West Wing Ambassador Process

[@dirdib69]

"That's the right sentiment, and it's certainly a credible one coming from a man who has fought in a war ... " I love that Marbury shows his respect for Leo here.

[@njheals]

Agree totally. Lord Marburg was a beautiful character, brash, loud, out there, but coming to the point spot on. This level of respect to those who disagree, imagine that in today’s world.

[@flankspeed]

You mean Gerald, of course.

[@Zypher77777]

Took me a second. With Marbury always so sharp tongued, I thought it initially was some kind of a dig at Leo...not an incredibly kind gesture of respect.

[@Elthenar]

@@Zypher77777 Marbury was very serious when it was required of him. Here he was essentially on the clock and acting as ambassador in place of England, he was very serious. His take on the missile shield is wrong though. Yes, a peer country would build a weapon to beat it. Now, we are seeing that come to fruition, we have a somewhat effective shield so hypersonics are being built by China and Russia to beat it However, there are other countries out there like North Korea and a missile shield is a great idea with rogue nations like that in the world.

[@Egilhelmson]

Is he “Lord Marbury” whose first name is John, or John, the son of the real noble whose children get the courtesy title of “Lord Marbury” like Churchill’s father was “Lord Randolph Churchill”, the son then brother of the Duke of Marlborough (of the Churchill family)? They seem to address him in either fashion in his appearances.

[@step5732]

Lord John Marbury - one of the best guest stars on this fine series. I love the interaction between him and Leo. My favorite is Marbury's line, when he's debating with Leo and Marbury lists his educational credentials and finishes with "I'm am, you know, exceedingly stupid...". Priceless!

[@blastermasterguy]

True but they have a friendly rivalry. Marbury's quips and one liners toward's Leo could be seen as a way to teasing a best friend.

[@yvonnemiller9144]

" Having been educated at Cambridge and the Sorbonne I am, as you know, exceedingly stupid." Just priceless.

[@clarkeddy2321]

I love the exchange he had with Toby about dead Irish poets and terrorists being invited to the White House.

[@stevepipenger4651]

GERALD!!!!

[@untexan]

I rather like when they’re arguing about the shield before and Marbury tells him that “any argument you make in its defense will surely be… (pause)… moronic.”

[@jshale12]

“God Bless America”, “God Save the Queen” May we never lose our bond with our British brethren.

[@surlygale1082]

God needs to help us save America. For the first time in my life, I had trouble singing 'God Save the Queen' at the Remembrance Day services this year. She's protecting her 2nd son Andrew by throwing her granddaughter-in-law to the wolves of the British tabloids. So, ..America is in the tank and the BRF is in the process of tanking and I seem to be losing all hope for the greater good.

[@bbria28]

Surly Gale Yes to all of that 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@davidryle1164]

You already did.

[@Archcowan]

That little exchange encapsulates the ideal of how international relations should be conducted.

[@duncanmills391]

Amen to that Scott!

[@OriginalMomo]

GERALD!!,….. I feel for Leo, every time he yells it 🤣😂🤣😂

[@paulhenderson2895]

I love how Lord John disagrees with Leo but shows respect by crediting his military service

[@googoo-gjoob]

oh, so VERY classy. Lord John was aloof...but when focused... considering all the other times,,, how disrespectful LJM was to 'Gerald', this was nice to see.

[@JPF941]

@@googoo-gjoobI never really felt he was disrespectful, but rather taking digs at him because he knew how much it bothered Leo, but that they both held each other with some regard. This scene proves that to me.

[@op3129]

this. endless this. showing respect but still disagreeing. (2019 US gov completely lacks this ability. not a slam to trump - as cult45 will assume - but just admiration for the concept of actively respecting people ... while politely FACTUALLY disagreeing.) I miss pre-2017.

[@seamonster936]

I love how Yanks think Lord John is a form of address.

[@Ladco77]

@@op3129 Respectfully disagreeing has been a lost art since before 2017, but I take your point.

[@rickrose5377]

Ladies and gentlemen, the sublime and extraordinary Roger Rees. R.I.P.

