The West Wing: President Walken in the Situation Room

[@stepheneagle8408]

John Spencer's acting is hugely overlooked. His desperation as he watches the situation unravel, and his powerlessness to stop it

[@dougbrown9574]

I've been watching TV most of my 71 years. John Spencer is without a doubt the most underappreciated actor who ever graced the medium.

[@craighanson-rc1md]

LOL it happened because of his & Barlett's naivety & blind pathetic fantasy land thinking. Walkens the only one thinking sensible & I love when he puts leo in his spot reminding leo that one they & Zoey are in this because of Leo & Barlett & that their pathetic incompetence is what created this situation. I couldn't stand leo what a joke he was & his character Toby too.

[@trebleking1641]

​@@craighanson-rc1md Absolutely right. He's so used to Bartlet's simpering moralising, and holier than thou platitudes that he's paralysed with indecision and fear in the presence of a tough President. A stupid, bad tempered, little curmudgeon.

[@nicholasrocco3782]

100%. John Spencer was exceptional in all of his roles.

[@craighanson-rc1md]

@@nicholasrocco3782 No no he was not even remotely though he play a elitist liberal out of touch with reality especially in crisis's like Zoey's kidnapping among others. I will give that he was acting & character far better then those idiots that played toby CJ & josh good granny those three were so pathetic & naive. As most liberals are & as was proved last week when the national took back law & order.

[@marioescalante4401]

John Amos and Anna Deavere Smith as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and NSA were the two best minor-role actors in the series.

[@Millie226]

And Anna Deavere Smith was in the movie The American President, and she was great in that!

[@cawsnallthis]

Ainsley fucking Hayes

[@davidcombs3617]

Lord John Marbury was fantastic as well.

[@BrandonAzzarella]

"And what does chief adviser to the president mean exactly?" *deadpan* "it doesn't specify" "great, because this is one part of constitutional law that we want to be as ambiguous as possible!" "yeah."

[@enriquesanchisricart8298]

@@cawsnallthiss

[@joshmccollen700]

"They're going to kill her anyway." Such a great line and delivery. It's at this moment in the writing when the plot shifted from concern for Zoey to a demonstration of resolve by the United States.

[@spartanclucky884]

It's just the perfect line, the resolve in his decision that they might as well show as you said their resolve, knowing that there isn't anything they can do to save her but can still go against them. Just a perfect role played by an amazing actor.

[@timothyjames6412]

And this is exactly why Bartlett had to hand over to Walken.

[@gheller2261]

True, but it turns out he was wrong about "they're going to kill her anyway."

[@kleverich]

Very analogous to the current Gaza situation.

[@oatmealboy6]

I love the slow realization that Leo has this this isn't his president anymore, and he's now more an observer than chief of staff.

[@MariusRiley]

: He is also realizing that he urged Bartlett to the action (i.e. the assassination) that at least at the time seemed to lead to all of this. Leo's feeling responsibility.

[@walterlowe7252]

He’s also worried about Zoe... I think it’s more the slow realization that for all his influence and power (his and jeds) Zoe will probably die anyway

[@aqasaw234]

@@walterlowe7252 right. the slow realization about zoe’s demise while he and the president are powerless ... emotions overwhelmed him

[@kevinshields4643]

Or, most likely, he has realized that his best friends daughter is going to die most likely. And the realization that if it were anyone else, jed would probably come to the same conclusion

[@harborwolf22]

And never loses the respect he has for the office. "Thank you sir, I'll tell him." *phew*

[@limeyndixie]

“They’re going to kill her anyway.” Still makes my heart skip a beat. Perfect delivery and encapsulates the desperate, high-states nature of the episode perfectly.

[@Elthenar]

The thing that makes that such a killer is because that's exactly what they would do IRL.

[@saturday1066]

you don't question the finality of “They’re going to kill her anyway.”? bc he was wrong.

[@Elthenar]

@@saturday1066 What do you mean? He was probably only wrong because the FBI found her and hit the house where she was kept.

