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The West Wing Season 7 Episodes
Season 7 Episode Guide
22 Episodes 2005 - 2006
Episode 1
The Ticket
Sun, Sep 25, 200542 mins
Four days after the Democratic convention, Josh begins to staff up the Santos campaign. With Santos and Leo effectively strangers - and Leo not an experienced campaigner - adjustments of roles and responsibilities are required in order to deliver a strong and consistent message. The White House prepares to launch the military Space Shuttle on its rescue mission to the Space Station amidst growing suspicion that proof of its existence was deliberately leaked by someone in the Administration. The Republicans offer Bartlet a concession on an education bill in an attempt to drive a wedge between him and the Santos campaign.
Episode 2
The Mommy Problem
Sun, Oct 2, 200542 mins
Despite vigorous campaigning, the Santos campaign still struggles to articulate its message and keep the focus on domestic issues rather than gossip and trivia. Although Santos served decades in the military and remains in the reserves, Vinick still appears the stronger candidate on national security issues due to stereotypes about Republicans and Democrats. The White House's decision to halt their own investigation into the leak is a savvy legal move, however it could prove to be costly politically: while Vinick can slam the President for this decision, it's not so easy for Santos to do so. Josh reluctantly recruits help with running the campaign when it becomes obvious that he's trying to do too much himself.
Episode 3
Message of the Week
Sun, Oct 9, 200542 mins
With Santos gaining momentum, the Vinick campaign devises a strategy to catch them off-guard by focusing on immigration issues: by taking a pro-immigration stance, they force Santos to spend time courting the Latino vote. A powerful Christian group is nervous about supporting a Republican presidential candidate who is pro-choice, and demands a guarantee that Vinick only appoint pro-life judges. Vinick hopes that the strong religious credentials of his running mate Sullivan will be enough to satisfy the Christian base, but inevitably finds himself in a difficult situation.
Episode 4
Mr. Frost
Sun, Oct 16, 200541 mins
The Santos campaign faces questions on intelligent design and evolution during a campaign stop focusing on education in Pennsylvania. Margaret testifies before the committee investigating the leak, which has also served most current and former members of the Bartlet administration with subpoenas. A suicide bombing in the Middle East throws the region into chaos and threatens to postpone all campaigning. An intelligence analyst assigned to brief the Vinick campaign demands to speak with CJ.
Episode 5
Here Today
Sun, Oct 23, 200542 mins
Toby's confession to leaking classified information about the military Space Shuttle sends shock waves through the administration, resulting in lawyers and colleagues scrambling to minimize damage while not giving the appearance of a cover-up. Kate takes Special Agent Frost's theory about the assassination in Kazakhstan to the military command. Josh becomes concerned with the fact that opinion polls consistently place Santos 9 points behind Vinick in the presidential campaign.
Episode 6
The Al Smith Dinner
Sun, Oct 30, 200542 mins
A pro-life special interest group launches an ad attacking Santos for his abortion stance, but Vinick also sees it as trouble since he's also pro-choice and doesn't want to draw attention to the issue. With Vinick ahead in the polls, he has no incentive to debate Santos and thus continues to drag his feet over negotiations. Back at the White House, C.J. orders new Communications Director Will Bailey to not answer questions from the press about the leak investigation.
Episode 7
The Debate
Sun, Nov 6, 200551 mins
In an episode originally broadcast live (there are two versions, one for the Eastern and Central time zones; one for the Pacific time zone), Santos and Vinnick square off in a debate with TV newsman Forrest Sawyer (as himself) moderating. Halfway through the debate, Santos departs from the "script" and begins delivering statements while pacing the stage; Vinnick joins in. Other cast members appear briefly in backstage film segments, and Ellen DeGeneres hosts (also on film) from an adjacent sound stage. Alan Alda (Vinnick), an accomplished stage actor, seems much more comfortable with the live format than Jimmy Smits (Santos) who blows several lines during the East Coast hour.
Episode 8
Undecideds
Sun, Dec 4, 200542 mins
Santos's efforts to overcome a history of racial tensions between minorities aren't helped when a Latino officer shoots a black child in Los Angeles. C.J. is coordinating Ellie's wedding at the White House when Kate approaches her for help with the rapidly-escalating problems in Kazakhstan -- leaving a reluctant Will in charge of planning the ceremony. Josh visits the White House to ask a favor of the president, before dropping in on Toby at his home.
