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Reasons Why I Love The West Wing Times Infinity
God I'm so in love with The West Wing, I can't even say. Nothing is adequate for the depth of my love. Best I can do is ILOVEYOUILOVEYOUILOVEALLOFYOUSOMUCHOMGLOOOOOVE!!! I just...wow. Now THIS is what I call a show. Not the crap I call Torchwood or show that is dead to me. But The West Wing fills me with glee, complete happiness and faith in the world even in the scary parts.
It's the idealism. It's so intoxicating. I am an idealist, pure and simple and this show makes me believe again. They're ALL idealists, my team. They have different versions of it, innocent Sam, cynical (on the outside) Toby, principled yet personal CJ, smack you down Josh, arrogant AND moral Jed and gruff Leo, but they all do it. They stick together, they support each other, they bond because they ALL believe that the world can be better and that they can fight for it to make that happen. And that is why I love them and this show.
Also? The dialogue. Wow, I am seriously impressed. Only maybe Joss surpasses it for me and that's in a different way. It blows me away how many lines make me laugh or just drop my mouth open in amazement. They somehow make me find a way to keep increasing my love for these characters and my character love just bounces straight off the charts.
Somewhere during this season 4 I started a list of moments I loved because in watching so fast I start to lose track of just WHY I love these people and can't get enough of them. Sometimes it's little things, small quotes that make me marvel at their perfection, little actions that say so much and other times it's classic lines and moments and crazy, how can this have possibly happened on my computer screen scenes. Here's my list mostly S4, a few of the things I remembered from past seasons and some S5:
-CJ singing I'm Too Sexy! You know when I heard the song and saw CJ dancing to it a little, I thought that was that, a nice present for me to enjoy. But THEN. She sang while dancing over to Toby!! And I was gone, lost in CJ love land. Singing and dancing and CJ being awesome! A dream come true.
-Team love after stats: hugs! pie! Josh lifting CJ up! Dance with me! "Get on the couch and I'll do you right there!" I love when the whole team is head over heels in love with each other :D
-Leo about Jed: "Also as his best way of contributing to the Team, he likes teams, I love him so much" God, the Team love. The Leo and Jed love is SO EPIC.
-CJ defending women in Kumar (and every other place)! I love when she's principled.
-The president's "accidental" mistake dissing Ritchie...haha I love his sneaky side.
-Josh and Toby's timezone freakout! Toby hitting branches against things! OMG I love them.
-Toby lights pages on fire and starts fires in his garbage can with water by his side to turn them off
-Toby criticizing Will (Jeremy!) well and then gets re-criticized quite awesomely.
-President and the others prank Toby and then he says "kiss you on the mouth"!! This is one of my absolute favorite moments. I could not stop laughing at how good they got him. Prank love!
-Tie cutting! Go Abby!
-Charlie/CJ prank war! Have I mentioned I love pranking? Looove.
-Charlie defending CJ's honor. Awww he can be so cute :)
-Toby's Yankee and Sam's Laker love! Cause sometimes I just love how they my sports teams.
-"You want a hug?" Toby <3 Sam
-TEAM TOBY! I loooved them trying to get Toby and Andi back together.
-Andi wants a fight, Toby: "Well I can admire that" Hee, I love Toby so much.
-Taking down Republicans in an awesome debate and election. Now THAT is how you win a debate.
-Toby pranks Josh at the voting booth. Awesome revenge! Even I was worried for a moment there.
-Honor voting. I love principles.
-Abbys fanfare birthday party with trumpets! Oh, White House.
-Drunk drinking with Abby. Always fun!
-The president yelling about parking tickets "EXCEPT FOR PARKING TICKETS YOU CHEAPASS DIPLOMATS!" Probably the funniest quote ever that always cracks me up.
-President: It's okay to run away from me. Sam: I would never. Sam willing to be completely behind the President! I love their loyalty.
-Toby's team speech of love. I can't find the episode but when Toby said this about not sharing secrets it pretty much summarized completely why I love my Team so much. Just perfect.