[@craighanson-rc1md]

Common sense really if one doesn't let emotions get in the way of reality. From the start the kidnappers were not expecting to live much longer nor let her go probably planned for a very public death of her too. Obviously it's a tv show but it's clear to apply to anything today or in the last oh at least 23 years or so. LOL it's so funny as much as everyone in the room loves or respects the president the only one who doesn't see reality is Leo. It's not that hard to see the whole picture & why this from the start was never a kidnapping for money or demands again you can apply it to Hamas today or ISIS or BOKO. I love when Walken's turns to Leo have putting leo in his place & snapping him back into reality "do you want to tell the president or should I". If you go back & look Leo is the one since telling barlett about it Leo's been the one keeping everyone including bartlett in reality but that changes when bartlett steps aside & walken takes over then Leo starts letting the staff & his own ties to the family cloud reality.

[@3.6Roentgen]

Everyone in the room but Leo knew it but no one wanted to be the one to state it. But he was the President. As the saying goes the buck stops here. It's his job to make the hard decision and have the guts to say what needed to be said. Everyone else was relieved it had finally been spoken. Not one person but Leo was talking about Zoey as a consideration in the discussions because they all knew she was irrelevant to the decision that needed to be made

[@Legba85]

Goodman's role was too short. He dominated this episode as the war time President.

[@FloridaMillennial]

Liberal writers couldn't have the spotlight on him for too long.

[@msmith8511]

He became temporary president as the 25th Amendment - Sections 3 and 4 was invoked to have President Bartlet step down as his daughter was missing. You can only carry that story line for so long before its impact is diluted. It had nothing to do with liberals. Do you know anything about the US Constitution or dramatic narrative?

[@Solodapper]

M Smith Thank you for that response!

[@larrysullivan8890]

And yet the " liberal " writers did an excellent job with Alan Alda'so character as Republican Senator Vinnick. Intelligent, well thought out, likeable and according to Matt Santos " the best strategic thinker I know "

[@larrysullivan8890]

@@FloridaMillennial how did the " liberal writers" do with Alan Alda's portrayal of Arnold Vinnick ? The entire 7th season was devoted to the Santos-Vinnick campaign. Santos called Vinnick " the best strategic thinker I know" as he practically begged Vinnick to be SOS. Maybe you should consult a writer or at least a strategic thinker before submitting ignorant, knee jerk statements

[@RJSAMCRO]

John Goodman still the most under-rated actor of all time. He kills every role he's ever played

[@WalterDWormack214]

I just watched the 'debut' episode of *Brett Butler's TV show, *"Grace Under Fire".* Mr. Goodman's minor bit as the 'hapless' State Trooper who pulls Grace over on some traffic violation, and winding up dealing with a female in the middle of *"Full-on, Stressed-out Mommy mode* was an absolute scream!

[@tpl608]

Underated? He has won awards and was on the #1 show in the 80's-90's.

[@tookiezzz2898]

Like his "Linda Tripp" on Saturday night live. LOL.

[@aboxofbeans]

​@@tpl608 anything good is called "underrated" these days by nerds who like something popular but want to feel special. So by pretending that something is actually unpopular, suddenly they are very cool for liking it. John Goodman is a massively talented and successful actor who has had a decades long career and won multiple awards. He is anything but "underrated" lmao

[@OzSpud72]

John Goodman when he finds out Jackie got beaten up by her boyfriend and he takes care of business. Best performance.

[@MJSpiritual]

Even though big John wasn't on the show very long I thought he killed it in this role.

[@jesusthroughmary]

He kills it in every role. Owns the screen pretty much whenever he's on it.

[@Brighteyes95866]

MJSpiritual John Goodman kill this role, very good.

[@scottmartin2600]

Yep john killed it!!

[@EMPuello87]

MJSpiritual I know being a Liberal I wanted it to follow his presidency.. after Barlet. Oldy Republican

[@cowiepipenger2947]

He really is one of the best, from Walter Sobchak to Dan Conner.

[@jdax21]

This show was perfectly cast from starring roles to minor roles to recurring guest stars to one-off appearances. Everyone was amazing. John Goodman was outstanding as President Walken. I didn't want to like his character at first, but you can't help but respect and admire him. His performance is one of the many prime examples of why West Wing is so excellent and why John Goodman himself is so damn underrated as an actor.

[@charlisantini3403]

I truly think they wrote him to be a bit of a joke, but John Goodman did such an amazing job that he turned it around and President Walken was a great character

[@SN-sz7kw]

These guest appearances were tailored so exquisitely they always left the audience wanting more. So well done.

[@Gobbersmack]

Both Goodman and the Admiral were incredibly well cast.

