The Departed

Until a few short months ago, I was a complete West Wing virgin. One of the most critically-acclaimed shows of all time had passed me by almost entirely (I think I recall seeing a brief moment of one episode on Channel 4 a long time ago, but upon finding out I was in the middle of a series, I turned over to another channel). I knew nothing of the lives of the best President that America never had, Jed Bartlet, and the dedicated staff of the White House. I was missing so much.

Recently, I was talking television shows with an acquaintance and I mentioned this lack of WW to him. Lo and behold, he just happened to be a massive fan of WW (and, as it turned out, all things Aaron Sorkin, the show's creator). He immediately supplied me with the boxed set of Series 1 and after one episode, I was hooked! Not just "Hmm, this looks interesting, let's try another episode" and building over time to an addiction. No, this was straight in there "WOW! Where has this show been all my life? Give me another episode now - hell, give me another five!" kind of TV rush. I think the bulk of that first season disappeared over the course of a weekend. And then, when you get to the end of the last DVD in that box it ends on a cliffhanger....and you haven't got Season 2 to start on - that's cold turkey, right there!

And so it went on, DVD after DVD, season after season. As we embarked on Season 7, the final season, there was a feeling of loss already starting to build in me, knowing that soon - too, too soon - it would all be over. And that day is now upon me. I have seen the final DVD, had a little tear as the characters faded from the screen for the last time. It has been a fabulous journey: crackling dialogue, some brilliant stories - often maintained over the arc of a season or more - and some unforgettable characters.

So, thank you Mr Sorkin for bringing to life President Bartlet, C J Cregg, Toby Ziegler, Josh Lyman, Donna Moss, Sam Seaborne, Leo McGarry, Charlie Young, Matt Santos, Arnold Vinick and all the other major and minor characters whose lives intertwined on screen over seven brilliant seasons. And thank you to John Fox for the loan of the DVD sets. I'd love to mention how pleased I am about the way some stories resolved themselves, but then I'd be depriving *you* of enjoying the outcomes for yourselves. If you have never seen the show, treat yourself. Go on - it really is just that - a treat!