American politics seem to have shifted drastically in the past few years. Corruption, partisanship, and greed are some of the more defining characteristics of government. With growing technology, the news is unavoidable, and more often the news is distressing than joyful. Sometimes, the exhaustion of feeling trapped in a nearly dystopian timeline makes us want to escape daily life, if only for a moment. Personally, my escape comes in the form of taking some time to myself, turning on Netflix, and watching The West Wing.
Ever since the series first aired in 1999, The West Wing has captivated viewers, and for good reason. The TV drama that provides an inside look into a fictional White House has a cast of characters are feel both realistic and likable. The series has been acclaimed by actual politicians for its ability to capture what the essence of the west wing of the White House really feels like. While it is certainly nowhere near entirely accurate, the day to day insight into the fictional presidency of Josiah Bartlet allows the viewer to feel as though they are watching something important.
Maybe it’s the way that the characters seem so passionately informed. Maybe it’s the respect that everyone has, not only for each other but for the country and leader they are serving. Maybe it’s seeing that a small group of people who commit themselves to changing the world might just have the ability to do so. Whatever it is, watching these events in this fictional universe unfold is simply and utterly enjoyable.
I feel that the series has become more important now than ever. It reminds us what the government could be like. It reminds people not to overlook maltreatment from their leaders. It reminds people of the inherent goodness found in the vast majority of humans. While I am not implying that the characters are infallible in any sense of the word, I am expressing that the hard work and dedication of The West Wing characters is not a totally fictional idea.There are hard workers, dedicated people, and intelligent minds everywhere, who do want the best for their real country. Sometimes it’s just harder to find these people when those with less concern for others are loudest.
I am also not forgetting that The West Wing, while wonderful, is in fact, fictional. But that is not a bad thing. Fiction is a wonderful thing. Fiction takes the ordinary and day-to-day life and makes it extraordinary. It allows people to see life through an extreme lens, to see what is possible if life was always full of scandal and heartbreak and romance and rhythmic, rehearsed words. The West Wing is obviously an example of this. It shows a White House in the most idealistic way.It shows politicians as their most committed and patriotic selves. It is what life would be if every day was scripted by Aaron Sorkin.
It is very improbable that The West Wing would ever be a totally true reflection of the actual White House, especially with today’s political climate. But it’s truly just pleasant to allow yourself to become immersed in the drama, laughter, and lives within a series that imagines things to be better than they are. To me, it’s a sort of self-care, to momentarily get caught up in whatever fictional political issue is going on, and to see people earnestly attempt to take care of their country. And perhaps, with more people watching The West Wing, more people will ask themselves, and those around, what’s next?
