The West Wing (no spoilers for those who haven't watched yet)

[NanceGreggs]

If you have taped tonight's episode for later viewing, be sure to have that BOX OF KLEENEX handy.

The episode deals with the death of Leo (no spoiler there). But what really hits home is the fact that the actors are dealing with the death of a colleague and friend, and not the character he portrayed. That is obvious.

It is not unlike the 'Hill Street Blues' episode that was filmed after the untimely passing of Michael Constantine, who played the roll-call sergeant ("And people, let's be careful out there.")

I am a real Television Baby. I grew up with it, and over the years I have loved it, hated it, been exhilarated by its promise and disappointed by its shortcomings.

But tonight's West Wing episode is a touching reminder that the teleplay can be art, and the feelings displayed by actors, as well as their on-screen characters, can touch us all where we live.

Kudos to everyone on the WW staff who contributed to this truly remarkable piece of television literature.

Somewhere, Leo/John is smiling tonight.

[kaygore]

1. I agree--it was a treasure

I shall sure miss it!

[Longhorn]

2. I don't know how I'm going to make it through next week's episode.

The previews made me cry! :cry:

[aquart]

4. What's next week????????

The funeral? What?

[Dudley_DUright]

11. Yes, the funeral

They showed previews this week. :cry:

[aquart]

3. I missed the first ten minutes. Forgot to turn off the VCR.

But I'm not watching till I have the courage to see last week's epi.

[nofurylike]

5. yes. snifff... and yes, "Somewhere, Leo/John is smiling tonight." ty! eom

[havocmom]

6. um, point of order, Michael Constantine

Still alive, and NOT the Sgt on Hill Street. Think Big Fat Greek Wedding, or TV's Room 222 if you're old enough



The Sgt on Hill Street Blues was played by Michael Conrad
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081873/



Be careful out there! You might confuse actors who are very much alive ;)

[NanceGreggs]

7. Oh my God!

My bad - you are correct, ma'am!

(And unfortunately, I AM old enough to know better.)

Thanks for the correction!!!

[havocmom]

8. LOL I'm old enough that I don't trust my memory 100%

So I had to google both men and the cast of Hill Street (Which was my favorite at the time)

Would have hated for Mr. Constantine's agent to have seen that post ;)

[NanceGreggs]

9. LOL!!!

And Mr. Conrad's agent probably would have demanded a retroactive pay increase for having kept a deceased actor working all of these years!

But then, he could have advertized the fact:

"Dead man workin' ... If you're an actor and have gone on to your great reward, that DOESN'T mean the rewards have to end for me, your lowly agent ..."

Thanks again, havocmom, for catching that!

[VolcanoJen]

10. It was the most moving episode...

... of an already fantastic season. I'm going to miss this show so much. :cry:

The part where they showed Margaret... I lost it. :-(

[Longhorn]

12. Yes. And I wanted CJ to comfort her, but they were both in too much pain

to comfort each other, at least at that moment. I was so glad when Josh finally let Donna hold him, too. He's definitely not the "touchy-feely" type and he was too lost in his own grief to think about how Donna was grieving, too. I don't fault him, though. It seemed real to me. You're kind of in shock when something like that happens and not necessarily thinking about those around you -- unless you're Donna. :)

Or President Barlett -- he sure touched my heart when he immediately went around the desk to hold CJ. And he is the character who had known and loved Leo the longest.

I wonder if there's ever actually been a sitting president serving as pall bearer before -- let alone, a president and president-elect.

[safi0]

13. I also liked

How they showed some people who were looking to take political advantage of this. Like the fundie who was one of Vinick's campaign mangers who was telling him to take political advantage of this, and the Senator who called Santos offering to be his VP.