-CJ getting a real enemy with the MS scandal and taking down reporters and newspaper magazines. Cause she's AWESOME and I love when she has secret plans.
-CJ loving her reporters like family. So cute :)
-CJ wanting to take the acapella group home to...sing. yes, sing ;)
-Danny as Santa giving CJ a goldfish pin and kiss!!! Aww I love them.
-Toby: Everyone's going to resent you...yet curiously I don't care. *love*
-Leo hearing Josh's phonecall to Amy. Top on the list of things he doesn't want to hear, hee.
-Toby backstory and father angst! Wow, I love backstory somuchomg.
-Jed putting on his coat over his head. It never gets old.
-Toby letting his father stay the night after Josh's talk! Wiffenpoof perfect coincidence of love.
-The President saying "lord god, what a tool" about an annoying senator. Have I mentioned I love the President?
-Team Goat picture! Hee.
-"Mr. President, as much as we'd love nothing more than to stand here and watch you beat the crap out of Josh..." Applies well in every situation (rewatched secret plan to fight inflation episode of love)
-Toby and Josh putting a goat in Will's office (and turkeys in CJ's). Pranks = love.
-Random fact: CJ and me are both scared of our high school English teacher.
-CJ: "I think you're a very pretty girl, Toby"
-CJ BACKSTORY EPISODE OMG! What a heartbreaker.
-As much as I hate not seeing Toby's press briefing, what I did see was AWESOMELY BAD
-Toby's smile. I just love it.
-Toby throwing his rubbber ball "As my frustration level grows, so does the velocity of the ball against the window".
-"Toby been taking his pants off again? That's just something he does" President <3
-"Remember when you asked me what exactly I'd do to have you? I'd do that" Damn, she's good. Also, I so called that.
-Will cracking the window. I KNEW that was going to happen!
-The gang throwing snowballs at Donna's window. Aww I love them.
-"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world" YES, this.
-Reaffirmation of hope
-HUGS for Sam! I miss him. A lot.
-Protective Toby yay! Oh NO you didn't mess with his (ex) wife and kids.
-"If I was someone who felt comfortable hugging other people, I'd do one to Sam..." Hee.
-CJ singing! "Sand in my shoes, sand in Havana" God.
-"They're going to throw rocks at you next week and I wanted to be standing next to you when they did" *HUG* Toby/Sam LOVE!
-CJ laughing at Marblehouse lady
-Throwing cards at press chairs. Cause it's fun!
-Toby likes tennis. That's enough for me.
-Toby's salad rant!! Oh how I love him.
-"The fourth circuit lacked the judicial imagination God gave pistachio nuts" One of the best quotes ever.
-Toby's Big Day! "Tell em, sister" "Give us a kiss!" I love the President.
-Awwwwwwwwwwww Toby breaking my poor heart in the house scene :(
-Brilliant use of Massive Attack erieness, ZOEY!! Are you in love with him?? OMG
-TOBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG KIDS!! And hugs and love and CJ speechless!!! Toby couldn't even say it!! Awww I may melt on the scene. Crying!! God.
-Toby and Leo's conversation! God he's breaking my poor heart here. Of course he'll be a good dad, he's Toby.
-"I didn't know babies came with hats" LOL awwwwwwwwwww. Babies + Toby = PURE LOVE.
-"There's no one in this room who wouldn't die than let you down." God, the DEVOTION.
-"All the things we wanted to do, Leo, all the things we believed in and wanted to fight for" Gah they kill me with belief.
-"I'm over the moon. This is my over the moon face." It really is.
-Toby and Will's awesome diss speech of the vice president (although how do you not reread the speech before the freaking president says it???)
-CJ's bad romantic comedy in 15 seconds (backstory boyfriend!)
-Toby: Happy Birthday btw. Josh: It's not a big deal. Toby: I was all done. Hee, I love them so much.
-"This isn't a line on the resume. None of us...you don't walk away." Team!!
