The West Wing, season 4

FOUR-STAR EPISODES: 5
AVERAGE EPISODE RATING: 3.1
-20 Hours in America ****
As a follow-up to one of the most hard-hitting episodes in show history, this double-length season-opener is perhaps the funniest ever. Relaxed and smoooth funny...like the smooth of a fifty year-old whiskey (i'm imagining). Josh, Toby, and Donna get accidentally left behind by the motorcade in Indiana. A comedy of errors (running out of gas, a time zone change, a wrong-way train, mean girls on bikes...) follows. Amy Adams (CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, THE MUPPETS) plays a modern farmer's daughter. Ernestine Jackson and Tommy Lafitte play diner proprietors who possibly offer the most funny-per-second in show history (get the dry rub). Sam has to spend the day staffing the President, making him realize how dumb he is. C.J. struggles with resentment from Simon's "little brother", until Charlie schools him. Debbie finally earns the personal secretary position, and Ms. Tomlin is a delight. Qumar reopens the investigation into Shareef's death, leading to some tense (but still funny) scenes between Jed, Fitz, and Nancy. Just when you thought you'd never see her again, Mallory appears. She takes a tired Sam home...let your imagination go where it will, because we won't see her again for two years. In the midst of all this lightness, domestic terrorists set off pipe bombs at a college swim meet. Jed's remarks in the aftermath put a lump in my throat. Fantastic.
-College Kids ***
Joanna Gleason is back as attorney Jordan Kendall, who is brought in to consult when Qumar's suspicions may force the administration to reveal the assassination. The show has grown in stature enough that pop stars are no longer merely loaning their songs, they're appearing live, as Barenaked Ladies and Aimee Mann appear at a "Rock the Vote" function (she sings a beautiful cover of James Taylor's "Shed a Little Light"). Amy and Josh, post-breakup, still have beautiful chemistry.
-The Red Mass ***
How is this episode not about cancer? The President and staff attend a mass, along with the leaders of congress. George Coe returns as Senator Stackhouse, whose issue-raising and tentative inclusion in the debates may split the democratic vote. The final scene between he and Jed, on the church steps, is a beaut. Blaming Israel for Shareef's death, the qumaris shoot down a plane containing their foreign minister (Malachi Throne, whose 1966 role as STAR TREK's Commodore Mendez makes him the only actor to appear on two of the three greatest television shows of all time). Denied the number of debates they want, Sam and C.J. suggest a go-for-broke tactic, with just one no-holds debate. A tantalizing once-only appearance by Hilary Salvatore as staffer Emily, who sucks the air out of the room in a silly scene with Charlie.
-Debate Camp ***
As the Bartlet team prepares for the debate, the humor is flowing and flashbacks take us to the pre-inauguration four years before, when lots of freshman mistakes were made. Take your sentimental side out for a walk, for Kathryn Joosten's final appearance as Mrs. Landingham. In California, an underdog congressional candidate dies, but his staff keeps campaigning. Sam speaks to the chief of staff, and WW audiences get their first taste of Joshua Malina as the brilliant, principled Will Bailey (Sorkin audiences have had plenty of tastes, as Josh is about to become the first actor to be a lead on two separate Sorkin shows, a distinction he will one day share only with a certain Mr. Whitford). There's something charmingly unique about this episode...it feels familiar, yet ever-so-faintly like a different creative team was responsible.
-Game On ***
Abbey's funniest (tie-cutting) moment in show history, the funniest practical joke in show history (at Toby's expense), and a stirring debate victory over James Brolin's Governor Ritchie. Hal Holbrook's final appearance as Albie Duncan, and this time his crustiness is augmented by a moment that may bring a tear to your eye. Jordan Kendall is called in, after a Qumari ship carrying weapons for terrorists is seized. Leo has a tense standoff with their ambassador, played by the brilliant Tony Amendola (STARGATE: SG1). John Aniston moderates the debate. Will Bailey's quixotic dedication makes a believer out of Sam, who promises to run in the special election if Will's dead candidate wins. And the debut of...Snuffin!!! Elsie (Danica McKellar - THE WONDER YEARS) is wonderful, funny, and knows how to watch Sam walk away better than anyone in the biz. Sigh. If Sam hadn't left the show...
