Episodes: 22 | Released: 2005 | Certificate: 12 | Genre: Drama | Director: Christopher Misiano
Actors: Martin Sheen
, Glenn Close
, Gary Cole
, Matthew Perry
, Bradley Whitford
, Allison Janney
, Richard Schiff
, John Spencer
, Dule Hill
, Janel Moloney
, Stockard Channing
, Joshua Malina
Now, as Bartlet's time in the White House comes to an end, two formidable men vie for the Presidency: Arnold Vinick, a Republican senator from California, and three-term Houston Democratic Congressman Matthew Santos. Josh is caught off guard when political commentators are critical of Leo as a running mate for Santos. White House Counsel Oliver Babish discusses a leak investigation with C.J. and Donna approaches Josh for a job.
As the Grand Jury convenes to investigate the White House military shuttle leak, the campaign's focus changes to national security. Vinick deftly handles the issue while Santos is bound by his party loyalty to align himself with the Bartlet administration.
Vinick undermines the Santos campaign by targeting immigration issues - a topic Santos had previously successfully avoided. Meanwhile, an eager National Security Agency agent briefs Vinick about a serious situation in Kazakhstan.
Since several members of the staff have been subpoenaed to testify in the military shuttle leak investigation, C.J. is left to run the office practically by herself. Major trouble breaks out in the Middle East jeopardizing Bartlet's peace plan.
After answering questions from White House Counsel Oliver Babish, Toby concludes that he needs to retain counsel. Meanwhile, Josh realizes that everyone involved in the Santos campaign is young and inexperienced, forcing him to make some tough decisions.
A third-party attack on Santos brings unwanted attention to both his and Vinick's stance on abortion. Meanwhile, Will gets a promotion.
In a first for "The West Wing," the Emmy Award-winning series broadcasts a live episode featuring a tension-packed debate between the two Presidential candidates, Congressman Matt Santos and Senator Arnold Vinick.
Santos visits a Los Angeles African-American family whose child was shot by a Latino police officer. C.J. manages a crisis between China and Kazakhstan.
On the eve of Ellie's White House wedding, a military situation in Central Asia takes Bartlet away from the rehearsal festivities. Meanwhile, the election is 6 weeks away, and Santos is trailing by 7 points. Josh, Leo and Santos strategise over where to spend their rapidly dwindling monetary resources. Some Democratic Party loyalists want Santos to replace Josh, but Leo advises against it. And Bartlet takes a break from being President to walk his daughter down the aisle.
Leo struggles through debate practice and makes Josh and Lou extremely nervous. Meanwhile, Santos gets a brief respite from the campaign trail to see his family.
C.J. is in the process of negotiating a deal so Russia and China don't go to war over Kazakhstan when some potentially embarrassing information about Bartlet surfaces. Meanwhile, Josh pressures the White House to let Santos announce a scientific research lab in Texas, much to the administration's chagrin.
Bartlet must face the possibility of a nuclear reactor meltdown in California. In the midst of this emergency, the presidential campaign goes on, and the candidates find themselves struggling to find a good strategy to deal with the situation. Meanwhile, Kate keeps an eye on the impending battle between Russia and China over Kazakhstan.
The effects of a nuclear scare in California continue to shake things up on both sides of the campaign trail. While the Vinick camp falters over its pro-nuclear position, the Santos team is gaining momentum, and overnight, it has become a neck-and-neck race. Caught up in the excitement of it all, Josh and Donna share a moment that has been a long time coming. Meanwhile, the White House is involved in its own drama, as military forces from China and Russia face off over an increasingly tense situation in Kazakhstan.
As the end of the campaign trail nears, the candidates feel the burden more than ever. Meanwhile, an interesting and unexpected twist gives Vinick an opportunity to damage the Santos campaign.
The Attorney General pressures Toby to reveal his source on the shuttle leak. Meanwhile, Santos continues his dizzying tour of the country. Santos' campaign bus is abuzz when rock star Jon Bon Jovi comes aboard to lend his support and perform part of his song "Welcome to Wherever You Are."
In the series' 150th episode, the night before Election Day becomes even more meaningful for two staffers. Josh stresses over returns, while C.J. is faced with future job offers. And Annabeth makes a startling discovery.
As the polls close, and results are tallied, emotions run high. Santos and Josh face the loss of their Vice Presidential candidate. Meanwhile, Vinick disagrees with his campaign team.
Bartlet and his current staff - as well as some friends from the past - come together for Leo's funeral. Meanwhile, Santos must choose a new Vice President.
A controversy occurs when the President-Elect places a telephone call to the president of China and espouses a different viewpoint from that of Bartlet. Meanwhile, Josh chooses his deputy chief of staff.
While Santos is wrapped up in choosing his new Vice President, Helen is overwhelmed by the issues facing the new First Family. Meanwhile, Vinick also deals with a new life now that the election is over.
As the Bartlet administration prepares to transition into the Santos administration, C.J. must confront the choices affecting her future. Meanwhile, Will also finds himself in a position of uncertainty about what is to come.
In the series finale, the Bartlet administration prepares to leave the West Wing. While Santos and his winning camp nervously gear up for the inauguration, outgoing President Bartlet, C.J. and the others fondly look back on their time in the White House. Former series star ROB LOWE guest stars as Sam Seaborn.
