Episode Guide

(Season Two)

(Season Three)

(Season Four)

Season One:

1.1 - Pilot: Sam sleeps with a woman he later discovers is a call girl, then has a less than favorable first meeting with Leo's daughter. Josh's job is on the line when he says something he shouldn't during a television appearance. Leo must decide what to do about Cuban refugees heading for Miami. The President rides his bike into a tree, creating challenges for C.J. at the press briefing.

1.2 - Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc: Sam tells Josh and Toby about Laurie and continues to pursue a friendship with her. The President's new personal physician is shot down in a plane on the way to Jordan. The Vice-President causes problems, resulting in a confrontation with Leo.

1.3 - A Proportional Response: Sam has a less than pleasant meeting with C.J. when she learns about his association with Laurie. President Bartlet wants retribution for the death of his doctor. Josh hires Charlie as the President's personal aide.

1.4 - Five Votes Down: Sam advises Toby when he runs into trouble over an internet stock he bought. The staff loses five votes on a gun-control bill, and they scramble to get them back. The President takes a little too much medication for his back. Leo's wife wants a divorce.

1.5 - The Crackpots and These Women: It's Big Block of Cheese Day. Sam is asked to pay more attention to UFO's, while C.J. is pitched a wolves-only highway. Josh feels guilty about a card he receives from the NSC. The President makes chili in honor of daughter Zoey.

1.6 - Mr. Willis of Ohio: Sam tutors C.J. on the census. Toby and Mandy meet with three congressmen on the issue of head counts versus sampling. Zoey runs into trouble at a Georgetown bar, causing the President to increase her Secret Service protection. The staff tries to answer Bartlet's trivia questions during a poker game.

1.7 - The State Dinner: While hosting a state dinner for the President of Indonesia, the staff must also deal with a hurricane, a looming teamsters strike, and a hostage situation in Idaho. Sam is shocked to encounter Laurie at the dinner.

1.8 - Enemies: Mallory asks Sam to the opera, but thanks to Leo and the President, he is stuck writing a birthday message. Bartlet and Hoynes butt heads at the cabinet meeting, and Danny gets hold of the story.

1.9 - The Short List: Bartlet, Toby and Sam reconsider their choice for Supreme Court nominee, while a congressman claims that 1 in 3 White House staffers are using drugs. Josh thinks Leo is the target.

1.10 - In Excelsis Deo: Sam and Josh pay a visit to Laurie, hoping to get incriminating information that could help Leo. Toby arranges for the burial of a homeless veteran. The death of a gay teenager prompts the discussion of hate crimes legislation. Bartlet does some Christmas shopping.

1.11 - Lord John Marbury: Mandy wants to take on a Republican client and asks Sam to pave the way with the rest of the staff for her. When Josh is subpoenaed for his records from his investigation into staff drug use, Sam accompanies him to the deposition. India invades Pakistan, prompting Bartlet to call British diplomat Lord John Marbury for help.

1.12 - He Shall, From Time to Time: The staff prepares the President for the State of the Union Address. He passes out from the flu, forcing Abbey to admit to Leo that the President has multiple sclerosis. Sam is surprised by a kiss from Mallory. Leo holds a press conference to announce his past stint in drug rehab.

1.13 - Take Out the Trash Day: Josh and Sam cut a deal to keep Leo from hearings into his drug abuse. Mandy worries that the Lydell's should not be present at the signing of a hate crimes bill sparked by the death of their son. Toby fights for funding for PBS.

1.14 - Take This Sabbath Day: The President must decide whether or not to stay an execution. Sam forgoes his vacation to work on the case, but he never gets in to see the President. Josh, recovering from a rowdy bachelor party, meets deaf campaign manager Joey Lucas.

1.15 - Celestial Navigation: When Supreme Court nominee Roberto Mendoza is arrested for drunk driving, Sam and Toby are sent to bail him out. C.J.'s dental emergency means trouble for Josh when he does the press briefing.

1.16 - 20 Hours in L.A.: The President and staff go to L.A. for a fundraiser, while Leo deals with a vote on an ethanol tax bill.

