I Need You to Tell Me Now | The West Wing

[@RogueShadows]

This actually all leads up to one of my favorite moments in the show - when the Republican Speaker becomes acting President, and all Josh and Toby and everyone can keep thinking about is how this is going to politically affect them down the road, and eventually Josh is in the bathroom with one of the Speaker’s own guys and brings up how Republicans are probably laughing at their good fortune and laughing at Bartlet for being “weak” and needing to invoke the 25th. And the guy responds that Republicans aren’t mocking or thinking less of Bartlet right now, they’re _in awe_ of him. He uses those exact words, “in awe”, because Bartlet was able to recognize that he was incapable of leading at the moment and so did what the Constitution told him to do. The Republicans were _never_ planning to put a political spin on this whole ordeal and in fact it comes across almost like it genuinely hadn't even occurred to them until Josh brought it up. And to their credit - former Speaker, former acting President Glen Walken _doesn’t_ become the Republican nominee in 2006, despite running for it, which strongly suggests that the Republicans never once tried to capitalize on this to win the Oval Office since otherwise you’d think it’d be a slam-dunk. The West Wing was very much a liberal show for Democrats, but the way the Republicans came across in it with characters like Walken, Vinnick, Hayes, and others made it clear that in this universe the Republicans are good people too, just with a different view on what the country needs. I would give _anything_ to have a Republican Party like what existed in this show.

[@chewy739]

President Walken even said he didn’t want this. He seemed to hate having to be the president and make mention of “when do I get to do the fun stuff”. Phenomenal character and wonderful choice of person to play him.

[@martinw2235]

Unfortunately, the GOP these days would do all of those awful things and more. The dialogue, acting, cinematography, etc. are all top notch, but the political environment of the show is so out of date. It was even too kind to Republicans for the time the show was on air.

[@robotsongs]

@RogueShadows can you remind me why the VP didn't take the office during this time?

[@RogueShadows]

@@robotsongs Bartlet didn't have one. VP John Hoynes had resigned two episodes earlier in the episode "Life on Mars" due to a sex scandal, then Zoe is kidnapped in "Commencement", then we get this episode, "Twenty Five" (the season finale). Bob Russel doesn't become VP until the episode "Han" in the next season.

[@robotsongs]

@@RogueShadows oh right, thank you! Man, I forgot about the amount of chaos in this season.

[@glenbateman5960]

Leo was exactly what every President needs in a Chief of Staff. Someone to soberly tell him the truth and make it stick, regardless of how the President might feel in the moment. Every President needs a courageous 'no' man. 'Yes' men are a dime a dozen. 'No' men are priceless.

[@ElectroDFW]

When he looked at her, and she looked at him, and just *knew*, I teared up 🥺 This show really knows how to pull at the heartstrings, and I am here for it.

[@Mackinstyle]

Such acting from Sheen. Just that look... No words.

[@Comicsluvr]

As a parent this STILL makes me cry.

[@googoo-gjoob]

The *GREATEST* show in the _History_ of television.

[@hexistenz]

What I so deeply *love* about TWW is the moral courage the producers and writers and showrunners had to actually make a show this highbrow. This is a show about human principles. About the how truly good people can actually decide to act in the interest of the country, even when it’s against their own best interests.

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

Exactly, great point. We have hundreds of TV shows and movies about the depths of human depravity and corruption: _Succession_ , _The White Lotus_ , & _House of Cards_ and postapocalyptic dystopian shows about the failure of our civilization: _The Handmaid's Tale_ , _The Hunger Games_ , _The Man in the High Castle_ , & _Civil War_ . But almost none showing political greatness, an optimistic view of the future. The only ones are TWW and _Star Trek: The Next Generation_

[@Brian-os9qj]

Great story lines with actors that deliver. Sorkin’s writing is superb.

[@navycpo5168]

This was foreshadowed in a past season when Zoey was off to college. Jed told her this could happen and it did. One of the best shows ever on TV.

[@MatthewKearney69]

So true. Plus in scene w Zoey in a bar n josh n Sam n Charlie saved her from regular guys. She took off her secret service locator I think then president gives her the nightmare scenario that’s happening. A loud party n she’s quickly taken then she’s kidnapped w terrorist demands.

[@webkid4567]

​​@@MatthewKearney69Yep, I think either Sam or Charlie had her secret service panic button on them and she had gotten cornered by some guys for just a few moments. They did a great job of making it feel like a more lighthearted romp with Sam (I think) making a big show of making the guys look like idiots, pressing the button and getting them detained by federal agents. Then, Dad shows up and quickly makes them all realize just how stupid it was and just how terribly it could have turned out if just one or two tiny things were different. Scary.

[@MatthewKearney69]

@@webkid4567 so true. 👍

[@just_kos99]

Martin Sheen and Stockard Channing do such an amazing job in that scene -- no words needed, just a look between them.

