"The West Wing" Two Cathedrals (2001)

User Rating:

9.4/10   

Director:

Thomas Schlamme

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin (creator)
Aaron Sorkin (written by)

TV Series:

"The West Wing" (1999)

Original Air Date:

16 May 2001 (Season 2, Episode 22)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

As the Hatian army continues their seize of the America embassy there, Bartlet and the staff prepare for the announcement that Bartlet has M.S...

Plot Keywords:

President | Political | Secretary | White House | First Lady

Cast

Rob Lowe	...	Sam Seaborn
Dulé Hill	...	Charlie Young
Allison Janney	...	Claudia Jean 'C.J.' Cregg
Janel Moloney	...	Donna Moss
Richard Schiff	...	Toby Ziegler
John Spencer	...	Leo McGarry
Bradley Whitford	...	Josh Lyman
Martin Sheen	...	President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet
Stockard Channing	...	Abbey Bartlet
Anna Deavere Smith	...	Nancy McNally
Kirsten Nelson	...	Young Mrs. Dolores Landingham
Jason Widener	...	Young Jed Bartlet
Don McManus	...	Greg Summerhays
NiCole Robinson	...	Margaret Hooper
Lawrence O'Donnell	...	Dr. Bartlet (as Lawrence O'Donnell Jr.)

Runtime:

Germany:43 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Latin

Color:

Color

Company:

John Wells Productions

Trivia:

Before President Bartlet's press conference, C. J. instructs him to take his first question from science journalist Lawrence Altman because that will allow the press conference to start with a discussion about MS rather than one about reelection. Bartlet chooses to answer another reporter's question first instead, but there is a shot of a reporter meant to be Altman. Lawrence K. Altman is a qualified medical doctor and, since 1969, a New York Times reporter on medical and scientific issues; although he was portrayed by an actor in this episode, he did write an October 9, 2001, New York Times article about the MS storyline in the context of real-life presidents who have chosen to disclose or to hide health issues.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The motorcade passes the National Cathedral on the way from the White House to the State Department. In fact, the State Department is only several blocks from the White House (due west of the Ellipse) while the National Cathedral is more than three miles away.

Quotes:

President Josiah Bartlet: Yes... Sandy.
Reporter: Mr. President, can you tell us right now if you'll be seeking a second term?
President Josiah Bartlet: I'm sorry, Sandy, there was a bit of noise there. Could you repeat the question?
Reporter: Can you tell us right now if you'll be seeking a second term?
[Bartlet puts his hands in his pockets, looks to the side then looks back at the pool of reporters]
Leo McGarry: Watch this...

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Kenny & vänner: Kenny & Mark Knopfler (#1.4)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Brothers in Arms

In my humble opinion, the best TV episode I have ever seen

Towards the end of the episode, the background score is 'Brothers in Arms' by Dire Straits. Although it is one of my all time favorite songs and I would have loved it anyway, I thought the timing was just plainly stupendous. I cannot recall ever getting that eerie sensation of hair rising on the back of my head, while watching another television show! For that alone, I would rate this episode high.

The story is inspirational. Jed Bartlet's long time teacher and guiding force, Mrs Landigham has died and he has to decide if he wants to run for election again. As he makes up his mind, we are brought to witness the various challenges he faces and you realize that sometimes the biggest challenges lie within yourself. This is a truly inspirational episode and it made me learn certain things about myself. It also helped give me some perspective.