-Leo and CJ :( :( :( I hate when my Team fights.
-CJ and Donna's secret plan to help Josh!
-Josh: Are you going to ask me if I'm okay? Toby: Do I look like your mommy? Hee!
-Claudia Jean pinching Toby!!
-Toby smacking down betrayer Will is always fun
-Toby breaking things! "I don't need the victims of HippoGate filing class action suits" Hee!
-The president going to the Capitol, walking to the Capitol, waiting and then leaving. Boo yah!
-Toby and Josh hugging! Budget celebration YAY!
-CJ setting up a tree with Toby smiling aww. Tree falling on him!! Poor Toby hehe.
-CJ: Is there a reason you're following me? Toby: Do I need a reason?
-CJ: Was there something you wanted? Toby: World peace?
-President asking Lincoln questions, Josh being the first one to answer and CJ slapping him
-Toby's righteous anger
-TOBY SINGING OMFG!!! I looooooooove drunk Toby.
-President and Abby bash Leo's ex's new husband! To union <3
-CJ's fake adoption reporter smackdown. I am SO glad she's not yet another, intelligent, kickass, professional woman who somehow can't find a man and MUST have a kid any way possible.
-Giving up legacy for real change. Sometimes you have to sacrifice for idealism.
-Leo: If you have problems [with Toby], work it out, I'm not a couples therapist"
-CJ taking down pundits! Pretending to hit them with baseball bats <3
-Leeeeeoooooo not being able to save his dishonest war rescuer :(
-The President blowing up over his daughter. I so called that.
-Toby: Don't say schizzle...don't say you rock
-CJ and big bird...nuff said.
-Debbie spraying Josh with water during his Toby fight....OMG he's Dwight!! (and Toby steps away hee)
-CJ singing drunk with Pierce! After Josh already got drunk, this is so amazing.
-CJ camera following episode! So cool and so unique. I like how they insert history.
-CJ AND TOBY BACKSTORY!! I'd been wondering how they met.
-CJ VIDEO CLIPS OMFG!
-Toby getting knocked down to the floor when he tries to get away from Will!
-Jed: I can't do this without you. Leo: You think I'd let you? Jed: It should be you, you, not me. God, they slay me.
S4 was definitely Toby's season. S1 was Josh's, S3 was CJ's and S4 is Toby's in terms of the insane exponentiation of my love (S2 was all of them, I think). I lost track of the number of times I fell madly in love with him, was amazed at his speech writing abilities, !!! at his quotes, was heartbroken at his looks or speechless with happiness at his good moments. I just love him in every way imaginable. For me, Toby has the most idealism of them all and because of that, he's doesn't take the negativity and horribleness in but rather it reflects off of him into the world which is why his outside is so sad and angry. But he's not! That may just be my idealism talking though ;)
I do notice some change in S5 with season 5. Sorkin added that extra humor, spark and love to it that while it still retains some of it, it's not quite as satisfying. I do miss seeing his name in the ending credits. And I REALLY miss Sam. I thought I'd be okay since I don't love him as much as CJ, Toby and Josh but as it turns out, I really do love him. His innocence just leaves an empty spot in the Team and it feels incomplete. Plus I miss his moments of dorkiness like when he was dancing to The Jackal or when they won Illinois (with CJ!). And I feel completely betrayed by Will when he left. Ugh, I'm glad Toby's smacking him down. NBC is horrible to get rid of two people that are so integral to the show. They should have given them anything they wanted to keep them there.
It was so weird in the beginning of S5 to not have Jed as the President. It was scary to have a Republican there who I couldn't trust and could do anything to the country and my team. As much as I wish I watched this show earlier, it would have been a totally different experience with Bush in the White House to know I would have that same fear whereas now I have hope. Glad that's over. It's so frustrating dealing with a Republican majority though, it's definitely not helping my opinion of them. Especially when they block nominations or add on stupid amendments, arghh that drives me crazy.
