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So I'm watching my Three Seasons of West Wing on DVD right? And I'm at peace with the universe. I'm laughing at the dialogue, I'm wincing at all the screwups the characters make. (Not the writing or the acting. They never miss a mark anywhere in the first three seasons.) I'm happy, I'm awed, I'm amused, entertained, taught, comforted, frustrated, educated, I could go on for a while.

Then I go on the 'net and find a series of episode summaries for the sixth season. I'm in Austrailia, and only halfway through the fifth season, and I'm the type to look ahead and see...

Let's take a look at them shall we?



#1 N.S.F. Thurmont: Aired Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Season premiere

With Palestinian leaders surrounded in their compound, Israel is willing to sit down with the US and moderate Palestinians to discuss a peaceful solution to the latest outbreak of fighting. Surprising everyone, however, the Palestinians publicly thank the US for inviting them to the negotiation table. Also, Donna is rushed into surgery for a pulmonary embolism. Written by John Wells, directed by Alex Graves. Guest starring Mary McCormack as Kate Harper, Jay Mohr as Taylor Reid, Steven Culp as Jeff Haffley, Mitchell Ryan as Roland Pierce, and Jason Isaacs as Colin Ayres.

Rating: 7.9/11
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#2 The Birnam Wood: Aired Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Bartlet has convinced Israel and Palestine to visit Camp David for a round of peace negotiations. Leo stays back in order to give the official okay to strike the Ein Hawa terrorist training camp in Syria.

Rating: 7.7/11
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#3 Third-Day Story: Aired Wednesday, November 3, 2004

Before signing the peace accord, Bartlet tells his staff to go after the support of the House and the U.N. Josh and Toby are assigned the task of getting congressional support. Meanwhile, CJ works to confirm international support with the U.N. Security Council. Donna returns to work and Charlie resists taking a college swimming exam that would allow him to graduate.

Rating: 9.0/13
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#4 Liftoff: Aired Wednesday, November 10, 2004

The Bartlet Administration must devise a plan of action when an emissary from the Republic of Georgia walks into the White House and offers them weapons-grade uranium that's in a research reactor the Russians left behind when they pulled out of Georgia. Meanwhile, Josh goes looking for support of the tax cut from the DCCC and along the way meets with Matthew Santos (Jimmy Smits), a bright and enigmatic congressman from Texas.

Rating: 9.7/15
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#5 The Hubbert Peak: Aired Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Josh test drives an oversized SUV and crashes into a hybrid car resulting in bad publicity for The White House. Annabeth, the new Press Secretary, has been on the job for only a week and is preparing to face the press corps for the first time. Toby is concerned that she looks too young and may not be prepared for their probing questions. Leo tells C.J. in no uncertain terms that Bartlet must play chess once a week. Zoey throws Charlie a graduation party that he has mixed feelings about

Rating: 8.2/12
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#6 The Dover Test: Aired Wednesday, November 24, 2004

The US Peacekeeping compound is attacked and American soldiers are killed. As the White House struggles to contain the story, the father of one of the slain soldiers speaks out against the mission. Meanwhile, Democratic Congressman Santos (Jimmy Smits) attaches his Patients Bill of Rights to a Republican piece of legislation and effectively keeps the Democratic elements while maintaining a Republican agenda. Also, Leo gets a lesson in life and business from his nurse.

Rating: 7.6/12
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#7 A Change is Gonna Come: Aired Wednesday, December 1, 2004

Final preparation goes into President Bartlet's visit to China when he accepts a flag from the Taiwanese delegation representing the Taiwanese Independence Movement, prompting China to prepare for military action. John Hoynes is running for president and wants Josh to join him. Ed O'Neill ("Married With Children") guest stars as the Pennsylvania Governor.

Rating: 8.9/13
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#8 In the Room: Aired Wednesday, December 8, 2004

At Zoey's birthday party, Penn and Teller burn an American flag in the White House, prompting a political and publicity nightmare. Aboard Air Force One, Bartlet is stricken by a paralyzing episode of MS. Josh is approached to run the Vice President's presidential campaign. Guest starring Kristin Chenoweth as Annabeth Schott, Ron Canada as Theodore Barrow, Alan Alda as Arnold Vinick, Mary Kay Place as Dr. Millicent Griffith, and Mary McCormack as Kate Harper.

