West Wing Recs

So yes, these are some of my favorite West Wing stories - more to come, I'm sure. Expect most of these to have lots of banter. That's my thing with Sorkin shows. The writers need to bring the banter or I won't get invested.

West Wing (16 Recs)

1. Five Times You’ve Wished You Were That Other Guy by Oro – One of the five things that never happened stories centered on Josh Lyman. It’s wonderful.

2. Mysteries & Scandals by em_meredith - This is a short, fun read that involves all our favorite staff members - CJ, Toby, Sam - as they pass a few minutes trying to figure out what Josh keeps in that backpack of his...making Donna fear for the country. The voices in this are wonderful and there is plenty of back-and-forth dialogue, which really is the essence of the West Wing for me.

3. Five Conversations That Never Happened Between Joshua Lyman & Donnatella Moss by velocityofsound - This is a series of five Josh and Donna conversations, and in these five conversations one can get a glimpse at what makes the two of them so wonderful. There is banter, cluelessness, and plain silliness. All those things any Donna/Josh shipper enjoys from the show. And have I mentioned the banter? I warned y'all that I’m not a real serious type of WW girl!

4. For Love of the Game by Macha - Set during Jed Bartlet's first presidential campaign, CJ starts to make the transition from state to national politics when a question regarding sports initially throws her for a loop. It's a perfect CJ character, smart and desperately trying to prove herself to the boys. It's a great fic to read and there is a mention of that other wonderful Aaron Sorkin show in passing. Not to mention, it's always fun to watch CJ at work and kicking ass in the end.

5. A Decade on Interstate Five by out_there - Expect to see a lot of Annie-related stuff when it comes to Sorkin shows. She has a great grasp on the Sorkin style of banter and she's one of those authors that it's obvious she loves the characters as much as you do. This is a short piece set during the first primary election as the gang travels together and Josh curses the existence of traffic and/or Sam's nerdy side.

6. Old Masters by witchofthedogs - There is something wonderful about a woeful Josh being guided by a paternal Leo. I love it, and I love the bond that the two characters share. While Josh is running Santos' campaign for the primary, he wonders what he gave up to do this and Leo listens. The writing is wonderful, but I think the great thing about this is that the reader really gets a sense of the relationship between not only Josh and Leo, but all the relationships Josh had in the White House. It also captures that feeling of inevitable change in the air.

7. One Night In Iowa by carmen_sandiego - Set during last season's episode over the debate on corn and ethanol in Iowa, Josh is trying to come to terms with the decisions he's making on the campaign trail and all the changes going on. Donna appears at his door. The two talk, realize many things that they *should've* known long ago, and it's just...really well done, a worthy read. It's what most Josh/Donna fans wanted to happen last season. It has banter, but it has so much more, including drama and clarity and a bubble bath.

8. Girls and Oranges by mcamy - Because I love fluffy future Josh/Donna fic, especially when it involves bathing! (And of course, there is banter – it’s required, you see)

9. Do It Yourself by jo_march - I’m not sure anyone writes Josh and Donna better than Jo, aside for maybe her usual partner in crime, Ryo. Josh might have a mold problem and then he decides to remodel his bathroom on his own. It’s hysterical. And there are some happy Josh/Donna moments.

10. Into the Great Beyond - winema - Josh forgets Donna’s birthday and has to rush to purchase a gift. And yeah, seriously, love Ryo’s stuff…it’s just perfect Josh/Donna banter.

11. Perfection (Comparisons Are Odious Remix) by out_there - Sam pondering life with the perfect boyfriend and why it's not enough. The best part of this story is the Josh/Sam banter. The Josh is this story makes me happy (okay, as long as he’s in character Josh usually makes me happy).

12. The Right Word (Snap) by AMJ - Sam/Josh. I love introspective Josh and a Josh trying to figure out exactly what Sam is to him is all the more endearing.

13. All My Complications by michellek - It’s hysterical. Josh and Donna are married, but Donna is still in love with Amy (who is presumed dead) and Josh is in love with Sam, but is dying of a disease. Fun with soap opera clichés at its best.

14. The Thinner Skin by Jane St Clair - As Josh recovers from his injuries after Shadow of Two Gunmen, he spends a lot of time with Sam. The writing here is just beautiful.

15. A Winning Strategy Series by Ryo Sen and Jo March – No recs list would be complete without my all-time favorite West Wing series of stories. I love the Josh and Donna presented in these stories. Set in the aftermath of In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, Josh and Donna come up with a strategy to be together and still work together as well. It’s just…if you haven’t read it, really, I don’t know why.

16. Ammendments by Bex – Set on the campaign trail via a series of phone conversations, Josh and Donna try to repair their relationship. It’s wonderful and the banter…yes, please bring me more.