The Ultimate Ranking of The West Wing's 7 Seasons, From Worst to Best

Article Overview

The West Wing went through its strongest and weakest periods, with Aaron Sorkin's departure causing a dip in quality but an improvement towards the end.

Season 5 proved to be the most disappointing, as it suffered from a lackluster resolution, overly exaggerated characters, and a failed relationship. Similarly, Season 7 struggled with inconsistent character development.

On the other hand, Season 6 stood out as the strongest season after Sorkin's departure. It successfully introduced a captivating new character and provided CJ with an opportunity to truly shine. Nonetheless, it did encounter obstacles in the form of feeble conflicts and changes in character.

The West Wing, created by Aaron Sorkin, is a well-known political drama. However, not all seven seasons of the show reached the same level of excellence. Every highly praised TV show has its ups and downs, and The West Wing is no exception. It revolves around Martin Sheen's character, President Jed Bartlet, and delves into the intricacies of his work as well as the dynamics among his team of aides, communications directors, press secretaries, and other colleagues. Throughout its run, The West Wing garnered praise from both viewers and critics for its memorable cast of characters.

Although The West Wing boasted an impressive ensemble cast, the writing didn't always match its potential. Similar to other Sorkin projects, the show's idealistic nature occasionally led to unintentional melodrama. While some episodes showcased believable relationships and captivating writing, there were weaker storylines that felt forced and lacked conviction. The departure of Sorkin after season 4 resulted in a decline in quality, but the final episodes showed improvement after a lackluster period.

7. Season 5

Aaron Sorkin's Exit Comes At a Cost

Although Sorkin's seasons of The West Wing have their fair share of problems, it is the season immediately after his departure that stands out as the weakest. Season 5 begins with an underwhelming resolution to the highly improbable cliffhanger from the previous season, as Zoey's kidnapping plot fizzles out predictably. Additionally, Josh's character becomes a more exaggerated and mean-spirited version of himself, while his relationship with Donna suffers when she is stationed abroad. Previously one of the strongest storylines on the show, the mutual attraction between Josh and Donna loses its spark in season 5 due to implausible plot developments.

6. Season 7

Bartlet's Final Bow

The conclusion of the series ensured that The West Wing season 7 wasn't its weakest installment, and Sheen's exceptional performance as an ailing Bartlet further validates the merits of this final season. Nevertheless, there remain numerous issues with season 7. Toby's uncharacteristic decision to leak internal documents fails to align with his previous portrayal, resulting in one of the season's major plot twists feeling like a trivial surprise included solely for shock value. On the other hand, episodes like "The Debate" in episode 7 demonstrate that the show still had potential, while weaker episodes expose the drawbacks of sidelining Bartlet.

5. Season 6

The Best Post-Sorkin Season

In the sixth season of The West Wing, a hidden gem emerged in the form of Texas congressman Matt Santos, brilliantly portrayed by the charismatic Jimmy Smith. Santos became the beacon of hope for the Democratic Party, and it was up to Josh to transform him into a presidential candidate. With President Bartlet's failing health, the stakes were high for this storyline. Additionally, CJ had the opportunity to showcase her skills as the White House Chief of Staff, allowing Alison Janney to captivate viewers. Despite being Sorkin-free, this season still faced challenges, although it showed improvement compared to its predecessor.

4. Season 1

Despite an initially promising start, Bartlet’s beef with Leo never progressed and felt gratuitously inserted for added dramatic effect. Similarly, the talented Stockard Channing was underutilized, portraying a more disagreeable version of the first lady that contrasted with her previous portrayal as a composed and sensible figure amidst the easily provoked individuals within the White House.

The West Wing's Shaky Start

3. Season 4

The first season of The West Wing surpasses the initial episodes of many other classic shows, although it does experience some growing pains. Initially, the focus is on Rob Lowe's Sam Seaborn before introducing President Bartlet, causing a slight imbalance in the ensemble. Nonetheless, this opening season impresses with Aaron Sorkin's trademark snappy dialogue and the cast's charming chemistry, despite the characters not being fully developed yet.

The Show's Downfall Begins

2. Season 3

In episode 6 of The West Wing season 4, titled "Game On," viewers witness Bartlet's captivating performance as President during a debate with his Republican opponent. This episode showcases all the elements that make season 4 of The West Wing excellent, including compelling dialogue, exceptional acting, high stakes, and a pervasive sense of tension. However, there are a few flaws that intermittently dampen the overall experience, mainly being the show's increasingly melodramatic and unexpected plot twists. While many attribute the decline of The West Wing to Sorkin's departure, this particular episode demonstrates that even the best seasons laid the groundwork for its eventual downfall.

The West Wing Faces Reality

The West Wing season 3 faced a challenging situation following the historic events of 9/11. If the show disregarded the tragedy, it would risk losing its credibility as a realistic portrayal of the political landscape. On the other hand, addressing 9/11 could lead to accusations of insensitivity, tastelessness, and opportunism. Fortunately, season 3 successfully struck a balance by focusing on Bartlet's MS diagnosis and the theme of terrorism. In episode 9, "Bartlet for President," the President's relationship with Leo, one of the most heartfelt storylines in the series, was further explored. Moreover, the "Documentary Special" provided an opportunity for the show to merge reality and fiction.

1. Season 2

The Best West Wing Season

Season 2 of The West Wing marked the realization of its full potential. Thanks to standout episodes such as "Noel" (episode 10) and "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen" (episodes 1 and 2), Aaron Sorkin, the show's writer, achieved one of his greatest accomplishments. However, it was episode 22, titled "Two Cathedrals," that truly demonstrated the exceptional nature of The West Wing. By taking this direction, the ensemble cast found their unique rhythm, President Bartlet's character arc became clear, and the series achieved the perfect balance between hopeful optimism and charming cynicism that would define its remarkable writing in the years to come. Episodes like these solidified The West Wing as a television staple.

Editor's P/S

As a long-time fan of The West Wing, I have mixed feelings about this article. On the one hand, I agree with the author's assessment that the show's quality declined after Aaron Sorkin's departure. The fifth season was particularly disappointing, with its lackluster resolution to the cliffhanger from the previous season and its over-the-top characterizations.

On the other hand, I think the author is too harsh on the sixth and seventh seasons. While they may not have been as strong as the earlier seasons, they still had a lot to offer. The sixth season introduced the character of Matt Santos, who was a breath of fresh air for the show. And the seventh season gave us some truly memorable episodes, such as "The Debate" and "Requiem."

Overall, I think The West Wing is a great show that deserves its place in the pantheon of classic television. While it may have had its ups and downs, it always remained a thought-provoking and entertaining drama.