[@mscottveach]

+Gobbersmack John Amos

[@ericwsmith7722]

Good times !

[@mikephillips2952]

Gobbersmack Totally agree with that

[@drew23ish]

That they were

[@cawsnallthis]

@@ericwsmith7722 Any time you need a payment

[@tompanzer8192]

This shows exactly why Bartlet stepped down, Walken knew decisions had to be made even if it meant Zoe’s death.

[@808INFantry11X]

@Dan Wruck on both presidents. They both understood the roles they had to play and respected each others postion.

[@808INFantry11X]

@Leo Peridot no time, just like any premarmture administration taking office you don't have time to restructure not for something as significant as Chief of Staff you need to work with the tool kit given in this instance.

[@808INFantry11X]

@Leo Peridot not by law but by practicality. I mean at the end of the day it comes down to you are inheriting a presidential administration not being elected to it. Think back to history Johnson maintained much of President Kennedy's cabinet because he needed their counsel because they were read in to the programs and situations ongoing there isn't time to read others in and get them up to speed.

[@808INFantry11X]

@Leo Peridot no by law the 25TH Ammendment is temporary seeding of power the sitting president Bartlett has every right to resume office should he choose because was elected to the postion not the speaker.

[@808INFantry11X]

@Leo Peridot like I said before its not his administration he is ther by 25th ammendment which is temporary posting.

[@palmerlp]

When you need a block of exposition rendered with the crisp precision of a Selectric typewriter, Clark Gregg is your man.

[@Adamdidit]

If we ever get him and Jason Isaacs together I'd watch a 2 hour movie of exposition and crisp sarcasm.

[@fredhoupt4078]

Just love, love, love this scene. One of the best in tv history. Goodman locks it, loads it and blows it out the room. They just don't make em like this any more. Sadly.

[@duncanbrown1864]

Goodman always makes whatever he shows up in that little bit better :)

[@robinjackson7882]

fred houpt once in a lifetime

[@markemanuele1929]

Thank God we now have a president like the Goodman character!

[@sharonmahoney9333]

@@markemanuele1929 *eyeroll*

[@tomshea8382]

I still can't believe he wasn't nominated for an Oscar for this.

[@omegathelast2347]

"But if Zoey Bartlett is found dead, I am going to blow something the hell up then God only knows what happens next!!!" John Goodman (not Dan Conner) at his finest.

[@yoyoyojeremy]

John Goodman 2020

[@lukethompson2714]

I support that

[@joshuawells835]

Said every father ever. My own father said if he were President and someone harmed his children, he would turn deserts to glass

[@blackbird5634]

yeah, an elitist viewpoint many Americans seem to endorse. The 1% thinking they are born to rule. The reason to have a chain of command is to avoid emotional repercussions like this character suggests.

[@omegathelast2347]

@@blackbird5634 Ironically, this character, the House Speaker was sworn in as acting President, because Bartlett was emotionally compromised, due to daughter's kidnapping.

[@chrisdrakes2332]

To date, still one of the best bits of television. No messing about. No fumbling around with pointless lines.

[@mlc2005]

This scene makes me think back to "The Women of Qumar," when CJ was shot down at every turn when she spoke up against giving the Qumari government weapons b/c they treated women so horrible. When told the US wasn't at war with Qumar, CJ said: "We will be, of course we will and you know it. Well, at least we'll be familiar with the weapons they're using." And she was right. LOVE the back and forth with Nancy and Fitz. Man I wish this administration were real.

[@sethtubman1229]

And as Dr. McNally pointed out to her in that episode: "It's a big world, C.J. And everybody has guns. And I'm doing the best I can." As the highest-ranking female national security counselor, she was doing the best she could. But they had to be realistic.

[@ajmalik5693]

Like they gave Taliban guns

[@SubParGolf11]

I hated that episode, CJ was so whiny and out of character

[@deaustin4018]

it always amazes me how absolutely convincing some of the big name actors were on this show, Goodman, Alan Alda, Lily Tomlin. You'd think they'd be too big for a TV show, that it just wouldn't work - but it always did.

[@frankohrt3347]

That's because they're all great actors, not celebrities. You might check out all the great actors making guest appearances in Homicide: Life On the Street.

[@60crown]

Goodman and Alda came from massive tv shows, where they built their names.

[@Egilhelmson]

@@60crown Not to mention Ernestine the Telephone Operator from Rowan&Martin’s Laugh-In, aka Lily Tomlin.

