TV.com

The West Wing Season 7 Episode 9

The Wedding

Favorite

Watched It I've Watched This 1

Next
Episode Previous
Episode

8.6

User Rating

123 votes

Your Rating: 10
Your Rating: 9.5
Your Rating: 9
Your Rating: 8.5
Your Rating: 8
Your Rating: 7.5
Your Rating: 7
Your Rating: 6.5
Your Rating: 6
Your Rating: 5.5
Your Rating: 5
Your Rating: 4.5
Your Rating: 4
Your Rating: 3.5
Your Rating: 3
Your Rating: 2.5
Your Rating: 2
Your Rating: 1.5
Your Rating: 1

Rate Now

EPISODE REVIEWS
By TV.com Users

Write A Review

Episode Summary

EDIT

Free Trial / Subscription

VUDU

Buy

AIRED: 12/11/05

Santos is working on campaign strategy, Ellie's getting married, Abbey is welcoming guests, Bartlet's making jokes, China and Kazahkstan are about to go to war, Carol makes an appearance, and Josh may get fired.

Fan Episode Reviews (6)

I think that's what everyone was suspecting and dreading, "On a Very Special West Wing, You're Invited to a White House Wedding..." but it turned out to be much more.

9.5

By SlyFoxDeveraux, Apr 15, 2011

There was so much to thoroughly enjoy about this episode. For one thing, it featured the relationship between Jed and his middle daughter Ellie, who is my favorite of his three kids, and definitely the one with whom he has the most complicated relationship. She's always wanted to please him and never really thought she has, she's been shy, whereas Liz and Zoey have never been afraid of the spotlight even when it became taxing. The speech given by Jed to his daughter at the end of the episode, especially when you look back at the speech he gives to her in Season 2's "Ellie" shows how much understated love there has been, and shows how much these two love each other. Ellie gives her father the White House wedding he always wanted to be a part of, even if she's not fully comfortable with it, and Jed blows off negotiations with China to broker a peaceful settlement in order to walk his little girl down the aisle. I will admit to welling up after Ellie finished her father's speech.

For most shows, that's enough, and they'd phone in the rest. But wait! There's more! We get Josh Lyman at his most interesting, the verge of a meltdown. Shades of so many episodes past are visible as Josh struggles to do what he can with the campaign, knowing how many people are counting on him. Josh is never so interesting as he is when he's at his breaking point. And even better we had Donna and Josh in a scene together for the first time in, like, a while and she was being quite the flirt, shame Josh was too troubled to notice. Rest assured, I'd have loved to keep her from being bored.

The best part of the storyline with Josh was that we got to see his "father" give him confidence, hope and reassurance. I have always loved the relationship between Leo and Josh, the father/son connection they have and their steadfast devotion to each other. As Jed once said "You're willing to throw it all overboard to avoid disappointing Leo." and it's very true. In the scene where Leo defends Josh to Santos was anyone else thinking of Leo's famous "As long as I got a job. You got a job?" speech to Josh lo those many years ago in Noel, the best example of when Josh has a meltdown (and my personal favorite episode of the series)? Josh is going to be crushed, even more than Jed, when Leo is forced to pass away later this season.

Over-all great episode, and great performances by Martin Sheen, Nina Sciemaszko, Bradley Whitford, John Spencer and Janel Moloney. If Spencer's not nominated for a posthumorous Emmy for this season there is something wrong with the Academy.moreless
DO YOU AGREE?
4 0

Flag
Share Hide
Josh es cuestionado al llevar la campaña de Santos, mientras que la Casa Blanca se prepara para una boda, contando, ademas, con una posible guerra nuclear en Eurasia.

7.6

By ltorress, Apr 15, 2011

La campaña sigue estancada para Santos, y los principales hombres democratas empiezan a ver que la piedra de avance es Josh. Esto llega a oidos de Santos, y los hombres solicitan que sea Leo quien continue la campaña sin ayuda de otros, debido a su experiencia como jefe de campaña. Ante esto, Josh se cuestiona a si mismo, dudando de su capacidad.

Ellie Bartlet se casara en la Casa Blanca. Su padre duda de la boda, pues no confia que sea una boda con amor, sino mas bien bajo la presion del embarazo. Y, ante ello, debe lidiar para que no se produzca un enfrentamiento belico en Eurasia, lo cual provocaria una catastrofe en el mundo.

Al termino del episodio, vemos a un Leo que le dice al candidato Santos que la persona mas razonable para continuar como jefe de campaña es Josh, pues fue el quien inicio toda la cruzada y que, finalmente, debia ser el mismo Santos quien impulsara la candidatura.

