After the near-nuclear disaster at the power plant the polls show surprising, or maybe not so surprising, results for both candidates. The Vinick camp gears up for backlash while the Santos camp hopes for cause to celebrate. Meanwhile Bartlet is still trying to keep the situation in Central Asia under control. Relationships in the Santos campaign, the Vinick campaign, and the West Wing all undergo changes and Vinick and Bartlet attempt to deal with different versions of the cold.
Inauguration Day (Series Finale) - After seven seasons of the Award-winning drama series, the Bartlet Administration prepares to leave the White House and The West Wing. While Santos and his winning camp are nervously gearing up for the presidential inauguration, current President Bartlet, CJ and the others fondly look back as they prepare to leave the White House forever.
This episode never aired because NBC decided to cancel it for “creative reasons” and air the series pilot in its place instead. It was supposed to air on May 14, 2006 at 7pm EST.
Helen is just beginning to see what life will be like for the members of the new First Family. President-Elect Santos wants Baker to be his Vice President but he’s having trouble finding a way to get a Republican Senate to confirm him. So he calls outgoing Senator Arnold Vinick for help. Santos needs help and Vinick needs something to do.
Josh has thousands of White House positions to fill and the stress is starting to show. He takes a trip out to California and asks Sam to play Josh to his Leo. Sam says he’ll think about it after making jokes about Josh’s hairline. Donna and Josh need to work out their personal and professional relationships. Santos and Bartlet use the POTUS-transition status to try to scare the Russians and Chinese to back down in Kazakhstan.
Many people who haven’t been seen for a long time return to mourn with White House and post-campaign staff over the death of Leo McGarry. Santos is faced with the emerging question of who he will pick as his nomination for Vice President. Josh cautions Santos about getting involved in the vote for Speaker of the House.
Abbey is in New Hamphire with Liz Bartlet-Westin and they are awaiting the results of Doug Westin’s campaign for a seat in Congress. Members of both the Santos campaign and the Vinick campaign must decide how to handle a tragedy, as the voters around the country continue to cast their votes for the next President of the United States.
Anxieties runs high in both camps over Election Day. Donna tries to calm Josh down while Bruno paces the Vinick War Room but both managers think the exit polls numbers don’t add up. West Wing staffers are watching the results roll in while Charlie tries to get C.J. to start thinking about life after The White House. Foo Fighters play and Annabeth makes a startling discovery.
The Santos campaign meets up with Rock the Vote and lots of musicians are around for a star-studded episode. Helen gives a lecture to MANA (a National Latino Organization, formerly Mexican American National Association) but her heritage doesn’t help her when trying to deliver part of the Santos campaign message. Toby is being pressured by the Attorney General, Blake, to reveal his source and it’s affecting his relationship with his ex-wife and children. He tries a little psychological warfare of his own to get Blake to back down. Toby also gives Josh campaign advice which includes plans to increase courtship of the Latino vote. Elsewhere on the campaign trail, it’s Halloween and Toby’s and Santos’ kids are dressing up for the occasion.
There are only two weeks left before Election Day and both candidates must make difficult choices at a time when they are both extremely tired. Vinick meets a famous athlete who greets him with a welcome that sings possible campaign trouble. Santos doesn’t have such trouble with the athlete. Both candidates are campaigning in California with the hopes of stealing the election from the other guy in the hopes of thereby winning the election. Santos’ briefcase falls into the hands of the Vinick campaign.
After the near-nuclear disaster at the power plant the polls show surprising, or maybe not so surprising, results for both candidates. The Vinick camp gears up for backlash while the Santos camp hopes for cause to celebrate. Meanwhile Bartlet is still trying to keep the situation in Central Asia under control. Relationships in the Santos campaign, the Vinick campaign, and the West Wing all undergo changes and Vinick and Bartlet attempt to deal with different versions of the cold.
Bartlet must deal with the possiblity of a nuclear explosion in California, Kate is keeping a careful watch on the election in Kazakhstan and China’s response, Will is acting as the government’s voice this week, and Josh is trying to keep his political version of Tourette’s in check.
The Westins visit Washington and Doug may be keeping a secret from Liz that many other senior staffers already know about. C.J. tries to make a deal with the French to try to handle a problem in the Sudan. Gail has an incident. Josh asks Will and C.J. for a little help with the campaign. C.J. and Danny go out to dinner twice and talk like good old friends. During dinner, C.J. likens men to salmon while dealing with a waitress who is not all that fond of her.