[@doesitmatter1667]

Quite the contrary- Alan Alda’s TV performances are without a doubt his best.

[@joeelliott2810]

not to mention mark harmon as the secret service agent was amazing. John spencer was absolutely positively brilliant as leo as well

[@eisenhowerrepublican4237]

If all republican candidates were like walken and all the democratic candidates were like bartlet, the usa would be massively improved.

[@romanthaddeus5461]

EisenhowerRepublican if republicans were like vinnick I'd be the happiest lol

[@mohammedhussain6749]

If any us politician actually cared for people and not a re-election the USA would be greatly improved

[@eisenhowerrepublican4237]

@@romanthaddeus5461 True

[@mohammedhussain6749]

Trump is a great campaigner not a great president,

[@mohameddiaby835]

@@SvendleBerries, All you just wrote is bull. You were never an Obama guy, you were always a Trump guy.

[@phytonso9877]

1:08 The AGM-88 HARM is an anti-radiation missile designed to strike at radar installations. No one is using them to strike schools and/or training camps. At least the writers got the air-to-ground part right and didn't have them planning to use AAMRAMs or something.

[@johnlysaght5976]

John Goodman is so flipping underrated. Everything he does is pitch perfect 👌

[@Glitchfaction]

Apparently everything on YT is underrated because someone using the word in every single comment section

[@YTEdy]

Wow. They even called in shield.

[@swb1003]

This was Agent Coulson's origin story

[@Zak6959]

Hahaha

[@ponchoandy]

@@swb1003 Yes! This is my head canon too!

[@jamesharris7341]

He was actually hired by the MCU because they’d seen him in the West Wing.

[@Zak6959]

James Harris good one.

[@bobert4him]

DAMN! John Goodman really delivers this role.

[@Tigerman1138]

bobert4him I loved the press conference where he speaks of treaties refer to nations and how he'd blow him up again.

[@NxDoyle]

John Goodman has done consistently excellent work for decades. He is a great actor.

[@tgleo1]

This is the best television series I have ever seen. Each time I binge my way through all seven episodes I wind up impatiently waiting for enough time to pass to be able to do it again without it all being way too fresh.

[@docHOLLAday53]

I was glad they didn't bring Walken in just to look like a buffoon. He was highly competent and knew his isht. Why didn't they run this guy against Bartlett instead of that idiot governor? That being said...Walken is no Bartlett, but the way he handled this whole situation was very presidential.

[@senatorhung]

Walken did run, but lost in the republican primaries to that idiot governor.

[@beyerch]

probably because he would have won ?

[@jackyzimmerman]

The show needed a Bush allegory, a folksy populist confusing intelligence with elitism. Walken would’ve been too competent for the metaphor.

[@mknote]

As Walken said during one of the episodes, he never aspired to be president, which is why he probably didn't run. He ended up running in the primary of the next election (maybe this experience changed his mind?), but that explains why he didn't run in the previous one.

[@noahkelly3627]

The way Leo says “You bomb Qumar and they’re gonna kill her.” The whole reason John Goodman is sitting there is because the President knew he couldn’t separate saving his daughter from doing what’s best for the country. So he steps aside, lets the Speaker of the House take command. It leaves Leo there as the President’s only representative. Yet Leo isn’t just a chief of staff, he’s Jed Bartlet’s best friend. Zoe is like a niece to him, he’s watched her grow up. So when he says that, it’s not just a word of caution, or speaking on behalf of the President. He’s genuinely scared for Zoe

[@Solodapper]

This man owned the hell out of that role!

[@Nighthawk-8050]

I'm an independent voter and yes I would vote for this man

[@tellurye]

"Get the Kumari Embassador in here. We need to let him know we are going to bomb his country" LIKE A BOSS!

[@larrysullivan8890]

Tellurye....and when he says " where are we ?" when he is with the National Security staff. As if " I don't have time to crap around, give me situation, options and I'll make a decision ! Democrat or Republican, thats the way we NEED our Commander in Chief to act

[@Tigerman1138]

Larry Sullivan Amen. Kind of like some idiot woman who thinks she is president vs a president knowing the location a major terrorist who leads a hostile nation’s elite forces. Sometimes we cannot wait for Congress to arrive and they then notify SKYNEWS by text to warn him.

