C.M. Connelly

Like so many others, I found Allyson Janney's CJ Cregg engaging and appealing, but she was not alone. John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, and Richard Schiff were also brilliant contributors to this extraordinary ensemble. Their performances of these increasingly complex characters elevated Sorkin's great ideas and sparkling dialogue. Martin Sheen's portrayal of a man struggling to live up to his own standards in the face of his imperfections was inspiring. Re-watching this series in the context of today's white house can be demoralizing, but it can also keep alight the ideal of integrity playing a part in the executive branch.