Favorite West Wing scene anyone?

[DarienComp]

Here's mine. Found the transcript at http://communicationsoffice.tripod.com/index1.html

WOMAN
Hello, welcome to the Butterball Hotline.

Bartlet runs to the phone.

TOBY
What the hell is...

BARTLET
Shhhh. Hello!!

WOMAN
How can I help you, sir?

BARTLET
Well, first let me say, I think this is a wonderful service you provide.

Toby comes closer.

WOMAN
Well, thank you. May I have your name please?

BARTLET
I'm a citizen.

WOMAN
I'm sure you are, sir, but if I have your name I can put your comment in our customer feedback form.

BARTLET
I'm Joe Betherson...ton. That's one 't', and with an 'h' in there.

WOMAN
And your address?

BARTLET
Fargo.

WOMAN
Your street address, please?

Bartlet looks at Toby desperately.

TOBY
Zip code, Fargo, North Dakota, right now.

BARTLET
My street address is 114... 54 Pruder Street, and it's very important that you put 'street' down there because sometimes it gets confused with Pruder Way and Pruder Lane. Apartment 23 R... Fargo, North Dakota...

Charlie walks in with a piece of paper, Bartlet grabs it.

BARTLET
Zip code 50504.

WOMAN
Thank you. Your voice sounds very familiar to me.

BARTLET
I do radio commercials for... products.

WOMAN
And how can I help you?

BARTLET
Stuffing should be stuffed inside the turkey, am I correct?

WOMAN
It can also be baked in a casserole dish.

BARTLET
Well, then we'd have to call it something else, wouldn't we?

Toby sits down and puts his hand under his chin.

WOMAN
I suppose.

BARTLET
If I cook it inside the turkey, is there a chance I could kill my guests? I'm not saying that's necessarily a deal-breaker.

WOMAN
Well, there are some concerns. Two main bacterial problems are salmonella and camplyobacter jejuna.

BARTLET
All right. Well, first of all, I think you made the second bacteria up, and second of all, how do I avoid it?

Toby and Charlie smile.

WOMAN
Make sure all the ingredients are cooked first. Sauté any vegetables, fried sausage, oysters, etc.

BARTLET
Excellent! Let's talk temperature.

WOMAN
One hundred and sixty-five degrees.

BARTLET
No, see, I was testing you! The USDA calls for turkeys to be cooked to an internal temperature of 180 to 185 degrees.

WOMAN
Yes, sir, I was talking about the stuffing which you want to cook to 165 to avoid health risks.

BARTLET
Okay. Good testing!

WOMAN
Do you have an accurate thermometer?

BARTLET
Oh yeah. It was presented to me as a gift from the personal sous chef to the king of... auto sales in...

TOBY
Fargo.

BARTLET
Fargo. Phil Baharnd. The man can sell a car like... well, like anything.

WOMAN
Very good, sir. You have a good Thanksgiving!

BARTLET
And you do, too. Thanks a lot! That was excellent! We should do that once a week.

TOBY
Phil Baharnd?

BARTLET
I gotta get better at the names.

[Zomby Woof]

1. Where he tells off the fundies in the pilot episode

Or when he tells off the Dr. Laura clone.

Anytime he slams the fundies, is okay by me.

[Merlot]

2. Any scene between him and Stockard Channing

They are SO good together.

[Cerridwen]

3. Bartlet at the "Talk Radio reception"

http://www.westwingdatabase.com/wwscripts/2-03.php


C.J.
Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. Ladies and gentlemen. The President of the United States.

Everyone stands and claps. The flashbulbs go off as Bartlet enters the reception.

BARTLET
Thank you. Thank you, very much. Thanks a lot. I wish I could spend more than a few minutes
with you but the polls don't close in the east for another hour and there are plenty of
election results left to falsify.

Everyone chuckles.

BARTLET
You know with so many people participating in the political and social debate through call
in shows, it's a good idea to be reminded...

Bartlet loses his train of thought when something attracts his attention. The camera pans over
to Jenna Jacobs, sitting on her chair.

BARTLET
...it's a good idea to be reminded of the awesome impact... the awesome impact...

He finally gives up and addresses her.

BARTLET
I'm sorry, um... you're Dr. Jenna Jacobs, right?

JENNA JACOBS
Yes, sir.

BARTLET
It's good to have you here.

JENNA JACOBS
Thank you.

BARTLET
The awesome impact of the airwaves and how that translates into the furthering of our national
discussions but obviously also how it can... how it can...

He sighs, and addresses Jenna Jacobs again.

BARTLET
Forgive me, Dr. Jacobs. Are you an M.D.?

