West Wing S04E23: Toby returns from the hospital

"Andy had the babies. That's where I was. I was at the hospital."
From The West Wing season 4 episode 23 - "Twenty Five"

[@themripley]

The small gesture from CJ and Toby trying to keep it together makes me tear up every time. Those two have such a special relationship.

[@samsung3254]

Lump in my throat Every Time! Such a sweet gesture!

[@terrygracy8345]

Agreed. That’s a master class right there in five seconds

[@craighanson-rc1md]

why just shows their immaturity & naivety especially regarding the positions they hold in government. they act like typical people who live in fake worlds or fake reality & then something happens some what close by & suddenly they feel just as much a victim as actual victims & shocked by what reality really is.

[@rhowar1]

You're not alone.

[@jenniferwilson6977]

The fact Allison Janney can make us all love CJ the way we do and then play a believable washed-up drunk on Mom is amazing.

[@aalikane]

I sometimes forget they're played by the same person.

[@Lovelylizzette]

This was a role of a lifetime. She’s an amazingly talented actress.

[@Meanie74]

I mean she has an Oscar for how well she makes you hate her in I, Tonya

[@romeogolf4]

She is an incredible actor but I hate that she lowered herself to such a trashy, albeit funny, role.

[@Meanie74]

@@romeogolf4 well this is one of the dumbest takes I’ve ever heard

[@rajt9592]

One of the greatest things about this show is how all the characters interact. There’s something genuine about them. Just the way Josh walks up to Toby and hugs him and says “Mazel Tov” is sentiment to how they feel about each other.

[@dweir2584]

Many people say that this show should come back, but I think it was one of those moments in time where the actors, the scriptwriting and all the production talent made this show so brilliant and unique. And like most brilliant moments in life, it's almost impossible to repeat them.

[@graceskerp]

TWW was lightning in a bottle. Trying to recapture it would be futile.

[@kenk1648]

This exactly what I said on the West Wing reddit. Show was magic even in the weaker seasons it was still amazing. Trying to repeat that is impossible. I would rather just rewatch the series as is then add a season that just isn’t up to par.

[@BradyPostma]

Someone should be trying. Not under the West Wing name, but there should be new attempts to capture inspiring, realistic politics in a genuine, heartfelt drama as devoid of fantasy as possible. There should be a new attempt every year that a successful attempt is not on the air.

[@danielueblacker9118]

sorry you can't go back, it was a amazing ride while it was.

[@handylingua]

Well now, I beg to differ! :) Much of this show is populated with people who also have experience on the legit stage, where revivals can often shed light even on the most oft-revived. If you cast experienced theater thespians, you just *might* get an experience that’s different but just as worthy as the original. I mean, I’ve seen SWEENEY TODD done by several different production companies over the years and though it’s a script I’ve basically memorized, having worked on two productions two decades apart, the choices made by different combo of actors, directors, etc. shed new light *every* time.

[@airdriver]

0:22 "Youve got a hundred phone message." "I want them to stay in your hand for a moment." I love the way Toby phrases things.

[@geniehossain3738]

“Where have you been?!?” “I’m not repeating all that again.” God, Richard owns this scene, every second of it.

[@bdub8522]

Repeating and again in the same sentence is redundant. The White House Communications Director would never had said that. This show had terrible writing!

[@shalini6238]

the way he gets choked up when he says “andy had the babies” he is fucking incredible

[@feverpa]

Obviously, there are hundreds of amazing scenes from this perfect show. This might be the most complex and powerful scene of all. These actors are giving us characters who are simultaneously freaked out personally for a friend and his family, while professionally dealing with a crisis we can barely imagine. THEN, throw in the personal joy of twins being born - but that's so perfectly teetering on the brink given the crisis they're all dealing with. Every emotion is so perfectly written and displayed here. There's not an ounce of wasted movement, dialogue, expression, etc. Perfection.

[@Legba85]

Those last few seconds, you can see Toby's failing to contain his fear. He knows exactly now what it feels like to be terrified to have your children taken away. How he says later that he'd do anything to get them back was his most passionate moment as a new father.

[@nittany272]

Plus when he realized the true depths of a father’s love when he watched the home video of Bartlet wiping Zoey’s mouth the way he just did Huck’s a second before. He knew what he, a private citizen, was capable of if someone hurt his child, let alone the man with the nuclear football. The nuance of the acting and slight subtle details in this show was just unmatched.

[@geniusfollower]

Richard Schiff is God's gift to acting. And to humanity.

[@McRocket]

geniusfollower - well...let's not get carried away. He's just an actor - not Gandhi.

[@nashburnette7247]

@@McRocket ..... As if Gandhi was anything important.

[@xyshomavazax]

Toby’s “yeah, this is sweet but stop making me be mushy” squirm is the best.

[@deltabilly1]

The nonverbal stuff Schiff does. Blows my mind.

