Mr. Willis of Ohio (3 Nov. 1999)

In the first of several episodes throughout the series' run that portrays ordinary Americans and how they interact with and ultimately affect the W.H., an Ohio middle school social studies ... See full summary »

Director:

Christopher Misiano

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
Janel Moloney	...	Donna Moss
Elisabeth Moss	...	Zoey Bartlet
Suzy Nakamura	...	Cathy
Allison Smith	...	Mallory O'Brien
Renée Estevez	...	Nancy (as Renee Estevez)
Al Fann	...	Rep. Joe Willis, D-OH
Charley Lang	...	Congressman Skinner

Storyline

In the first of several episodes throughout the series' run that portrays ordinary Americans and how they interact with and ultimately affect the W.H., an Ohio middle school social studies teacher, a widow who has recently filled the brief remaining term of his late wife in the House, joins two other reps to meet with Toby and Mandy about changes to unfair rules in the U.S. Census written into the latest federal budget. The other two, career politicians, are completely resistant to the changes, but Mr. Willis is swayed by a potent argument Toby makes regarding "strict constructionism" (generally conservative and libertarian belief that the U.S. Constitution is not a living document, and must be followed as written, unless officially amended through standard 38-state ratification) and the 14th Amendment. Toby is impressed with the man and his open-mindedness. Elsewhere, Sam tutors C.J. on the finer points of the census. Late in the episode, the staff meets for a late-night poker party.

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Plot Keywords:

census | teacher | constitution | congressman | father daughter relationship | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 November 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

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the subplots concerns Sam's obsession over the "Legal Tender Modernization Act", which aims at eliminating the penny. The act does exist and was actually introduced in May 2001 by Arizona Congressman Jim Kolbe. The act also aims at withdrawing the Susan B. Anthony dollar from circulation, and prohibiting any redesign of the $1 bill.

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Goofs

Bartlet is technically incorrect when he says that the strawberry is the only fruit with its seeds on the outside. Because the seeds are on the outside, the strawberry is technically not a fruit but rather a "false fruit".

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Quotes

Josh Lyman: The President's daughter, Chief of Staff's daughter, a Georgetown bar and Sam. What could possibly go wrong?

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Connections

Referenced in Star Trek: Enterprise: Cogenitor (2003)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

There were no two guys that either one of you could have taken.

The first episode to make me cry. A school teacher (Al Fann) has temporarily taken his deceased wife's spot in congress, and is key to budget vote involving census sampling. Toby manipulates the situation, but in an honest way. Leo tells Jed his wife has left him. The President gets Josh to take Charlie out for a beer, which turns into an outing with Zoe, CJ, Mallory, and Sam. Zoe is harassed, and Charlie defends her. Later, Jed makes her cry when she resists being given more secret service protection. He talks about the horrific prospect of her being kidnapped (foreshadowing one of the greatest story arcs of the series). Plus a great poker scene in which Bartlet challenges the room to name the fourteen types of punctuation. And we have a Butterfield in the building! The debut of Michael O'Neill as Secret Service agent Ron Butterfield, who would play in sixteen splendid episodes over seven seasons.