[@Desolacex]

"May our people know peace and prosperity" -powerful stuff when delivered by Sheen

[@grahamhaspassedaway4580]

Should have gone : "...you got beat by Argentina." "Well, first time for everything."

[@yusufamplifice8260]

Graham Kennedy God, that’s good.

[@c.c8752]

I thought he would

[@mlgerab]

That was my favorite line, but I always understood it as he acknowledging after thinking it over that, although they won the war, they lost the battle for public opinion in the long term. That fits in well with his center left positions throughout the show. Did anyone else saw it that way?

[@PeterSedesse]

@ABritishGuy Imperialism in 1982 is not a pretty face. And what became of it? swap Argentina with Chile, that has been the net result. It just is not a good look when a world power fights a war of ownership over land 10,000 miles away.

[@ericingham9925]

A missed opportunity definitely.

[@fawnebrown4619]

Maybe even more than the writing, I love how this show nailed the casting. From the main and supporting cast to recurring characters and especially guest stars too. Just spot on.

[@JMUDoc]

"You got beat by Argentina." _"That_ was _clearly_ a hand-ball." would have been the best comeback.

[@AZickmund]

He should have said "Well there is a first time for everything"

[@charliewion8925]

Bit of a reference to the Falkland Islands here… for those who aren’t familiar, it was an unofficial war between Argentina and the UK in the 80s. The UK ‘won’, but war was never really declared in the first place. That’s why his reaction to hearing that he was beat by Argentina was a bit slow😂. The writing on this show😍

[@josephsnearline2022]

I love this scene. It reminds me of the time I got to meet Sir Christopher Meyer in early 2003. He was the UK Ambassador to the US at the time this episode aired.

[@googoo-gjoob]

The *GREATEST* show in the _HISTORY_ of television. and i _love_ lord Marbury. aloof at times. serious when need be.

[@davidowens5898]

I'll go with The Wire for greatest TV series ever. This is a pretty close second tho......

[@magnalucian8]

It's really neat how this show displays some of the lesser-known, but interesting processes that go on

[@MrAzatutiun]

I'm required to attend the State of the Union? Yes! Well, then attend it I shall!

[@Pliam961]

Great series but someone didn't do their due diligence. When referring to Queen Elizabeth II as the UK's head of state, it is either Her Majesty or Her Britannic Majesty.

[@timothyjames6412]

Also, he can be Lord John Marbury, or Lord Marbury, but he can't be both.

[@Ladco77]

Lord John Marbury is my favorite character on the show. He's just brilliant, and brilliantly played.

[@garygemmell3488]

I would absolutely love to get sloshed with Lord Marbury. Roger Rees nailed that character.

[@platobach8309]

Technically, Lord John Marbury is the Ambassador from the Court of St. James... and we tend to refer to the sovereign as Her Majesty, not Her Royal Majesty, but I suppose I’m nitpicking.

[@lillianward2810]

It’s odd because they got that right in the first season when he’s introduced.

[@timothyjames6412]

Not nitpicking at all: the State Department's Head or Protocol wouldn't make mistakes in protocol.

[@Elthenar]

I wouldn't know that but people writing a show about the White House damned sure should have.

[@kenhenderson7999]

Martin Sheen showed that he is a great actor by doing that putdown line about golf. Sheen is an avid golfer and played in many celebrity charity tournaments with his golfing buddy, Michael Douglas.

[@cholman4248]

Had to look it up...plen·i·po·ten·ti·ar·y a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independent action on behalf of their government, typically in a foreign country.

[@Zak6959]

It’s always good to get outside opinions. But it’s good to see that rational people don’t lose their head when they hear an opinion they may not like or disagree with.

[@TrinityCourtStudios]

1:52 Bartlett to a British bloke: “-and you got beaten by Argentina.” Marbury: “….Oh.” That Falklands reference had me giggling 😂

[@bored1ca]

Roger Rees as Lord Marbury was incredibly funny but also extremely thoughtful, plus his interactions with John Spencer's Leo were so well executed.

[@davidowens5898]

'.....they say a statesman is a politician who's been dead for 15 years....' Goddamn. What a great line! I wish I'd said that! This show was so well written. By that I mean, it was written for ADULTS...not kids.