[@India.H]

Richard Schiff is amazing in this scene. Because what they - and we - don't know is he's still continuously debating proposing to Andy and it's just continuously playing in his head what could happen - him marrying Andy, them building a new life together with the twins, possibly more children. Then it all goes topside.

[@georgealan6679]

He’s great in some scenes. Hard to get behind him being amazing in some lol

[@SerPinkKnight]

Richard Schiff is straight up one of the best actors who ever lived

[@wantury]

he got choked cus it was the first time that he said out loud 'Andy had baby'. what a brilliant acting

[@johnmh1000]

It is, but also it's Toby's character acting against what everyone expects him to be. He is clearly so delighted with the news of the twins and is desperate for his FRIENDS to congratulate him. The 'nasty and indiferente' persona is left by the wayside - for the moment.

[@JavaoftheLava]

Toby the normally grouchy character bringing a ray of sunshine in I'm pretty sure the admins darkest time. Wonderful.

[@jonnnyren6245]

Finally saw Toby Ziegler, the Squidward of the Bartlet White House smile and look so happy because he's a Dad to twins. :D

[@samsonguy10k]

That one bit everyone in that room needed right then, after all the boulders that got dropped on them. And I love the name Huck.

[@googoo-gjoob]

the GREATEST show in the h i s t o r y of television.

[@BrianLanders]

Richard Schiff is such an amazing actor

[@andreghouse6069]

This is one of the most touching scenes on this great show.

[@AndreAFirenze]

another little piece of great acting and tv show. long live TWW

[@timothyfavasoli7224]

Allison Janney is a great actress. She makes us think that C.J. thinks Huck is a great name for a boy.

[@gabrielabagala]

It is!

[@airdriver]

Meanwhile, Toby tells Huck at the hospital “Obviously your mother doesn’t think life presents enough challenges.”

[@theowarner]

2:05 that little moment is a work of art

[@mrs_mothra547]

Right 🥹

[@mrs_mothra547]

Right 🥹

[@iRDaBrit]

I miss them all so, so much.

[@awakeningcry]

I think the 2nd ever episode I watched (the 1st being the one with the debate about pharmaceutical companies charging over the going rate for HIV medicine) was the Season 1 finale. Toby was immediately my favourite character... he's an Eeyore! But when he does express emotion, it's absolutely heartbreaking. When he sees that Josh has been shot, when Andie won't marry him again... they're some of the only times he displays anything resembling a smile!

[@wetlazer]

So sweet. A great, great show.

[@katesmith-thompson5500]

I really love Josh's "mazel tov" to Toby. It's super poignant and important, with them both being Jewish. Added bonus: Will says "mazel tov" as well - don't know if his character is Jewish but Josh Malina is, so it's really heartfelt.

[@ashwinoashwin]

Love the relationship shared by Toby and CJ. Goes all the way back to the day when he went to her house to hire her for the Bartlet for America campaign! I feel that's why CJ kinda was pushing for Jed to give him a presidential pardon in the last episode

[@ansa2791]

I think it was in this episode that when Toby tells leo that the president need to recused himself by saying that he just meet his kids and is ready to napalm the nation parks to saved his kids

[@serenabean868]

Yeah and bomb the freaking mecca-thats another qoute idk if it is from this episode but this genral time in the admin

[@robertboily9030]

Yeah, I wish I could find that clip.

[@fredabodin9614]

Please bring this show back!!!

[@dgrichmondbc]

Another brilliant scene is a series with many of them

[@Nancy-xg9nc]

Three minutes...tears in my eyes...

[@Vesperitis]

I know it is tantamount to sacrilege to say this, but Toby would've been an outstanding Chief of Staff.

[@saoirsevicteoiria2759]

Yes.

[@tigerlily0569]

god, Richard Schiff is such a genius.

[@sweettea6706]

Huck Zeigler sounds like a great sports writer/columnist.

[@cmcjss]

love this show

[@finnmcool2]

I don't want anyone in my government that WOUDLN'T take a moment to celebrate a birth. And NO, I don't care what else is going on.

[@briane5706]

Fantastic ensemble cast and the scene did NOT include John Spencer, Martin Sheen, Janel Maloney, Rob Lowe, Stockard Channing, Dulé Hill.

[@dalecarney6582]

one of the better espiodes

[@Solodapper]

Love this scene!!

[@greentombdive]

I have the series on dvd: haven’t watched for a couple of years. This reminds me how excellent it was... & is. If the same quality of total production could be repeated, now would a very interesting place to start with?

[@PaulingTheWorld]

Could you please upload them on a torrent site?!🤪

[@veramae4098]

Can't do the Presidency again. They tried with the Secretary of State but the bar was too high to reach. Maybe the head of the Joint Chiefs of the Military? Juggling military power and civilian control? BTW, I think I love General Millay, our current head of the JC. (I can never remember what that position is called.)