1.17 - The White House Pro-Am: The First Lady stirs up trouble with a television appearance and a remark to the press about the President's selection for Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Sam deals with a congresswoman who, inspired by the First Lady's remarks, decides to attach an amendment to a long-delayed bill. President Bartlet informs Zoey that she has been receiving letters from white supremacists.

1.18 - Six Meetings Before Lunch: The staff celebrates Mendoza's confirmation, Sam argues school vouchers with Mallory, and Josh deals with the issue of slavery reparations.

1.19 - Let Bartlet Be Bartlet: Sam and Toby meet with military officers and congressmen to discuss changing the current policy on gays in the military. An opposition memo that Mandy wrote while working for Senator Russell ends up in Danny's hands. Leo challenges Bartlet to be more aggressive.

1.20 - Mandatory Minimums: The President announces his nominees for the FEC, angering the Republican leadership. Sam is ostensibly put in charge of a new drug policy that would spend more on treatment than enforcement.

1.21 - Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics: Sam's friendship with Laurie is used as retaliation for the President's FEC nominees. Everyone makes their predictions regarding the outcome of the new job performance poll.

1.22 - What Kind of Day Has It Been: Toby's brother is on the Space Shuttle, which does not land when scheduled. A pilot is shot down by Iraq in the no-fly zone. Sam creates a unique hand signal. The President's town hall meeting ends with gunfire.

Season Two:

2.1 - In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, Pt. 1: The President and Josh are both injured in the shooting, Josh critically. Flashbacks reveal how Sam and Josh joined Bartlet's campaign for the presidency, which already included Toby and Leo.

2.2 - In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, Pt. 2: C.J. begins to remember what happened during the shooting, specifically Sam's heroic actions. Flashbacks of the campaign continue, revealing how C.J. and Donna joined the campaign, as well as the death of Josh's father on the night of the Illinois primary.

2.3 - The Midterms: Josh continues to recover, and Sam convinces a friend to run for congress, as they all try to help Democrats gain control of the house. Toby and Charlie deal with the aftermath of the shooting. The President is concerned about a race for the Board of Education.

2.4 - In This White House: The staff meets with pharmaceutical companies and an African president to discuss the AIDS crisis in Africa. Sam is taken down a notch by Republican political analyst Ainsley Hayes, who is subsequently hired at the request of the President to work in the counsel's office.

2.5 - And It's Surely To Their Credit: Ainsley gets her first assignment, which does not go well. Sam encourages Josh to sue various white supremacist groups. Donna helps with the President's radio address. C.J. deals with a retiring general who does not think favorably of the President.

2.6 - The Lame Duck Congress: The President considers calling a lame duck congress to pass a test-ban treaty. Sam asks Ainsley to summarize a position paper for him, and she reverses his position. A Ukrainian politician shows up demanding to see the President.

2.7 - The Portland Trip: Sam and Toby work on an education speech, while C.J. pays for a joke about Notre Dame, on an Air Force One flight to Portland. Josh talks to Congressman Matt Skinner about legislation banning same-sex marriage. Donna has a lousy date.

2.8 - Shibboleth: A boatload of Chinese Christians arrives in the U.S. seeking asylum from religious persecution. Sam works on a Thanksgiving proclamation, and possibly an action-adventure series. C.J. supervises Thanksgiving festivities. Toby presses for a fight on school prayer. Charlie must buy the President a carving knife.

2.9 - Galileo: The President prepares for a televised classroom with students across the country as Galileo 5 heads for Mars. Sam and C.J. accompany the President to the Kennedy Center and both bump into people they'd rather not see. Josh and Donna work on a proposal for putting someone on a stamp.

2.10 - Noël: Increasingly troublesome behavior from Josh prompts Leo to call the American Trauma Victims Association. Josh recounts events of the previous three weeks, including a missing pilot, an incident on the White House tour, the strategic petroleum reserves, and the congressional Christmas party.

2.11 - The Leadership Breakfast: The new chief of staff for the majority leader uses a quote from Toby to make the White House look bad following a bipartisan breakfast. Leo, Sam and Donna get caught up in a series of blunders with NY Times columnist Karen Cahill. Sam explores moving the press room across the street.