Por otra parte, Josh y Donna mantienen una entretenida pero seria conversacion en una de las escaleras de la Casa Blanca, reflejando que el amor que siente Donna hacia su ex jefe sigue latente.

Finalmente, la boda se realiza en la Casa Blanca, donde el novio le dice a su futuro suegro que el siempre quiso casarse con su hija, mucho antes del embarazo.

***

Un episodio donde los intereses por sacar a un fuerte de contienda se hace evidente. La suciedad de una campaña ha sido reflejada en su maximo esplendor en esta hora de animosa tension.

Ha sido un capitulo dedicado a Josh, quien como jefe de campaña nos ha mostrado los sinsabores de la politica. No solo porque ha gastado su tiempo y esfuerzo en sacar adelante a un candidato que no lo tenia claro en un comienzo, sino tambien por las presiones que sufre dentro del mismo partido. Si a ello sumamos que Santos tambien cuestionara, aunque fuera superficialmente, la capacidad de Josh, para continuar al mando.

El episodio de la boda quiza pasa a tercer bando, pues entre Josh y las tensiones en Eurasia, el evento familiar no es adecuado. Es cierto: se juega a la continuidad de eventos, el guion es acertado, pero no para mi gusto.

Quiza lo mas interesante son dos puntos: la defensa que realiza Leo de Josh; y tambien la charla que sostienen Donna y Josh en las escaleras de la Casa Blanca. Ella esta decidida a tener una noche agradable debido a la boda, pero el jefe de campaña solo tiene en mente sacar adelante a su candidato. Por mas que Donna se le insinua, Josh no despeja la cabeza, y menos cuando se entera de la visita de los senadores democratas.moreless
DO YOU AGREE?
1 1

Flag
Share Hide
always revealing

8.7

By raimondo, Feb 04, 2006

this is the reason i like this show, the writers and directos are not affraid to deliver the truth about how dirty a campain can be even between party members. I still wait to see how they will manage to deal with the deatyh of one of the main actors
DO YOU AGREE?
0 0

Flag
Share Hide
The Wedding was a good example of excellent writing that the can come out of the West Wing. The episode wasn't the best we have seen but certainly was worth the hour to watch.moreless

8.9

By EricAllenM, Jan 08, 2006

Ellie Bartlet has been a mystery to the viewers since she was first mention. Of the three Bartlet kids we know probably less about her than Zoey or Elizabeth and for that reason this episode was so good. This is the third episode in seven seasons to be devoted entirely to Ellie and it was the best. The writers were able to replicate the Sorkin-esk feeling of dread that Ellie feels towards her family's way of life. From the scene of the diplomats giving the gifts to her waiting for her father to walk her down the asile we understand how much she is uncomfortable with this way of life. There are only so many situations that can arise that can get that much attention out the President and this was a new to the Ellie forumla. As the viewers see Jed Bartlet negotiating on the phone we can tell that he is genuially concerned for the crisis at hand but is preoccuppied by his daughter. Bartlet has always been a family man first and this episode highlights that strength in his character as his frustration level rises to the point of meltdown on the phone with the Chinese. And the writers did an excellent job of bring back the strength that Debbie, his wise cracking secretary brought to the show in season 4. While there were many high points to the show I was disappointed by the riding of Josh Lyman by the Democrats. Josh has made mistakes in the past but has proven himself a strong leader but he second guesses himself when the people he trusts to stand by him ditch him. Worst of all is that fact that Santos seems to want to dump his Campaign Manager and would be Chief of Staff at the end of the campaign. This seems so unlike the Matt Santos that we got to know this season and last, he has always been so loyal and that trait has drawn viewers to him. I have been impressed with Lou's development as a character and the asset that she has become to the campaign. John Spencer's performances in this episode rival those of the Sorkin days. His speech to Santos in the end rekindled the faith in Josh and showed how powerful of an actor John is and his characters true strength.moreless
DO YOU AGREE?
0 0

Flag
Share Hide
Painful...but only because it hurt to see Josh raked over the coals like that...

8.0

By entil2001, Dec 13, 2005

I don’t pretend to be an expert on this series; others have lived and breathed every second of every episode (at least, the Sorkin years) to a far greater degree. I just love watching these characters and this stylized, idealized version of how the American presidency should be. And I’ve also been a political junkie in my day, and so there’s this little thrill I get when I see an Electoral College map. Seriously!