The two first episodes of S2 were amaaaazing and are two of my absolute favorites. Backstory!!! I love any and all backstory episodes SO MUCH. At first I wasn't happy that they started after they had been a year in the White House but now I'm happy with it because when they do flashback, I actually care about the characters so much more now. Even though I knew Josh wouldn't die, I was so freaked out seeing him so hurt and watching everyone's reaction. I loved seeing how Josh got Sam to come with him by pointing to his smile (and that first conversation is so slashy it's not even funny), how Toby was the only one who wasn't fired (Leo knows his idealists :)), Toby convincing CJ to come ("avert your eyes! hee) and seeing how Donna managed to get herself a job.
I wasn't that happy with the MS storyline, I like it to focus more on the political stuff but they did a pretty good job wrapping it up well. And I loved Toby's reaction to it, when he and Jed fight, it's always riveting. I was so sad when Mrs. Landingham died but that episode was amazing especially with the ending storm. I absolutely loved Bartlet For America, that paper napkin at the end just made me cry. And recently, I loved The Supremes, it was so great to see idealism win in the form of getting two brilliant minds on The Supreme Court even if they vastly differed. Plus it was cool that I knew both of the guest stars from other shows (Glenn Close!).
I love how with this show I have so many ships and love so many people together. I don't think I've ever had such a serious OT4 where I actually read lots of fic and am willing to try a ton of pairings. Right now my list stands as follows: CJ/Toby/Josh/Sam, CJ/Toby/Josh, CJ/Toby/Sam, CJ/Josh/Sam, Toby/Josh/Sam, CJ/Toby, CJ/Josh, CJ/Sam, CJ/Abby, CJ/Danny, CJ/Simon, Toby/Josh, Toby/Sam, Toby/Andi, Josh/Sam, Jed/Leo, Jed/Abby and Leo/Jed/Abby. I may be warming up to Josh/Donna a little more although I reeeally would like her not to be his assistant to have less of a power difference. I loved when CJ told her the honest truth, that she SHOULD be trying to get more experience that Josh isn't giving her. It was so heartbreaking when she got hurt though. I just can't wait to finish the show so I could read all the fic and vids! Going to be a great buffet.
Besides that, life has been pretty boring lately. Just work and TV and little things in between. Excited about Vividcon in a month!
It's the idealism. It's so intoxicating. I am an idealist, pure and simple and this show makes me believe again. They're ALL idealists, my team. They have different versions of it, innocent Sam, cynical (on the outside) Toby, principled yet personal CJ, smack you down Josh, arrogant AND moral Jed and gruff Leo, but they all do it. They stick together, they support each other, they bond because they ALL believe that the world can be better and that they can fight for it to make that happen. And that is why I love them and this show.
Also? The dialogue. Wow, I am seriously impressed. Only maybe Joss surpasses it for me and that's in a different way. It blows me away how many lines make me laugh or just drop my mouth open in amazement. They somehow make me find a way to keep increasing my love for these characters and my character love just bounces straight off the charts.
Somewhere during this season 4 I started a list of moments I loved because in watching so fast I start to lose track of just WHY I love these people and can't get enough of them. Sometimes it's little things, small quotes that make me marvel at their perfection, little actions that say so much and other times it's classic lines and moments and crazy, how can this have possibly happened on my computer screen scenes. Here's my list mostly S4, a few of the things I remembered from past seasons and some S5:
-CJ singing I'm Too Sexy! You know when I heard the song and saw CJ dancing to it a little, I thought that was that, a nice present for me to enjoy. But THEN. She sang while dancing over to Toby!! And I was gone, lost in CJ love land. Singing and dancing and CJ being awesome! A dream come true.
-Team love after stats: hugs! pie! Josh lifting CJ up! Dance with me! "Get on the couch and I'll do you right there!" I love when the whole team is head over heels in love with each other :D
-Leo about Jed: "Also as his best way of contributing to the Team, he likes teams, I love him so much" God, the Team love. The Leo and Jed love is SO EPIC.
-CJ defending women in Kumar (and every other place)! I love when she's principled.
