Goosebumps!!!

Does anyone remember the Goosebumps book series from the 90's? That is not what this blogpost is about. It is about the physical reaction one (one being me) gets when one (again, me) watches another 1990's icon: The West Wing. You can read about this experience from another perspective here: Sally's take on four months of our life.

The president knocking on his desk and asking "What's next?" Charlie, the personal aid to the President, fearlessly pursuing the woman he loves. Josh Lyman, deputy Chief of Staff, standing up for what he believes in. Senior staff advocating for tax deductible college tuition for wages under $150,00, because everyone should have a chance to go to the school they want. Toby Zeigler, White House Communications Director, trying to solve Social Security in one night. The President invoking the 25th Amendment while his daughter is missing. Sesame Street's Big Bird making an appearance next to the tall CJ Craig...for these reasons and oh-so-many more, is why I get goosebumps when I watch the West Wing. The dry humor gets me every time.

I want to post some of my favorite dialogue, but as I read through it I giggle at everything. It is too hard to choose something that resembles the show perfectly. I think you should watch it. If you can't watch it all, watch my favorite 5 episodes:

5. "Shutdown": Season 5. The President refuses to be manipulated by the Republican Congress. Sally says I was "one big goosebump" during this episode.

4. "Game On": Season 4. The President debates his opponent during his reelection campaign. Brilliant.

3. "Institutional Memory": Season 7. Second to last episode. I bawled. Best friends make plans for their new lives.

2. "Twenty Five": Season 4. The President's youngest daughter is kidnapped.

1. "Noel": Season 2. Josh Lyman is suffering from PTSD. My favorite dialogue of the entire show is delivered :

"This guy's walking down the street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep he can't get out.A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up, 'Hey you. Can you help me out?' The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up, 'Father, I'm down in this hole can you help me out?' The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by, 'Hey, Joe, it's me can you help me out?' And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, 'Are you stupid? Now we're both down here.' The friend says, 'Yeah, but I've been down here before and I know the way out.'"