[@LazyDaisyDay88]

And for people with an attention span of longer than 5 seconds. I loved every single episode...

[@w9gb]

Sadly, Welsh actor John Rees, who plays Lord John Marbury, passed on 10 July 2015 at the age of 71.

[@jerrygriffin64]

Roger Rees, Oliver Platt and John Amos are the three greatest recurring characters in this series, which is saying a lot.

[@JackycClark]

John Amos showed himself to be a versatile actor over the years . Always liked him .

[@Gredddfe]

I like how he tests their patience one way or another before confirming them.

[@darrellgarrett72]

I loved Lord John Marbury! He always made me laugh

[@uptown3636]

Gerald!

[@pavarottiaardvark3431]

Really surprised at the basic error here: He's not the ambassador from Great Britain, he's the ambassador from the United Kingdom

[@22espec]

You are correct

[@timothyjames6412]

Lots of other errors, too. She's not "Her Royal Majesty", she's "Her Majesty" (or in this context potentially "Her Britannic Majesty"); and he can't be both "Lord John Marbury" (which would make him the younger son of a peer) and "Lord Marbury" (which would make him a peer in his own right). I love this programme, but I am sure the US State Department gets protocol right, and I think it's a shame the people who made The West Wing didn't bother to do their research.

[@briandfallon74]

@@timothyjames6412 correct. In this context, she would be referred to as Her Brittanic Majesty. And it is the United Kingdom And you are spot on in his titles. In Dead Irish Writers, he refers to himself as “John, Lord Marbury, Earl of Croy, Marquess of Needham and Dolby, Baronet of Brycey.” The highest of those is the Marquess. Unless he held that in his own right, he would be the son of a Duke. His titles are all fubar

[@tbeller80]

@@timothyjames6412 Sorkin's a brilliant writer of dialogue and deep thoughts, but sometimes you want to facepalm at his lack of research. He gets almost nothing right when it comes to military dialogue.

[@lberrick]

He’s not the ambassador from Great Britain nor the ambassador from the UK. He is the ambassador from The Court of St. James.

[@WilliamJohnson-ml7ij]

Lord John Marbury is a great character. He comes across as a lecherous drunk (which he is) but is also a brilliant diplomatic mind.

[@TheAudioman15]

I'm required to attend the State of the Union? Yes. Well, then attend it I shall. I always crack up at this. Great great character Lord Marbury.

[@jsnrvst]

Actually he said "then withstand it I shall" which is even funnier! :)

[@etienne25384]

@1:54 "You got beaten by Argentina.." Took me a couple of rewatches to get that joke.

[@MisterGaryCooper]

"You were beaten by Argentina." A+ line.

[@ClarinoI]

I always wished that when Bartlett had said "You got beat by Argentina" Lord John had replied "Well, first time for everything, I suppose".

[@Elthenar]

I would have gone with something like," What manner of history are you colonials teaching?"

[@Nathan_Micz1762]

RIP Roger Rees

[@lennybaseball]

i'm with the president on the whole golf thing.

[@davidowens5898]

I LOVE golf. I'd play every day if I could. It's the game I love to hate........

[@heisdeadjim]

I like the moment when Jed forgets his pen and has to retrieve it from the Resolute Desk.

[@scotthunt2479]

I believe it was his reading glasses that he was retrieving from his desk.

[@chewy739]

Lord John was a wonky son of a gun but when it comes down to it. He can get serious and has great intelligence.

[@blainemonaco2092]

The Argentina/Falkland island reference was brilliant writing....

[@jonathanfraser321]

It wasnt a falkland Island reference-we defeated a ragbag of unwilling, uncared for ,scared stiff conscripts. Its a reference to a Soccer World cup defeat by Argentina who won through a cheating use of the hand

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Sumatra is one of Indonesia 's island. I had no idea that it was also someone's last name.

[@MalakianM2S]

Anyone from Thailand around? I know it's customary to receive items from another person with both hands in some asian countries, is a custom in Thailand too?

[@komkritanonvatana832]

I mean, for us (I’m Thai), it is considered more courteous to accept/receive with two hands as opposed to one, but with regards to whether or not it is a “custom”, I cannot answer that for you :(

[@MalakianM2S]

@@komkritanonvatana832 Thanks for your answer.

