Most critics admire The West Wing, and they admire it for the same things: Aaron Sorkin’s rapid-fire dialogue, the size and quality of the ensemble, and its willingness to treat politics as something serious people do in good faith. Several call it among the most intelligent dramas American network television has produced, and most note that it is funny as well as earnest. Martin Sheen’s Bartlet draws particular praise, as does Thomas Schlamme’s breakneck direction.
The reservations are of two kinds. The early reviews find the pilot overloaded and wordy, and Empire notes a dip once Sorkin leaves. The later ones question the show’s worldview rather than its craft: The Ringer and Consequence both argue that its faith in decent, competent, bipartisan government has aged poorly, and Consequence goes further, suggesting it lulled its audience. The spread is wide, from warm classic to cautionary tale, and the doubters are, notably, the most recent to write.