OTHER SEASONS:
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6Season 3
Season 3, Episode 1: Isaac and Ishmael
Original Air Date: October 3, 2001
A special episode of the Emmy Award-winning series, dealing with some of the questions and issues currently facing the world in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks on the United States. "The West Wing" creator and executive producer Aaron Sorkin wrote the script.
Season 3, Episode 2: Manchester (Part 1)
Original Air Date: October 10, 2001
In the season premiere, flashbacks reveal how the President will officially announce his plans to run for re-election, which sends his staff into disarray as they work on the speech. But two problems dog them when Sam realizes that Bartlet never apologized for not disclosing his multiple sclerosis while C.J. makes a crucial gaffe during a press conference. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive has his own problems with wife Abbey who is still fuming that she was not consulted in his decision. Outside the Beltway, the President must decide if he should greenlight a military rescue of the besieged U.S. embassy in Haiti and chief counsel Babish informs Charlie to hire his own expensive lawyer before a special prosecutor begins looking into Bartlet's possible concealment of his illness.
Season 3, Episode 3: Manchester (Part 2)
Original Air Date: October 17, 2001
In the second part of the season premiere, flashbacks reveal the President as he refines his speech for a major re-election announcement while his staff works uneasily with a heavyweight political strategist over whether Bartlet should include a public apology in his remarks. Meanwhile, C.J. considers drastic action in the wake of her ill-timed statements during a crucial press conference. In addition, Bartlet tries to patch up a misunderstanding with his wife Abbey. The President must also decide if he will accede to the requests of a corrupt Haitian leader that could lead to peace. Chief counsel Babish shocks Charlie with the probable cost of hiring a fancy lawyer since a special prosecutor is preparing to ask him tough questions.
Season 3, Episode 4: Ways and Means
Original Air Date: October 24, 2001
When a fearless special prosecutor begins investigating the President's non-disclosure of his illness and issues subpoenas to the White House staff, C.J. cannily tries to light a backfire by dropping clues to the press that might ultimately force the replacement of the prosecutor with someone more favorable to the Administration. Elsewhere: a real forest fire rages in Wyoming but the governor is incensed when Bartlet backs the forestry experts who believe the fire should just burn itself out; the President is in a political bind as he decides whether or not to push for the repeal of the estate tax -- or "the death tax," as labeled by his savvy rivals, and a wary Donna goes out on a blind date with a charming Republican who might represent a conflict of interest.
Season 3, Episode 5: On The Day Before
Original Air Date: October 31, 2001
As a State Department dinner nears, President Bartlet boldly vetoes the "death tax" bill but his staff must hustle when they are surprised to learn that the House of Representatives have enough votes to immediately override the veto. Meanwhile, as some important Democratic congressmen are holding out for some compromising political favors that incense Bartlet and Leo, Josh tries to smooth-talk a promising governor who is considering running against Bartlet. On the fringes, C.J. singles out an overmatched entertainment reporter for retribution and Charlie is strongly urged by his fellow White House teammates to ask for immunity in his upcoming testimony into the President's non-disclosure of his illness. Actress-playwright Anna Deavere Smith guest-stars as an intelligence adviser.
Season 3, Episode 6: War Crimes
Original Air Date: November 7, 2001
The President asks the reluctant Vice President to speak at an anti-gun rally in Texas after a church shooting but the uneasy allies have a starkly candid showdown while Donna goes before a Congressional committee investigating Bartlet's lack of disclosure -- and she lies to her inquisitor. Elsewhere, Leo debates an old friend and Air Force officer about the United States' future stance regarding the War Crimes Tribunal; C.J. informs Toby that a reporter heard his comment that puts the President in an unfavorable light; and Sam tries to find common sense when a Congressman proposes legislation that would eliminate the penny.
Season 3, Episode 7: Gone Quiet
Original Air Date: November 14, 2001
When an American spy submarine suddenly goes silent in hostile North Korean waters, an angry President receives advice from the Assistant Secretary of State and must decide whether he should notify the enemy or attempt a risky, secret rescue -- while his wife, Abigail, learns that her past malpractice suits might be Bartlet's Achilles heel in his criminal investigation. In other White House action, C.J. is ecstatic over a potential presidential candidate's indecisive public remarks; Toby meets with a representative from an appropriations committee who wants to funnel money away from Congress' controversial funding of avant-garde artists.