Episode 9
The Wedding
Sun, Dec 11, 200542 mins
President Bartlet's plan to attend his daughter Ellie's White House wedding is jeopardized when Russia and China mobilize troops over growing chaos in Kazakhstan. The Santos campaign has gained ground on Vinick over the last few weeks, but with less than two months until the election it's not clear that the gap can be closed. As Josh obsesses over the electoral math, tracking polls, and decisions on where to spend advertising money, some Democrats are nervous that the election is slipping away, and urge Santos to fire Josh as campaign manager.
Episode 10
Running Mates
Sun, Jan 8, 200642 mins
With the Vice Presidential debate only days away, Josh and his team are in a near-panic over Leo's dreadful performance. Matt Santos makes his final trip home to Houston before the election and learns of the stress and impact of the campaign on his family and friends. Will continues to press Kate for information on the Kazakhstan situation, while trying to interest her in a date.
Episode 11
Internal Displacement
Sun, Jan 15, 200642 mins
During his dinner date with C.J., Danny reveals some startling news about the President's son-in-law. A combination of events prompts C.J. to realize that the time she has remaining in her powerful position is dwindling; she begins a complicated game of diplomacy with France, Germany, and China to affect real change in Darfur, where thousands of people are being killed each week. Josh is in town to coordinate the Santos campaign with the Bartlet administration, and seems to know more than he should about government decisions.
Episode 12
Duck and Cover
Sun, Jan 22, 200660 mins
Following news of an accident at a nuclear power plant in California, the White House springs into action to try and contain the leak and address public concerns. The Santos and Vinick campaigns weigh the responsibility of helping to fix the situation against the opportunity to take advantage of the situation politically. The situation in Kazakhstan deteriorates, with China and Russia both mobilizing their armies over disputed elections.
Episode 13
The Cold
Sun, Mar 12, 200641 mins
The nuclear accident in California spells bad news for the Vinick campaign, following the revelation of Vinick's prior lobbying for the plant involved in the accident and his support of nuclear power in general. With Vinick having lost his lead in many states, the Republican party recommends a change in staff and message. Meanwhile, amidst a celebratory mood in the Santos campaign Donna and Josh have a "moment" alone.
Episode 14
Two Weeks Out
Sun, Mar 19, 200642 mins
With only two weeks left until the election, both campaigns face important decisions about which states to campaign in. The nuclear issue has prompted some in the Vinick campaign to recommend focusing on "family values", but Vinick himself wants to address the nuclear questions head-on. With both candidates hitting the same swing states they frequently encounter each other; Bruno finds Santos's briefcase in a meeting room.
Episode 15
Welcome to Wherever You Are
Sun, Mar 26, 200641 mins
With barely a week until the election, the federal prosecutor threatens Toby with another indictment and promises to subpoena members of the Bartlet administration, unless he reveals his source. The Santos campaign hits three states in one day as they try to grab last-minute votes and make the most of their last few chances to impress the public.
Episode 16
Election Day: Part 1
Sun, Apr 2, 200642 mins
After eleven months of hard campaigning, election day finally arrives. Josh attempts to make sense of some strange exit-poll numbers while exploring his new relationship with Donna. Meanwhile, back at the White House, Charlie insists that C.J. start thinking about her career after politics.
Episode 17
Election Day: Part 2
Sun, Apr 9, 200641 mins
The polls are closing across the country at different times, and the sudden switch to doing nothing makes life difficult for both campaigns. From early on, it's clear that the election will be too close to call, and will likely come down to the candidates's home states of Texas and California. Meanwhile, friends and colleagues react with shock and bewilderment at the news of Leo's sudden trip to hospital.
Episode 18
Requiem
Sun, Apr 16, 200642 mins
President Bartlet and his current and former staffers come together for Leo's funeral.
Episode 19
Transition
Sun, Apr 23, 200642 mins
Eyebrows are raised when the President-elect places a call to the president of China and offers a different position than that of Bartlet. Meanwhile, Josh picks his deputy chief of staff.
Episode 20
The Last Hurrah
Sun, Apr 30, 200642 mins
While Santos is wrapped up in choosing his new Vice President, Helen is overwhelmed by the issues facing the new First Family. Meanwhile, Vinick must find a new road now that the election is over.
Episode 21
Institutional Memory
Sun, May 7, 200642 mins
Two weeks before the inauguration, CJ and the rest of the Bartlett administration consider what they will do next. CJ examines her relationship with Danny and considers whether or not to suggest to the President pardoning Toby.
Episode 22
Tomorrow
Sun, May 14, 200642 mins
Santos and his staff prepare for the inauguration as Bartlet and his team look back on their years in the White House.