Rating: 8.3/12
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#9 Impact Winter: Aired Wednesday, December 15, 2004

As Bartlet and his staff arrive in China for a critical summit, he is still suffering from the paralyzing side-effects of MS. Meanwhile, an asteroid is headed for the U.S., leaving Josh and Leo to deal with the potential consequences.

Rating: 8.2/13
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#10 Faith Based Initiative: Aired Wednesday, January 5, 2005

The internet press is running with a story that questions CJ's sexual orientation. CJ refuses to put out a statement, which only makes the media press harder. The effects of MS are becoming more pronounced on President Bartlet. Meanwhile, Santos (Jimmy Smits) declares that he will run for President but only if Josh (Bradley Whitford) will run his campaign. Guest starring Teri Polo as Helen Santos.


#11 Opposition Research: Aired Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Santos (Jimmy Smits) begins his presidential campaign in New Hampshire. It's very idealistic and issue-oriented---too much so for Josh, who has an awkward reunion with Russell aide Donna. Meanwhile, Bartlet's son-in-law Doug Westin (Steven Eckholdt) makes some political hay at Santos's expense. Liz Bartlet Westin: Annabeth Gish. Joey Lucas: Marlee Matlin. Greg Brock: Sam Robards.


#12 365 Days: Aired Wednesday, January 19, 2005

It's the day after the State of the Union and there's no time to rest. The staff is busy dealing with emrgency situations while Leo starts his first day in his new position by watching old State of the Union addresses to find inspiration. Kate (Mary McCormack) spends her day working on a situation in Bolivia. C.J. deals with a situation in North Korea. Toby concentrates on unemployment. Annabeth (Kristin Chenoweth) has to tutor Abbey on proper NASCAR ettiquette.


#13 King Corn: Aired Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Vice President Russell (Gary Cole) is the first to give his speech at the Iowa Corn Growers' Expo. Matthew Santos (Jimmy Smits) and Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda) follow and the differences in these candidates become very clear. Josh struggles to understand how he can possibly guide Santos in this race.


#14 The Wake Up Call: Aired Wednesday, February 9, 2005

On Valentine's Day, an Iranian fighter jet accidentally shoots down a British passenger plane -- killing 100 people -- but C.J. is reluctant to awaken the President even as the hawkish British prime minister considers bombing Iran's nuclear reactors in retaliation. After learning that the passenger jet was mistaken for a U.S. spy plane, Bartlet calls in British ambassador Lord John Marbury (Roger Rees), as they debate whether a strike is the perfect excuse to wipe out the atomic sites or if it will set back reform movements in the rogue nation. Abbey and C.J. war over the President's schedule for rest. Toby and a legal professor (Christopher Lloyd) try to pound out a new democratic constitution with representatives of Belarus -- and everyone keeps dodging the traditional White House appointment with Miss Universe.

Rating: 6.5/10

#15 Freedonia: Aired Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Five days before the New Hampshire primary, a desperate Josh must find a way to get his trailing candidate, Congressman Santos (Jimmy Smits), into the local newspaper's debate between the two front-runners, Vice President Russell (Gary Cole) and Hoynes (Tim Matheson), or face extinction -- until they gamble on staging their own debate. When Santos brings in savvy Amy Gardner (Mary-Louise Parker) to prep him, Josh clashes with both his ex-girlfriend and his candidate over the listless campaign.

#16 Drought Conditions: Aired Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Josh is annoyed that a new candidate (Mel Harris) is taking press coverage away from Santos despite his strong New Hampshire showing while reporter Greg Brock (Sam Robards) suspects that the White House is secretely backing a candidate. Meanwhile, C.J. has a tough time dealing with a lobbyist on plans to deal with a Western drought; and Charlie tells Kate Harper that a man from his gym asked about her.