[@komkritanonvatana832]

@@MalakianM2S You’re very welcome!

[@dealinginfiction]

The scene always makes me smile. This ladies and gentlemen is how people should act, with respect. Respect for their differences and sense of patriotism, that each acknowledge and respect. And to think they were at war with each other some 300 years ago. Maybe we can learn something from Lord John.

[@Calmputer]

Lord John Marbury: "So, it's come down to this, has it? A fight to the death. Mano a mano, man to man. Just you and me and my *GUARDS!"*

[@DomClancy]

"You got beat by Argentina." Hahaha. A reference to the Falklands. Excellent; probably the only non-eccentric response they write for Marbury.

[@Egilhelmson]

More likely a reference to World Cup Soccer, since India, Pakistan, or Jamaica would have beaten them in cricket.

[@PT109Boat]

@westdog54 Who's Leo? Oh, you mean Gerald, the Buttler?

[@andycaines3351]

Lol

[@tendrams]

LOL @ "You got beat by Argentina!" HAHAHAHA!

[@ameliapond1916]

fun fact: Robert Clotworthy, the actor playing Tom, the State Dept's Chief of Protocol, is the same guy who narrates the Ancient Aliens series

[@Slopmaster]

and the AI in Nick Fury’s car.

[@somecunninglinguist]

Didn't get it at the time but the Argentina joke is fantastic

[@SpydeyDan]

They never mention why Marbury was made ambassador. Truth is, he was kicked out of the UK for deering to kill a king's dare.

[@yeahbee8237]

dare?

[@RomanCoronado]

Over that hand boy!

[@Slopmaster]

I’ll pay for this!

[@stephenbruce1548]

OMG I NEVER NOTICED THAT WAS THE SAME ACTOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@JPF941]

maybe learn to spell

[@andyt2k]

I love Lord John

[@nickschulte3915]

Damn, you cut out... Switzerland, I believe, and a nice joke about the fall of Rome.

[@bridgecross]

Telling the British Ambassador "you got beat by Argentina" ...and his reply is "Oh! erm, well, yes..."

[@gerryleddy5412]

Great Britain doesn't have an ambassador to USA, the United Kingdom does

[@platobach8309]

Gerry Leddy: Or, perhaps more accurately still: the Court of St. James does.

[@simpleNomadUK]

or to give it its full name, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

[@grahamnancledra7036]

@@simpleNomadUK No Plato Bach is correct.

[@quigley_cav]

This scene feels like it hits a little different now…

[@ThePhilGrimm]

Why did the writers refer to Great Britain rather than the United Kingdom (of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)? I'm just curious. Ignorance or deliberate?

[@fuddug]

No idea. Probably the former.

[@sarnieken]

@bumshka21 hehe, true. Wish they had written a better response for him, along the lines of 'suppose there has to be a first for everything'. :-)

[@stevelounsbery3481]

Citizenship, an informed citizenship, is key to a thriving democracy. But it isn’t government or businesses that are bad it’s people. Making informed opinions based on truth, facts is important we have much more in common than what divides us

[@michaelzellmer3220]

John Marbury is a Marquess (at least in one of the non-contradicting conversations he has about his peerage,) so it should actually be: The Most Honourable John, Lord Marbury, Marquess of Croye and request you accept his credentials from Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the Ambassador of the Court of St. James Or something closer to that effect. Great Britain in and of itself doesn't have an Ambassador to the US, the King or Queen does-technically.

[@shrews12001]

i always wonder what kid of gifts does the White House give to a new ambassador. I mean it's not like a coffee mug from the gift shop. And i wonder if it's always the same or does it change based on the country or the president at the time and who picks it out. I love these little BTS moments of the White House

[@orangecrusch1987]

State gifts can range anywhere from ornate weaponry to pieces of art to artifacts. It just depends on the administration

[@JackycClark]

​@@orangecrusch1987 Previous administration gave out Trump's biography no doubt .

[@mariag1470]

Loved Lord John.

[@saa82vik]

It's funny (prolly someone has pointed it out already) but no British earl would call himself 'lord name surname' - That particular style is used by younger sons of dukes and marquesses, or even style himself as 'the hereditary earl of something'. It's irksome and I'm not even a Brit.

