--- title: "The West Wing: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing" critics_score: 74 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The West Wing (1999): what the critics said Critics' score 74 from 8 reviews: 6 positive, 1 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics admire The West Wing, and they admire it for the same things: Aaron Sorkin’s rapid-fire dialogue, the size and quality of the ensemble, and its willingness to treat politics as something serious people do in good faith. Several call it among the most intelligent dramas American network television has produced, and most note that it is funny as well as earnest. Martin Sheen’s Bartlet draws particular praise, as does Thomas Schlamme’s breakneck direction. The reservations are of two kinds. The early reviews find the pilot overloaded and wordy, and Empire notes a dip once Sorkin leaves. The later ones question the show’s worldview rather than its craft: The Ringer and Consequence both argue that its faith in decent, competent, bipartisan government has aged poorly, and Consequence goes further, suggesting it lulled its audience. The spread is wide, from warm classic to cautionary tale, and the doubters are, notably, the most recent to write. ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 November 2006. The review praises The West Wing as one of the most intelligent serialized dramas on American television, highlighting its blend of compelling drama, laugh-out-loud comedy, and focus on both major political issues and everyday governance. It notes a dip after Aaron Sorkin's departure but concludes the series overall raised the bar for network TV and remains one of the most impressive shows made. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/west-wing-complete-collection-review/) ## Radio Times — Jonathan Holmes Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). The review calls The West Wing a revolutionary and uplifting classic that offers a civics lesson through its high-minded, optimistic portrayal of politics and smart, rapid-fire dialogue. It singles out the show's refusal to depict politicians as cynics and its status as the last optimistic quality drama amid later TV trends. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/what-should-i-watch-the-west-wing/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Barry Garron Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 22 September 2014. The premiere is a compelling, intelligent and wonderfully engaging drama about national politics with brilliant dialogue and well-drawn characters. Strong performances across the cast and breakneck direction make it the standout new drama of the season. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/west-wing-first-episode-1999-734849/) ## Variety — Ray Richmond Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 September 1999. The pilot is slick and droll with sharp performances and sublime soapiness from Sorkin's dialogue and Schlamme's direction. It introduces an engaging ensemble of White House staffers worth caring about, though it could use more diversity and less wordiness. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1999/tv/reviews/the-west-wing-3-1200458974/) ## Collider — Ryan Looney Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2024. The critic finds the series idealistic and timeless despite feeling dated and exhausting in pace for modern viewers; praises the stellar cast of characters as the element that truly shines. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-west-wing-first-time-watch/) ## Den of Geek — Gemma Reilly Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 June 2010. The critic finds the pilot frantic and overloaded with plot and character introductions but ultimately enjoyable thanks to its rapid-fire screwball comedy dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments. She singles out Martin Sheen's commanding entrance as President Bartlet for particular praise as the episode's highlight that justifies the staff's devotion. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-west-wing-season-1-episode-1-review/) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2020. The review notes the show's dense scripts and ensemble remain impressive but its worldview of smart, well-intentioned bipartisanship and institutional reverence has aged poorly in light of later political shifts. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2020/10/14/tv/west-wing-legacy-reunion-special) ## Consequence Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2019. The piece argues the show offered an idealized fantasy of competent liberal governance that failed to prepare viewers for contemporary political realities and may have contributed to complacency. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2019/09/the-west-wing-failed-us/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md