-Election Night ***
As Bartlet wins in a landslide (and romances Abbey to candlelight, Dean Martin, and Commander-in-Chief innuendo), Sam watches the unthinkable happen...a deceased democrat win a heavily-republican district. Debbie's first scenes as Bartlet's new secretary are funny and seamless. Toby's ex-wife finally gets pregnant (using his sperm). He pressures her to re-marry, as she re-wins her congressional seat. Donna accidentally votes for Ritchie, and stands for six hours in the cold trying to get a republican to swap votes. A charming way to meet the charming Jack Reese (Christian Slater - HEATHERS, PUMP UP THE VOLUME), the stranger who finally says yes...just as he's on his way to assume his new military post at the White House. Even though a part of us wants him nowhere near Donna, he's perfect in his role. Bruno couldn't care less when a pollster takes undue credit for the victory...he's trying to get his post-victory mack on.
-Process Stories ***
Never has Rob Lowe been more smooth and precise than in this story arc that will end his run as a WEST WING regular. As he scrambles to get out of his well-intentioned commitment to run for congress, he and others start to reconsider. In a sweetly funny scene, Toby tells Jed and Abbey that Andrea is several months pregnant, and has to explain why he waited so long to tell them. The Andrea pregnancy/courting is the perfect plot line to give our Mr. Schiff. The post-election party continues, and Bruno's celebratory womanizing is a thing of beauty - dialogue doesn't come any sharper. Leo and Jordan continue their beautiful banter. Jack explains to Donna why the military needs a $400 ashtray...and suddenly my protests about military wastefulness seem silly. Don't worry, i'm already over it, but it's a great moment nonetheless.
-Swiss Diplomacy ***
The all-time funniest moments of playful, imperious Bartlet braggadocio? Through back channels, the Ayatollah comes to the U.S. for help, when his son needs a heart operation available only in the U.S. Complicating matters, the Ayatollah condemns the U.S. when word gets out, and the only doctor available (Bernard White - THE MATRIX RELOADED) is a reluctant persian refugee who was persecuted by Iran.
Josh has to corral Hoynes, who is (apparently) trying to lock up the nomination for the next election, only days after the last one. Toby fights to get an appointment for an outgoing congressperson (Lucinda Jenney - G.I. JANE), who lost her seat because she spearheaded a White House fossil fuel package. Plus, some Snuffin!
-Arctic Radar ****
A female pilot faces charges for disobeying an order to cease a romance with an inferior officer - an order that never would have been given to a male. Women's groups (and all the women of the White House) are up in arms, as the senior staff dances around the issue. Some prime Fitz, and some nice Amy. Sam is alarmed to find that Will won't lead his campaign, but he makes lemonade by diverting Will to the White House, where he knows Toby is getting nowhere with the inauguration speech, but averse to having anyone replace Sam. Will and Toby reject the matchmaking, until they stop being polite. It's Josh Malina's finest scene in WW history - before he's even an official regular. The Donna/Jack romance begins in earnest, as she gets Josh to talk her up. The underlying discomfort he feels is so skillfully buried, it feels like only the audience is privy to it. Some prime Bartlet comedy as U.N. diplomats try to get out of paying parking tickets.
-Holy Night ***
On paper, one of the best WEST WING episodes ever. The return of Zoey (Elizabeth Moss), with a snooty french boyfriend who taunts Charlie. The return of Adam Arkin, for a Bartlet/Keyworth scene! The return of Danny Concannon, with a Santa kiss for C.J.!! Plus...Whiffenpoofs! But it never rises above disjointed goodness, mostly because of the A plot, in which Toby is begrudgingly reunited with his estranged father (Jerry Adler - MAD ABOUT YOU, THE SOPRANOS), an ex-con. Flashbacks show the day Toby was born, in Brooklyn.
