The West Wing's Most Important Episodes

"Two Cathedrals" ends the second season ofThe West WingThe episode gives an emotional sendoff to President Bartlet's secretary and friend, Dolores Landingham. An inebriated driver killed Mrs. Landingham while she drove back to the White House showing Bartlet her new car in "18th & Potomac." As her funeral nears, Bartlet recalls their time together.

Bartlet knew Landingham from her time as a secretary for his father, the headmaster at a boarding school. In "Two Cathedrals," viewers see Jed travel back to early exchanges between Landingham and Bartlet. Landingham was like an older sister to Jed, and her death deeply affects him.

At the National Cathedral, where Mrs. Landingham's funeral happens, Bartlet expresses his frustration, heartache, and pure anger about her death to God. Bartlet swears at God in Latin, then lights a cigarette and puts it out on the church floor.

While President Bartlet faces a congressional probe for hiding his multiple sclerosis, Chief of Staff Leo McGarry flashes back to their first presidential campaign. Leo's flashbacks show New Hampshire, where he first convinced Bartlet to run, and where he saw Bartlet have an MS attack before a big debate.

Leo's vulnerability shows his devotion to Bartlet during his testimony. Leo returns to his office after the ordeal; his boss waits. The president gives Leo a gift: the napkin with "Bartlet for America" Leo wrote years earlier.

Season 2 ofThe West WingThe story continues from Season 1: an attempt on President Bartlet's life. The attacker hits his target, and Bartlet goes to the hospital. Though serious, Bartlet's condition is not as bad as Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman, who suffers a critical injury.

As Josh undergoes surgery, the episode shows the lives and careers of the White House staff before they joined the Bartlet campaign. The two-part episode shows how the staff became devoted Bartlet supporters. More information comes out about the president's health and his multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

In "Twenty Five," Jed Bartlet must choose between being president and a father. After Zoey, Bartlet's youngest daughter, is taken, the president faces the idea that the act might change his Middle East political choices. Unable to stay neutral while Zoey's life hangs in the balance, Bartlet decides to use the 25th amendment and pause his presidency.

With the vice president having resigned in an earlier episode, the line of succession goes to Speaker of the House Gary Allen Walken, the leader of the other political party. Walken immediately clashes with the White House staff.

This move was bold for the.The episode 'Twenty Five' is in 'The West Wing's Most Important Episodes'.West Wing.It reminded the audience the president—even the one on TV—is fallible and vulnerable. Aaron Sorkin, series creator and writer, served as showrunner for the last show.The showrunner served as showrunner..

The campaign for President Bartlet's successor hits election day near the end of Season 7. This two-part episode shows if Congressman Matthew Santos or Senator Arnold Vinick becomes the next president. "Election Day, Part 1" opens with Josh Lyman, Santos's campaign manager, speaking to staffers. Both campaigns count votes as they happen while Bartlet's staff considers options for when their boss leaves office.

The first episode ends with the shock of Leo McGarry, Santos's running mate, passing. "Election Day, Part 2" starts with shock over McGarry's death and confusion about next steps. Vinick offers to be Santos's vice president. After Santos wins, he makes Vinick his secretary of state.

Leo McGarry's loss affects everyone. Leo was a long-time friend of President Bartlet in his political and personal life. Santos relied on McGarry's political skill for his presidency; he cannot expect that now. The show included the passing of actor John Spencer, who played Leo, following his real-life death. This makes the episode emotional for fans.

The final episode of Season 1, "What Kind Of Day Has It Been," shows President Bartlet answering questions on a college campus. Bartlet's staff works to find an American pilot whose plane crashed over Iraq.

Problems at the International Space Station and a Vice President Hoynes who does not cooperate add anxiety to the day, but everyone seems fine until they are not. As Bartlet leaves town hall, his Secret Service agents scan the crowd for threats. They spot one but cannot pull the president out of danger. The cliffhanger leaves viewers waiting for next season to see the damage.

Looking back, "Shutdown" wasshockingly predictive. "Shutdown" predicted real-world government shutdowns. Aired in November 2003, "Shutdown" shows the Bartlet administration fighting lawmakers who refuse to talk about funding the federal government.

President Bartlet argues with Speaker of the House Jeff Haffley in a political exchange no one, especially the American public, wants. Bartlet feels shaken by the absence of his confidant and wife, Abbey, and deals with advisor Josh Lyman. The president makes a big move, walks with his staff to Capitol Hill. Bartlet's move works, and both sides return to talking about the deal.

Near the end of theThe West WingIn the first season, President Bartlet and his staff felt a general lack of effectiveness and decision-making in the White House. A leaked memo showed staff frustration with the President's lack of bold action and his habit of appeasing enemies to avoid disruption.

Bartlet could not change the armed forces' policy on open homosexuality. He struggled to get his appointees through the Federal Election Commission. Staffers CJ Cregg, Toby Ziegler, and Josh Lyman sought solutions. Chief of Staff Leo McGarry made the final call: "Let Bartlet Be Bartlet."

After that moment, the White House and the show adopted a policy: let President Bartlet pursue a stronger, more progressive agenda.