JENNA JACOBS
Ph.D.

BARTLET
A Ph.D.?

JENNA JACOBS
Yes, sir.

BARTLET
In Psychology?

JENNA JACOBS
No sir.

BARTLET
Theology?

JENNA JACOBS
No.

BARTLET
Social work?

JENNA JACOBS
I have a Ph.D. in English Literature.

BARTLET
I'm asking, 'cause on your show, people call in for advice and you go by the name of
Dr. Jacobs on your show. And I didn't know if maybe your listeners were confused by that,
and assumed you had advanced training in Psychology, Theology, or health care.

JENNA JACOBS
I don't believe they are confused, no sir.

BARTLET
Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.

JENNA JACOBS
I don't say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.

BARTLET
Yes, it does. Leviticus.

JENNA JACOBS
18:22

BARTLET
Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I had you here.
I'm interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21: 7.
(small chuckles from the guests) She's a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, and
always clears the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? While
thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff, LeoO McGarry, insists on working
on the Sabbath, Exodus 35:2, clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated
to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police? Here's one that's really important,
'cause we've got a lot of sports fans in this town. Touching the skin of a dead pig makes
us unclean, Leviticus 11: 7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins
still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point? Does the whole town really have to be
together to stone my brother, John, for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn
my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads?

Jenna Jacobs fidgets uncomfortably.

BARTLET
Think about those questions, would you? One last thing, while you may be mistaking this
for your monthly meeting of the Ignorant Tightass Club, in this building, when the President
stands, nobody sits.

Jenna Jacobs squirms in her seat but doesn't rise. Bartlet glares meaningfully at her.
She finally rises out of her seat.

BARTLET
Toby.

TOBY
Yes, Mr. President.

BARTLET
That's how I beat him.

Bartlet leaves the reception. Toby and Jenna Jacobs exchange glances before Toby leaves.
Sam approaches her, who is holding a plate of hors d'oeuvre.

SAM
I'm just... I'm gonna take that crab puff.

Sam snatches up a crab puff off of her plate and leaves. She smiles awkwardly around.

[concord]

4. The cathedral scene

followed by walking in the rain to "Brothers in Arms" by Dire Straits.

I'm moved to tears by both scenes - the passion and anger coming out in Latin and the intensity of purpose on his way to the press conference.

Oh to have a leader like that.

[kodi]

9. tv does'nt get any better than those scenes

only cj hearing of simon's death with jeffy buckely's version of leonard cohen's "hallalueuh" in the background comes close.

whenever i see that scene i cry.

[Mojambo]

15. That "Brothers in Arms" scene is my pick for sure

Absolutely incredible use of music to set a mood.

The West Wing has always done that well in that regard.

[hickman1937]

5. When the FBI agent realizes that the Pres has been shot.

and the limo slews around, actually every scene in that 2 parter.
When Toby finds out that Bartlet never wanted him on the team, and tells him something like "I feel like the kid who always has his hand up and didn't get called on." My memory sucks.
Actually, almost anything Aaron Sorkin wrote.

[gardenista]

11. When Toby realizes that Josh has been shot.

The way that Toby starts to almost lose his footing, and the look on his face, it haunts me sometimes.

I agree with you, the Aaron Sorkin scenes are always the best for me.

[chieftain]

6. The funeral of the homeless veteran

who had Toby's coat tears me up every time I see it . The use of music and the photography coupled with the story Mrs. Van Landingham tells of her loss is great television and but one example of what this show was capable of doing .

[hickman1937]

7. The scene with Bartlet,

where he tells Toby something like you used my office to set up a military funeral for this guy, and now they're(all homeless vets) all going to expect one, and Toby says "I hope so Sir." That last scene with the kids choir singing The Little Drummer Boy, juxtaposed over the funeral. Damn I loved that show back then.

[chieftain]

8. That was good . I've never been a big Toby fan , but this was

one of his finest hours .

[Kingshakabobo]

16. That's the episode that makes me cry! And I never cry. n/t

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

10. My favorite scene was near the end of the first season:"Mandtory Minimums

CUT TO: INT. SHERATON HOTEL/MONITOR AREA - NIGHT
Josh, Toby, and Sam are all decked out in tuxes.

SAM
You're about to get a call.

JOSH
Yeah.

SAM
Big call.

JOSH
Yeah.

SAM
Powerful guy.

JOSH
Yeah.

SAM
I'm just saying you're probably rocked back from your meeting last week.

JOSH
A little.

SAM
They threatened you with a legislative agenda.

JOSH
Yeah.

SAM
They made you feel powerless and you're a little off your game.

