{"id":2057105,"date":"2025-09-29T10:15:56","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T10:15:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2057105"},"modified":"2025-09-29T10:15:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T10:15:56","slug":"the-last-few-seasons-of-the-west-wing-are-often-criticized-but-i-want-to-talk-about-one-great-final-season-episode","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/the-last-few-seasons-of-the-west-wing-are-often-criticized-but-i-want-to-talk-about-one-great-final-season-episode\/","title":{"rendered":"The Last Few Seasons Of The West Wing Are Often Criticized, But I Want To Talk About One Great Final Season Episode"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><i>When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.<\/i><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Credit: NBC<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">For even the most die-hard fans of <em>The West Wing<\/em>, the last three seasons of the show, which you can watch with an <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/hbo-max-subscription-know-price-130351204.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:HBO Max subscription;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">HBO Max subscription<\/a>, are often criticized, or at least, not as beloved as the first four. That change was marked by the departure of the show\u2019s creator and almost exclusive script writer, Aaron Sorkin, who left the show after the dramatic Season 4 finale.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">There is one episode in Season 7 that is every bit as good as the dialogue from episodes Sorkin was responsible for. It happened as a direct result of the death of John Spencer, the actor who played Leo McGarry.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Bradley Whitford in a suit looking stunned on The West Wing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/UWuTkFZmJ89DDLMwUnorzQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cinemablend_388\/c591ce4e10d4d690628363fd666d64db\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Credit: NBC<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">The Later Seasons Weren\u2019t As Good As The Early Ones<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It is fair criticism, and one that I largely share, that <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/im-finally-finishing-west-wing-210300963.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:The West Wing took a dip after Sorkin left;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\"><em>The West Wing<\/em> took a dip after Sorkin left<\/a>. However, after a very shaky Season 5, I do believe that it found its footing again in Season 6 with the introduction of Arnie Vinick (Alan Alda) and Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) as the two candidates vying to take over for President Bartlett (Martin Sheen). Once the race for President got into full swing, the show once again became must-watch TV.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">One significant change that resulted from the new plotline was Leo&#8217;s transition from the resolute Chief of Staff to Bartlet to Vice Presidential candidate for Santos, at the urging of his protege, Josh \u201cLemon\u201d Lyman (Bradley Whitford), who was Santos\u2019 campaign manager. Tragically, John Spencer died of a heart attack in December of 2005, as the show was entering the final stretch of filming for its final season. The silver lining in the heartbreak was that the show got its last really great episode as a result.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A close up of Jimmy Smits with tears in his eyes on The West Wing\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/MDpZfJtBGA2tyz_5KVhbkw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cinemablend_388\/f0afb4ecc80bec26a449d9e49f6c8c71\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Credit: NBC<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Election Day Part 2 Is The West Wing At Its Best<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The episode, \u201cElection Day Part 2,\u201d which aired four months after Spencer\u2019s death, starts like many others. Josh is on the phone with Santos, and they are talking about the candidate\u2019s chances of winning and the possible victory speech. Josh hangs up the phone and runs into Donna (Janel Moloney) in the hotel with a stunned look on her face. She informs Josh that Leo was found unconscious and was taken to the hospital. The opening credits roll, and for viewers, the tears started rolling too, knowing what happened months before.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The next 10 minutes of the show are among the most heartbreaking moments of any television series, ever. As <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/32-cast-members-west-wing-143234403.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:each character;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">each character<\/a> learns the tragic fate of McGarry, the emotions of the actors are on full display. Spencer had been a key part of <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cinemablend.com\/television\/2549679\/what-the-west-wing-cast-is-doing-now\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The West Wing cast;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>The West Wing<\/em> cast<\/a> for all seven seasons, and the effect of his death was apparent. It\u2019s impossible for anyone not to cry, actor or viewer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">When Santos addresses his supporters, he delivers what can only be described as a true <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/not-aaron-sorkin-land-ebon-003514669.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Sorkin-esque speech;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Sorkin-esque speech<\/a>. It\u2019s the kind of speech that made those first four seasons special, and for this one episode, <em>The West Wing<\/em> was once again <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/32-famous-tv-shows-most-230455703.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:one of the best shows;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">one of the best shows<\/a> in network history.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: NBC For even the most die-hard fans of The West Wing, the last three seasons of the show, which you can watch with an HBO Max subscription, are often criticized, or at least, not as beloved as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2057106,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[380672,382980,382983,382981,382982],"class_list":["post-2057105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-aaron-sorkin","tag-john-spencer","tag-leo-mcgarry","tag-matt-santos","tag-the-west-wing"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/The-Last-Few-Seasons-Of-The-West-Wing-Are-Often.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2057105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2057105"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2057105\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2057106"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2057105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2057105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2057105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}