This scene is so powerful and speaks to Martin Sheen’s skill as an actor. All he has to do is respond to the news Charlie brings him, in which he only respond with “Okay”, and yet clearly there is so much more going on inside his mind. This boy, Lowell Lydell, had no connection to him and yet he’s distraught by his loss. This is highlighted by the innocence of the children across the room and the sheer joy the President gets simply by entertaining and interacting with them. He knows that Lowell was a child just like them, that his murder was committed by children like them, and-despite the innocence and youth all of them share-such a horrible thing happened. President Bartlet remains one of my favorite fictional characters because, like in this scene, he cherishes every life and recognizes the beauty in each and every person whether he meets them or not.
And of course I shouldn’t leave out the wonderful acting by Allison Janney and Dulé Hill in this scene too. They too are shaken to the core by this news and that’s amplified in them by the President’s response, as if they both knew how much he cared and that his sadness is a gut punch to them in it of itself.
Doesn't seem like all that long ago that I was watching this episode when it aired. And then I discover that the actor who plays little Jeffrey Lucas is now 30 years old.
@@DanKetchum007 Funny, when I hear the term "potluck," I think of an occasion where everyone provides a dish. And in that case, a kid is REALLY potluck: the people who made it think it's great, while everyone else often finds themselves nodding politely.
This scene is so powerful and speaks to Martin Sheen’s skill as an actor. All he has to do is respond to the news Charlie brings him, in which he only respond with “Okay”, and yet clearly there is so much more going on inside his mind. This boy, Lowell Lydell, had no connection to him and yet he’s distraught by his loss. This is highlighted by the innocence of the children across the room and the sheer joy the President gets simply by entertaining and interacting with them. He knows that Lowell was a child just like them, that his murder was committed by children like them, and-despite the innocence and youth all of them share-such a horrible thing happened. President Bartlet remains one of my favorite fictional characters because, like in this scene, he cherishes every life and recognizes the beauty in each and every person whether he meets them or not.
And of course I shouldn’t leave out the wonderful acting by Allison Janney and Dulé Hill in this scene too. They too are shaken to the core by this news and that’s amplified in them by the President’s response, as if they both knew how much he cared and that his sadness is a gut punch to them in it of itself.
This is one of may favorite scenes from west wing
Doesn't seem like all that long ago that I was watching this episode when it aired. And then I discover that the actor who plays little Jeffrey Lucas is now 30 years old.
Just like when Bush was informed about 9/11 when reading to a classroom
Kids before 10 are angels. Kids after 10 are devils.
Kids before conception are angels. After that, it's potluck.
@@DanKetchum007 Funny, when I hear the term "potluck," I think of an occasion where everyone provides a dish. And in that case, a kid is REALLY potluck: the people who made it think it's great, while everyone else often finds themselves nodding politely.