September 22nd 2024.
When I first watched The West Wing as a teenager, Josh Lyman quickly became one of my favorite characters. Played by the talented Bradley Whitford, Josh was smart, funny, and passionate about his job as Deputy Chief of Staff for President Josiah Bartlet. He was the kind of guy who you couldn't help but have a crush on, even when he showed up to work hungover and wearing a fisherman's suit after a wild night out. And let's not forget his tragic backstory, with the death of his sister and father, and his subsequent battle with PTSD. Whitford's stellar acting in these emotional scenes made it easy to sympathize with Josh.
But as I've grown older and rewatched the show, I can't help but notice the sexism that is prevalent throughout the series. It's especially evident in Josh's character, despite his other redeeming qualities. He's always quick with a witty remark and has a neurotic charm that reminds me of Chandler Bing from Friends. And his assistant, Donna Moss, is clearly in love with him, making for a fun and slow-burn office romance that had me swooning.
Josh is also known for his walk-and-talk sequences, a signature style of the show's creator, Aaron Sorkin. As the camera follows him and his fellow castmates through the White House corridors, Josh is always ready with a mile-a-minute quip. The West Wing was a liberal haven during the Bush presidency, where Sorkin created a world filled with decent, idealistic people who always strove to do the right thing. It was a refreshing escape from the political climate of the time, and it's no surprise that fans have been calling for a revival of the show and for actor Martin Sheen to run for president in real life.
However, as much as I adore Sorkin's work, I can't ignore the sexism that is present in it, both in The West Wing and his other projects. While he created strong female characters like Press Secretary CJ Cregg (played brilliantly by Allison Janney) and the President's wife, who is a doctor, he often used CJ as a clueless stand-in for the audience. Whenever there was a complex political situation, she would be the one to ask for an explanation from her male colleagues, making her seem less competent.
And then there's Sam Seaborn, who compliments a female colleague by telling her she could "make a good dog break his leash." While this behavior is called out as possibly misogynistic, it's not condemned as harshly as it would be today. And let's not forget Ainsley Hayes, a clever Republican lawyer who joins the White House staff after impressing Sam during a debate on TV. Despite her intelligence and valuable contributions, her male colleagues often reduce her to her appearance, with even the President referring to her as a "sex kitten."
As much as I love The West Wing, I can't help but see these issues more clearly now. Rewatching the show last year, I noticed them even more prominently. But despite these flaws, the show remains a beloved classic that I will continue to enjoy, even as I acknowledge its faults.
Josh Lyman, played by the talented Bradley Whitford, was undeniably one of the most charming and beloved characters on The West Wing. As Deputy Chief of Staff for President Josiah Bartlet, Josh's intelligence, humor, and dedication to his job made him an easy crush for many viewers, including myself when I first watched the show as a teenager. Even when he showed up to work hungover and wearing a fisherman's suit after a wild night out, he still managed to capture our hearts.
But as I have grown older and rewatched the show, there is one glaring issue that has become increasingly apparent to me - sexism. This is especially evident in the treatment of one of the show's most popular characters, Josh Lyman. Despite his endearing qualities, Josh's storyline is riddled with tragedy and guilt, stemming from the death of his sister and father. Actor Bradley Whitford's stellar performance in the episode where Josh's PTSD is revealed only adds to the sympathy we feel for his character.
In addition to his quick wit and neurotic tendencies, Josh is also known for his masterful walk-and-talk sequences, a signature element of former showrunner Aaron Sorkin's writing. As the camera follows him and his castmates through the White House corridors, Josh quips a mile a minute, showcasing his charm and intelligence. The West Wing, with its idealistic and virtuous characters, was a liberal haven during the presidency of George W. Bush. It also portrayed a level of partisanship that is rare in today's political climate, leading fans to call for a revival of the show and for actor Martin Sheen to run for President in real life.
However, it is impossible to ignore Sorkin's unfortunate tendency towards sexism, both in The West Wing and in his other works. While I, like many others, am a devoted fan of his writing, I can still acknowledge the problematic portrayals of female characters in his shows and movies. Upon rewatching The West Wing, I noticed the issues with Josh's character more vividly than ever before.
While Sorkin did create the brilliant role of Press Secretary CJ Cregg for the equally talented Allison Janney, he often used her as a vehicle for exposition, having her male colleagues explain complex political situations to her. And while the President's wife is a doctor, CJ is still portrayed as somewhat clueless, serving as an audience surrogate. In one episode, Sam Seaborn, played by Rob Lowe, compliments a female colleague by saying she could "make a good dog break his leash." While this behavior is called out as possibly misogynistic, it is not addressed as strongly as it would be in today's society.
Another example of Sorkin's mishandling of female characters is Ainsley Hayes, a Republican lawyer who impresses the White House staff with her skills and ends up with a job there. Despite her intelligence and valuable contributions, her male colleagues often make comments about her appearance. Even the President refers to her as a "sex kitten," highlighting the double standard and objectification of women in the workplace.
As a devoted fan of The West Wing, I have rewatched the show numerous times over the years. However, it was not until my most recent rewatch that I fully noticed and acknowledged the problematic elements of the show. While I still appreciate Sorkin's writing and the characters he created, I now view them through a more critical lens.
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