Reasons I love 'The West Wing'

• The script is incredibly witty and sophisticated. Brilliant one-liners. Great connection between cast members. Amazing amazing amazing writing...... Did I say amazing?

• Although the show deals with American politics (which as a British person I definitely am not familiar with), the storylines always feel accessible. I think this is partly due to the way information is communicated between the White House Staffers. As news travels around the West Wing, the audience is given the opportunity to understand the plot more.

• Nowadays, Hollywood seems to glamorise politics. 'The West Wing' definitely does NOT do this. Glamorise is perhaps the wrong word. What I mean is this: politics and elections are always enveloped in scandal, intrigue and conspiracy. In 'Scandal' for instance, there is a top-secret government organisation, the President of the United States is unfaithful to his wife, the President's Chief of Staff is embroiled in questionable activity, there is an instance of election-rigging and secrets are constantly being dug up then buried again. It's an endless cycle of shock and awe. With 'The West Wing', the mundane running of the country is enough to drive the show along. The show doesn't rely on shady backroom deals and grand plots to overthrow the government. I can't tell you how many times I've been watching an episode, expecting a characters will reveal that he/ she has been bugging an office or has secret footage capturing the enemy in the act. It is extremely refreshing to watch a show and experience the nitty gritty of running a country. That's not to say I'm naiive. I realise that the show is in many ways overly optimistic about politics, but generally the show feels authentic. It reminds me of 'The Office' in that the humdrum nature of life allows for more focus on human relationships.

• As a continuation of the previous point, I love that romantic relationships in 'The West Wing' are not reduced to random romps in the Rose Garden. For instance, I loved the way C.J handled her relationship with Danny. If it was a Hollywood romance, in the first season there would have been a moment with them standing in the rain, and one of them would be giving the other one an ultimatum. Generally, shows make romantic relationships the be all and end all. It would be incredibly reductive and unrealistic. Another great relationship has to be Donna and Josh. If their relationship was written in traditional Hollywood fashion, their relationship would have progressed further a lot quicker and there would have been a lot more heartbreak. Instead, I really appreciated how much their friendship seemed always to come before anything else. And the fact that Donna was not Josh's assistant when they finally got together was important because it meant they were equals and I love that she points that out to him. I love that Donna is the one that takes the reins after being his assistant for so long. Otherwise I think there would be a real danger of imbalance. And how can I forget the President and the First Lady- a great example of a turbulent but strong and fulfilling marriage. There are so many moments where their ability to work together whilst being independent and true to themselves is inspiring and moving. There is an equality in their relationship that is humbling and beautiful to watch.

• As well as the romantic relationships. friendships in 'The West Wing' are incredibly varied and complex- in the best way. Toby, Josh and Sam are a great example. There is brotherly tough love with the most brutal honesty. That scene where Toby confronts Sam about Laurie is so well constructed. I love how the characters are all so unflinchingly themselves. Leo and Jed are the epitome of bromance. I love that the first time we hear Leo call POTUS by his name is when he reminds the President of their aim in getting into the White House, just after Mandy's report becomes public. It was extremely powerful and as a viewer I could feel that honesty coming from Leo in that scene. And finally, the napkin- 'Bartlett for President'- is an amazing motif throughout the show. It doesn't get more symbolic than that!

• Speaking of Leo, I have so much respect for Sorkin for not glamorising (yes, I've used that word again) his alcohol and valium addiction. The show gave viewers insight into the difficulties of being an addict but I appreciate how the addiction is just a part or element of Leo's life- it's not his entire life. Leo's line 'I don't understand people who have just one drink' hit me hard when I heard it the first time. It's so incredibly honest and it made addiction easier for me to understand. Sorkin's writing just does that for you!

• The minor characters. I don't mean to use the word minor in a way that diminishes the characters I'm referring to. I think Sorkin is the king of the minor character. Margaret is the best example of this. Her randomness and oh my god, that moment when Margaret breaks the internet by sending out an email to the entire White House. That sums it up. TV gold.

There are soooooo many other reasons why the show is amazing but these were a few of my personal favourites!

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