[@dylanrobey4348]

This changed my view of John Goodman forever when it was first released.

[@Peractorius]

Man, that war room gets so quiet and tense after Leo interjects. It got so quiet and tense you could hear a pin drop.

[@joeelliott2810]

i so wish leo became president during this time somehow

[@Peractorius]

@@joeelliott2810 The Democrats in the West Wing are what THEY SHOULD BE TODAY! Right now? Bunch of weird too far left for me crackheads.

[@duanecoleman387]

I always thought a great extension of the show would be a John Goodman presidency..... See the show from a republican view and use a lot of the same actors....

[@Rimasta1]

Duane Coleman That, would’ve been interesting actually.

[@penboyasgod6103]

I think a better choice all around for that Republican view would be Alan Alda.

[@pjabrony8280]

Alan Alda is a far left supporter, isn't he? Although, he did play a good POTUS in Canadian Bacon.

[@penboyasgod6103]

[@EsquilaxM]

Would be nice to have Rob Lowe come in 2020 as the president. Or a post-trump Republican president from 2020 onwards.

[@meltz87]

John Goodman is the best actor of the last 20 years. I know its a bold statement but I made it.

[@TheWaveofbabies]

If not he is definitely the largest. Yesh!

[@meltz87]

Damn right dude! Shut the fuck up Donnie.

[@2batgirl]

Lol far too bold but SOOOOO underappreciated it's not even funny. I totally gave it a thumbs up anyway, I love him!

[@larrysullivan8890]

+meltz944....better than Paulie Shore ?

[@withalittlehelpfrom3]

They had him run for President in Season 6. I’m disappointed we never got to see him on the campaign trail, or a debate footage with Alan Alda!

[@MotorCityPhoenix313]

Goodman just commands this scene. Outstanding performance. Tough, brutal, and direct, but you have no doubt he fights for America.

[@dee_dee_place]

Walken's character is brash & in your face but he asked questions & listened intently to the answers given by both the NSA & The Military. When you're in a crappy situation you have to try & find a solution with the least amount of negative fallout while trying to achieve your goal(s). Not an easy task!

[@notd0ll109]

John Goodman is honestly one of the greatest actors to have continuously flown under the radar. A rare few who has never turned in a bad performance. Even in the Flintstones he was the high point.

[@bobchessick4282]

I disagree he was under the radar. Anytime he's in a cast, he commands a performance but does it in lockstep with the actors he shares the stage with.

[@jesusthroughmary]

Phil Coulson in the Sit Room? Sweet.

[@Psychonaut316]

jesusthroughmary Just call us SHIELD

[@desgowlron5010]

Uh, his first name is Agent

[@joeelliott2810]

@@desgowlron50105 years later this joke still gets said whenever clark gregg pops up somewhere 😂😭

[@JavierArveloCruzSantana]

I. KEEP. FORGETTING. TO. BREATH! DAMN, I LOVED THIS SHOW!

[@aritrayou]

2:22-2:24 - Does anyone else get the feeling that President Walken was thinking "Just get me those bastards, I won't need guns, I'll rip them apart limb from limb with my bare hands."? 3:41 - Having taken the tough decision and validating his emergency appointment as POTUS, adopts a more human stance, asking Leo whether he's up to informing Bartlett that his daughter's death warrant may just have been issued. Great President, Glen Allen Walken and Great Actor John Goodman.

[@lynnesaginaw8061]

The quality of the guest actors, even in small roles, is staggering. It seems they line up to work for this most literate and intelligent show.

[@Bayougirl78]

I really enjoyed John Goodman in this role, Walken was a great character

[@YTEdy]

I'd forgotten how intense that scene was. I lost interest during the later seasons, but this was well done and Goodman is a great actor.

[@reubenhernandez1690]

Damn this was a good show. It would have great if this story arch had went a little longer. John Goodman was brilliant.

[@busheytube]

0:29 - Hey, it's Phil Coulson!

[@chochanga]

Bill Bushey Agent Coulson...the early years!

[@joemckim1183]

I didn't know that they let SHIELD agents into the Situation Room!

[@johnv7098]

His name is Agent

[@Woedric]

And he hasn't aged a bit!

[@bfg3890]

So this is what he was talking about when he said it wasn't his first rodeo

[@cald1421]

“They’re going to kill her anyway.” It’s gotta hurt when your political opposition steps in, has power and on top of everything else, is right.

