📺 “The West Wing” The Short List | Netflix

Watched "The West Wing" The Short List from Netflix
Directed by Bill D'Elia. With Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney. When a Supreme Court justice retires, President Bartlet has a golden opportunity to impact the court's composition by nominating a favorite judge but when further study reveals the candidate's conflicting ideology, the President might change his mind and opt for another judge. In addition, a headline seeking congressman on the House Government Oversight Committee accuses the White House staff of ...

📺 “The West Wing” Enemies | Netflix

Watched "The West Wing" Enemies from Netflix
Directed by Alan Taylor. With Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney. A crucial banking bill is at risk when political rivals of environmentally sensitive President Bartlet attach a land-use rider to it that would allow strip-mining some of the Montana wilderness. C.J. tries to stamp out rumors that the Chief Executive chastised the Vice President during a cabinet meeting. An overworked Leo isn't too keen on his independent daughter Mallory dating the handsome Sam....

📺 “The West Wing” The State Dinner | Netflix

Watched "The West Wing" The State Dinner from Netflix
Directed by Thomas Schlamme. With Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney. While preparing for (and enduring) a state dinner for the newly-elected president of Indonesia, staff deal with a multitude of other problems: Josh and Mandy argue over the best way to handle an FBI standoff with militants in Idaho; Leo (and eventually Bartlet) intervenes in a negotiations between the Teamsters Union and national reps for the trucking industry; Toby tries to convince an ...

📺 “The West Wing” Mr. Willis of Ohio | Netflix

Watched "The West Wing" Mr. Willis of Ohio from Netflix
Directed by Christopher Misiano. With Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney. In the first of several episodes throughout the series' run that portrays ordinary Americans and how they interact with and ultimately affect the W.H., an Ohio middle school social studies teacher, a widower who has recently filled the brief remaining term of his late wife in the House, joins two other reps to meet with Toby and Mandy about changes to unfair rules in the U.S. Census written into ...

📺 “The West Wing” The Crackpots and These Women | Netflix

Watched "The West Wing" The Crackpots and These Women from Netflix
Directed by Anthony Drazan. With Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney. On the series' first "Big Block of Cheese" Day (nicknamed "Total Crackpot Day" by Josh), staffers meet with reps of various organizations causes, e.g., C.J. hosts a group that wants $900 million for a "wolves only" highway. The president has everyone to the residence for a homemade chili party, we learn about Mrs. Landingham's past, and Zoey is introduced to the group, including Charlie, for whom...

📺 “The West Wing” Five Votes Down | Netflix

Watched "The West Wing" Five Votes Down from Netflix
Directed by Michael Lehmann. With Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney. When an admittedly weak gun-control bill the White House has been backing turns out to be five votes short of House passage, Josh makes deals and threats to several Democratic reps, while Leo appeals to Hoynes for help. Elsewhere, while working the bill, Leo misses his anniversary, which he tries in vain to atone for, but eventually his wife Jenny decides to leave him.

📺 “The West Wing” A Proportional Response | Netflix

Watched "The West Wing" A Proportional Response from Netflix
Directed by Marc Buckland. With Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney. After being offered "a proportional response" to the Syrian military's downing of a U.S. military plane on a medical mission (and carrying his newly named personal physician), the president demands an option that will have greater impact. Leo gradually must talk him down, while Bartlet snipes at everyone, including Abby. The president ultimately agrees to the initial option, but is not happy ...

📺 "House of Cards" Chapter 55 | Netflix

Watched "House of Cards" Chapter 55 from Netflix
Directed by Alik Sakharov. With Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Campbell Scott. The day before the election, Conway holds a 24-hour Skype session with voters, while Frank and Claire stump in key States and try to discredit him.

📺 "House of Cards" Chapter 54 | Netflix

Watched "House of Cards" Chapter 54 from Netflix
Directed by Daniel Minahan. With Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Paul Sparks. Frank and his team work to leverage support in key states by any means necessary. Claire learns some upsetting news about one of Frank's friends.

📺 “House of Cards” Chapter 53 | Netflix

Watched "House of Cards" Chapter 53 from Netflix
Directed by Daniel Minahan. With Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Paul Sparks. As congress debates investigating Frank, he and Claire attempt to stoke fear of terrorism. Tom Yates continues his stay in the White House.

📺 "Madam Secretary" Ghosts | CBS

Watched "Madam Secretary" Ghosts from CBS
Directed by Rob J. Greenlea. With Téa Leoni, Tim Daly, Keith Carradine, Patina Miller. While in Thailand, Henry finds himself at the center of an international incident when an ex-girlfriend is imprisoned for criticizing the monarchy. Elizabeth helps Jason prep for college.

📺 "Madam Secretary" Requiem | CBS

Watched "Madam Secretary" Requiem from CBS
Directed by Eric Stoltz. With Téa Leoni, Tim Daly, Keith Carradine, Patina Miller. When the remains of U.S. soldiers who served in World War II are uncovered in Southeast Asia, Elizabeth's hopes of bringing them home quickly fade when a stubborn leader stands in her way. Also, Henry and Stevie find themselves publicly targeted by a restaurant owner who is angry about Elizabeth's policies, and Alison volunteers for a local congressional campaign.

📺 "House of Cards" Chapter 52 | Netflix

Watched "House of Cards" Chapter 52 from Netflix
Directed by Jakob Verbruggen. With Jayne Atkinson, Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly. As the hostage situation continues, Claire secretly negotiates with an extremist leader. Frank confronts Hammerschmidt.
Reviewing a bit to catch the flow of the coming seasons. Somehow I missed the subsequent season, so now I’ve happily got two seasons to catch up on as the series winds to what I suspect will be an end.

📺 "The Romanoffs" The Royal We | Amazon

Watched "The Romanoffs" The Royal We from Amazon
Directed by Matthew Weiner. With Corey Stoll, Kerry Bishé, Janet Montgomery, Noah Wyle. With their marriage in a rut, a couple finds their own temptations.
Weiner is good at creating uncomfortable moments here. It’s nice that it’s not completely predictable, but sometimes I’m not sure why I’ve bought into it.

📺 "The Romanoffs" The Violet Hour | Amazon

Watched "The Romanoffs" The Violet Hour from Amazon
Directed by Matthew Weiner. With Aaron Eckhart, Marthe Keller, Louise Bourgoin, Inès Melab. Set in Paris, an ancestral home holds the key to a family's future.
A quirkily plotted little show to be sure. I’m curious to see how it’s structured in the long term given what I’ve heard about it.