2.12 - The Drop In: Sam passionately works on a speech to introduce new environmental legislation, only to have Toby sabotage it with a "drop in," admonishing the Global Defense Council for not condemning eco-terrorism. The President welcomes new ambassadors, including Britain's new ambassador, Lord John Marbury. Leo tries to convince the President to support a missile defense shield.

2.13 - Bartlet's Third State of the Union: The President gives his State of the Union Address, and changes in the text do not go over well with the First Lady. Capital Beat broadcasts live from the West Wing. A problem arises with a police offer who was recognized during the speech. Sam arranges for Ainsley to meet the President, and it does not go well. Josh anxiously awaits polling numbers. Five DEA agents are taken hostage in Colombia.

2.14 - The War At Home: The attempted rescue mission of the hostages results in the death of nine special operatives. Donna presses Josh to ask out Joey Lucas, which he finds puzzling. Toby deals with Senator Gilette who is unhappy over the creation of a blue-ribbon commission on social security. Sam tries to help Ainsley erase her humiliation from the night before.

2.15 - Ellie: The Surgeon General makes comments about the legalization of marijuana, leading Josh and Leo to ask for her resignation. The President's daughter complicates matters when she comments on the situation to the press. Sam deals with a movie producer who called the President a coward, after Charlie declined a screening of the producer's new film. Toby goes to his ex-wife for help with Senator Gilette.

2.16 - Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail: Sam learns that his father has had a mistress for the past 28 years. Donna asks Sam to help get a pardon for her friend's grandfather who was accused of being a spy. As part of Big Block of Cheese Day, C.J. and Josh meet with the Organization of Cartographers for Social Equality, and Toby speaks to WTO protesters.

2.17 - The Stackhouse Filibuster: A senator unexpectedly blocks a vote on a health care bill with a filibuster, delaying the staff's weekend plans. C.J., Sam and Josh recount events of the past few weeks as they write e-mails to their parents. C.J. is concerned about a broken statue and an ancient curse. Sam gets taken to task by an intern in the General Accounting Office. Donna uncovers the real reason behind the filibuster. The President drops some news on Leo about his plans for a second term. Toby has concerns about the Vice President.

2.18 - 17 People: Toby confronts Leo about the President's plans to run for reelection, prompting Bartlet to tell Toby about his multiple sclerosis. While trying to punch up the speech for the White House Correspondent's Dinner, Sam and Ainsley argue the merits of the ERA, and Josh and Donna argue over an anniversary.

2.19 - Bad Moon Rising: President Bartlet informs White House Counsel Oliver Babish of his multiple sclerosis. Sam is concerned about an oil tanker that hit the coast of Delaware, because he wrote the company's liability shield while at Gage Whitney. C.J. tries to uncover a leak. Josh explains to Donna why they should bailout Mexico.

2.20 - The Fall's Gonna Kill You: C.J. and the First Lady have their turn with Babish. Josh gets Joey Lucas to put a poll in the field to gauge public reaction to the President's illness. News that the budget surplus will be lower than expected is good news for Sam, who is working on a speech concerning tax cuts. Donna is concerned about a satellite plummeting toward Earth. The Justice Department comes to Josh looking for more money for legal battles with tobacco companies.

2.21 - 18th and Potomac: The staff develops a plan for going public with the President's MS. Josh tries to get more money for the tobacco cases. The Haitian military stages a coup against the newly elected government, requiring a U.S. military response. Mrs. Landingham buys a new car, but is sadly killed by a drunk driver before making it back to the White House.

2.22 - Two Cathedrals: The staff prepares for the President's televised interview announcing his MS to the nation, all the while not knowing his plans for running for a second term. The President and staff attend Mrs. Landingham's funeral, after which Bartlet has a few words with God. In flashbacks, we see how Bartlet and Mrs. Landingham met. The President faces reporters at a press conference.

