrano591]

pei range dipou recruitment

[@withonelook1985]

Admiral SissyMary

[@Baelor-Breakspear]

See Israel proportional response is there for a reason.

[@TroupeGoal]

How would Bartlett not understand the virtue of a proportionate response? Always bothered me.

[@MindlessZombie2006]

Well, the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, which were launched in response to 3000 deaths in the US, resulted in well over 1 million civilian casualties, so that's roughly a 300-1 ratio over more than a decade of hostilities. Israel's response to 1100 deaths in October '23 has so far tallied 40 thousand deaths, more than 60 percent of them civilians, in just under 9 months. A proportional response is the exception, not the rule here.

[@GitzenShiggles]

Q: Why are there so many movies and TV shows about Democrat presidents? A: Because it's fiction.

[@williamcrawford7914]

Why is it, this situation room is a hell of alot cooler then the real one

[@RobertPruitt-gu6dh]

Sit. Room comp. Operative ,Bruce ,COMPRISED... R.pruitt classified military 🪖 files. Thank you . 💌