[@ptroinks]

What Fitz should have said, is "We won't hit what we're aiming for". Trying to use HARM missiles for that would have been an epic fail, unless those training camps had lots of radar equipment...

[@Rimasta1]

ptroinks The show did that a lot. They’d use weapons for implausible roles, like using the AIM-54C against ground targets. Anyone would knows their AAM’s is like, “WTF, you’re an Admiral?”

[@tbeller80]

They did very little research when it came to talking military stuff on the show. One early episode had CJ saying something like "the commandant of the 32nd Division doesn't let in on his briefings." It doesn't take an expert to know how wrong that statement was.

[@EsquilaxM]

They had multiple political consultants, probably should've shelled out for just one military one for these episodes

[@rcslyman8929]

As a vet, having spent time running several base security programs including OPSEC and INFOSEC, I'm not so sure it was oversight as much as choice. There were a number of times they were very specific about deployment of weapons, but identified a weapon outside its role. Is it a mistake? Or are they showing the coordination of the Sit Room while intentionally masking or misdirecting operational capabilities? As in depth as Sorkin and company get with details, I'd like to think the latter as the more likely scenario. Though I'll also admit, it's just as likely they found a cool sounding designation and tossed it into the script. At least they identified NAS planes for a Navy-based mission.

[@heisdeadjim]

@@rcslyman8929 you could be onto something. A deliberate "mistake" so not to portray real OPSEC and procedures on screen?

[@sauron7839]

Walken had the right attitude here. It doesn't matter what he thinks of Bartlett personally or his family, if the United States government doesn't react with efficient and lethal violence to the kidnapping of an American President's child then it sends a terrible message.

I loved him in this role and really liked the contract between Walken and Bertlett. Arguments were often well articulated in this show and even though I'm a Republican is helped me understand the left-wing point of view better.

[@partyguy101ify]

Being a Republican in the age of Trump is entirely different from being a Republican in the early-2000s. Your party crossed the line of bipartisanship when it allowed Trump to be the nominee. Mitt Romney and Justin Amash may be outliers, but Republicans in Congress are zombies serving Trump compared to Bush-era Republicans. The Democratic Party at least has some diversity of ideology whereas the GOP just agrees with what Trump says aside from anonymous dissidents.

[@paullentz1972]

Imagine what The Republican version of The West Wing would look like: the staff would be scheming behind the scenes in order to give Rich Pricks more tax cuts, while gutting the wages/working conditions of workers. Cant imagine that the ratings would be too high...people would be HORRIFIED not inspired if a show depicted the inner workings of a Republican White House like The West Wing did a Democratic Administration.

@@paullentz1972 You sound like you’re still pissed we took away your slaves and let women start voting.

[@paradiddle1]

*snort* I say goddamn John Goodman is solidly brilliant here. Sorry, I’m suffering withdrawals since Netflix 86’d West Wing.

[@cz2165]

John Goodman- one of the best character actors of all time!

[@siobhansteisa9996]

I admired John Amos on Hunter. He’s so intense and passionate about his role.

[@keithwestmeyer8823]

What is ironic is that this show would never happen again nowadays And despite the criticism, it's still the best show in its genre And the best show in the past 25 years Any spin-off wouldn't work nowadays...sadly.....due to multiple reasons And jon Goodman is definitely underrated in this series

[@GuardianComplex]

Goodman plays a more realistic and more effective GOP leader than any real ones we have today.

[@keithwestmeyer8823]

@GuardianComplex definitely since 2000...there is a decline in government leadership The Dark Side....Strong it is

[@Sparky1701]

John Goodman can do anything, play any roll--Fantastic actor!

[@stevenelson3515]

John Goodman, John Amos and John Spencer made one hell of a scene in this episode.

[@moffittas]

Honestly wouldn’t ever deny that Goodman absolutely owns the scene, scenarios, response. It’s spot on. In this real world we would end the existence of a nation. You would be hard pressed to speak against it if a presidents child was murdered by terrorists.

[@richardpape5546]

If you look at the first 3-4 years of the Roseanne show, it was an outstanding family drama comedy about life in a struggling Midwest family. John Goodman was amazing. And their comedic timing was amazing. I could watch those earlier episodes over and over again. It was so realistic. Not father knows best or full house shit. But real family lofeveryday life 3:54 Jim

[@stubk22]

and the vice dean of Greendale. i bet every air conditioner in that room was working.

