A Proportional Response (6 Oct. 1999)

After being offered "a proportional response" to the Syrian military's downing of a U.S. military plane on a medical mission (and carrying his newly named personal physician), the president... See full summary »

Director:

Marc Buckland

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin (creator), Aaron Sorkin

Stars:

Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly, Dulé Hill

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Rob Lowe	...	Sam Seaborn
Moira Kelly	...	Mandy Hampton
Dulé Hill	...	Charlie Young
Allison Janney	...	C.J. Cregg
Richard Schiff	...	Toby Ziegler
John Spencer	...	Leo McGarry
Bradley Whitford	...	Josh Lyman
Martin Sheen	...	President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet
John Amos	...	Percy Fitzwallace
Renée Estevez	...	Nancy (as Renee Estevez)
Janel Moloney	...	Donna Moss
Suzy Nakamura	...	Cathy
Kathryn Joosten	...	Mrs. Landingham
NiCole Robinson	...	Margaret
Rose Rollins	...	Suzanne

Storyline

After being offered "a proportional response" to the Syrian military's downing of a U.S. military plane on a medical mission (and carrying his newly named personal physician), the president demands an option that will have greater impact. Leo gradually must talk him down, while Bartlet snipes at everyone, including Abby. The president ultimately agrees to the initial option, but is not happy about it. Charlie Young is introduced as an applicant for a messenger job whom Josh decides to hire as Bartler's personal aide (note: he mentions being sent to Josh by Mrs. De La Guardia, who is later introduced in season four as Debbie Fiderer, who becomes Mrs. Landingham's replacement).

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Plot Keywords:

u.s. president | retribution | leak | teleprompter | naval officer | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1999 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 18, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The acronym BDA is used without explanation - it stands for "bomb damage assessment".

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Goofs

Actress Kim Webster had a recurring role in the series as Ginger, a Communications office assistant. In this episode only, her character is not referred to by name, and she appears in the credits as Kim.

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Quotes

C.J. Cregg: I don't care what it is, I care what it looks like.

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Connections

References Hard Copy (1989)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

It's what our fathers taught us.

This is definitely the one that hooked me. I enjoyed the first two episodes but wasn't 100% sure the subject matter was going to keep me interested, but now I am. It started with the same humor I've come to expect and love from Sorkin.

"You know what, CJ, I really think I'm the best judge of what I mean, you paranoid Berkeley shiksa feminista! ...well, that was way too far."

"No, no. Well I've got a staff meeting to go to and so do you, you elitist Harvard fascist, missed the deans list two semesters in a row, Yankee jackass!"

"Feel better getting that off your chest there CJ?"

"I'm a whole new woman."

While the comedy was great,

"There is no law, there is no decency."

"He's just getting that now."

It was the drama that made this episode shine. I really got behind Bartlet in this episode, because in many ways I agree with him about the disproportional response. America does have the greatest military force on earth and the fact that we use it to do so much good should mean that those on their way to do good should be able to do so without fear of death. It was a plane full of doctors and nurses on their way to teach others how to become doctors and nurses, how much more altruistic can you get? And if an enemy has the gall to shoot down that plane they should expect more than a slap on the wrist.

"Let the word ring forth from this time and this place, gentlemen, you kill an American, any American, we don't come back with a proportional response. We come back with total disaster!"

But what I love about the show is that every issue has two pretty valid sides(exactly what politics is), and as soon as you mention civilian casualties things change pretty quickly. Though Bartlet's monologue about Rome still had me wishing they could have done more. But as Leo said it's the way a super power(the last one) should behave, has to behave.

"It's what our fathers taught us."

I even began to see the other side to Sam's situation with the call girl, though I still say he's almost crazy for doing it, I can see it might be more out of frustration with the system than his own personal agenda.

"It's not like you didn't know you were going to be held to a higher standard when you took this job."

"I don't mind being held to a higher standard I mind being held to a lower one."

Also Charlie's(Dule Hill)introduction was done quite well, looking forward to seeing more of his character.

Easily the best episode so far for me and the first(of many) truly perfect blends of comedy and drama that Sorkin produced.