-Guns Not Butter ***
Danny pursues a lead in the Shareef murder. Josh Malina renders up the greatest goat-take in show history (its place in the pantheon of television's great goat-takes is less certain). The staff struggles (and fails) to get the votes for a foreign aid bill. They take a (symbolic) group photo with said goat.
-The Long Goodbye ***
Exquisitely acted, beautifully written. They aimed for transcendent...and fell short. The sum isn't equal to the parts, and it's hard to say exactly why. The most C.J.-heavy episode of the series, and Allison was of course up to the moment. She returns home for a school reunion and to see her Dad (Donald Moffat - THE THING, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER), who is spiraling into Alzheimer's dementia. Matthew Modine (FULL METAL JACKET, VISION QUEST) is the third side of this tremendous thespianic triangle, as an ex-punk/jock into whose arms the lonely, miserable Claudia falls. Verna Bloom (ANIMAL HOUSE) plays the step-mom who deserted her husband. C.J. gives an interrupted reunion speech...it's all so very good that you probably won't care it's not excellent. The first (hazy) sex scene in show history.
-Inauguration ***
A fine episode that lacks sharpness. As the staff prepares for the inauguration (and the speechwriting thereof), tensions mount as genocide erupts in Africa. The high point is an hysterical scene between Will and Asst. Sec. of State for Public Affairs Bryce Lilly (Granville Van Dusen - SOAP, JUDGING AMY). Malina's strained respect is the perfect foil for Van Dusen's unctuous snobbery. Will also has a great scene with Jed. In the big picture, Malina will never quite fully leave Sam's shadow, but that's through no fault of his own. Danny returned several episodes ago, but this is the first one in which he REALLY returns, in an office scene wherein C.J. demonstrates what she would to to "have" him.
-Inauguration: Over There ***
At Will's spurring (to Toby's great displeasure), Jed is forced to admit that kundunese lives are less important to him than american. This ultimately leads to a re-write of the inauguration speech at the 11th hour, announcing a global doctrine of oppression intolerance. Will is promoted from temp to Deputy Communications Director. It's all well done, but not without a little gulp at the realization that Sam is really gone (even though he has a couple more episodes). The flirtation between Josh and Donna on the way to the ball is more brazen than any before...so bawdy that it feels like something that can't be backtracked (though they manage to for several more seasons). Plus Jill Sobule!
-The California 47th ***
The President and staff travel to Orange County to campaign for Sam. Toby and Charlie get arrested in a bar, defending Andy's honor from a man who don't like single mothers. Some well-placed Fitz, Fiderer, Snuffin, and Zoey (with aggravating french boyfriend). Will is left to work alone on a budget speech, which gets fast-tracked, requiring him to turn to the interns after the writing staff quits (on account of him). Nice banter with Cassie (Claire Coffee) and the three Laurens. Jed fires Sam's campaign manager (Matthew Glave - THE WEDDING SINGER, ROCK STAR), and installs Toby.
-Red Haven's on Fire ***
And...fare ye well, Sammy Seaborn. Rob Lowe's last appearance before departing to, um...DR. VEGAS (and the ten episodes they produced prior to cancellation). One last sweet scene with Toby, by his side as he prepares to get creamed in the election. Josh dismisses Abbey's attempts at legislative input, so she hires Amy as her chief of staff. Jed sends troops to stop the genocide in Kundu. Three american soldiers are captured; he and Leo have some touching scenes with their relatives (including Carrie Snodgrass - PALE RIDER), as they wait for news.
-Privateers ***
And the post-Seaborn era starts with a lift from...Marion Cotesworth-Hay! A dowdy new englander (Helen Slayton-Hughes) is organizing a boycott of Zoey's induction into the Daughters of the American Revolution, because Abbey's ancestor was a pirate. C.J. can't keep a straight face. Charlie refuses to stop pursuing Zoey. Amy gets liberally hazed her first day. A corporate whistle blower (the thoroughly competent Jeff Perry - WILD THINGS, NASH BRIDGES) uses his friendship with Toby to get immunity, a bit disingenuously. Is it a coincidence that Sorkin left his post as head writer only six episodes after Sam leaves? Probably. Did Sorkin only stay through season 4 to ease that transition? Probably not.
