I only started watching The West Wing a few summers ago. The first episode I saw was a season finale and a suspenseful one at that. I thought it was a good show, but I had a lot of catching up to do.
That summer, I watched probably 2 old episodes a day on Bravo, so when fall came again, I knew the characters and loved the show.
In December, John Spencer (Leo McGarry on the show) passed away. Tonight was the first of about 5 episodes that had already been taped. It was sad to watch an episode that featured Leo. It is strikingly odd that in the world of TV land, characters are carefully planned. If someone “dies off” it is scripted.
In real life, it is not so carefully planned. Spencer’s unexpected death causes the world of TV to take a lesson from reality. This carefully written show must now try to fill a deeply felt void. ironic
Life & Love & Why 