All eyes are looking forward to the Leo McGarry/Ray Sullivan Vice Presidential debate. Meanwhile, Santos is trying not to catch his children’s cold and he visits his home in Texas and continues to campaign. Jorge Santos, the Congressman’s brother, may cause some problems at a gathering.
Santos is working on campaign strategy, Ellie’s getting married, Abbey is welcoming guests, Bartlet’s making jokes, China and Kazahkstan are about to go to war, Carol makes an appearance, and Josh may get fired.
Lou and Santos run into trouble on the road when they try to pick up a family’s vote; their child was shot by a Latino police officer. Also, CJ must manage a crisis between China and Kazakhstan.
A “live” debate episode! This episode will feature a live debate between Santos and Vinick. Two versions will air. One for the East Coast of the U.S. and one for the West Coast of the U.S. Because of this there will be two episode guides but both will carry the same production number and the same episode numbers. When contributing please make sure you have to right episode guide. If you’d like to elaborate on the summary or recap just add a .5 at the end of the episode numbers on the submission form. Example: 7.5 or 139.5
Donna is back and she’s working for the Santos/McGarry campaign, but just not for Josh. An attack ad on Santos by a pro-life group puts Vinick in a corner when Santos demands Vinick renounce it but Vinick knows that if he does it will offend the G.O.P. Leo argues to get the women’s vote for Santos and to keep them from going Republican. Meanwhile, back at The White House, Will takes over Toby’s old job and faces a tough battle when the press briefings are all about the NASA leak.
The White House is trying to cope with the revelation of the identity of the leaker and Babish’s questioning of Toby convinces him that he must get his lawyer. Lou persuades Josh to get Santos to clean house with his campaign staff. Kate finally reaches Charles Frost and confronts him about what he told to C.J. and a few other things about his personality in general. The Bartlets hear Ellie’s heapful of “good” and “bad” news.
Margaret is interrogated at a hearing held by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Santos deflects religious questions onto Vinick; Someone gives C.J. intelligence information; a Palestinian leader is assassinated and Bartlet wants to attend the funeral despite security concerns. Also, we learn Margaret’s last name.
It’s three weeks into the presidential campaign and Vinick meets with Frost out on the trail. Santos pulls a stunt which leads to higher approval ratings and jolts the Vinick camp. Vinick and Santos try to kick each other politically while they focus on their messages of the week.
Santos and Vinick have to deal with press fallout when it looks like the Bartlet White House is not going to continue the investigation into the press leaks.
As everyone but Josh causes Santos to question his choice of Leo as his running mate, Bartlet’s investigation into the dangerous press leak continues. Also C.J. gets interviewed by Babish and Donna approaches Josh for a job.
Summary: Justin finds himself in an unexpected love triangle; Betty falls for a playwright she is profiling for Mode; Wilhelmina has an epiphany.
Summary: The med students are thankful when Cole identifies his true calling; Lucy finds her inspiration.
Summary: When Addison’s patient and the life of the three unborn babies she is carrying as a surrogate hang in the balance, Sam’s new girlfriend, Vanessa, and Addison are sharply divided on the course of treatment. Meanwhile Cooper seeks Sheldon’s help with a young patient, but their personal quarrels over Charlotte get in the way, and Naomi has a dilemma of her own between William and an unexpectedly charming Dr. Fife.
Summary: After their wedding, Charlie and Amita help the team look for Don’s missing gun.
Summary: When a Marine is killed in a drive-by shooting, the team fears his younger brother may also be targeted.
Summary: The team and Coast Guard Investigative Services join forces when a Navy diver seeking sunken treasure is murdered.
Summary: Lauren clashes with a new tenant (Nick Zano); Amanda is infuriated when Riley asks Ben for a job; Ella makes an unrealistic demand that backfires.
Summary: Locke tasks Sawyer with a mission, and Kate talks to Locke while holding a fake, plastic gun while Sayid is watching them.
Summary: Members of the sales staff let Sabre’s new Sales Is King policy go to their heads.
Summary: A high school senior repeatedly hallucinates after blacking out during a class trip; Wilson tries to furnish his condo.