Season Three:

3.1 - Isaac and Ishmael: A man is taken into custody in connection with a bombing at La Guardia. He names several co-conspirators, one of whom has an alias matching the name of a White House staffer. A lock down of the White House is immediately ordered, forcing a group of students from the Presidential Classroom to wait out the crisis in the mess. Josh and Donna take charge of the group, as Toby, Sam, C.J., Charlie, the First Lady and the President all stop by to discuss issues related to terrorism. Leo interrogates the staffer.

3.2 - Manchester, Pt. 1: The President continues to deal with the situation in Haiti, forcing C.J. to juggle MS, reelection and military operations with the press. The stress results in an ill-advised remark. The President and the First Lady have words. Joey Lucas puts a new poll in the field. The staff heads to Manchester, where the President will make a speech announcing his reelection. Sam and Toby work on the speech, and the staff butts heads with the new campaign staff.

3.3 - Manchester, Pt. 2: Tensions continue to run high among the staff as finishing touches are put on the President's speech. Josh beats himself up over his handling of the tobacco case. Sam apologizes to Leo for an earlier outburst. C.J. considers resigning. The President apologizes to the staff.

3.4 - Ways and Means: The special prosecutor issues the first round of subpoenas. C.J. uses the press to her advantage, in order to get the administration in a fight with an uglier enemy -- the House. The President considers whether or not to put out a fire in Wyoming. Ainsley sets up Donna on a blind date with a Republican. Sam meets with Victor Campos, who is key in winning California. Josh and Toby advise the President on the estate tax.

3.5 - On the Day Before: Bartlet vetoes the repeal of the estate tax. Sam believes the House has the votes to override, and he and Toby end up making a deal with Republicans to prevent it. Josh talks to a governor who may challenge Bartlet for the nomination. C.J. deals with an entertainment reporter who crosses the line. Charlie is urged to take immunity in the MS matter.

3.6 - War Crimes: Following a shooting at a Texas church, Bartlet and Hoynes have a heated discussion about gun control and reelection. Leo and General Adamley argue the pros and cons of convening a war crimes tribunal. Donna runs into trouble at a deposition. Sam looks for a reason not to support the elimination of the penny. C.J. banters with a foreign correspondent who has returned to the White House beat. Toby speaks to the assistants after a leak to the press.

3.7 - Gone Quiet: A submarine has "gone quiet" off North Korea. Leo brings in the Assistant Secretary of State, who is not a popular person with the President, to advise. Sam and Toby meet with the campaign staff about television advertising and the use of soft money, while Toby simultaneously has a meeting regarding funding for the NEA. The Majority Leader flubs his answer to the question, "Why do you want to be President?" C.J. is excited, but becomes concerned that Bartlet may not have an answer either. Babbish meets with Abbey about her previous malpractice suits, something that will likely become an issue with the MS situation.

3.8 - The Indians in the Lobby: C.J. is left to deal with two Indians camped in the lobby demanding to be heard after their meeting was cancelled. Josh deals with the extradition of a boy who killed his teacher and was then whisked off to Italy by his parents. Sam has a meeting regarding the OMB's new formula for calculating the poverty level, which will result in millions more poor people. The President is concerned about how to cook stuffing inside a turkey, and he is not happy to learn a poll was put in the field asking where he should spend Thanksgiving.

3.9 - The Women of Qumar: C.J. is angered by the White House's sale of weapons to a nation that abuses women. The staff must decide whether or not to go public about the possibility of an outbreak of mad cow disease. Josh meets with Amy Gardner from the Women's Leadership Council about wording in a treaty on prostitution. Sam is troubled about a lawsuit against the President involving a comment Bartlet made about seat belts. Toby meets with WWII veterans who are upset about a Pearl Harbor exhibit at the Smithsonian.

3.10 - Bartlet for America: The President and staff are distressed about threats against black churches in Tennessee, especially with Christmas Eve services approaching. Meanwhile, Leo testifies before the Congressional committee investigating the MS matter. Flashbacks show events in the campaign and reveal the reasons why the President did not disclose his illness. Also revealed is a relapse of Leo's drinking during the campaign that could come back to hurt him now.