Season 3, Episode 8: The Indians in the Lobby
Original Air Date: November 21, 2001
While President Bartlet frets about where to spend Thanksgiving -- and how to best cook a gourmet turkey -- C.J. powwows with two Native Americans who are camped in the lobby and promise to cause a media dustup if they can't meet with a bigwig about receiving better public health projects on their reservation. Elsewhere, Josh pulls some political levers as he tries to gain the extradition of a teenaged boy who murdered his teacher and fled to Italy; Toby informs Bartlet of an inexpensive way to improve his polling numbers; and Sam questions a new poverty income index that could spell trouble for the President by classifying millions more people as poor virtually overnight.
Season 3, Episode 9: The Women of Qumar
Original Air Date: November 28, 2001
At the First Lady's urging, Josh meets with a powerful women's caucus over the proposed language of a U.N. treaty banning prostitution while the President grapples with the possibility of a Mad Cow epidemic and ponders how much the public should know. Meanwhile, staffers are stunned at C.J.'s emotional outburst concerning the administration's renewal of its air base lease in a Mideast country that abuses its women. Some World War II veterans come to the White House to protest a pending Pearl Harbor exhibit at the Smithsonian, and Bartlet is sued by an angry woman who intends to raise a public fuss over his remarks regarding the hot-potato issue of a national seat belt law.
Season 3, Episode 10: Bartlet for America
Original Air Date: December 12, 2001
The White House is festooned with Christmas finery. Leo fears the worst when he testifies in the Congressional investigation into Bartlet's lack of public disclosure about his illness. Flashbacks reveal the background of Bartlet's decision, when he was governor, to not come forward with the damaging information. In addition, Bartlet personally investigates a series of church burnings in the South after a 2-year probe proves fruitless. He threatens to use troops to protect parishioners on Christmas Eve. When Bartlet plans to frame a 1709 map of Palestine, a gift from Charlie, the staff warns Bartlet of the political implications, since the map excludes Israel.
Season 3, Episode 11: H.Con - 172
Original Air Date: January 9, 2002
Leo defiantly rejects the Congressional Oversight Committee's offer of a public censure of Bartlet that would finally bring an end to the investigation into Bartlet's concealment of his illness and spare Leo of any possible personal repercussions. Meanwhile, Bartlet's staff reacts to an exposé published by a terminated White House photographer. Josh awkwardly schemes to socialize with a women's rights leader, Amy Gardner (MARY-LOUISE PARKER - "Boys on the Side"), whom he finds attractive. Also, Bartlet wants to frame a controversial 1709 map of Palestine that Charlie gave him, but C.J. warns the president of the political implications, since the historical map excludes Israel.
Season 3, Episode 12: 100,000 Airplanes
Original Air Date: January 16, 2002
While the White House staff works intensely on Bartlet's crucial State of the Union speech, Bartlet suddenly demands that a passage ambitiously promising a crusade to cure cancer within 10 years be included. Sam is interviewed for a Vanity Fair profile by Lisa Sherborne (TRAYLOR HOWARD), who was once his fiancée. Attracted to a prominent women's rights leader, Amy Gardner (recurring guest star MARY-LOUISE PARKER - "Fried Green Tomatoes"), Josh tries to persuade her that her burgeoning romance with a Congressman is solely a result of political machinations. Mischievous C.J. tries to upset Charlie by swiping his top-secret, coded copy of the President's approaching address. Pollster Joey Lucas (recurring guest star MARLEE MATLIN) studies the responses from focus groups to Bartlet's upcoming speech.
