Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
The West Wing Season 7 Episodes
Season 7 Episode Guide
22 Episodes 2005 - 2006
The seventh and final series of The West Wing addresses the shuttle leak investigation, as well as the campaign trail and President Bartlet (Martin Sheen)'s last year in office. The presidential race tightens up for the final time as we witness transitions, wins and losses.
Episode 1
The Ticket
Sun, Sep 25, 2005 60 mins
It's four days after the Democratic convention and the Santos campaign is encouraged by a poll showing the candidate only nine points down. But Santos is worried about VP candidate Leo McGarry's negatives, and Joey Lucas (Marlee Matlin) fears that voters might find Santos too insubstantial to be president. Meanwhile, White House counsel Oliver Babish (Oliver Platt) questions C.J. more sharply than she'd like about the NASA leak.
Episode 2
The Mommy Problem
Sun, Oct 2, 2005 60 mins
Janeane Garofalo signs on as tough-as-nails media consultant Louise ("Lou") Thornton, whom Santos hires at Josh's request, even though she and Josh are hardly friends. The campaign could use a jolt, having taken, as Lou puts it, "body blow after body blow" from Vinick and the press in the days following the convention. The biggest problem: Santos's silence on Bartlet's decision not to investigate the NASA security leak. Greg Brock: Sam Robards.
Episode 3
Message of the Week
Sun, Oct 9, 2005 60 mins
It's three weeks into the presidential campaign and the Vinick camp is playing hardball after Santos gains momentum from his mandatory military-reserve training. To counter it, Vinick decides to box in the Latino Santos by focusing on immigration issues---and it works. But then Vinick finds himself pressured by a religious-right group demanding a say on judicial appointments. Chris Matthews has a cameo. Bruno: Ron Silver.
Episode 4
Mr. Frost
Sun, Oct 16, 2005 60 mins
As Margaret testifies before a Senate committee on the NASA leak (and as many other staffers receive subpoenas), a Palestinian leader backed by the U.S. is assassinated, and Bartlet is determined to attend the funeral, despite security concerns. Meanwhile, Santos gives a flip answer to a reporter's question about intelligent design, and the resulting firestorm bothers Josh a lot more than it bothers either Lou (Janeane Garofalo) or Santos.
Episode 5
Here Today
Sun, Oct 23, 2005 60 mins
As the White House comes to grips with Toby's revelation that he was the NASA-shuttle leaker, Lou persuades Josh, who persuades Santos, that the sagging Santos campaign must clean house. Meanwhile, CIA conspiracy theorist Charles Frost gets a dressing down from Kate about his "ambush" of C.J.; and Bartlet and Abbey meet Ellie's fiancé, a research scientist Bartlet calls "fruit-fly guy."
Episode 6
The Al Smith Dinner
Sun, Oct 30, 2005 60 mins
Donna joins the Santos campaign---hired by Lou Thornton, not Josh---in an episode dominated by abortion politics. An attack ad on Santos by a pro-life group puts Vinick in a bind: the furious Santos wants Vinick to repudiate it or "the gloves are off." But the pro-choice Vinick will offend the GOP's right wing if he does. Meanwhile, Will takes Toby's old job, and runs into a buzz saw over the NASA leak in press briefings. Lou: Janeane Garofalo. Sheila: Patricia Richardson. Bruno: Ron Silver.
Episode 7
The Debate
Sun, Nov 6, 2005 60 mins
Presidential candidates Matt Santos and Arnold Vinik square off in a campaign debate. Forrest Sawyer is the moderator.
Episode 8
Undecideds
Sun, Dec 4, 2005 60 mins
After getting a slight political boost from the presidential debate, Santos (Jimmy Smits) courts controversy when he makes the difficult decision to visit the tense Los Angeles community where an African-American boy was shot by a Latino police officer. Meanwhile, Ellie continues to make preparations for her wedding. Lou: Janeane Garofalo.
