5.04: Han (with Paula Yoo)
[ download ] [ transcript ]
Listener beware - like the episode we're discussing, Han, this installment of The West Wing Weekly has more sad piano music than all previous episodes combined. When they're not lost in a sadness so deep no tears will come, Josh and Hrishi interview Paula Yoo, the writer who came up with the story of a would-be North Korean defector who visits the White House.
footnotes —
Frédéric Chopin - Prelude in E-Minor (op.28 no. 4)
Paula Yoo - Books / Music / Blog
Paula Yoo's Violin Version of “The West Wing” theme
Foghorn Leghorn
HITCHENS ON MOTHER TERESA – Interview By Matt Cherry
The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice
I’m guessing Ryan Pierce was made a descendant of President Pierce for two reasons:
— doubtingapostle (@doubtingapostle) June 9, 2018
1) POTUS Pierce is the only actual president from New Hampshire.
2) POTUS Pierce had no grandchildren, so the character of Ryan can’t offend anyone.@WestWingWeekly @HrishiHirway @JoshMalina
5.03: Jefferson Lives
[ download ] [ transcript ]
Jefferson lives, but the President's dreams for a strong VP die—killed by committee. But Josh and Hrishi, pilgrim detectives, are on the scene to investigate. PS: Jefferson is also dead.
footnotes —
Gary Cole and Tim Matheson in "A Very Brady Sequel"
Gary Cole in "Brady Bunch in the White House"
Thirteen Days
5.02: The Dogs of War
[ download ] [ transcript ]
Friends, Romans, people in other places, lend us your ears. We come to dissect this episode, and to praise it, or at least the parts we liked. So cry "havoc!" and let slip this podcast into your downloads.
5.01: 7A WF 83429 (Live with Bradley Whitford and Ronald Klain)
[ download ] [ transcript ]
Josh and Hrishi take a deep breath and dive headfirst into the post-Sorkin years. They're joined by guests Bradley Whitford and Ronald Klain to discuss the suspense of the Season 5 premiere — a fateful moment for the characters, and the show itself. Recorded live at Georgetown University.
footnotes —
How not to say the wrong thing
4.24: Season 4 Retrospective (Live with Aaron Sorkin and Emily Procter)
[ download ] [ transcript ]
We’ve reached the end of the fourth season, and the end of Aaron Sorkin’s tenure on The West Wing. For this special farewell, Aaron himself joined us on stage at the historic Town Hall in New York to teach us how to say goodbye. He surprised us with his candor, and we surprised Aaron and the audience with special guest Emily Procter, as well as heartfelt messages sent in by the cast and crew.