Election Night (6 Nov. 2002)

As results come in across the country, Sam is focused on a single congressional election that will determine his own future. CJ is outraged at a pollster who is taking credit for Bruno's ... See full summary »

Director:

Lesli Linka Glatter

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin (creator), Aaron Sorkin (teleplay),

Stars:

Rob Lowe, Stockard Channing, Dulé Hill

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Rob Lowe	...	Sam Seaborn
Stockard Channing	...	Abbey Bartlet
Dulé Hill	...	Charlie Young
Allison Janney	...	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
Christian Slater	...	Lt. Cmdr. Jack Reese
Joshua Malina	...	Will Bailey
Lily Tomlin	...	Deborah Fiderer
Kathleen York	...	Andrea Wyatt
Omar Benson Miller	...	Orlando Kettles
Danica McKellar	...	Elsie Snuffin

Storyline

As results come in across the country, Sam is focused on a single congressional election that will determine his own future. CJ is outraged at a pollster who is taking credit for Bruno's work. After realizing she accidentally voted for the Republican nominee, Donna tries to find a Ritchie supporter who will "swap votes" with her. The President tries to hide a recurrence of his M.S.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 November 2002 (USA)

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

42 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Rain is mentioned as a deterrent for people going out to voting places. At one point, Josh Lyman bemoans that "It's raining in Oregon." That actually wouldn't matter since Oregon has been voting exclusively by mail-in ballots since 1998 (when Oregon Ballot Measure 60 was passed).

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Quotes

Sam Seaborn: [explaining his agreeing to run for Congress] You have to understand. This wasn't something that cost me anything. They weren't going to announce unless Wilde won and that was never going to happen in Orange County. It's like the Secretary of Agriculture saying, "Sure, I'm ready to assume the Presidency should the 18 who come before me die. Why not?"

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Crazy Credits

Unlike nearly all episodes of the series, a title card for "THE WEST WING" does not appear at the end of the opening credits for this episode.

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Connections

References West Side Story (1961)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Who's Officer Cupcake?

As Bartlet wins in a landslide (and romances Abbey to candlelight, Dean Martin, and Commander-in-Chief innuendo), Sam watches the unthinkable happen...a deceased democrat win a heavily-republican district. Debbie's first scenes as Bartlet's new secretary are funny and seamless. Toby's ex-wife finally gets pregnant (using his sperm). He pressures her to re-marry, as she re-wins her congressional seat. Donna accidentally votes for Ritchie, and stands for six hours in the cold trying to get a republican to swap votes. A charming way to meet the charming Jack Reese (Christian Slater - HEATHERS, PUMP UP THE VOLUME), the stranger who finally says yes...just as he's on his way to assume his military duties at the White House. Even though a part of us wants him nowhere near Donna, he's perfect in his role. Bruno couldn't care less when a pollster takes undue credit for the victory...he's trying to get his post-victory mack on.