Creator Aaron Sorkin and longtime director Thomas Schlamme bowed out after the fourth season, leaving producers somewhat apprehensive about the future of this highly regarded series. And, indeed, many fans claim The West Wing lost its way during the 2003-04 run, although given the overall high quality of the show, this year's 22 episodes are still well worth watching. The season opener picks up with the daughter of President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) in the hands of kidnappers, compelling the distraught Chief Executive to relinquish the Presidency to Speaker of the House Walken (John Goodman) in the absence of a Vice President. The hardnosed Republican successor subsequently launches an attack on Qumar, while Bartlet is humbled by the disclosure that he authorized the assassination of a Qumari terrorist. Reportedly, Goodman's character was to meant to have a more prominent role in the fifth season, but presidential daughter Zoey is quickly rescued and Josiah reclaims the Oval Office as soon as the crisis passes (I suspect that viewers wanted Bartlet there, not a boorish, brazen pol like Walken). The show receives fresh blood in the form of Gary Cole, who joins the cast as newly sworn-in VP “Bingo Bob” Russell—hardly a favorite of the West Wing staff. One of the best episodes of the year is the penultimate one, “Gaza,” in which Donna (Janel Moloney)—on a fact-finding mission in that dangerous strip of land—learns firsthand why the Israelis and Palestinians are so bitter toward each other, just before she's seriously injured in a car bombing. While it's true that The West Wing was never quite the same after Sorkin and Schlamme left, the show nevertheless continued to provide thoughtful and provocative entertainment. DVD extras include audio commentaries on three episodes, a pair of featurettes, and deleted scenes. Recommended. (E. Hulse)
The West Wing: The Complete Fifth Season
Warner, 6 discs, 946 min., not rated, DVD: $59.98 April 17, 2006
The West Wing: The Complete Fifth Season
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