On the Day Before (31 Oct. 2001)

While the w.h. is hosting a gala dinner for Nobel Prize winners, Leo and the president learn of a suicide bomb in an Israeli cafe that took the lives of two American students in Tel Aviv ... See full summary »

Director:

Christopher Misiano

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
Anna Deavere Smith	...	Nancy McNally
Kevin Tighe	...	Gov. Jack Buckland, D-IN
H. Richard Greene	...	Rep. Robert Royce, R-PA
Cliff De Young	...	Rep. Kimball, D-TN
NiCole Robinson	...	Margaret Hooper
Scott Michael Campbell	...	Donald Dolan

Storyline

While the w.h. is hosting a gala dinner for Nobel Prize winners, Leo and the president learn of a suicide bomb in an Israeli cafe that took the lives of two American students in Tel Aviv for a soccer match, and the staff attempts to manage the president's first veto, of a House bill eliminating the estate tax, and the threat of an override the same night. Sam and Toby first try to sway a contentious Dem. From Tennessee who wants a whole list of farming and ranching concessions in exchange for his vote and three proxies; after a pep talk from Leo, they devise a substitute plan that may prove even more effective, if it works. Josh takes the governor of Indiana into a private meeting to determine if the man plans to challenge Bartlet in Democratic primary. C.J. takes heat from a smarmy Dallas entertainment reporter who is in town for the Nobel dinner but winds up having to cover the veto and override vote, but after the reporter embarrasses her during a live stand-up, C.J. one ups the ...

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 2001 (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:

44 min 44 min (DVD)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

A military advisor refers to AH-64 Apache attack helicopters as "Douglas AH Apache Longbows". The correct designation is the "AH-64D Apache Longbow". The "AH" simply indicates that it is an attack helicopter but does not signify the type. F-22 fighters are never referred to as Lockheed-Martin "F" Raptors and the Apache would never be simply called an "AH". Furthermore, Douglas Aircraft Company merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 (creating McDonnell Douglas) long before the Apache helicopter even existed. So referring to the manufacturer as Douglas is a significant misnomer. The Apache was originally produced by Hughes, then by McDonnell Douglas, and is currently built by Boeing (and had been for several years before this episode aired). So at the time it would have been correctly identified as a Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow. And while McDonnell Douglas would probably still be acceptable, it's doubtful a military expert would ever refer to the Apache as having been made by Douglas.

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Quotes

President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: You know what we're starting with tonight?
Josh Lyman: No, sir.
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: Hot pumpkin soup with cheese gnocchi and a chèvre brioche.
Josh Lyman: Was anything you just said food?

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

...you're stupid, but you're not stupid, y'know?

The staff manages the President's first veto, trying to assure it won't be overridden. Democratic congressmen hold them hostage, until they realize they can get the votes they need from republicans for much less. Josh has a meeting with an Indiana governor (Kevin Tighe - ROAD HOUSE, MUMFORD) who might challenge Bartlet in the primary. A fantastic scene. C.J. slaps down a snarky entertainment reporter. The debut of Thomas Kopache (NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN) as Asst. Sec. of State Bob Slattery, who would do fourteen episodes over the duration of the show (and is also one of only four actors to play seven different characters on STAR TREK).