Rating: 6.4/9

#17 A Good Day: Aired Wednesday, March 2, 2005

Santos (Jimmy Smits) masterminds a plot to pass the president's stem cell bill while the Republicans aren't looking. A group of middle school children who are part of the Future Leaders for Democracy visit the White House and seek out Toby to discuss the voting age. Kate has to deal with an impending invasion of Canada.

#18 La Palabra: Aired Wednesday, March 9, 2005

Santos (Jimmy Smits) goes to Sacramento for the last few days before Super Tuesday and while he's trying to push his healthcare agenda, the media pressures him to take a stand on California legislation to provide drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. Russell (Gary Cole) decides not to go to California and Hoynes (Tim Matheson) plays his own game of dodging the issue. Donn asteps up and takes a more pro-active role in the Russell campaign by becoming the new spokesperson.

Rating: 6.8/10

#19 Ninety Miles Away: Aired Wednesday, March 16, 2005

When speculations fly surrounding the nexus between communist Cuba and the democratic United States, President Bartlet is propelled into a dubious conundrum--that is, to continue secret talks with Cuba's ailing dictator and lift an antiquated embargo or to yield to bi-partisan political fallout and reaffirm 40-year-old sanctions. Meanwhile, Leo and Kate (Mary McCormack) learn that they have more in common than politics when a distant memory of corrupted elections and bar room antics reveal a more intimate connection.


#20 In God We Trust: Aired Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Vinick (Alan Alda) wins the Republican nomination for presidency and begins working on his campaign. He gets political advice from Bruno (Ron Silver) about choosing a vice president and how to deal with the latest controversy of Vinick's church attendance, or lack thereof. Meanwhile the Democrats are stuck in a three-way race for enough delegates to win the Democratic nominations; Russell (Gary Cole) barely leads Santos (Jimmy Smits) and Hoynes (Tim Matheson) is a distant third. Bartlet tries to show unity in the party by wrangling the candidates.


#21 Things Fall Apart: Aired Wednesday, March 30, 2005

The clear organization of the Republican Convention is making the Democrats look in disarray as the three candidates continue to battle for a clear Democratic Presidential nominee. Bartlet asks Leo to take control and organize the Democratic Convention. Meanwhile, the International Space Station has a leak and is losing oxygen which jeopardizes the lives of the three astronauts aboard and morality and mortality are examined.

Rating: 6.5/10


#22 2162 Votes: Aired Wednesday, April 6, 2005

Season finale

It's the Democratic National Convention and the race to become the Democratic Presidential candidate has narrowed to three candidates: Russell (Gary Cole), Baker (Ed O'Neill) and Santos (Jimmy Smits). Also, Bartlet (Martin Sheen) must wrestle with the decision to launch the super-secret defense shuttle to rescue the astronauts trapped at the space station and risk national security or let them die. Also starring Ed O'Neill, Allison Janney, Brad Whitford, Josh Malina, Kristin Chenoweth, Mary McCormack, Josh Malina, Richard Schiff, Stockard Channing, Teri Polo and Janel Moloney.



#Deep Cleansing Breath#

They turned it into a freaking soapie.

I mean, I dont deny it was a little vengeful on Sorkin's part to write them into the mother of all corners at the end of season 4, but still.

The highlights:

Donna with a pulmonary embolism.
Leo tells C.J. in no uncertain terms that Bartlet must play chess once a week.
A new press secretary named Annabeth.
Massive MS attacks.
CJ's sexual orientation.
Charlie going back to college for a swimming test.
The Invasion of Canada.
An asteroid is speeding toward the US. An asteroid. A freaking asteroid!
And finally, and I quote: 'the super-secret defense shuttle'

Aaron Sorkin, it is a crime against your creation worse than what they did to the Star Trek universe with Enterprise. And that's REALLY saying something. Gene Rodenberry spinning cartwheels in his grave, closely followed by you.

They had such a great thing here. They had such a winner. They were getting emmy after emmy, you dont think that was a pretty good sign that they shouldnt mess with the status quo?

These episodes have aired in the states, tell me it isnt as bad as it seems. Lie to me if nessesary, tell me there's something...anything...anything at all still in it.