[@Jrhoney]

Let it be known that any sweating in the situation room is absolutely not due to the climate control.

[@Elthenar]

I want to say John Goodman killed it in a minor role but over the course of the show, nearly everyone in a minor role killed it. The thing that really killed Leo in this scene is that when Walken said "They are going to kill her anyway", he knew Walken was right.

[@ericwsmith7722]

"the Arabs are mad at us, we must be doing something right" ... how true even today

[@wrongway1100]

Correct. Man i liked Goodmans Character as president better then Martin Sheens.

[@Arjay404]

I wouldn't say he was better then Martin Sheen, but then again we had a lot of time to get to know and love Martin Sheen's version of the president, so you might have a point, even though it's much easier to make someone look good in small burst then it is in long stride, what I mean is, had he stuck around the writers and the actor (as amazing as he is) might have messed up the character, because the character would have had to do a lot more. Having said all that Goodman was freaking amazing as the Republican counterpart to Martin Sheen's Democratic President, if more real life Republicans were like him I think the world would be a better place, hell if Democrats were more like Martin Sheen's character the whole world would be a better place too, if only politics in general was a bit more like West Wing.

[@wrongway1100]

Love your statement man. You are absolutely correct.

[@TBro278]

It’s a dirty truth that the west wing producers never wanted to admit

[@rickyric2773]

West Wing is the best TV show ever!!

[@CaptainKeithMark]

I didn’t know Dan Conner was president.

[@googoo-gjoob]

The *GREATEST* show in the _HISTORY_ of television.

[@charlisantini3403]

The Wire has entered the room

[@googoo-gjoob]

@@charlisantini3403 , a slinked back out......backward.

[@charlisantini3403]

@@googoo-gjoob ok, if you aren't willing to acknowledge the greatness of The Wire, then you aren't someone who's time is worth giving.

[@williamconway1287]

One of 3 of the best shows in television history !

[@michiganrailfan2141]

I laughed when I heard them say they wanted to use AGM-88 HARM Missiles. Those are for taking out radar sites.

[@TheScrubtech07]

James Evans JOINED THE NAVY!!? John Amos is a very underrated actor...

[@ktwashere5637]

John Goodman is so fabulous in this role. Its up there with his best.

[@kleverich]

I read the video title and thought "President Christopher Walken". Now imagine him delivering the line at 1:55.

[@pyroslev]

Walken was well cast, well written and perfect counterpoint to Bartlet. If he were a real candidate I'd be reading everything I could on him to understand if I wanted to vote for him.

[@balin1920]

AGM 88 Harm is a anti radar system. Not something you would use for training camps.

[@enigmagamer112]

what would be involved " 12 F14B Tomcat's and 8 F-A 18E Super hornet's off the George Washington, then Marine 37 will drop 1,100 special op forces to clean it up " FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK coolest description ever

[@matthewmarkert]

Really proud of the camera crew for continuing to show up to work despite crippling Parkinson's disease. Takes grit.

[@Blondesax]

This such subtle sarcasm and I'm all for it.

[@gregh7400]

"Get your people in place, Admiral. We don't go today unless we're provoked. Find her and find her fast but if Zoey Barlett turns up dead, I am going to blow the hell out of something and God only knows what happens next." Such magnificent writing.

[@EmilioReyes_97]

" It sends a message, kill her or dont the US doesnt negotiate with terrorists" "Screw the Europeans, theyve have had years to convince the middle east to get their house in order" Its amazing how i can go from aphoring a characters sentiments one moment and in less then 30 secs actually sympathize with them in another. I hate his poceived disregard for Zoey, yet i agree with his criticism of Europe not wanting to intervene in the middle east( ironically the British and French DID try and it turned out horriblely).

[@cdjhyoung]

The West Wing was based on brilliant writing, and top level acting. But we need to call out the casting director as well. Who else saw John Goodman as a militant President in a time of crisis? He nailed this role, and carried it over into other episodes as well. John Amos? That man sent shivers up my spine with every appearance he made. The casting of this show had very few miss fires. Even Josh Brolin as a low IQ Presidential candidate was a revelation in casting. How about Alan Alda as a Republican Senator?

[@TheCmascagni]

Where are we???