-The president's "accidental" mistake dissing Ritchie...haha I love his sneaky side.
-Josh and Toby's timezone freakout! Toby hitting branches against things! OMG I love them.
-Toby lights pages on fire and starts fires in his garbage can with water by his side to turn them off
-Toby criticizing Will (Jeremy!) well and then gets re-criticized quite awesomely.
-President and the others prank Toby and then he says "kiss you on the mouth"!! This is one of my absolute favorite moments. I could not stop laughing at how good they got him. Prank love!
-Tie cutting! Go Abby!
-Charlie/CJ prank war! Have I mentioned I love pranking? Looove.
-Charlie defending CJ's honor. Awww he can be so cute :)
-Toby's Yankee and Sam's Laker love! Cause sometimes I just love how they my sports teams.
-"You want a hug?" Toby <3 Sam
-TEAM TOBY! I loooved them trying to get Toby and Andi back together.
-Andi wants a fight, Toby: "Well I can admire that" Hee, I love Toby so much.
-Taking down Republicans in an awesome debate and election. Now THAT is how you win a debate.
-Toby pranks Josh at the voting booth. Awesome revenge! Even I was worried for a moment there.
-Honor voting. I love principles.
-Abbys fanfare birthday party with trumpets! Oh, White House.
-Drunk drinking with Abby. Always fun!
-The president yelling about parking tickets "EXCEPT FOR PARKING TICKETS YOU CHEAPASS DIPLOMATS!" Probably the funniest quote ever that always cracks me up.
-President: It's okay to run away from me. Sam: I would never. Sam willing to be completely behind the President! I love their loyalty.
-Toby's team speech of love. I can't find the episode but when Toby said this about not sharing secrets it pretty much summarized completely why I love my Team so much. Just perfect.
-CJ getting a real enemy with the MS scandal and taking down reporters and newspaper magazines. Cause she's AWESOME and I love when she has secret plans.
-CJ loving her reporters like family. So cute :)
-CJ wanting to take the acapella group home to...sing. yes, sing ;)
-Danny as Santa giving CJ a goldfish pin and kiss!!! Aww I love them.
-Toby: Everyone's going to resent you...yet curiously I don't care. *love*
-Leo hearing Josh's phonecall to Amy. Top on the list of things he doesn't want to hear, hee.
-Toby backstory and father angst! Wow, I love backstory somuchomg.
-Jed putting on his coat over his head. It never gets old.
-Toby letting his father stay the night after Josh's talk! Wiffenpoof perfect coincidence of love.
-The President saying "lord god, what a tool" about an annoying senator. Have I mentioned I love the President?
-Team Goat picture! Hee.
-"Mr. President, as much as we'd love nothing more than to stand here and watch you beat the crap out of Josh..." Applies well in every situation (rewatched secret plan to fight inflation episode of love)
-Toby and Josh putting a goat in Will's office (and turkeys in CJ's). Pranks = love.
-Random fact: CJ and me are both scared of our high school English teacher.
-CJ: "I think you're a very pretty girl, Toby"
-CJ BACKSTORY EPISODE OMG! What a heartbreaker.
-As much as I hate not seeing Toby's press briefing, what I did see was AWESOMELY BAD
-Toby's smile. I just love it.
-Toby throwing his rubbber ball "As my frustration level grows, so does the velocity of the ball against the window".
-"Toby been taking his pants off again? That's just something he does" President <3
-"Remember when you asked me what exactly I'd do to have you? I'd do that" Damn, she's good. Also, I so called that.
-Will cracking the window. I KNEW that was going to happen!
-The gang throwing snowballs at Donna's window. Aww I love them.
-"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world" YES, this.
-Reaffirmation of hope
-HUGS for Sam! I miss him. A lot.
-Protective Toby yay! Oh NO you didn't mess with his (ex) wife and kids.
-"If I was someone who felt comfortable hugging other people, I'd do one to Sam..." Hee.