3.11 - H.Con-172: Leo rejects the offer of a presidential censure that would put an end to the Congressional hearings. President Bartlet has a different response. Charlie buys the President a map of the Holy Land drawn in 1709. Sam has the staff reading galleys of an unauthorized book about the White House looking for factual errors, of which there are many. Josh tries to create a business reason for seeing Amy Gardner again.

3.12 - 100,000 Airplanes: Sam reluctantly agrees to an interview with Vanity Fair, beginning on the night of the State of the Union Address. Part of his reluctance stems from his connection to the interviewer--his former fiancée Lisa. A dinner with some of Abbey's oncologist friends prompts the President to push for an announcement that they will cure cancer in ten years. Sam thinks they should do it, but the others think it's just the President's way of deflecting attention from the censure. Josh sees Amy again and makes the mistake of suggesting her boyfriend, a congressman, is using her for political purposes. Joey Lucas is on hand to provide polling numbers after the speech.

3.13 - The Two Bartlets: Sam meets with ufologist Bob, who believes that most of the gold in Fort Knox is missing. Josh postpones a tropical vacation with Amy to defuse a situation in Puerto Rico. Donna tries to get out of jury duty. The President considers whether or not to address affirmative action in a speech in Iowa, prompting Toby and C.J. to debate the issue. Harsh words are exchanged when Toby confronts Bartlet about how he presents himself to the American public.

3.14 - Night Five: After paying Ainsley an innocent compliment, Sam is accused of demeaning her by an office temp. The President, unable to sleep since his heated conversation with Toby, has a session with a psychiatrist. Toby clashes with his ex-wife over a speech to the United Nations. A White House reporter is taken hostage in the Congo.

3.15 - Hartsfield's Landing: Chess games with Sam and Toby provide the backdrop for the President's handling of war games between China and Taiwan. C.J. and Charlie play their own war games after C.J. mocks Charlie's rules concerning the President's daily schedule. Josh is concerned about primary results in a small New Hampshire town which are counted immediately and have always predicted the winner of the presidential election.

3.16 - Dead Irish Writers: The possible loss of her medical license the next day does not put Abbey in the mood for the lavish party celebrating her birthday. Sam lobbies a senator who is holding up approval of funding for a superconducting supercollider. Lord John Marbury argues with Toby about why an Irish terrorist cannot visit the White House. Amy is back to challenge Josh on the number of women being considered for the campaign staff. Abbey, C.J., Donna and Amy have a private party of their own.

3.17 - The U.S. Poet Laureate: Toby tries to convince the new poet laureate not to criticize publicly the United States' refusal to support a land mine treaty. The President makes an insulting remark on an open mike about the potential Republican nominee, forcing C.J. to do damage control with the press, and prompting Sam to bring Ainsley back from vacation to help spin the "mistake." The staff prepares for a press conference regarding a new energy plan, but Josh is distracted by the discovery of LemonLyman.com.

3.18 - Stirred: Josh heads up a meeting to discuss the possibility of replacing Hoynes on the ticket. Simultaneously, Sam meets with the Vice President regarding the Internet Education Act. The President helps Charlie with his tax return while also monitoring a situation in Idaho involving the crash of a truck carrying uranium-depleted fuel rods. Donna hopes to get a presidential proclamation honoring the retirement of her favorite teacher.

3.19 - Enemies Foreign and Domestic: Sam irons out details for the President's summit with the new president of Russia, while satellite photos reveal a Russian-built nuclear bomb facility in Iran. C.J. makes harsh remarks about Saudi Arabia at a press briefing. A death threat in her email garners a serious response from the Secret Service. Toby considers issuing press credentials to a controversial Russian journalist. Charlie researches the origin of a letter sent to the President.

3.20 - The Black Vera Wang: C.J. tries to adjust to constant Secret Service protection. Toby clashes with network executives over coverage of the political conventions. Sam receives a tape of a commercial attacking the President. Donna and an intern get into a bit of trouble over some moose meat, a gift from Josh, that ends up on eBay.

3.21 - We Killed Yamamoto: Donna represents the White House at a meeting in North Dakota to change the state's name. Sam tries to recover from his mishandling of the tape. A welfare reform bill sparks heated debate between Josh and Amy. The President and Leo deal with evidence that the Qumari defense minister is in fact a terrorist.