Season 3, Episode 13: The Two Bartlets
Original Air Date: January 30, 2002
Bartlet and his staff ponder whether or not to counter a fast-rising Republican presidential candidate's verbal assault on affirmative action. Josh must postpone his tropical vacation with women's rights advocate Amy Gardner (recurring guest star MARY-LOUISE PARKER) in order to defuse a risky situation in Vieques, Puerto Rico, an area that serves as a U.S. Navy firing range. As he prepares to remove protesters who have put themselves in harm's way on the island, Josh telephones his longtime friend--who is leading the group. Meanwhile, Sam meets with an eccentric politician, Robert Engler (SAM LLOYD), who believes that Ft. Knox is missing a fortune in gold bullion; C.J. defiantly debates Toby over the merits of affirmative action; and Donna asks Josh to intercede and relieve her of pending jury duty.
Season 3, Episode 14: Night Five
Original Air Date: February 6, 2002
Bartlet consults a psychiatrist, Dr. Stanley Keyworth (recurring guest star ADAM ARKIN - "Chicago Hope"), for a troubling sleep disorder and receives a sobering personal assessment. C.J. lobbies vigorously to help secure the release of a White House reporter who has been taken hostage while on assignment in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Toby risks the wrath of his ex-wife, Congresswoman Andrea "Andy" Wyatt (recurring guest star KATHLEEN YORK), by writing an inflammatory speech condemning Islamic fanaticism. Sam asks Republican lawyer Ainsley Hayes (recurring guest star EMILY PROCTER) to review a proposed act that calls for payback of U.S. debt to the United Nations in exchange for special requests. Donna is stunned when she is offered a prestigious and lucrative new job outside the White House.
Season 3, Episode 15: Hartsfield's Landing
Original Air Date: February 27, 2002
Bartlet engages both Sam and Toby in intricate chess matches that mirror the wily game of brinksmanship that Bartlet is playing with the Chinese, who are conducting war games in the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese threaten real war if Taiwan begins test firing its new U.S.-made Patriot defense missiles. Meanwhile, Josh is nervous about the 42 votes in a remote New Hampshire town's election, which are counted immediately and always predict the winner of that state's primary. Mischievous C.J. tries to upset Charlie by hiding his copy of the President's top-secret daily schedule--prompting a spate of playful tricks.
Season 3, Episode 16: Dead Irish Writers
Original Air Date: March 6, 2002
As Abbey contemplates the likelihood that her medical license will be taken away the following day, she grumpily attends a big White House party for her birthday. Bartlet receives another visit from decorous British Ambassador Lord John Marbury (recurring guest star ROGER REES), who argues against Bartlet's meeting with a murderous Irish terrorist. Meanwhile, Sam meets with Senator Enlow (ROBIN THOMAS), who is blocking the funding of a controversial scientific project that would cost billions. Bartlet ponders making an effort to save a failing computer company. Donna discovers that the national border near her Minnesota birthplace has been redrawn slightly--making her officially a Canadian. Abbey, C.J. and several of the staff women mischievously hide in a closet to drink and gossip. Recurring guest star MARY-LOUISE PARKER ("Boys on the Side") appears as Josh's girlfriend, Amy Gardner, and HECTOR ELIZONDO ("Chicago Hope") guest stars as Sam's former professor, Dr. Millgate.
Season 3, Episode 17: The U.S. Poet Laureate
Original Air Date: March 27, 2002
Bartlet makes a disparaging comment about a potential Republican nominee after a television interview, not realizing that he is still being recorded. For days, C.J. must control the scandal, and Sam recalls Republican White House legal counsel Ainsley Hayes (recurring guest star EMILY PROCTER) from vacation to help formulate the administration's official response. Meanwhile, Toby tries to dissuade the newly named U.S. poet laureate, Tabatha Fortis (LAURA DERN - "Jurassic Park"), from publicly objecting to the government's lack of support for a treaty on land mines. Bartlet ponders saving a failing computer company. And Josh is both repulsed and intrigued by the fact that there is a fan-based Web site devoted to him.