[@seanwebb605]

Would they have said Queen Elizabeth the Second of Great Britain or the United Kingdom?

[@jeremyhowell8235]

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

[@seanwebb605]

@@jeremyhowell8235 That's kind of cool. I assume it is slightly different when they come representing Canada or Australia.

[@dansmodacct]

@Ignatius Q. Snerd, II, Esq. yes all of that is true. But it is just as proper to say "Queen of Canada" or "Queen of Australia" if its in reference to that country's head of state

[@seanwebb605]

@@dansmodacct Well that all changes now.

[@warrenripley]

Bartlett forgot to say Queen Elizabeth..........the 2nd

[@philipb2134]

Warren Ripley It had been established that the current monarch is the second of the Name. It is not necessary, nor polite, to recap this.

[@MightyBiffer]

Actually he forgot to say Her Royal Bitchness Queen whatever the hopefully last!

[@grahamnancledra7036]

Actually Her Majesty is Queen Elizabeth the second of England, Wales and Ireland (the Northern part that is) She is Queen Elizabeth of Scotland. No first second or other numeral. When Elizabeth Tudor was monarch she was not the ruler of Scotland. So Elizabeth Windsor is simply Queen Elizabeth in Scotland.

[@davlynnolan236]

God I love lord John marbury

[@sergioaccioly5219]

It's worth mentioning that there's a joke when Lord Marbury gets informed that hewas beaten by Argentina. You'll notice that the actor seems to be at a loss for words for a second. That's because, since1982, the relationship between the two countries got strained by the Argentinians invading some british possessions, the Falkland Islands. The British promptly kicked them out in a ten week campaign.

[@englishruraldoggynerd]

Thing is, you’d never say Her Royal Majesty, it’s just Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I’m always surprised how often great shows get these details wrong!

[@marcopl17]

They do it for dramatic effect

[@brontewcat]

I agree. With respect to the other poster I can’t see any dramatic effect in this kind of mistake.

[@ericmiller93]

Marbury is the most underrated character.

[@fuddug]

He was a great character. Really good writing for his character!

[@xChemistryFTWx]

Marbury turned out to be right. Hypersonic missiles. The back-and-forth of offensive/defensive capability development continues.

[@flyboy152]

Historically, offense has always trumped defense. They built cities with thicker walls, someone came up with bigger cannons. 😮

[@turkialruwaili6768]

The lord should have responded "again??" When the president told him you were beat by Argentina 🤣🤣🤣 (alluding to the world cup and the so called hand of God)

[@brontewcat]

I thought it was a reference to the Falklands War.

[@bluesboy25000]

@sarnieken Or "Well I guess we can call it even"

[@joelcrow]

For any kids wondering why this is so blurry, a quick lesson that this square shit used to be beautiful lol

[@detail11]

SpydieDan: I hope that before you made that impolite suggestion, you checked to make sure your seams were straight

[@DomClancy]

Not sure how that's more likely. The Falklands is at least political which is the topic of the show. The only time I can recall sport being even mentioned on this show is throwing a basketball out the window of the campaign office, Juwan Howard guest starring or when they are betting on nfl teams. I doubt there's any way to discern which of us are closer.

[@gmr911]

He meant that the Argentine ambassador got to DC first, so he was made an ambassador before Marbury.

[@knockers21]

Wait wait, Robert Clotworthy is in this episode as the aid during the ambassador process?

[@wickedpissa25]

That... and the efforts of defense industry lobbyists to keep the gravy train rolling.

[@lostchild2003]

Honestly, why even bother uploading to KZbin when the video quality is so terrible?

[@wholeNwon]

They changed the clock to a closed case model.

[@starguy321]

Marbury is right about the bomb. The shield is more dangerous than the sword

[@guywhocomments]

Would be the ambassador of the United Kingdom, not Great Britain, wouldn't it?

[@lberrick]

No it wouldn’t. He is the ambassador from the Court of Saint James.