JOSH
Yeah.

SAM
A little gun shy.

In the background, a phone rings. Toby had sidled up by Sam.

TOBY
Leave him alone.

SAM
I'm bucking him up.

TOBY
Leave him alone.

SAM
You asked me to buck him up.

TOBY
Now, I'm telling you to leave him alone.

JOSH
Guys, I'm trying to watch this speech.

DONNA
Josh.

JOSH
The call?

DONNA
On the cell.

TOBY
Josh, if you need us, we're standing right here.

Josh turns away to answer the call.

My favorite part. I always replay this scene when it comes up

JOSH
Hi, Senator. Why don't you take your legislative agenda and shove it up your ass.

He closes the phone as the crowd applauds again. He turns back to everyone.

JOSH
Turns out I was fine.

Every time I see that scene, I scream and howl in laughter.

[mcscajun]

12. Tough to pick just one, really.

Telling off the fundies in the pilot is great, but the read-out of "Dr. Laura" at the Talk Radio reception is truly awesome.

The Secret Service agent discovering the President has been shot is heart-stopping.


But for sheer laughs, here's my favorite:
Sam's getting destroyed on Capitol Beat by Ainsley Hayes

"Please oh please, let them not be watching." -- Sam murmurs as they go to a commercial break.

Meanwhile back at the White house, Josh rushes into Toby's office saying:

"Toby, come quick -- Sam's getting his ass kicked by a girl!"
"Ginger, get the popcorn. . ." Toby says to his assistant as he follows Josh to a television.


For perfectly demonstrating the bond between Jed and Leo:
President Bartlet is talking with the cabinet member who stays behind during a State of the Union address

President Bartlet: Roger, If anything happens, you know what to do, right?
Roger: I honestly hadn't thought about it, sir.

President: First thing always is national security. Get your commanders together. Appoint Joint Chiefs, appoint a chairman. Take us to DefCon4. Have the governors send emergency delegates to Washington. The assistant Attorney General is going to be the Acting A.G. You got a best friend?

Roger: Yes, sir.
President: Is he smarter than you?
Roger: Yes, sir.
President: Would you trust him with your life?
Roger: Yes, sir.
President: That's your chief of staff.

[GalleryGod]

13. Leo tells Josh the "Man in the hole story"

Tissue time every time I see it:cry:

[pres2032]

14. damn near all scenes of the 1st two seasons

especially the church scene in Two Cathederals, Bartlet's confession in Take this Sabbath Day, and the end of the 5th season preimere. I can't watch that scene without crying.

[tjwmason]

17. Just about any scene with Margaret in it.

There usually short snipets but every one a gem.

From Elie, Margaret chatting with the Surgeon General who is about to get sacked for making sense on cannabis.

MARGARET
Let me ask you this...

CUT TO: LEO'S OUTER OFFICE - DAY
Margaret and Dr. Griffith are talking.

MARGARET
Red meat has been found to cause cancer in white rats. Maraschino cherries have been
found to cause cancer in white rats. Cellular phones have been found to cause cancer
in white rats. Has anyone examined the possibility that cancer might be hereditary in
white rats?

DR. GRIFFITH
Let me tell you something, I'm not 100% sure we've ruled that out.




Or my very favourite, In the Shadow of 2 Gunmen part2. On the chain of command whilst the President was unconscious.

CUT TO: INT. LEO’S OFFICE - DAY
Margaret and Leo are inside. Leo is sitting in a chair looking over papers, while
Margaret stands over him.

MARGARET
He was supposed to sign a letter?

LEO
The President is going under general anesthesia, he usually signs a letter handing over
executive powers to the Vice President.

MARGARET
And the President didn't sign the letter.

LEO
Nope. We blew that play.

MARGARET
Is there going to be trouble?

LEO
We'll see. To be honest with you, I don't really care right now.

MARGARET
Can I -- can I just say something for the future?

LEO
Yeah.

MARGARET
I can sign the President's name. I have his signature down pretty good.

Leo looks up at her for the first time.

LEO
You can sign the President's name?

MARGARET
Yeah.

LEO
On a document removing him from power and handing it to someone else.

MARGARET
Yeah! Or... do you think the White House Counsel would say
that was a bad idea.

LEO
I think the White House Counsel would say it was a coup d'etat!

MARGARET
Well. I'd probably end up doing some time for that.

LEO
I would think.

Margaret tries to beat a hasty retreat, as C.J. enters.

LEO
And what the hell were you doing practicing the President's signature?

MARGARET
It was just for fun.

LEO
We've got separation of powers, checks and balances, and Margaret vetoing things and
sending them back to the Hill.