2162 Votes (6 Apr. 2005)

WHO WILL BE THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE? - It's the Democratic National Convention and the race to become the Democratic Presidential candidate has narrowed to three candidates: ... See full summary »

Director:

Alex Graves

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin (creator), John Wells,

Stars:

Alan Alda, Stockard Channing, Dulé Hill

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Alda	...	Senator Arnold Vinick
Stockard Channing	...	Abbey Bartlet
Dulé Hill	...	Charlie Young
Allison Janney	...	C.J. Cregg
Joshua Malina	...	Will Bailey
Mary McCormack	...	Kate Harper
Janel Moloney	...	Donna Moss
Richard Schiff	...	Toby Ziegler
John Spencer	...	Leo McGarry
Bradley Whitford	...	Josh Lyman
Jimmy Smits	...	Matthew Santos
Martin Sheen	...	President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet
Kristin Chenoweth	...	Annabeth Schott
Gary Cole	...	Vice President Bob Russell
Teri Polo	...	Helen Santos

Storyline

WHO WILL BE THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE? - It's the Democratic National Convention and the race to become the Democratic Presidential candidate has narrowed to three candidates: Russell, Baker and Santos. Also, Bartlet must wrestle with the decision to launch the super-secret defense shuttle to rescue the astronauts trapped at the space station and risk national security or let them die.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 April 2005 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 23, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The HP Pavillion (formerly Compaq Center) in San Jose, CA, and the Arrowhead Pond (now known as the Honda Center) in Anaheim, CA, were used for the exterior and interior shots respectively of the Democratic National Convention.

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Goofs

In the introduction before Congressman Matt Santos takes the stage to address the convention, the announcer states that Santos is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy (at around 50 mins). In previous episodes he is described as a graduate of the US Naval Academy and in the top 10 percent of his class; in later episodes he is said to be a graduate of the Naval Academy, an officer in the US Marine Corps, and a pilot who served in the Gulf. The single reference to the Air Force Academy is inconsistent with the other references.

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Quotes

Josh Lyman: Where in the name of all that is holy is Pennsylvania?

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Connections

References Law & Order (1990)

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Soundtracks

"West Wing Main Title"
(uncredited)
Written by W.G. Snuffy Walden
Performed by Pete Anthony

User Reviews

Makes you proud to be a Democrat

Here is a classic season finale for the West Wing, ending with the gruelling convention for the Democratic Nomination for the Presidency.

Congressman Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) and Vice President Bob Russell(Gary Cole) had a close result in the Primary process, with neither gaining the 2162 delegates they need to win the nomination. Both try to politick to win nomination, offering positions and contracts if their win and show they are the better candidate. Russell argues he can win in the Mid-West, whilst Santos could win in California and Texas. Russell even has Governor Eric Baker (Ed O'Neill) of Pennsylvania as his VP nominee. But a scanner is thrown in the works when Baker reject's Russell's offer and attempts to a last minute run for the nomination himself, getting support as a unitary candidate. Within the White House is a key subplot from the previous episode when the International Space Station is running out of oxygen and they had been a leak to the New York Times about the military Space Shuttle that could be used to save them. President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) is furious and wants the person who leaked this information to the press to be found.

This is an exciting episode for politics nuts like me and you feel the confusion and frenzy of the quick negotiations and the way events can quickly change. The frantic camera-work helps add to the affect. It is brilliantly written and nearly became real life last year during the nomination of Barack Obama. Both the director Alex Graves and writer John Wells do a great job with this episode. They is great actor, as expected from the West Wing and shows why it is one of the best televisions show ever made. I am also a sucker for grand speeches in film and TV and Matt Santos' speech is a cracker for me.

An excellent episode.