[@jaycruger7058]

If he knew defense and foreign policy as good as Leo Toby would be an amazing Chief of Staff

[@dee_dee_place]

Wow, what a contradiction. The pure joy of becoming a Parent vs. the President's child being kidnapped on the same day.

[@michaelmuldowney8]

Huck and Molly would be about 18 now.

[@anishgb]

the facial expressions of Schiff from full on business to btw i had the twins, i am dad now ! this guy is a legend

[@ladyethyme]

Nobody realizes what an incredible actor Schiff is......

[@SamuelPearlman]

Wow! Just ... Wow!

[@Tigerman1138]

How do you share one of your life’s greatest joys when the nation is facing one of the greatest (meant only in size level) fears?

[@ladyethyme]

I love you Toby

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Very good!!!

[@Bariom_dome]

Huck is a great name for a boy

[@martythetickler]

I forget, was this before or after Josh and Toby fist fought in his office?

[@alc4937]

Before. Well before.

[@rustybennett1729]

I have been watching clips... well written well acted... in love with CJ and Bartlett was a thoughtful decisive president... that being said... the characters were often arrogant (which i suppose comes with the job) and condescending. Still i expect the mechanitions of politics in the show are probably very much as it is in the actual political world.

[@johnperkins7111]

Some of the best writing ever, most talented cast. Wish someone was doing work thisa good today.

[@markh3684]

The later scene where they tell the name of the girl is used to sus out replicants from humans

[@mithas1808]

Hawk tuah

[@edwardwilliamson1]

2:37

[@willemoranje]

' mazzeltov'

[@mblitch]

where, not 'were'

[@ulfben]

Fix'd. :)

[@gypsyknight9564]

This is good/ But ....with all this "You do this , and I will do that.", where's the Vice President? Shouldn't he be involved in this?

[@anishgb]

the vice presidency was vacant at that time, Hoynes had been forced to resign due to a scandal, thats why the next person in line of succession after invoking the 25th was the Speaker of the house

[@craighanson-rc1md]

Ughhh why doe they all take it so personal & overly emotional seriously. The only time toby acts like a rational human especially in this situation is when he finally admits bartlett needs to step aside... even though toby is as much against it as josh. They are no way affected by the events of what happened yet they all act like their parent died..... Real people can put aside emotions & power through nurses & doctors do it all the time deal with the now & then when you have a chance in private or at home alone you can act like something happened to a family member yet that isnt a family member or that you know what it's like when it is a family member. That's another thing they all act like it's happening to their child or parent which it's not & acting like they know what the family is going through. Its like someone going though their kid being killed in combat yet people who have never been to combat or experienced that let alone experienced losing someone to combat trying to relate to the people who did.

[@flyingdutch9818]

It took Sorkin leaving for the writing to get human

[@gabrielabagala]

This is still Sorkin. Actually, the last episode from him.

[@ericmiller93]

Ginger is badd.

[@DavidHRyall]

Huck is literally the worst name they could have possibly chosen 😅 this seems like a parody.

[@Mekratrig]

Once upon a time, Huck may have been a great name for a boy, but today that fictional child would grow up being mercilessly teased & called F*ck. Might as well name him Sue (Johhny Cash)... Well, maybe that’s why Toby did it.

[@airdriver]

There was a memorable scene where Toby sees Molly and Huck for rhe first time and he says to Huck, " Your mother thinks life doesnt offers enought challenges.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

Still quite a few Hucks in elementary classrooms.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

Most unprofessional scene in the show thus far. I’d love for Jed or Abby to walk in during this scene. 😄

[@nikunjdixit1175]

How is it unprofessional? Its welcoming to have some good news when everything around you is bad.

[@AudioArcturia]

@@nikunjdixit1175 I'm not sure he means that in necessarily a bad way. It's unprofessional because they shrug off their responsibility for a moment and... share a moment of bittersweet bliss.

[@nikunjdixit1175]

@@AudioArcturia Well if he's saying he would love for Jed or Abby to walk in during this scene, he probably means it in a bad way, given the circumstances they were in.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

This is honestly the stupidest scene in The West Wing to me. If there was ever a time they shouldn’t give a shit about each other’s personal lives it’s then.

[@adelaidesullivan4949]

That’s a little uncalled for don’t you think? Toby telling them about the brith of his twins gave them something to take their minds off of the situation they were in at the time. Try to have a heart for people.

[@gabrielabagala]

They are not robots, you know?

[@adamsaladin1562]

I can’t stand democrats, but damn this was a good series.

[@TheSilverPhoenix100]

I'd love this show to come back tackling 2020 issues and doing so from the perspective of a center right Republican administration...but the thing is Hollywood of 2020 wouldn't be able to write a nuanced conservative to save their life.

[@timweaver7826]

@@TheSilverPhoenix100 (rolleyes) The entire GOP now is nothing but a hypocritical hate-filled Cult.

[@95garyl]

Toby’s character was a waste of tape.

[@bbofun]

Your comment is a waste of pixels.