I liked Charlie too, although he doesn't quite get into my "favourite 5 West Wing Gang".
I was particularly taken by him on his debut episode, when he was applying for the messenger job, but finds himself being intrusively questioned by Josh for the president's Personal Aide. The confusion in Charlie's face is wonderful; but despite the confusion he always remains polite to Josh, calling him "Sir" and apologising. But the one line that really makes me smile/endears me to him is ...
Quote
I’ve got a driver’s licence and my own bike so...
Almost at once I am visualising Charlie Young on his push bike, following the President in the corridors of the White House.
However, I wasn't a big fan when he hitched up with Zoe, although I can understand the reasoning by means of creating one or two decent story lines. But it just didn't feel natural to my way of thinking.
And then come seasons 6 and 7, Charlie is no longer Bartlet's personal aide, and he just seemed to wander round through each episode like a 5th wheel. I would have loved to have seen him become more embroiled within the political machinations of the White House/Capital Hill, as well as having one or two story-arcs of his own.
Three stand-out scenes for me (others have already been discussed here):-
"Hartsfield's Landing" (Season 3 15 I think), and CJ & Charlie going toe-to-toe with each with some crazy pranks, until ultimately Charlie wins the day when CJ's desk collapses
Quote
CJ - So, how long do you usually make people your bitch?
Charlie - That Depends.
CJ - Okay.
Then there's ""20 hours in America Part II"" (Season 4 2), and Charlie's wonderful defence of CJ to a disrespecting Anthony
Quote
Charlie - This is Ms. Cregg. She's the White House Press Secretary and senior counsel to the President. And if she wasn't, she would still be Ms. Cregg!
I don't mind you not respecting people. I mind you doing it out loud. I mind you doing it in this building. You wanna be a punk, fine, but I don't think you've got the size for it. You wanna go to juvey, get out, deal, and kill cops? Okay, but every time you do a crime, you get caught, so I think you're gonna have to do something else.
9:00 on Saturday mornings, I eat breakfast at Cosmo's on Delaware. I come here for an hour and do office work, and then I go to St. Jude's for an hour to play basketball. You can go to juvey, or you can be at Cosmo's 9:00 on Saturday morning. It's entirely up to you.
and "Celestial Navigation" (Season 1 15) And Charlie has to ring Jed for his 6:30am wake-up call
Quote
Charlie - Good morning, Mr. President. It’s Charlie. I hope...
POTUS - What could you possibly want right now?
Charlie - Sir, it’s 6:30am, and...
POTUS - In the morning?
Charlie - Yes sir. And I wanted to remind you that...
POTUS - I mean, what in the name of everything holy could you want right now?
Charlie - I wanted to remind you that you have a 7:00 a.m. at the Oval Office with senior staff, followed by your security and intelligence briefings, and a meeting with the Chairman of the Fed. Would you like me to have the stewards bring you some coffee and the Washington Post?
POTUS - Who the hell is this?
Charlie - Sir.
POTUS - And what could you possibly want?
Charlie - Sir. I need you to dig in now. It wasn’t a nightmare. You really are the President.
Brilliant! Especially Charlie's final line.. "..you really are the president!"
Edited July 16, 2017 by Only ZolancG1vNJzZmien6fCrr%2BNqamipZWptq6x0WeaqKVfqbyxtcJoa25xYmZ6pLTAq6OinV2uvLa6xmg%3D