"The West Wing: The Complete Second Season"
EPISODE SYNOPSES:
1. In The Shadow of Two Gunmen: Part I (Episode 226201) - In the two-hour season premiere of the record Emmy Award-winning drama, all the President's (Martin Sheen) men and women scramble in the chaotic wake of an assassination attempt that leaves some victims fighting for their lives. Meanwhile, as a manhunt continues, the wounded drift in and out of surgery recalling how Bartlet's team came together during the dark months of his longest primary campaign. Elsewhere, the press department is hounded by the media for details of the shooting while a military crisis looms in Iraq.
2. In the Shadow of Two Gunmen: Part II (Episode 226202) - In the two-hour season premiere of the record Emmy Award-winning drama, all the President's (Martin Sheen) men and women scramble in the chaotic wake of an assassination attempt that leaves some victims fighting for their lives. Meanwhile, as a manhunt continues, the wounded drift in and out of surgery recalling how Bartlet's team came together during the dark months of his longest primary campaign. Elsewhere, the press department is hounded by the media for details of the shooting while a military crisis looms in Iraq.
3. The Midterms (Episode 226203) - As one of the President's (Martin Sheen) staff recovers from bullet wounds, the rest of the team pushes on to the "mid-term" congressional elections in November - but as C.J. (Allison Janney) deflects press requests on how the assassination attempt has affected the mood in the White House, she knows that nearly everyone bears psychological scars in its aftermath. In particular, Charlie (Dulé Hill) is affected when he learns more about the shooting and reacts coldly both to Bartlet (Sheen) and Zoey (guest star Elizabeth Moss). For his part, Toby (Richard Schiff) surveys the President's newfound popularity in the polls and proposes that the administration pursue a course that would turn up the heat on extremist groups while Sam (Rob Lowe) convinces a friend (guest star Jamie Denton) to run for Congress after the death of a current congressman. Elsewhere, Bartlet is obsessed with an obscure school board election in New Hampshire for purely personal reasons.
4. In this White House (Episode 226204) - When a confident Sam (Rob Lowe) is outmatched by a novice Republican advisor (guest star Emily Proctor) on a political point-counterpoint television program, an impressed President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) offers to hire her as assistant White House counsel despite her party affiliation - a bold move that sends shock waves through the resentful staff. Elsewhere, Toby (Emmy winner Richard Schiff) and Josh (Bradley Whitford) attend a deadlocked White House summit between representatives of pharmaceutical companies and the leaders of AIDS-ravaged African nations to discuss the high price and availability of much-needed drugs. However, the President is concerned for the safety of President Nimbala (guest star Zakes Mokae), the eloquent leader of one of the nations, after news spreads about a bloody coup back home in his country.
5. And It's Surely to Their Credit (Episode 226205) - President Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) controversial - and conservative - new choice for associate White House counsel (guest star Emily Proctor) has rough sledding on her first day she suffers the wrath of her hostile boss (Emmy-winning guest star John Laroquette, "Night Court," "The Practice"), gets a chilly reception from her co-workers and is humiliated by two other staffers (guest stars Steven Flynn and Paul Perri). Also, when Josh's (Bradley Whitford) insurance company turns down his claim for his recent life-saving medical bills, Sam (Rob Lowe) tries to convince him to sue the people who shot him. In addition, C.J. (Emmy winner Allison Janney) tries to shame an outspoken general (guest star Tom Bower), who is critical of the President, into meeting with her.
6. The Lame Duck Congress (Episode 226206) - A wily President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) considers the extraordinary option of recalling the Senate from a winter holiday to push through a ratification of a new nuclear test-ban treaty - despite the lame-duck status of many Senators who will not return in the next season - while the drunken Ukrainian leader (guest star Eugene Lazarev) thunders through the White House demanding to see the President. Elsewhere: Toby (Richard Schiff) is shocked to hear that even if the Senate returns, the White House might still lack the necessary votes; Sam (Rob Lowe) learns something when he grudgingly works with new Republican assistant counsel Ainsley Hayes (guest star Emily Proctor); a stubborn C.J. (Allison Janney) argues against allowing reporter Danny (guest star Timothy Busfield) private access to the President for a series of exclusive stories; and Donna (Janel Moloney) is on a mission to get the President to back legislation on repetitive stress injuries.