Senator Howard Stackhouse held a long filibuster to delay the vote on the bipartisan Family Wellness Act. The episode goes into detail about what a filibuster is and how it works, showing that not all filibusters are what they seem.Bartlet's staff watched Stackhouse, an almost 80-year-old man, knowing they could not sustain his effort. They wanted a weekend off. They did not grasp Stackhouse's reason for delaying the vote. They later learned Stackhouse wanted more funding for autism, a disorder his grandson has. The staff used a procedural trick to let the elderly senator rest from his long speech. The vote was delayed."The Supremes" showed President Bartlet fighting the Senate Judiciary Committee over the Supreme Court. After conservative Justice Owen Brady was announced as passing, the Bartlet administration sought a replacement. The Republican-dominated Senate would deny anyone deemed too liberal, so the staff chose Evelyn Baker Lang. Lang disclosed she had an abortion while in law school, making her a major risk. But, in Bartlet's style, a compromise happened.

Bartlet's staff watches Stackhouse, an almost 80-year-old man, thinking he cannot keep going. They just want the weekend. They do not grasp Stackhouse's reason for holding up the vote. The staff learns Stackhouse wants more money for autism, a condition his grandson has. The staff uses a rule to let the old senator rest from his long speech. The vote gets delayed.

"The Supremes" shows President Bartlet fighting the Senate Judiciary Committee over the Supreme Court. The administration seeks a replacement after conservative Justice Owen Brady passes. The Republican Senate will block anyone they see as too liberal. So, the staff picks Evelyn Baker Lang. Lang admits she had an abortion during law school, making her a big problem. Still, Bartlet makes a compromise.

Bartlet nominates two Supreme Court justices instead of one. The White House gets the aging Chief Justice Roy Ashland to resign. This trades him for a liberal on the bench. Lang is nominated for Chief Justice. Christopher Mulready, the Republicans' choice, replaces Brady as an Associate Justice.

"The Midterms" features political action about the midterm elections. President Bartlet speaks sharply against bigotry in one scene. Bartlet feels upset because his rival Elliot Rousch runs for a local job in his hometown. Bartlet vents his anger on conservative radio host Dr. Jenna Jacobs.

On her show, Jacobs uses the Bible to condemn homosexuality. Bartlet speaks to Jacobs at a White House event for the radio media.Bartlet calls her out.Bartlet quotes scripture. He asks questions about right behavior that expose Jacobs's hypocrisy. Bartlet finishes his speech by reminding her no one should sit while the president is present. Then Sam Seaborn steals her crab cake.

The two-part Season 4 opener, "20 Hours In America," puts Toby Zeigler, Josh Lyman, and Donna Moss in Indiana. President Bartlet's motorcade leaves them. The staffers work hard to return to Washington, DC. Meanwhile, the president handles both foreign and domestic problems.

A stock market slide, a threat from Qumar, and a bombing at a Midwestern college alerted the White House. Real conversations Toby, Josh, and Donna share on the road give the episode its heart. "20 Hours in America" shows life outside the political bubble. In Indiana, Toby and Josh talk to Matt Kelley, who worries about his daughter's college tuition. This talk pushes them to argue for changes to US tax policy later, showing the experience affects the Bartlet administration.

Season 4, episode six, "Game On," focuses on the debate between President Bartlet and Governor Robert Richie. Bartlet prepares with his staff, who worry about other things—including losing the president's lucky tie. Bartlet calms their fears as he shows he is ready for the debate. They question how to bring back the excitement of past political fights. Abbey cutting Bartlet's tie with scissors starts the action.

The debate shows Aaron Sorkin's signature banter (Paul Redford co-wrote the episode). Bartlet beats Richie easily, positioning himself for reelection.

The episode title, "Election Night," suggests politics. The main part concerns President Jed Bartlet's health. After Bartlet votes for reelection, his hands shake—the first sign of trouble. Votes come in during "Election Night." After winning, Bartlet goes off his teleprompter script. When Abbey and his wife (and doctor) question him, Bartlet admits he could not see it.

From this point, President Bartlet's MS gets worse. His illness was part of previous seasons, first secret, then a political weakness. Now, it becomes a constant danger.

By "2162 Votes."The West WingThis episode appears in the sixth season and the search for a new president continues. Matthew Santos, Robert Russell, and John Hoynes compete for the Democratic nomination at the convention. Bartlet's staffers work with the candidates: Josh Lyman joins Santos, and Will Bailey supports Russell. They try to unite behind a nominee. Efforts fail to secure delegates or get Hoynes to back Santos or Russell. Rumors suggest Russell's vice presidential running mate, Eric Baker, plans to run for the nomination alone.

President Bartlet handles a crisis threatening astronauts on the International Space Station. A media leak about saving the astronauts pulls Bartlet toward the convention. Bartlet endorses Santos, making him the frontrunner.

The theme of "The Indians In The Lobby," woven through the stories, is inclusion. Thanksgiving nears, and President Bartlet struggles with holiday plans and turkey cooking.One hilarious exchange occurs.Bartlet calls the Butterball hotline. The White House also handles the extradition of a young criminal from Italy while members of the Stockbridge-Munsee Indian tribe occupy the White House lobby.

Season 3, episode seven, "The Indians In The Lobby" examines the core ideas of being American. President Bartlet experiences all the rights, restrictions, and challenges through this, needing a fake identity to get information from the Butterball hotline.