Our favorite West Wingers delay announcing their new tax plan and instead take a trip out to California to support Sam's campaign. But whaddya know, Sam goes ahead and announces Bartlet's tax plan early, to his own detriment, because he's a team player and everyone is amazing. Other delightful facets of this episode: Will struggles to piece together the speechwriting staff, Leo makes sure the world continues turning, Toby and Charlie end up in jail, and Donna has a meeting with a communist.
Episode 4.13 - "Inauguration: Parts I & II"
So, we decided to skip one of our least favorite episodes ("The Long Goodbye", S4E13), and instead we opted to do a double episode about one of our favorite episodes! Inaugural balls, snowballs, the list of things we love about these episodes is much longer than this episode can contain. AND it's our one year podcast anniversary! Thank you all for listening. We hope you enjoy this recap of, "Inauguration: Parts I & II."
Episode 4.12 - "Guns Not Butter"
If you can't recall from the title what happens in this episode, you're not alone. We're currently taking suggestions for alternative episode names for this one. Suffice it to say, there's a goat and a vote. Hey, there's an idea... We'll talk about it all in our recap of, "Guns Not Butter."
Episode 4.11 - "Holy Night"
Yet another of our favorite West Wing episodes. If you're a Josh & Donna fan, you'll know exactly why. We get a special visit from Santa which delights CJ at first but leaves the Bartlet inner circle on alert. In all cases, "it's not what it looks like" means "it's EXACTLY what it looks like." Stanley's here, Toby's dad is here, The Whiffenpoofs are here. Join us for our gush-fest about all* things, "Holy Night." (*except for a particular member of french royalty.)
Episode 4.10 - "Arctic Radar"
Sam acts at matchmaker for Toby, at least as far as speech-writing is concerned ("He's one of us."). A female pilot caught in an affair is causing a "womens issue" for The Bartlet Administration (and most of its male staffers). And Donna asks Josh to put in a good word for her with Jack Reese (so you KNOW that's going to go well.) Join us for a recap of one of Andrea's favorite episodes, "Arctic Radar."
Episode 4.09 - "Swiss Diplomacy"
A 15 year old son of the Ayatollah is in desperate need of a heart & lung transplant and it needs to happen on American soil. While President Bartlet works to secure the boy a plane with "a big red cross" on it, Toby works to find a job for a deserving Bartlet supporter & Josh has a run-in with our *favorite* VP, John Hoynes. And perhaps more important, Sallie & I decide we need podcast mascots named Mr. Finch & Mrs. Wilberforce. If you'll join us for our recap of, "Swiss Diplomacy," you'll understand why.
Episode 4.08 - "Process Stories"
Let's just call this one "mojo interruptus." We pick up in this episode right where "Election Night" left off. Aside from Sam dealing with whether or not to keep his promise to run in the special election in the California 47th, and Leo getting briefed on a coup d'etat in Venezuela, pretty much everyone else is celebrating the Bartlet victory. Or trying to...
Episode 4.07 - "Election Night"
You *could* skip this episode but do you really want to tempt the wrath of the whatever from high atop the thing? We don't recommend it. It's election night! Join us.
Episode 4.06 - "Game On"
There are few things more delightful than seeing Bartlet artfully manuveur the debate... except Sallie and I can't seem to agree on the whole Abbey-cutting-Jed's-tie moment. Not uncommon for The West Wing but this episode boasts guest stars galore including our first episode with Josh Malina! Do you have opinions on that? We do too! Join us as we recap, "Game On."
Episode 4.05 - "Debate Camp"
Things you'll like about this episode: flashbacks to the Bartlet administration's first few days in office, Donna pulling a prank on Josh, and #TeamToby.
