The West Wing: 10 Greatest Ever Moments
6. The "20 Hours In America" Speech - 20 Hours In America
It’s fair to say that Aaron Sorkin’s particular style of writing isn't always to everyone’s taste. Occasionally he can quite fairly be accused of laying on the sentimentality a little bit thick. However, one instance where the writer got it absolutely spot on comes in this season 4 episode, following the tragic news of a bombing during a swim meet at an American University.
A lot of the episode’s focus was on Josh, Toby and Donna’s attempts to make it back to the White House after being left behind by the motorcade, but this dramatic development stops them in their tracks. When President Bartlet then addresses the disaster during a fundraiser, his speech is pure Sorkin gold, filled with soaring oratory and inspiring sentiments, all delivered impeccably by Martin Sheen, whose performance gives the moment even greater gravitas.
A highlight is when Bartlet takes the time to re-emphasise the fact that people ran into the fire in order to help get people out. It’s Sheen at his very best and, along with Sorkin’s writing, it creates a powerful moment of reflection:
“The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels, but every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we’re reminded that that capacity may well be limitless.”