Writer Aaron Sorkin (The Trial of the Chicago 7) has been nominated for awards 174 times and has won 104 of them, including an Emmy for best writing and an adapted screenplay Oscar for 2011's The Social Network. His work is known for being driven with a fast-paced cadence and rhythm. His vocabulary is massive, and only he could have Martin Sheen (The American President) reciting a monologue in a church where he calls God a "son of a bitch" and a "feckless thug." Of course, this particular scene took place in Season Two of The West Wing, one of the best television series ever, in my humble opinion. Imagine my excitement to find out that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment was releasing it on Blu-ray.

Jed (Josiah) Bartlett (Sheen) is in his second year of his first term as President of the United States. His Chief of Staff is his closest friend, Leo McGarry (John Spencer; The Rock), and his Deputy Chief of Staff is Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford; Get Out). Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff; Man of Steel) is the Communications Director, Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe; St. Elmo's Fire) is the Deputy Communications Director, and C.J. Craig (Allison Janney; The Help) is the Press Secretary. Together, along with various other members of the Bartlet administration, they make up The West Wing.

Once a week for seven years, fans of the show would tune in to see what new drama would play out in the most famous house in the country. From personal storylines to political plots, the show delivered week after week with intelligent, well-written scripts and a cast of hard-hitting actors portraying dramatized versions of real-life public servants. The show is regarded as one of the greatest television shows of all time, having won 26 Primetime Emmy Awards, 3 Golden Globes, and 2 Peabody Awards during its original run.

Technical Aspects: The video transfer to 1080p resolution with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio is solid, though not an incredible improvement from the 2017 DVD release. There are some sharper details here and there but also some softer spots, making this transfer somewhat hit or miss.

The same can be said for the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Because the show is so dialogue-heavy (famously known for the "walk and talk" moments that occurred in at least 75% of the episodes), the audio needs to be sharp and precise. The upgrade manages that for the most part, but I can't help but wonder what the show would have sounded like with an even better audio upgrade. Having said that, the show has moments, such as Bartlet's speech in "Two Cathedrals" (referenced above), that have never sounded better.

The set is made up of all 156 episodes spread over 28 discs, along with a plethora of previously released extras (listed below). These include commentaries, gag reels, and deleted scenes. If you watched the DVD release, you probably don't need to revisit them.

Between the writing, the stories, and the acting, this show was the perfect storm of incredible elements brought together to offer viewers an hour of excellence each week. While the show did wane somewhat when series creator Sorkin left after season 4, it regained its footing for its final two seasons. This series deserves a space in your home entertainment library, so be sure to buy The West Wing: The Complete Series before it sells out.

Blu-ray Combo Pack Extras:

S1 Disc 1
Pilot Episode Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme

S1 Disc 2
In Excelsis Deo Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme with Alex Graves

S1 Disc 3
Take This Sabbath Day Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme
Celestial Navigation Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme with Christopher Misiano

S1 Disc 4
What Kind of Day Has It Been Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme
The Primaries (SD 17:29)
The Inauguration (SD 29:03)
Capital Beat (SD 8:08)
Sheet Music (SD 6:28)
Unaired Scenes (SD 5:12)
Gag Order (SD 2:58)
The West Wing Suite (SD 1:50)
Off the Record (SD 3:28)

S2 Disc 1
In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part I Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme with Bradley Whitford and Janel Moloney
In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part II Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme with Martin Sheen

S2 Disc 2
Noel Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme with Bradley Whitford

S2 Disc 4
18th and Potomac Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin, Robert Berlinger, and Kathryn Joosten
Constructing Two Cathedrals (SD 17:40)
Unaired Scenes (SD 9:28)
Gag Order (SD 1:16)

S3 Disc 1
Manchester Part II Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme with Allison Janney

S3 Disc 2
Bartlet For America Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme with John Spencer

S3 Disc 4
Post Comitatus Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin, Alex Graves, and Thomas Schlamme
Documentary Special (SD 42:15)
A Property Master's Story (SD 10:47)
Chief of Stuff (SD 13:20)
Unaired Scenes (SD 4:51)

S4 Disc 1
Game On Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme with Alex Graves and Joshua Malina

S4 Disc 4
Commencement Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme with Alex Graves
Twenty Give Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme with Christopher Misiano
Behind Every Good Man... is the First Lady (SD 12:33)
The Letter of the Word (SD 18:39)
Unaired Scenes (SD 4:34)

S5 Disc 1
7A WF 83429 Audio Commentary featuring John Wells and Alex Graves
The Dogs of War Audio Commentary featuring John Wells and Christopher Misiano

S5 Disc 3
The Supremes Audio Commentary featuring Alex Graves, Jesica Yu, and Debora Cahn

S5 Disc 4
In POTUS We Trust (SD 13:39)
Gaza: Anatomy of an Episode (SD 15:04)
Unaired Scenes (SD 5:30)

S6 Disc 3
King Corn Audio Commentary featuring John Wells and Alex Graves

S6 Disc 4
In God We Trust Audio Commentary featuring Lawrence O'Donnell Jr. and Christopher Misiano
2162 Votes Audio Commentary featuring John Wells and Alex Graves
C.J. Cregg: From Press Secretary to Chief of Staff (SD 14:44)