Episode 4.04 - "Red Mass"
Things you need to know about this episode: it's not as good as the episodes before or after it BUT it's still better than most other episodes of television (because it's The West Wing). Sen. Howard Stackhouse is posing a potential conflict to the President Bartlet's campaign strategy. Charlie's mentoring his Little Brother. There's a lot of back-and-forth on debates. Amy Gardner makes balloon animals. Everybody's going to church. And Sam gets wind of some strange circumstances brewing in the California 47th district... Yeah. We know. We'll talk about it all in our recap of, "Red Mass."
Episode 4.03 - "College Kids"
Leo calls upon his favorite lawyer to help navigate the murky waters of international law; Debbie's still trying to find her footing as the new Executive Secretary; Josh & Toby decide to spearhead an initiative to make college tuition tax deductible; and CJ (and The Barenaked Ladies) wants you to Rock the Vote. And, basically, you should do whatever CJ says. Join us as we chat about all that and more as we recap, "College Kids."
Episode 4.01 + 4.02 - "20 Hours in America: Parts I & II"
It's 20 Hours in America! Toby, Josh, & Donna get left behind in Indiana while on the campaign trail, and it's a bit like "Planes, Trains, & Automobiles" to get back to The White House. CJ looks for a big brother for Anthony while Charlie works to secure a new executive secretary to replace Mrs. Landingham. Sam's called in to staff the president in a new role, and Leo and Bartlet try to make a plan for their next move with regards to Qumar. Lots to cover here. Join us to talk about the highs and lows in, "20 Hours in America."
Episode 3.23 - "Posse Comitatus"
Desperate times call for desperate measures, as Abdul Shareef is about to find out. As those bad things are happening, *other* bad things are happening while our favorite White House staffers are in NYC. Throw in some Jeff Buckley music and we pretty much can't stop crying. Join us for the sobfest over the perfectly executed but ever so devastating episode that is, "Posse Comitatus."
Episode 3.22 - "We Killed Yamamoto"
President Bartlet is still trying to figure out what to do about Abdul Shareef. CJ & Simon spend some time shooting a few rounds together. Donna goes to North Dakota. And then there's Amy Gardner & the stew... Lots to talk about here. Join us as we discuss, "We Killed Yamamoto."
Episode 3.21 - "The Black Vera Wang"
Somehow this became somewhat of a girly episode on the commentary front - and not because the episode is named after a Vera Wang dress. Simon Donovan is still on the scene to protect CJ, but when Sam sets out to protect the President from the opposition party, he walks straight into a trap. Also, Donna had to buy some expensive moose meat. There's more where that came from. Join us as we recap all things in, "The Black Vera Wang."
Episode 3.20 - "Enemies Foreign and Domestic"
Charlie tracks down a mysterous letter to the President, CJ gets a death threat, & Toby has nothing to do! We want to hear your answers to the Question Of The Week in this one. Lots to discuss in this our recap of, "Enemies Foreign and Domestic."
Episode 3.19 - Special Episode (Spoiler Alert)
It's the special episode on The West Wing (S3E19) so we decided to do a special Wingin' It episode too! Spoilers abound as we answer fan emails, voicemails, & queries. It's a good time- possibly the best episode we've ever done with just the two of us - but we're biased. Moreover, we decide we're going to tour the podcast internationally in 2016 to visit our international listeners (not really serious). But if you find us on your doorstep, you already know the password. #Shibboleth
Episode 3.18 - "Stirred"
"The name's Hoynes. John Hoynes." In an unexpected turn of events, the VP proves likable in this episode. It's true. Also, President Bartlet does Charlie's taxes & makes a surprising phone call to Donna's former teacher. We're feeling stirred ourselves. Join us as we recap all things, "Stirred."
Episode 3.17 - "The U.S. Poet Laureate"
Did President Bartlet really just call Gov. Richie stupid on TV? Did he mean to do it or not? Will the U.S. poet laureate speak out at a ceremony in her honor? Will she go out with Toby? These are all valid questions. Let's talk about them! Join us for the recap of, "The U.S. Poet Laureate."