[@memphismafia5167]

Takes a REAL PRESIDENT LIKE WALKEN. Bartlett knew Walken would do that. That's why he stepped down. To let Walken blow the hell out of something when politically he couldn't. Genius!

[@MitchellPorter2025]

Clicked on this and waited for Christopher Walken to appear

[@Stuff_that_Flies]

Only thing missing in the Situation Room scene would have been a random “Shut the fuck up, Donny!”

[@deboneighr4201]

Or Brandon drawing outside of the lines in his coloring book.

[@emu314159]

It's hard to remember the time when I thought of John Goodman as a specific type of actor, say light comedy or character actor. I'm not surprised by anything he's capable of.

[@catfishcave379]

Pres. Walken making it clear; you mess with the USA at this level and it will NOT be a proportionate response. You take an eye, and we will take an eye… and both your arms and legs. A clear contrast between two men and two parties. And exactly why Bartlett had to step down. American interests first, Zoe second. Brilliant writing and acting all the way around.

[@macroversal]

Does this mean I can pretend that The West Wing is part of the MCU!?

[@davidcombs3617]

I would have liked seeing Tony Stark measure brain-pans with Sam Seborn.

[@hanscombe72]

Great to see Goodman has lost some weight. This guy is a treasure and it would be a tragedy to lose him.

[@flyboy152]

Yep, in this episode he was one prime rib dinner away from a massive coronary. 😀

[@gibson3lespaul]

Agent Phil Coulson to the rescue!! Pres Walken has S.H.I.E.L.D. on his side. No problem man!

[@lovesongsframpton9915]

Not on this clip But I love the scene when Walken Says I don't care if my wife's on that plane going to visit her mother You only give them 1 warning

[@robertdalton860]

Man John Goodman was so damn good at this role

[@theplourde]

This show was so well casted even down to people you didn’t see for very long.

[@steveg7066]

F--k it, Leo. Let's go bowling

[@BLKnPrd67]

There needs to be a series called 'Joint Chiefs' about responding to global crisis that are and are not in the news. It can showcase each branch of service and their specialty.

[@misterwashington752]

Man, do i wish we had a President like Walken! A true wartime president. He'd have my vote in a heartbeat.

[@markshaw7253]

Democrats and Republicans. It's amazing how sane they are in this show.

[@Pww642]

I’m talking about unchecked aggression. I’m talking about drawing a line in the sand, Leo. Across this line, YOU DO NOT -

[@cald1421]

West Wing could’ve been like Doctor Who. Change the President and Administration every series and let the show go on! It’d be a brilliant statement about how the world keeps turning even as power changes from one pair of hands to the next. I kinda hoped they’d do this with Arnold Vinick. But no such luck

[@Egilhelmson]

Personally, I always thought that they killed John Spencer to guarantee that Vinnick had to lose, when the nuclear meltdown in CA didn’t.

[@randolphkersey5155]

Never can respect the man who ruined MASH but that may have been fun to see Vinick as Pres. Unfortunately the writers could never stomach the idea of letting a Republican win the election, even if he was a milk-toast moderate like McCain.. I mean Vinick.

[@NaturalEnquirer]

"they're going to kill her anyway" :'(

[@MarcusLeepapi]

This was a great show....Nice...

[@trueknowledgeispower]

I'd much have rather have seen more of John Goodman as President Walken.....he was great.

[@Egilhelmson]

There was the episode when all the ex-presidents went to to funeral of the oldest member of the club.

[@Tigerman1138]

I can see I wasn’t the only one this didn’t come to mind.

[@griergentry8777]

And Toby was in Black Panther 2. More confirmation that West Wing is in the MCU timeline.

[@jg6022]

A Wartime Presidentliere

[@crazedactor]

The AGM-88 HARM is an anti-radar missile. It's used to take out the radars which control surface-to-air missile batteries. It's not what would be used against a camp, or buildings, or anything like that. The West Wing is one of my favorite shows, and the writing was always top-notch, but the military research wasn't ever that good. In this same scene, someone says we're at "Defcon Alpha" which is a term that doesn't exist. It was such a great show in every other respect, just bad research.

[@TheOneTrueChris]

Fitz is talking about using AGM-88 HARMs, which are missiles that home in on and destroy radar installations. They'd be useless against buildings/facilities in a training camp. The West Wing is one of my favorite shows of all time, but they were horrifically bad with military weapon systems and terminology. They never seemed to know what they were talking about.