In the sixth season, following Leo's heart attack, C. is appointed White House Chief of Staff, a post which she is initially unsure about, but which she soon settles into very well. Screw Destiny: In regards to not only putting a Democrat on California's permanently-Republican 47th Congressional seat, but one who dies during the campaign. Combat Pragmatist: When it comes to politics, Josh doesn't much care what he has to do, so long as he wins. Although Josh complains that she's narrowly focused on women's rights, she's working for a women's rights organization. Ms. Exposition: Since her primary role on the show — up until Season 6, when she's promoted to Chief of Staff — is basically to explain what's going on to the press corps, she tends to fill this role. Try to Fit That on a Business Card: He is Lord John Marbury, Earl of Croy, Marquess of Needham and Dolby, Baronet of Brycey, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States from the Court of St. James's, and former High Commissioner to New Delhi from the United Kingdom. Nice Guy: Generally. President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet was not supposed to be a main character on "The West Wing. " Mrs. Landingham always gets the job done, and her Virgo sensibilities are essential to the functioning of the Oval Office. It's okay as long as it's on the down low. It's been twenty minutes, what do you do?
You are beautiful, smart, and you always try to do the right thing. It seems like a flashback to explain why he joined Bartlet, but it's also a Chekhov's Gun—the oil tanker crashes in season 2, and Sam knows that there's no way to sue the company because the liability shield he crafted was too good. Category Traitor: - He'd probably be considered one if only anyone knew, as he's personally anti-abortion but still fights to keep it legal because he believes it's not the government's place to regulate this sort of thing. He also directly refers to him as his son in the second season rtlet: What was Josh Lyman, a warning shot? Kenny is constantly alert to his surroundings, in order to effectively communicate everything Joey needs to know. Shrinking Violet: The quietest and most timid of the Bartlet children, but also possibly the most accomplished and brave. Poet Laureate" as Joe Quincey is seen interviewing for her job the following season.
As Mrs. Landingham's ghost put it:Mrs. Landingham: Your father was a prick who could never get over the fact that he wasn't as smart as his brothers. As he shared in Los Angeles Magazine, Malina appeared in the Broadway run of "A Few Good Men, " which Sorkin wrote, and Sorkin's previous TV series, "Sports Night. " He outright smiles a lot more. Were you always interested in being in Politics? She's also Toby's ex-wife. Questions the President's patriotism and b. ) Charlie applied for a job as a White House messenger to support himself and his little sister and was hired as Bartlet's bodyman instead. They divorce not long after McGarry: It's not more important than your marriage!
Though they can be judgmental at times, they have good intentions and are always prepared to fix any problems that might arise. Over the course of seven seasons, many minor players began to find their footing, growing into some of the most beloved characters in television history. The last words of the pilot episode. In season 5 she picks it up again to volunteer at a free clinic in Washington DC. Seinfeldian Conversation: A bit of a Running Gag in the series is that the first time we see him in an episode (or at least at some point during his appearance), he'll be fixated on some triviality about his surroundings, such as a change in the coffee, new curtains, or the way the seal of office on the Oval Office floor seems to change depending on the circumstances. Since then, Mrs. Landingham has been Jed's loyal friend and secretary. He responds by chiding the stewardesses and rattling off a bunch of facts about how impossible it would be for a little phone to flummox a top-of-the-line aircraft, and then demanding his peanuts, demonstrating what a stubborn, snarky, standoffish little smartass he can be. Mama Bear: Towards the White House Staff, of course, but also towards the press corps. When he's sent by his government to denounce the United States meeting with an Irish politician with ties to the IRA, he bluntly and repeatedly conveys their condemnation to the White House staff, but privately confides to Toby that the President should meet with the politician, as it is one of the last chances both England and Ireland have at reconciliation, with the U. as a trusted mediator. But it's also clear at the beginning of the series that he's struggling to accept his divorce, which makes sense when you consider the fact that Libras find it difficult to be alone. Bunny-Ears Lawyer: Definitely not as eccentric as the likes of Lionel Tribbey or Lord John Marbury, but he has his moments. He never backs down when faced with obstacles, and he's not afraid to make hard decisions for the greater good. No Badass to His Valet: Basically the only person in the cast other than Abbie who is never intimidated by the President.
