The West Wing Episode Guide

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The Stormy Present

Original Airdate: 2004-01-07

Synopsis:

En route to a funeral, Bartlet discusses the burdens of office with a former president (James Cromwell) and the House speaker (John Goodman); a congresswoman demands the return of her state's Bill of Rights, stolen by a Union soldier.

Abu El Banat

Original Airdate: 2003-12-03

Synopsis:

News of relief workers jailed in northern Sudan oppresses the holiday spirit at the tree-lighting ceremony; the president welcomes his three daughters; Toby tries to keep the administration out of a debate over doctor-assisted suicide.

Shutdown

Original Airdate: 2003-11-19

Synopsis:

The president engages in a war of wills with the House speaker (Steven Culp), resulting in a government shutdown; Bartlet seeks to end the fiscal crisis by challenging Republicans in the halls of the Capitol.

Separation of Powers

Original Airdate: 2003-11-12

Synopsis:

Toby dispatches former Supreme Court clerk Joe Quincy (Matthew Perry) to check on the condition of the stricken chief justice; the president focuses on a crucial national television interview.

Disaster Relief

Original Airdate: 2003-11-05

Synopsis:

Bartlet flies to Oklahoma to lend support to tornado victims, while Leo contends with crises that need the president's immediate attention; Josh lands in the dog house after a miscalculation costs the Democrats dearly.

Constituency of One

Original Airdate: 2003-10-29

Synopsis:

Josh skirmishes with a conservative senator (Tom Skerritt) over a backlog of military promotions; the new vice president (Gary Cole) makes a flattering offer to Will; CJ's unscripted statements anger Leo.

Han

Original Airdate: 2003-10-22

Synopsis:

A North Korean pianist slips President Bartlet a message saying he wants to defect; a backdoor campaign seeks approval for the vice president (Gary Cole), but there is one holdout; Donna gives her aunt and uncle a tour.

Jefferson Lives

Original Airdate: 2003-10-08

Synopsis:

Bartlet endures the painful process of nominating an appropriate candidate for vice president; Amy champions the first lady's violence-prevention provisions for an upcoming bill.

The Dogs of War

Original Airdate: 2003-10-01

Synopsis:

House Speaker Walken (John Goodman) presides over the bombardment of terrorist camps; Zoey's kidnappers deliver an ultimatum; Toby visits his newborn twins while drafting two presidential speeches that hinge on Zoey's fate.

7A WF 83429

Original Airdate: 2003-09-24

Synopsis:

The search continues for the president's abducted daughter; the administration weighs launching a pre-emptive military strike; news breaks about Bartlet's approval for the assassination of a terrorist leader.

Twenty-Five

Original Airdate: 2003-05-14

Synopsis:

President Bartlet shuts down Washington, D.C., and orders the Fifth Fleet to the Persian Gulf, as he contends with a national crisis on the night of his daughter's graduation.

Commencement

Original Airdate: 2003-05-07

Synopsis:

The president works on a speech to give at Zoey's graduation; several suspected terrorists disappear; Charlie decides whether to follow through a romantic promise he made to Zoey when they were dating.

Life on Mars

Original Airdate: 2003-04-30

Synopsis:

A minor press-leak begins to snowball until it becomes a major problem discovered by the new White House attorney (Matthew Perry).

Evidence of Things Not Seen

Original Airdate: 2003-04-23

Synopsis:

The staff remains under lockdown after a gunman fires at the White House; Josh interviews a candidate (Matthew Perry) for the position of associate counsel.