When I Grow Up, I Want to Be Toby Ziegler!

Let’s just get one thing straight – Aaron Sorkin is a god amongst scriptwriters.

If you disagree, then this post isn’t for you, ‘cause you obviously lack taste and I don’t think I want to be seen with you any more in case it rubs off…

To me, The West Wing is a masterclass in scriptwriting. I’m not saying it’s the best show on telly – that honour has to go to the stupendous Doctor Who – but watching an episode of The West Wing is like mainlining scene structure and dialogue.

Sorkin knows how to craft a scene with clear motivations and immense momentum that carries you through the hectic, embolism-inducing speed of the complex political dialogue. Even when the dialogue zooms past you at a rate that makes you plead for the poor actors to be given a comma for Christmas, the political thrust is less important than the impact the dialogue has in creating motivation, emotion and narrative flow.

Half the time I have absolutely no idea what the characters are discussing - after all, the intricate workings of the US political system are impenetrable to most Americans, never mind viewers overseas. Yet the characters are so well anchored that the drama always shines through.

But I have to admit, I always perk up when Toby Ziegler comes on screen.

Beautifully characterised by Richard Schiff, Toby is the wordsmith I would aspire to but could never hope to be. To see him verbally spar is to watch words being used as weapons, each carefully selected for maximum effect.

Dry wit, acerbic sarcasm, uplifting hyperbole; Toby displays an understanding of the English language probably beyond 99% of us.

I have always been fascinated with language in all its forms. The ability to construct and convey ideas and the subtleties that the right choice of words or praising can achieve have always enthralled me.

Part of me wants to adopt the gruff, arrogant superiority Toby displays. Maybe I should grow a beard and adopt grumpiness as my default setting. After all, Toby always seems to have a certain air of satisfaction as he deftly carves up an opponent with well-honed and obscenely intelligent debate.

If anything else, it would be fun.