3.22 - Posse Comitatus: C.J.'s stalker is caught, but things do not end well for her Secret Service agent. Josh continues to battle for passage of the welfare reform bill. The President attends a fundraiser in New York where he meets his likely opponent in the election. Toby and Sam do their best to discredit Ritchie with the press. Meanwhile, the President meets with the Qumari defense minister in the Oval Office, then must decide if he will assassinate him. Charlie recommends a candidate to replace Mrs. Landingham.

Season Four:

4.1 and 4.2 - 20 Hours in America: While on the campaign trail with President Bartlet, Josh, Toby and Donna miss the motorcade and end up stranded in Indiana. With Josh gone, Sam steps in to staff the President for the day. Leo deals with fall-out from the assassination of the Qumari defense minister. C.J. recruits Charlie to step in for Simon as a big brother. A replacement is finally found for Mrs. Landingham.

4.3 - College Kids: Toby and Josh pursue a plan to make college tuition tax-deductible. Bartlet recommends that Leo hire a lawyer to help them sort out the Qumari matter. A judge rules that Presidential debates must be open to candidates from other parties. The hiring of Debbie Fiderer hits a snag with the Secret Service.

4.4 - The Red Mass: Leo meets with an Israeli official regarding the situation in Qumar. The staff negotiates the terms of the debates with Ritchie. Josh is frustrated with Amy's work for third-party candidate Howard Stackhouse. Sam lines up validators for the tuition plan, while also working on the speech for Red Mass.

4.5 - Debate Camp: The staff retreats in North Carolina to do debate prep, with Sam playing the part of Ritchie. Toby drops a bombshell about his impending fatherhood. The Israeli Air Force weighs in on the Qumari situation. The staff recalls their early days in the White House, including a failed nomination for attorney general.

4.6 - Game On: The staff heads to Southern California, where Sam tries to persuade campaign manager Will Bailey to end recently-deceased Horton Wilde's bid for Congress. The President debates Ritchie, but not without first messing with Toby's head and dealing with a tie problem. Leo remains at the White House to meet with the Qumari ambassador to the UN.

4.7 - Election Night: It's election day and Bartlet's victory is a foregone conclusion. The real surprise is the tight race in Orange County, which has Sam a bit concerned. Donna realizes she made a mistake on her absentee ballot and tries to rectify it. Debbie lays down the law regarding rules in the Oval Office. Toby and Andy make a visit to the doctor.

4.8 - Process Stories: As the staff celebrates victory on election night, a coup develops in Venezuela. Toby is concerned about how Andy's pregnancy will affect her politically. The staff encourages Sam to run for Horton Wilde's seat.

4.9 - Swiss Diplomacy: The teenaged son of an Iranian leader needs a heart and lung transplant in the U.S. Toby offers a Congresswoman a Cabinet position, then must rescind it. Josh is sent to talk to Hoynes about calls to precinct captains, which it turns out were made by the President.

4.10 - Arctic Radar: Everyone has an opinion on the impending dishonorable discharge of a female fighter pilot having an affair with an enlisted man. Sam packs up his office to head to Orange County for his campaign. He sends Will Bailey to Toby to help with the inaugural address. Donna sends Josh to talk to Jack Reese, but is dismayed when Josh shares some stories he shouldn't. The President flips out over complaints from U.N. diplomats about parking enforcements in New York City. Josh has a problem with a temp worker's Star Trek pin.

4.16 - The California 47th: Suprisingly, Sam remains on speaking terms with the Senior Staff, despite the chaos they create upon arriving in California to "help" him campaign.

4.17 - Red Haven's on Fire: A typical week in the West Wing as Josh is arrogant, Amy is annoying, Will is a jackass, C.J. is goofy, Bartlet is condescending, Abbey is patronizing, Leo is Leo, Charlie is barely there, and Nancy is stuck in for no reason. Toby is oddly sweet and Sam is the man. Always and forever the man.

Note: As this is Sam Seaborn Central, the episode guide reflects only episodes in which Sam has appeared. The guide will be updated only in the event that Sam should reappear on the show.

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