-CJ singing! "Sand in my shoes, sand in Havana" God.
-"They're going to throw rocks at you next week and I wanted to be standing next to you when they did" *HUG* Toby/Sam LOVE!
-CJ laughing at Marblehouse lady
-Throwing cards at press chairs. Cause it's fun!
-Toby likes tennis. That's enough for me.
-Toby's salad rant!! Oh how I love him.
-"The fourth circuit lacked the judicial imagination God gave pistachio nuts" One of the best quotes ever.
-Toby's Big Day! "Tell em, sister" "Give us a kiss!" I love the President.
-Awwwwwwwwwwww Toby breaking my poor heart in the house scene :(
-Brilliant use of Massive Attack erieness, ZOEY!! Are you in love with him?? OMG
-TOBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG KIDS!! And hugs and love and CJ speechless!!! Toby couldn't even say it!! Awww I may melt on the scene. Crying!! God.
-Toby and Leo's conversation! God he's breaking my poor heart here. Of course he'll be a good dad, he's Toby.
-"I didn't know babies came with hats" LOL awwwwwwwwwww. Babies + Toby = PURE LOVE.
-"There's no one in this room who wouldn't die than let you down." God, the DEVOTION.
-"All the things we wanted to do, Leo, all the things we believed in and wanted to fight for" Gah they kill me with belief.
-"I'm over the moon. This is my over the moon face." It really is.
-Toby and Will's awesome diss speech of the vice president (although how do you not reread the speech before the freaking president says it???)
-CJ's bad romantic comedy in 15 seconds (backstory boyfriend!)
-Toby: Happy Birthday btw. Josh: It's not a big deal. Toby: I was all done. Hee, I love them so much.
-"This isn't a line on the resume. None of us...you don't walk away." Team!!
-Leo and CJ :( :( :( I hate when my Team fights.
-CJ and Donna's secret plan to help Josh!
-Josh: Are you going to ask me if I'm okay? Toby: Do I look like your mommy? Hee!
-Claudia Jean pinching Toby!!
-Toby smacking down betrayer Will is always fun
-Toby breaking things! "I don't need the victims of HippoGate filing class action suits" Hee!
-The president going to the Capitol, walking to the Capitol, waiting and then leaving. Boo yah!
-Toby and Josh hugging! Budget celebration YAY!
-CJ setting up a tree with Toby smiling aww. Tree falling on him!! Poor Toby hehe.
-CJ: Is there a reason you're following me? Toby: Do I need a reason?
-CJ: Was there something you wanted? Toby: World peace?
-President asking Lincoln questions, Josh being the first one to answer and CJ slapping him
-Toby's righteous anger
-TOBY SINGING OMFG!!! I looooooooove drunk Toby.
-President and Abby bash Leo's ex's new husband! To union <3
-CJ's fake adoption reporter smackdown. I am SO glad she's not yet another, intelligent, kickass, professional woman who somehow can't find a man and MUST have a kid any way possible.
-Giving up legacy for real change. Sometimes you have to sacrifice for idealism.
-Leo: If you have problems [with Toby], work it out, I'm not a couples therapist"
-CJ taking down pundits! Pretending to hit them with baseball bats <3
-Leeeeeoooooo not being able to save his dishonest war rescuer :(
-The President blowing up over his daughter. I so called that.
-Toby: Don't say schizzle...don't say you rock
-CJ and big bird...nuff said.
-Debbie spraying Josh with water during his Toby fight....OMG he's Dwight!! (and Toby steps away hee)
-CJ singing drunk with Pierce! After Josh already got drunk, this is so amazing.
-CJ camera following episode! So cool and so unique. I like how they insert history.
-CJ AND TOBY BACKSTORY!! I'd been wondering how they met.
-CJ VIDEO CLIPS OMFG!
-Toby getting knocked down to the floor when he tries to get away from Will!
-Jed: I can't do this without you. Leo: You think I'd let you? Jed: It should be you, you, not me. God, they slay me.