Stage Fright: Although she's happy to talk to the press in the communications bullpen, she can't make herself brief from the actual podium and does several circuits around the press room. In the National Cathedral. The program broadcast a total of 156 NBC episodes. Pragmatic Hero: He fights tooth and nail to get Bob Russell nominated as the Democratic Party candidate for president primarily because he believes that any Democrat's better than a Republican. While Malina fit right in with the cast, quickly gaining a reputation as an on-set prankster, his character traveled a much rougher road. The show makes no secret of the fact that Santos is based on Barack Obama. His relationship with Zoey remains unresolved, but he concludes the series on his way to Georgetown Law. While they are dating, Josh and Amy find themselves on the opposing sides of fight over a welfare-reauthorization bill which ends when Josh manages to get Amy fired. It's probably less to the image of a squad of burly men barreling straight for him, and more of the realization that something horrible has happened to the President. Alliterative Name: Josh jokes about this in a flashback to the Bartlet campaign when Sam was engaged to Lisa, asking him if the reason she broke off their relationship was because her name would have become "Lisa Sherborn-Seaborn". Young and in Charge: A unique example only in the 2020 HBO Max Special, where he's played by Sterling K. Brown who was 44 at the time. He is deeply disturbed by it. Vitriolic Best Buds: With Sam and CJ.
He runs a nail-biter of a campaign against a Republican challenger, the equally likable senator from California, Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda). Yeah, Two Cathedrals – it's like that, isn't it? Having to watch what I say. He often spots minute details that are the key to a critical problem way before any of the other staff (who are pretty much geniuses themselves) do. Benevolent Boss: He even allowed the staffer who leaked his history of painkiller addiction to keep her job after he finds out why she did it.
As Bartlet's eventual chief of staff, he oversees nearly every aspect of the executive branch, inspiring his team to lead while challenging them to give each day their best. Ever see Arnie Vinick campaign, up close? However, he's intrigued enough to figure out that it's because she recommended Charlie over the son of a prominent party donor; her unwillingness to admit to this shows that she has impeccable discretion. As for Bartlet himself, the two have plenty of friction and their relationship is strained and professional at best, but there is more mutual respect there than might be apparent at first glance. Like an Old Married Couple: With Josh for years before they even share a kiss. Unwitting Instigator of Doom: She leads a Congressional junket to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Mentor: To Josh. Charlie becomes a surrogate son to President Bartlet, a dynamic that Hill remembers carrying over into the real world.
Danny misunderstood, and bought her an actual goldfish pet as a present. Bartlet can be a theatrical person at times, and this mostly works in his favor. The Quiet One: He reacts to many situations and statements by facial expression only. You have a year to talk me out of voting for him... She's very angry at him when he breaks it and retreats to their New Hampshire home for a while. Bad Boss: Not so much "bad" as he has a short temper and extremely high standards that makes him difficult to work for even if you do live up to them. She points out to the young Jed that he's doing this when Jed decides to confront his own father about the question of equal pay for men and women in the school. Combat Pragmatist: Coupled with The Smart Guy, this is one of Toby's qualities that gets Bartlet re-elected. First Daughter of the United States Elizabeth "Liz" Bartlet Westin. You don't want to be on the wrong side of the argument when the President is not Uncle Fluffy. Though Jed Bartlet may be the face of the administration, Leo McGarry (John Spencer) is its beating heart. That's the nature of the job, sure, but it also reflects Josh's restless energy and his desire to always be moving.
You Called Me "X"; It Must Be Serious: He has only called the President 'Jed' once in the entire series to scold the President for not telling Leo about the MS. Workaholic: Notable for ruining his marriage, and that unlike the younger staff and the President, he never seems to get tired. Cool Old Lady: One of the coolest, and all the moreso because it's never at the expense of her dignity. A rare republican within the Bartlet administration, Ainsley came in hot, absolutely annihilating Sam Seaborn in a TV debate.