7. The Portland Trip (Episode 226207) - While President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and some of the staff are en route overnight to Portland for a major education speech, Leo (John Spencer) remains behind to monitor a tense situation in the Persian Gulf when a foreign tanker is suspected of smuggling contraband oil and fires on the U.S. Navy helicopters sent to investigate. Elsewhere, Josh (Bradley Whitford) is on a tight deadline when he debates with an opposing party's congressman (guest star Charlie Lang) - who happens to be gay - the merits of a bill brought before the President that would prohibit same-sex marriages. On the plane, Toby (Richard Schiff) tries to re-work Sam's (Rob Lowe) questionable speech on education while Charlie (Dulé Hill) offers a novel idea that would result in more teachers. In addition, secretary Margaret (guest star Nicole Robinson) worries that her boss, Leo, might be tempted to take a drink after he signs his divorce papers.
8. Shibboleth (Episode 226208) - As Thanksgiving nears, President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) has his own hot-potato issue when a boatload of persecuted Chinese evangelical Christians arrives in California seeking asylum, while a perplexed C.J. (Allison Janney) must choose between two turkeys for the presidential pardon ceremony - with the other destined for the chopping block. While Bartlet's staff argues over sending back the illegal immigrants, Toby (Richard Schiff) wants the President to appoint Leo's (John Spencer) controversial sister (guest star Deborah Hedwall) for a minor education post, fully aware that her opposition to school prayer will cause the controversial subject to emerge again. Elsewhere, Toby, Josh (Bradley Whitford) and Sam (Rob Lowe) make plans to watch football while Charlie (Dulé Hill) is dispatched by Bartlet to find the precise cutting instrument for Thanksgiving dinner.
9. Galileo (Episode 226209) - President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) prepares to address thousands of elementary students nationwide as a NASA space probe descends on Mars, but a host of thorny problems suddenly land on is doorstep, including a fire in a Russian nuclear missile silo and a last-minute loss of communication with the Mars spacecraft. In addition: the Icelandic ambassador is peeved at the President for missing their meeting; Josh (Bradley Whitford) is still smarting after being delegated the responsibility of choosing the subject of the next official stamp; a reluctant C.J. (Allison Janney) is forced to attend a concert where she will encounter some angry applicants whom she rejected as her new press deputy; and an embarrassed Sam (Rob Lowe) is confronted by former date-mate Mallory (guest star Allison Smith) at the concert.
10. Noel (Episode 226210) - Christmas draws near as Josh (Bradley Whitford) is ordered by Leo (John Spencer) to consult with a doctor who specializes in analyzing trauma victims - but Josh's denial of his occasional emotional outbursts belie the fact that he isn't fully recovered from his life-threatening injuries in the Presidential assassination attempt. What's particularly telling is Josh's identification with a dead fighter pilot who recently took his own life by deliberately crashing his jet - a man who coincidentally shared his birthday and experienced emotional trauma after being shot down over Bosnia. Elsewhere: the President (Martin Sheen) wants to personally sign all of his Christmas cards - which total hundreds of thousands; Sam (Rob Lowe) confronts a representative of the Energy Secretary who publicly advocates release of federal oil reserves; C.J. (Allison Janney) gets personally involved when a foreign White House tourist becomes extremely agitated at the sight of a painting donated by the French government.
11. The Leadership Breakfast (Episode 226211) -- As a bi-partisan friendship breakfast with members of Congress nears, President Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) staff vigorously debates the merits of including a patient's bill of rights and minimum wage increase among the incendiary topics while CJ. (Allison Janney) jousts with the new chief of staff of the House Majority leader (guest star Felicity Huffman) over the press conference's agenda and location. Elsewhere: Leo (John Spencer) asks Josh (Bradley Whitford) to apologize for him to a powerful news columnist after he unintentionally insults her; Sam (Rob Lowe) lobbies C.J. to move the media briefing room away from the White House to free-up much-needed space; and Sam and Josh start a cozy fire in the Mural Room - - unaware that the chimney flue has been welded shut for more than 100 years.
