The Great West Wing Rewatch: 7.18 "Requiem"

Joel: I mentioned in yesterday’s recap that there was really no way around having Leo’s death come when it did. It couldn’t happen too early because it would impact the election storyline. But it had to happen before Santos was declared victorious because we couldn’t have the image of the new President elect and VP elect raising their arms victoriously. That left the very small window of on the actual election day for Leo to die. And while that was the right choice for them to make I feel, it does come with the negative side effect of only getting a moment or two to mourn the loss of this character before we’re right back into the fast paced, nonstop world of the election.

But now, one epsiode removed from the election we really get some time to sit back and reflect on the loss of Leo. Yes, there is a little bit of political talk here and there as Santos starts to figure out what his first few days in office are going to look like, but for the most part, this episode is about Leo. We get several guest stars back for Leo’s memorial, man of whom we haven't seen in several seasons. We Leo’s funeral, and Bartlet asking for music because Leo would be mad at everyone for acting so sad about the whole thing. (And I think the show agrees with Leo there. Even in an episode about a funeral and memorial service, we still get the silly little bit of poor communication that involves CJ, Danny, Josh, Donna, and sleeping arrangements.)

But perhaps the shining point of the episode was at the end, when a small group of the cast sits around in the residence, just trading stories about Leo. These were the characters who have been with us the longest. They were the ones who loved and will miss Leo the most. It’s small, but has a huge impact as you realize, watching the show, that it’s not just the characters talking about Leo, but it’s the cast talking about John Spencer as well. They’ve been making this show for seven seasons now, and the loss of Spencer had to weigh heavily on the cast. This was a really sweet moment and the perfect way, in a show famous for its nonstop forward momentum, to slow down and take some time to honor a great actor, a wonderful character, and a friend.

Chris: I do appreciate West Wing taking up an episode to give the audience a chance to grieve John Spencer and his character Leo. Leo became a luxury for the cast the last season and a half, the only reason I wouldn't consider him a necessity at that point is because John Spencer and Martin Sheen had already built the frame of the show in the previous 5 seasons. Leo and President Bartlet were the pillars of this shows while all the other characters were being built up and now those are the characters carrying the show now and it wouldn't have been possible without John Spencer. Like Joel, I enjoyed the short moment towards the end when the inner circle of people that knew Leo gathered to tells stories and see a different side of the character/Spencer that the audience didn't get to see. I enjoyed Bartlet's story about the two of them fighting over a parka and it felt like it was his way of showing Josh that the president and the chief of staff aren't going to always agree and are often going to argue but ultimately it's okay and Santos' final meeting with Fields was firm proof that he does listen to Josh.

A good president gets thrown out of a building because of arguing with his chief of staff over a parka.