-Angel Maintenance ***
The President, C.J., Will, and Charlie get stranded on Air Force One, when a landing gear light malfunctions. Josh meets with a liberal republican congressman (Matt McCoy - THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE) to work on a bipartisan bill, but members of both parties cripple the bill and the congressman's career. Toby has a meeting with congressman Mark Richardson (Thom Barry, in his third and final appearance), who wants to reinstate the draft in order to balance the skin colors among military casualties. George Wyner (HILL STREET BLUES, SPACEBALLS) plays a petty congressperson. James Morrison (24) pilots Air Force One.
-Evidence of Things Unseen ***
The most poker-rich episode in show history (and that's a very good thing). Late at night, shots are fired at the White House, which goes into crash mode. Jed is on the phone with the russian president, talking about a lost spy plane. Josh is interviewing a counsel's office applicant (Matthew Perry - FRIENDS, STUDIO 60) who is mum about his republican affiliation. Keep your sidelong glances and snide sneers, Matt does an impeccable job. The position he's applying for is Ainsley's...the first time we learn that she's gone. At first, one is quite sad upon hearing this...but when you think about it, did you really want to have her live in a Seaborn-less world? Lily is a delight at the poker table. Plus a lil' Butterfield, a little Zoey...just very nice.
-Life on Mars ****
On his first day, counsel Joe Quincy uncovers a White House security leak that leads to the Vice President. A torrid scandal forces Hoynes to resign. Powerful work between Matheson, Sheen, and Spencer. Cassie and the Laurens help Will conceptualize a political ad. C.J. has some snappy repartee with Mr. Perry, and talks to Stu Winkle (the greatest unseen voice in show history...the fact that the actor's name is Sam Pancake is just an unexpected little gift from the gods). Toby buys a house for Andy, and proposes to her once more. In one of his most poignant scenes ever, she rejects him because he's too sad and angry. Like he, we thought she was just playing hard to get. Searing.
-Commencement ****
The run of non-great episodes that marked the second half of season 4, is resolutely over. As Danny prepares to go public with the truth about Shareef's assassination, intelligence loses track of a terrorist sleeper cell. After rejecting Toby's proposal, Andy's water broke. Ayre Gross (SOUL MAN, ELLEN) plays her wonderfully cheeky doctor. Donna explains Josh to Amy...making Amy realize what we all already knew. And in the most powerful payoff to seeds sown seasons ago imaginable, Zoey prepares to go to France with her amoral boyfriend. She gets a new security detail, headed by Agent Wesley (a wonderful two-episode appearance by Taye Diggs - CHICAGO, HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK). At a nightclub graduation party, she is given ecstasy. One of her agents gets a bullet in the head, and Zoey is kidnapped. The song "Angel", by Massive Attack, provides the emotional texture for one of the most startling, disturbing sequences in show history.
-Twenty Five ****
Sorkin and Schlamme's swan song. Has there ever been a send-off more...okay, pardon the alliteration, i won't say "sensational". But the wallop of this one is breathtaking. Retaliatory strikes against the bahi are prepared, though Zoey's kidnappers remain unknown. Distracted and obsessed, Jed temporarily abdicates the Presidency. With no Vice President, the republican speaker of the house, Glenallen Walken (the redoubtable John Goodman - THE BIG LEBOWSKI, MONSTERS INC.) steps in. He's perfect. Emilio Estevez plays the young Jed in home movies. Toby meets his twin babies, and has an amazing scene with them. Harry Groener is back for a quickie as Roger Tribby. The pediatric nurse is played by Vernee Watson-Johnson, who was lovely on CARTER COUNTRY (1977-1979), a fact remembered by me and three others, all of whom actually live in Carter country. A million and three thanks, Tommy and Aaron.