The West Wing Weekly 3.22: Posse Comitatus (Live with Aaron Sorkin, Allison Janney, and Melissa Fitzgerald)
Sep 20, 2017
Aaron Sorkin, the creative mind behind The West Wing, joins Allison Janney, beloved for her role as C.J. Cregg, plus Melissa Fitzgerald for a lively discussion. They dive into the emotional weight of the Season 3 finale, exploring CJ's struggles and Simon Donovan's tragic fate. Sorkin offers insights into writing, what goes into impactful scenes, and the challenges of filming iconic moments. Janney recalls her intense performance and the behind-the-scenes dynamics, while Sorkin muses on the series' relevance in today's political climate.
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Death As Dramatic Necessity
- Sorkin explains Simon Donovan was written as a sacrificial character to satisfy dramatic rules of hubris and punishment.
- Bartlett needed to pay a price after ordering an assassination, which justified Donovan's death narratively.
Write For Broadcast Constraints
- Trim scripts to fit broadcast runtime or accept scenes will be cut and require tighter setup.
- Prepare to rework or cut scenes that don't fit the 42-minute format to preserve narrative clarity.
Cut Teaser And Hunger Setup
- Sorkin shares cut material: a shaving teaser of Bartlett singing and Mark Harmon being shown as starving before the bodega scene.
- Those scenes were shot and appeared in promos but removed for time, altering perceived setup.