Episode 9
The Wedding
Sun, Dec 11, 2005 60 mins
As the White House prepares for Vic and Ellie's wedding, Bartlet has to contend with a potentially catastrophic foreign situation. Meanwhile, the Santos campaign has a major staff shake-up as Election Day approaches. Lou: Janeane Garofalo. Ellie: Nina Siemaszko. Santos: Jimmy Smits.
Episode 10
Running Mates
Sun, Jan 8, 2006 60 mins
As the staff anxiously prepares Leo for the vice-presidential debate, word gets out to the press and Internet bloggers that his debating skills are weak and that he's unfocused. Meanwhile, Santos and Helen learn to cope with new security barriers around their house. Helen: Teri Polo. Lou: Janeane Garofalo.
Episode 11
Internal Displacement
Sun, Jan 15, 2006 60 mins
C.J. has to contain a potentially embarrassing rumor about Bartlet's son-in-law, while also helping to diffuse tensions between Russia and China and monitoring deteriorating conditions in the Sudan.
Episode 12
Duck and Cover
Sun, Jan 22, 2006 60 mins
As a potentially deadly crisis at a nuclear power plant throws the White House into a state of emergency, Vinick and Santos (Alan Alda, Jimmy Smits) struggle with the political fallout on their own campaigns.
Episode 13
The Cold
Sun, Mar 12, 2006 60 mins
Vinick and Santos (Alan Alda, Jimmy Smits) learn the surprising results of the latest polls, and also meet with Bartlet about disturbing new developments in the dispute between Russia and China. Meanwhile, Josh and Donna share an awkward moment.
Episode 14
Two Weeks Out
Sun, Mar 19, 2006 60 mins
During the last two weeks before the election, a struggling Vinick (Alan Alda) goes against his advisors and decides to campaign in California, where the nuclear accident continues to leave its political residue on the pro-nuke candidate.
Episode 15
Welcome to Wherever You Are
Sun, Mar 26, 2006 60 mins
Rocker Jon Bon Jovi appears as himself and campaigns for an exhausted Santos, who's showing signs of strain during a frantic flurry of campaigning on Halloween. Meanwhile, Toby faces an indictment just days before the election.
Episode 16
Election Day, Part 1
Sun, Apr 2, 2006 60 mins
Election Day finally arrives, and between analyzing exit polls and mulling over news reports, a few Santos staff members discover the joys of campaign romance. Meanwhile, C.J. ponders life after the White House; and Annabeth makes a tragic discovery. Bruno Gianelli: Ron Silver.
Episode 17
Election Day, Part 2
Sun, Apr 9, 2006 60 mins
As a tense election night drags on, the Santos campaign is rocked by tragedy, and a decision must be made on how to handle the situation while voters across the country continue to cast their ballots.
Episode 18
Requiem
Sun, Apr 16, 2006 60 mins
Former series regulars, including Marlee Matlin, Mary-Louise Parker, Tim Matheson, Anna Deavere Smith and Gary Cole, make guest appearances as Leo's funeral is held and his colleagues reminisce about his life and career.
Episode 19
Transition
Sun, Apr 23, 2006 60 mins
Former cast member Rob Lowe returns as Sam Seaborn in this episode, which finds Bartlet and his staff making the transition as easy as possible for the president-elect, who discovers some unpleasant realities about his new job. Meanwhile, a stressed-out Josh realizes that he may need to take some time off after he reaches his breaking point. Nancy McNally: Anna Deavere Smith.
Episode 20
The Last Hurrah
Sun, Apr 30, 2006 60 mins
While Santos is busy trying to select a new vice president, his wife finds her new responsibilities staggering. Meanwhile, Vinick ponders his next move. Helen: Teri Polo. Louise: Janeane Garofalo.
Episode 21
Institutional Memory
Sun, May 7, 2006 60 mins
C.J. and Will both face uncertain futures as Bartlet and his staffers prepare to leave the White House to make way for the Santos administration.
Episode 22
Tomorrow
Sun, May 14, 2006 60 mins
The Emmy-winning series concludes after seven seasons with President-elect Santos preparing to be sworn into office as Bartlet ponders one last difficult executive decision: whether to pardon Toby. Sam Seaborn: Rob Lowe.
