Farris The West Wing

The most pressing issue that the pilot episode of The West Wing seemed to revolve around was illegal immigration. A group of Cuban refugees on rafts and other forms of flimsy transportation were making their way towards the US through a storm in the Gulf. Government officials debated throughout the entire episode about how to handle the situation, and whether they should send rescue to the stranded few. When the President, as portrayed by actor Martin Sheen, finally stepped in at the end of the episode, he suggested that help be sent to rescue these stranded Cubans, and commented that help should be sent to the refugees, because they are coming to the United States seeking a better life and should be welcomed with open arms. This opinion on immigration is a stark contrast to the opinions witnessed in recent years, especially through the Bush administration who wanted increasingly tighter border control to keep out illegal immigrants.

Another noticeable issue in this episode of The West Wing was the fact that the President seemed to play a parental roll in the White House, and was responsible for for the constant upkeep of the members of his staff and office. The President's assistants, who are supposed to be making life easier for him, get themselves into various forms of trouble, i.e. the sex scandal of the communications director and the insulting of a Christian group on national television by the Deputy Chief of staff, forcing the President to step in and control the situation. Whether an accurate White House portrayal or not, it is interesting to see these government officials in a much more intimate setting, rather than the usual prim and proper-ness that is usually seen by the American public.