[@BTBEV3469]

One of my favorite moments is John Spencer's Leo enters the doorway, chest heaving, jacket half off his shoulder from running to the Family's Residence. So brilliantly subtle, and when he eyes meet Bartlett's you know a hell mouth is about to open. Spencer was so great!

[@carolion48]

Stockard Channing is brilliant.

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

She just looks and acts exactly like a First Lady, and Sheen and her just look like they've been long married.

[@joeylockie]

I liked this scene but the next few lines made it even better when he was talking about how even if they were there to help him if he gave the order to attack they had to

[@Boomer2304]

That scene was perfectly filmed. It had to be in slow motion. Great television.

[@partyguy101ify]

The first time I saw this episode, it felt like I was watching a mix of Man on Fire and a special episode of Criminal Minds all over again. It still does.

[@Pww642]

This was one of the most traumatic and insane things that could happen to an American presidency....and they almost never discussed it again once she was found. A few references to Abby being up in New Hampshire, but they totally memory-holed it. So bizarre.

[@jordanledoux197]

They kind of had to. In reality, this would be ALL the show was about after, and that would make for much less interesting TV.

[@Phills69]

I need a Leo to constantly tell me what the right things to do are. Even when I ignore him in a fit of rage. He’s there to tell me how to fix my fuck up. I need that calm consigliere voice.

[@KLowe-of5yz]

This popped up on my suggestions ~~ I had forgotten what a good dang show it was. Writing, acting ... awesome. So much better than some of the stuff we're watching now. Except for The Good Doctor that has Richard Schiff. I just discovered it and am binging it now. LOL :)

[@gu9838]

the love they have for their daugther is something id never experience with my own parents though this is acting. still a touching scene.

[@Michael-dy2lb]

All those people telling the First Lady she can't go in the press room, she shouldn't make an appeal ... someone should've physically stopped her. Everyone there at least understands why she feels she must make an appeal on the air, but if it's going to undermine attempts to retrieve her daughter, she must be stopped.

[@lionsjourney29]

Until the shock of the cameras there was no power that would have stopped her, she is frightened out of her wits and feeling useless

[@OptimysticPessimyst]

You missed the part where Amy tried to grab Abbey and she told her to get off her… nobody was stopping her until she got to the shock point of sanity.

[@Michael-dy2lb]

@@OptimysticPessimyst Somebody HAD to stop her. Amy's attempt wasn't even lackluster. Somebody needed to risk losing their job to physically prevent her, because her just showing her face to the press corps was a victory for the people who took Zoey. It should've been the Secret Service that stopped her, not Amy or CJ.

[@ScootsFromNewCastle]

@@Michael-dy2lb CJ would have been the one to do it. The USSS wouldn’t have put their hands on her unless it was for her direct safety.

[@Michael-dy2lb]

@@ScootsFromNewCastle Actually, the Secret Service would've been the logical folks to stop her. They're either running the investigation or tied at the hip to the FBI running the investigation. They'll do whatever is best to bring Zoey home, and if that means stopping the first lady from making a dire mistakes, they would do it.

[@carlvincent-ud5qn]

Now try and tell me that Martin Sheen is not one of the finest actors America has ever produced

[@macdonaldukah1680]

He definitely is!

[@dh3279]

John Spencer was the most perfectly cast actor ever in this particular role!

[@edbarrett3620]

I purchased a copy of the US Constitution right after this episode because I couldn’t identify the 25th amendment. Little did I know it would become common language in the 2020’s…

[@geoffoldread7684]

It’s also possible to look it up on the internet instantly and for freeeeeeeee!

[@edbarrett3620]

@@geoffoldread7684 its too bad you can’t afford a $5 book. I’d ship you a copy if I cared enough. I don’t.

[@IOSALive]

The West Wing, This is awesome! I subscribed because I want to see more!

[@joemckim1183]

They probably got real baby photos of Elisabeth Moss for this scene.

[@clays1507]

Of course

[@grt49er]

Great show. in watching this clip though her character probably thought he dropped the glass from a MS attack.

[@Carlalvaro]

This edit should have started with the end of the previous episode when the secret service first informs Leo...

[@EmilioReyes_97]

"Tell em i want whatever zoey got" ...jesus

[@tryingtobefairandobjective3480]

The same thing happened to Trump. He replied, "I don't know anyone named Eric".

[@danbrown5736]

The Kidnappers would hand him back

[@votemonty1815]

...and indoor plumbing.

[@sarcasticstartrek7719]

The episode is called "Twenty Five" not "25".

[@AniaKovas]

Why is some of this running 0.95 speed?

[@jesusthroughmary]

Avoid the bots for copyright strikes maybe

[@luisguillermojg]

​@jesusthroughmary This is the show's official channel though. They have the rights already.

[@jesusthroughmary]

@luisguillermojg didn't even notice that, you're right

[@untexan]

Maybe getting the clip across the 5 minute mark helps with monetizing

[@crapface911]

Knuchles

[@kiwishamoo6494]

Was this the episode with the killer robots from the future?