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The Newsroom/The West Wing - recycled plots - and I don't care

posted 9 years ago by censorshipsucks06
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I am one episode away from the last episode of Season 1 of THE NEWSROOM. There's recycled plots all over the place. Will and Mac are basically Josh and Mandy, Jim and Maggie seem like the later version of Josh and Donna. We have Will seeing a shrink because he can't sleep, just like Bartlett in The West Wing. And we have Will facing a death threat and having a bodyguard just like CJ did.

And you know what? I DON'T CARE. I'm thoroughly enjoying this show. Yes, it's preachy and heavy handed at points, and it's bias shines through, maybe even more so than The West Wing. But I don't care. I love the way Sorkin writes, I'm into these characters, and I love these stories. I especially love that it's on HBO, so it doesn't have to work with the restraints that NBC had regarding profanity and other basics.

I am hoping that the next seasons that THE NEWSROOM can find it's own way, and pulls and recycles less from TWW than it did in Season 1. But even if it does, I'll be watching.

GREAT STUFF MR. SORKIN!!!! (and that's coming from a economic and foreign policy conservative....and a social liberal).

[–] Inzanerican58 9 years ago

I'm almost done with the 3rd season and I keep noticing these similarities too. Not just with the characters like you pointed out, but use of music (the exact same song is used in an important scene), and the script itself (Sorkin loves those GRE prep type words, so they stick out). But I don't mind one bit! Makes me want to go back and watch The West Wing again...for the 6th time.

[–] censorshipsucks06 9 years ago

Yes. I've watched TWW many times myself. One of my favs.

If you haven't finished Season 3 yet, don't read the rest of this post inzanerican58. But come back after you have.

However, when Charlie died of a heart attack (just like Leo - only this could be onscreen), and then when Mac tells Will, it felt JUST like when Annabeth told Josh Leo had died.