Season 3, Episode 18: Stirred
Original Air Date: April 3, 2002
When a large truck carrying uranium fuel rods crashes in a remote Idaho tunnel, Bartlet's staff prepares for a potential environmental--or terrorist--crisis. Meanwhile, Bartlet's stealthily composed electoral strategy may exclude Vice President John Hoynes (recurring guest star TIM MATHESON) from the next campaign. Unaware that his fate is in question, Hoynes ponders how to promote one of his favorite bills, one that would provide Internet access to low-income households. Also, Hoynes attends the same Alcoholics Anonymous meeting as Leo. Charlie regrets filing his tax return online, after heeding the meddling Bartlet's advice. At Donna's request, Josh seeks a presidential proclamation honoring the retirement of her favorite teacher, but the task proves more difficult than he first imagined.
Season 3, Episode 19: Documentary Special
Original Air Date: April 24, 2002
"The West Wing" blends drama with reality in this groundbreaking documentary episode that includes interviews with former Presidents and White House figures. Paying tribute to the real-life counterparts of the show's fictional Bartlet administration, the installment features U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, White House staffers David Gergen, Dee Dee Myers and Leon Panetta and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Highlights from the three seasons of "The West Wing" are interspersed throughout.
Season 3, Episode 20: Enemies Foreign and Domestic
Original Air Date: May 1, 2002
As Sam finalizes the maddening details of Bartlet's upcoming summit with the Russian president, satellite photographs reveal an Iranian nuclear bomb facility built with Russian technology. The discovery could cause major problems with the leaders' meeting. Meanwhile, the outraged C.J. makes a harsh public statement about a group of schoolgirls in Saudi Arabia who were prevented by the religious police from escaping a burning building because they were not dressed properly. C.J. then receives a serious death threat, prompting Bartlet to assign Secret Service protection to her. Charlie seeks the source of a curious encoded letter addressed to Bartlet. And Toby ponders whether or not to allow a controversial Russian journalist, Ludmilla Koss (SVETLANA EFREMOVA), who has criticized the Russian president, to attend the summit.
Season 3, Episode 21: The Black Vera Wang
Original Air Date: May 8, 2002
Bartlet and his staff rush to deal with an anticipated terrorist attack over a broad area. Meanwhile, C.J. has trouble adjusting to being protected by a handsome and capable Secret Service agent, Simon Donovan (recurring guest star MARK HARMON - "St. Elsewhere"). And Toby clashes with network television executives regarding future political convention coverage. Recurring guest star RON SILVER appears as campaign strategist Bruno Gianelli.
Season 3, Episode 22: We Killed Yamamoto
Original Air Date: May 15, 2002
Bartlet agonizes over whether or not to forfeit the principle of diplomatic immunity for an important Middle Eastern official who is known to be plotting terrorism. Josh debates with his lover, feminist activist Amy Gardner (recurring guest star MARY-LOUISE PARKER), over a key welfare reform bill. Meanwhile, Bartlet is advised not to attend a fundraiser for a politically sensitive cause. Sam must reject ecologically friendly legislation for the Everglades. C.J. gains new respect for her Secret Service bodyguard, Simon Donovan (recurring guest star MARK HARMON). And Donna travels to North Dakota to represent the Bartlet administration at a meeting to change the state's name.
Season 3, Episode 23: Posse Comitatus
Original Air Date: May 22, 2002
In the season finale, Bartlet makes a life-or-death decision regarding a foreign diplomat who is a known terrorist. He ponders the situation during a charity benefit performance of a Shakespeare play about another conflicted leader, Henry VI. At the performance, Bartlet encounters Governor Robert Ritchie (recurring guest star JAMES BROLIN - "Pensacola: Wings of Gold"), his Republican rival in the upcoming presidential election. Meanwhile, Toby and Sam manipulate the press to discredit Ritchie. When Josh supports a key welfare reform bill that his lover, feminist activist Amy Gardner (recurring guest star MARY-LOUISE PARKER), opposes, their personal relationship is threatened. The flirtation between C.J. and her Secret Service bodyguard, Simon Donovan (recurring guest star MARK HARMON), is limited by their professional relationship. And as the search continues for a replacement for the deceased Mrs. Landingham, Charlie recommends Deborah Fiderer (recurring guest star LILY TOMLIN - "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe"), a former White House secretary who was fired for hiring Charlie.