S4 was definitely Toby's season. S1 was Josh's, S3 was CJ's and S4 is Toby's in terms of the insane exponentiation of my love (S2 was all of them, I think). I lost track of the number of times I fell madly in love with him, was amazed at his speech writing abilities, !!! at his quotes, was heartbroken at his looks or speechless with happiness at his good moments. I just love him in every way imaginable. For me, Toby has the most idealism of them all and because of that, he's doesn't take the negativity and horribleness in but rather it reflects off of him into the world which is why his outside is so sad and angry. But he's not! That may just be my idealism talking though ;)
I do notice some change in S5 with season 5. Sorkin added that extra humor, spark and love to it that while it still retains some of it, it's not quite as satisfying. I do miss seeing his name in the ending credits. And I REALLY miss Sam. I thought I'd be okay since I don't love him as much as CJ, Toby and Josh but as it turns out, I really do love him. His innocence just leaves an empty spot in the Team and it feels incomplete. Plus I miss his moments of dorkiness like when he was dancing to The Jackal or when they won Illinois (with CJ!). And I feel completely betrayed by Will when he left. Ugh, I'm glad Toby's smacking him down. NBC is horrible to get rid of two people that are so integral to the show. They should have given them anything they wanted to keep them there.
It was so weird in the beginning of S5 to not have Jed as the President. It was scary to have a Republican there who I couldn't trust and could do anything to the country and my team. As much as I wish I watched this show earlier, it would have been a totally different experience with Bush in the White House to know I would have that same fear whereas now I have hope. Glad that's over. It's so frustrating dealing with a Republican majority though, it's definitely not helping my opinion of them. Especially when they block nominations or add on stupid amendments, arghh that drives me crazy.
The two first episodes of S2 were amaaaazing and are two of my absolute favorites. Backstory!!! I love any and all backstory episodes SO MUCH. At first I wasn't happy that they started after they had been a year in the White House but now I'm happy with it because when they do flashback, I actually care about the characters so much more now. Even though I knew Josh wouldn't die, I was so freaked out seeing him so hurt and watching everyone's reaction. I loved seeing how Josh got Sam to come with him by pointing to his smile (and that first conversation is so slashy it's not even funny), how Toby was the only one who wasn't fired (Leo knows his idealists :)), Toby convincing CJ to come ("avert your eyes! hee) and seeing how Donna managed to get herself a job.
I wasn't that happy with the MS storyline, I like it to focus more on the political stuff but they did a pretty good job wrapping it up well. And I loved Toby's reaction to it, when he and Jed fight, it's always riveting. I was so sad when Mrs. Landingham died but that episode was amazing especially with the ending storm. I absolutely loved Bartlet For America, that paper napkin at the end just made me cry. And recently, I loved The Supremes, it was so great to see idealism win in the form of getting two brilliant minds on The Supreme Court even if they vastly differed. Plus it was cool that I knew both of the guest stars from other shows (Glenn Close!).
I love how with this show I have so many ships and love so many people together. I don't think I've ever had such a serious OT4 where I actually read lots of fic and am willing to try a ton of pairings. Right now my list stands as follows: CJ/Toby/Josh/Sam, CJ/Toby/Josh, CJ/Toby/Sam, CJ/Josh/Sam, Toby/Josh/Sam, CJ/Toby, CJ/Josh, CJ/Sam, CJ/Abby, CJ/Danny, CJ/Simon, Toby/Josh, Toby/Sam, Toby/Andi, Josh/Sam, Jed/Leo, Jed/Abby and Leo/Jed/Abby. I may be warming up to Josh/Donna a little more although I reeeally would like her not to be his assistant to have less of a power difference. I loved when CJ told her the honest truth, that she SHOULD be trying to get more experience that Josh isn't giving her. It was so heartbreaking when she got hurt though. I just can't wait to finish the show so I could read all the fic and vids! Going to be a great buffet.
Besides that, life has been pretty boring lately. Just work and TV and little things in between. Excited about Vividcon in a month!