[@gerrynightingale9045]

*If I remember right...the 'House of Lords' is being allowed to 'die out' due it's hereditary 'Titles' being irrelevant in the modern World...when the last of the current batch is gone, the 'Lordship' title will become a relic*

[@timothyjames6412]

Since some current hereditary titles are already more than 700 years old, it will take a long time before the last of the present crop of titles disappears.

[@anthonycunningham8116]

Umm, nope, you remember wrong. The British aristocracy and the House of Lords are entirely different things.

[@gerrynightingale9045]

@@anthonycunningham8116 *They are 'one and the same' since a 'Commoner' cannot be a 'Lord' without the reigning Monarch declaring it or by 'Blood Right of Inheritance' declared by some previous King/Queen* (*save your childish 'Ums' and 'Nopes' for someone who'll be impressed with what an ill-informed twit you are* )

[@shriramvenu]

he is the UNITED KINGDOM's ambassador to the United States... not Great Britain's.... dunno why Americans love to swap one term for the other....

[@philipb2134]

As I recall: proper protocol would require this ambassador to be spoken of as... not from Great Britain, nor from the United Kingdom... but from the Court of Saint James's. WW goofed it in regards to Thailand as well. The head of state is referred to as HM King Bhumibol [pronounced "boomybon"]

[@bbaker4117]

It's whatever we say it is.

[@Zorc620]

Because no one's ever met a United Kingdomer.

[@shriramvenu]

The United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland is the name of the country. A person from that country is British! Not very hard to understand is it? Well maybe for americans I suppose..

[@philipb2134]

shriramvenu For purposes of diplomatic protocol, one refers to the ambassador from the United Kingdom as the ambassador from the Court of Saint James's; John F Kennedy spent part of his youth in London as the son of the ambassador to the Court of Saint James's. Archaic, sure... but that's how it goes. Diplomatic protocol can strike an outsider as convoluted and often goofy, but those who engage in that sphere tend to adhere to its strictures with great tenacity. Thousands of Vietnamese and GIs died while the diplomats worked out the size, shape, and seating arrangements, for the table at the negotiations in Paris, for example.

[@DETROIT1948]

Long Live Archie.

[@svenusling]

And let's not forget Jim Raynor...

[@derrickstorm6976]

That was a great joke of Britain getting beaten by Argentina

[@matthewmc4363]

It would be amazing if the current , intellect was reflected in the factual discourse of the USA representatives……

[@davidh8924]

Don't let Trump know that golf isn't a real sport. He thinks he is out there just killing it!

[@TheThecrusher]

This is how men in power should act. What has happened to our country?

[@joeyfitz9]

"We build a shield and somebody will build a better missile." Yeah well someone is going to build a better missile regardless if the shield is built or not so... build the shield.

[@mikaku]

Even better: if somebody builds a better missile...build an *even better* shield

[@cawsnallthis]

Then attend it, I shall.

[@Jazz41173]

Roger Rees! R.I.P.

[@Tleilaxu0]

"Peter Hans" of Sweden? That's like an american or brit being named "Fred Jack". Hans isn't a surname!

[@Elthenar]

Jack IS a surname in the US. I am not sure about the rest of the English speaking world but in the US, most first names are also occasionally used as surnames. For example... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Jack

[@danishpastry2885]

They dumbed down the Marbury role in later episodes which was disappointing.

[@bridgecross]

After 4 years of Trump the entire White House is 240p

[@Jurgen123445]

So ... Thailand, Sweden, Argentina, UK ... that 75% Monarchies here. Must be Aaron Sorkin's secret royalist agenda ;)

[@SuperMandelson]

but Argentina didn't win the Falklands war...

[@22espec]

But they won the World Cup agains them.

[@lauriel8735]

The current white house sure could learn something from TWW.

[@lancer525]

Can you picture comrade pumpkinfuhrer even attempting to praise someone else, much less being able to pronounce the words "extraordinary" or "plenipotentiary"?

[@MrJamberee]

Why do you insist on dragging your shallow ideology into this? Just enjoy the clips from a great show and stfu.

[@sethbarkley8645]

Gerald!

[@britishgamerni]

United Kingdom not Great Britain

[@c.c8752]

Excuse me the U.K. Lost to who ?? 😁

[@SapphireCrusader1988]

The ambassador from Argentina.