So when it comes to this episode, I can’t help but appreciate the fact that this White House wedding provides a nice distraction from the slow but steady decay of the Bartlet administration. I enjoy that on a certain level, because there is a hint of realism in it all, but I do love symbolism. In this case, Bartlet handing off his daughter in marriage in the White House. Chance for comedy and some nice little character work? Sure, but the metaphor is hardly lost.

But for me the heart of this episode was Josh. I remember reading in more than a few places that this was originally supposed to be the “Josh and Sam Show”, back in the development days, and I think that Josh has remained at the center of the action in a very real and consistent way over the years. (Others may argue that, but hey, it’s just my opinion.) So it makes sense that this election is as much about Josh and his failures as it is about Santos and his improbable rise to the presidency (I’m still sure that’s what will happen).

Looking back over the course of the season, the season premiere all but told us that this moment would come. Josh and his judgment was under fire for much of the sixth season, and Santos’ win at the convention only put his strategy under more scrutiny. He’s made some missteps in the past, but as the race tightens and each decision counts more and more, Josh can’t help but miss some of the details.

Part of that is his inability to let go of control. He wants to be the one who makes it happen, who puts his man in the Big Chair, the student who has become the master. But Josh often forgets that even Leo had a staff, people he trusted to give him honest and divergent opinions. It’s what made Leo such a damn good Chief of Staff, even if the man took too much on his own shoulders at times. More to the point, as much as Bartlet trusted Leo and his judgment, he also had a rapport with his senior staff before they officially took power.

Who does Santos have, beyond Josh? Nearly everyone else is still essentially a temporary fixture. Josh has never let go of the reins long enough to build a powerful and diverse team. And yet, it’s too much to take him out of the game and leave him out of the room. It’s not so much that he needs to go; he just needs someone to keep him from isolating his decision-making process. Leo can help him with that, and if that is indeed the direction the writers take, it will be a reasonable and logical progression of the season thus far.

More than that, it could serve to give Leo a more substantial plot thread. He has been largely absent this season, probably because of contractual purposes with the network, and that is not the preferable situation. Far better for him to step in, help Josh reorganize and focus. Leo has shown a remarkable loyalty to Josh in terms of support, and so he’s the one person who Josh can trust to point him in the right direction. In fact, this is how I see Santos winning.

It also means that Leo, in a more prominent role, will be more exposed. Enter more complication, since his past will be even more fair game. But since the struggle must escalate between now and, say, episodes 14-16 (the likely timing for the election itself), this is the most obvious and interesting direction to take. Meanwhile, it certainly looks as if Bartlet will be dealing with one, final international crisis. All of which, in my opinion, is more than worth the time.

moreless
DO YOU AGREE?
4 0

Flag
Share Hide

See All Fan Reviews

Cast & Crew: STARS

EDIT

Allison Janney	Claudia Jean "C.J." Cregg
Bradley Whitford	Josh Lyman
Janel Moloney	Donna Moss (Episodes 23-, recurring previously)
Jimmy Smits	Matthew Santos (Episodes 114-)
John Spencer	Leo McGarry
Joshua Malina	Will Bailey (Episodes 78-, recurring previously)

See All Cast & Crew

Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

EDIT

Richard Jenik	Congressman Cooper	Guest Star
Linden Goh	Translator	Guest Star
Ben Weber	Vic Faison	Guest Star
Lily Tomlin	Debbie Fiderer	Recurring Role
Melissa Fitzgerald	Carol Fitzpatrick	Recurring Role
Steve Ryan	Miles Hutchinson	Recurring Role

See All Cast & Crew

Watch Online

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

FILTER BY TYPE

TRIVIA (1)
ADD TRIVIA
- At the end of Josh's and Leo's scene when the wedding is about to start, the music heard is not "Sorge nel petto" as Will explains at the briefing, but "Lascia ch'io panga" - from Handel's 'Rinaldo' also, but a bit less appropriate (with words that translate as "Let me weep over my cruel fate, And that I long for freedom!") - unless the scriptwriter(s) had a gloomy view of marriage, that is.
  EDIT SHARE
QUOTES (0)
ADD QUOTES
- ADD QUOTES from this episode.
NOTES (1)
ADD NOTES
- Although credited, Alan Alda and Kristin Chenoweth do not appear in this episode. Dulé Hill & Richard Schiff also do not appear and are therfore uncredited.
  EDIT SHARE
ALLUSIONS (1)
ADD ALLUSIONS
- President Bartlett: Russia and China are doing their little "Sharks and Jets" routine in Central Asia.
  
  The Sharks and the Jets were the rival gangs in the movie West Side Story.
  EDIT SHARE