In My Write Mind

That describes my Sunday night, one which saw one of my favorite shows of all time take its curtain call and another, of what is increasingly becoming the show to take its place, set up the mother of all season finales.

On Mother’s Day night, “The West Wing” aired its final episode on NBC, with so much coming full circle. And ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy”, quite possibly the best written show on television with so many subtle twists and turns that you may see coming, but still enjoy, may have made me a fan for life.

They’re smart. Both shows. And I love smart television.

And in the case of The West Wing, created by Aaron Sorkin and executive produced by John Wells, that’s what drew me to it in the first place. The conversations, the pace, the rhythm … it’s engrossing to a geek like me. And for the past seven seasons, I unwittingly became smarter about politics and White House terminology due to a television show. Wait, no. A SMART television show based on the Democratic west wing of the most important building in the United States.

Each week seemed like a brain session, with fictional characters tackling very real issues and ideas. War abroad? Covered. Assassination attempts? They took a shot. Impeachment hearings? They played with House money. Second terms, death, treason, filibusters, kidnappings, scandals? All of it was looked at, explored, exposed and entertained during the show’s run. And done in a way that gave the viewer a clue as to what was going on.

They were smart that way, too. Never doing anything that would go over the viewer’s head.

It was a show about the President (Martin Sheen) and his staff: the wise sage and confidant as Chief of Staff (John Spencer); the political grunt as Deputy Chief of Staff (Bradley Whitford); the stodgy, acerbic, sarcastic writer as Communications Director (Richard Shiff); the preppy, lawyer-type as Deputy Communications Director (Rob Lowe); the fast-talking, authoritative publicist as press secretary (Allison Janney); and the young, never-over-his-head protege as personal assistant to the President (Dule Hill).

Just a great ensemble, portrayed by great actors, which included Stockard Channing, Janel Moloney and Joshua Malina. Sheen ate up his role, made it full with his sharp wit, never-ending anecdotes and annoying tendency of divulging meaningless facts to his staff at the drop of a hat. Like in the second season’s Thanksgiving episode where he was to pardon a turkey, and he actually called the Butterball hotline to ask about how long to cook stuffing. Or the times he would just drop latin phrases out of the sky, stumping his staff and heads of state alike with his non-sequitors.

His finest moments came when he was vulnerable, when a decision he had to make would affect the fictional world as we knew it. Sheen and Spencer were flawless together on screen, and you could actually tell how much the latter’s death saddened the former during the final season.

The characters were written smartly. Never too much. Just enough to let you know our country was in good hands. Sheen was the kind of President that, if we’re honest, we wish we had now.

Even the lineup of guest stars and semi-regulars on the show was great: John Amos, Lily Tomlin, Mary Louise Parker, Matthew Perry, Timothy Busfield, Tim Matheson, Moira Kelly, John Goodman, Emily Proctor, Roger Rees, Marlee Matlin, Jeneane Garafalo, Oliver Platt, Teri Polo, Patricia Richardson, Mary McCormack, and Kristen Chenoweth. Too many others to list.

This last season — one which focused on the rival campaigns for president by Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits and included a live, non-scripted debate back in November — was one of the show’s finest. It gave both sides of the political spectrum equal time. Helped me realize why Republicans believe what they do. Any show that can educate AND entertain me at the same time gets some Classic TV Hall of Fame votes from me.

Smits’ character, Matthew Santos, won the election and tonight’s series finale showed him being sworn in as the next President of the United States of America. All of the show’s loose ends were tied up as well, with the outgoing President pardoning his former staff member and receiving a very special gift from his departed friend.

There’s soooo much more I could write about this show, but not enough space in this post. Just know that it will forever be one of my favorites. (Seriously, my birthday is coming up in August … and if anyone’s wondering what to get me, the complete set of this show on DVD would not only get you a thank you card in return, it would probably get me to your city to prepare you a home-cooked meal. And I’m soooooooo not kidding.)

Much respect to a great, great show!

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Over on ABC, Grey’s Anatomy continues to rise. In fact, it’s as white-hot as the opening credit fade the show uses. The job Shonda Rhimes is doing with this show is incredible. Each week, you’re treated to smart writing, credible (if sometimes sensational) surgical cases and terminology, and some of the most subtle, yet gripping drama on television today.

You take a liking to all of the characters, get to see them at their best and at their most vulnerable, get to follow them from the beginning of a situation all the way to its conclusion … if there is one. The cast includes : Patrick Dempsey (Derek Shepherd), Sandra Oh (Cristina Yang), T.R. Knight (George O’Malley), Justin Chambers (Alex Karev), Kate Walsh (Addison Montgomery Shepherd), Katherine Heigl (Isobel “Izzie” Stevens), Isaiah Washington (Preston Burke), James Pickens Jr. (Richard Webber), Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey), Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey).

One of the storylines that I knew I’d get sick of was that of Meredith and Dr. Shepherd. Nope. They’ve even found a way to keep that one fresh.

So many characters to keep you engrossed, my favorite being Dr. Bailey, who takes no crap from her interns and could easily be one of the most unlikable people that will ever come across you TV screen, yet you like her. You respect her. That’s good writing.

Tonight’s episode, like the one that aired on Super Bowl Sunday, was as gripping as they come. I won’t spoil it for those that happened to TiVO it and haven’t had a chance to watch it yet, but what I will say is that it is MUST.SEE.TV. The final scenes had me gasping for breath, saying a little prayer and highly anticipating what comes next.

Thankfully, it comes soon. Monday night at 9, the series airs its second season finale. You have to wonder where the show is headed in Season Three, with so many possibilities out there for Rhimes and company. And with this talented young lady already tapped to air another show on ABC centered around journalists (I’m.so.damn.proud), she’s sure to have in me a fan for life!

It’s been said that I talk too much about television on this blog. While that may be true, I usually only talk about the shows I like. Ones that make sense to me. And these two shows — West Wing, which was magnificent during its run, and Grey’s Anatomy, which is hitting its stride and sure to soar to even higher heights — are definitely worth the keystrokes. Definitely worth my time.

And in my opinion, classic television.