Words in Action by Paolo Braga

Author:Paolo Braga
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9783034316620
Publisher: Peter Lang
Published: 2015-05-31T04:00:00+00:00

The West Wing. “We’re gonna get the names of the damn commandments right”

The pilot episode of one of the most ambitious, expansive and successful series in the history of American television was written with just one line in mind, a powerful and effective line placed right at the end of the climax, said within a dialogue distinguished by two different ulterior motives. At the beginning of this key scene, the audience is only aware of one of the two ulterior motives, the other is a surprise revelation later on within the same scene.

The West Wing (USA 1999-2006) is about the staff of an imaginary Democratic President of the United States, Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen). It is the backstage of a progressive administration working in the West Wing of the White House, represented by a mix of drama and humor typical of screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, creator of the series.

In the opening episode, crafted by Sorkin with as much ingenuity as risk, the main character, Bartlet, is off-screen for most of the episode. His staff is on their own while their Commander in Chief is on vacation at his country estate where he has broken his ankle. His staff is actually relieved by his absence. One of the staff members has thoughtlessly created a political scene that would have infuriated his boss. Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), the young, belligerent and passionate Vice-Chief of Staff has hastily accused Mary Marsh (a member of the Christian conservative party) of fiscal fraud. The administration now risks losing part ← 116 | 117 → of the Christian party’s votes and must be settled before the President returns to Washington. If the storm doesn’t blow over, the President will most likely force Josh to resign to stop the rightwing from adding more fuel to the fire.

The staff members make their best efforts to save their colleague. After secret talks with Mary Marsh’s (Annie Corley) political group, an agreement is reached. The opponent will bury the hatchet in exchange for an invitation to the White House, an official apology from the staff and a favorable mention during the next presidential speech.

The rescue plan has been hatched by the Chief of Communications, Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff). Perfectionist, grouchy and irritable, Toby is mad at Josh for having created such a mess and for being so stubborn in admitting he was wrong. Even still, Josh is a friend and Toby doesn’t let friends down.

THE SCENE. When the meeting with Mary Marsh begins in a room of the White House, the screenplay has already given the audience an idea of what they should think about Mary and her rightwing Christians. Through the characters’ dialogue, Sorkin has labeled Mary Marsh’s party as radical. In private, staff members have even admitted that Josh was right to flare up during the debate, that people like her are only tolerated out of political convenience.

This awful “off-the-record” opinion the staff members have of Mary along with their concern for saving Josh’s job, creates a great example of dialogue that illustrates the connection between subtext and conflict.

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