Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc (29 Sep. 1999)

Josh trumps a potential Democratic challenger in a masterful political move and then hires the challenger's chief of staff and ex-girlfriend Mandy Hampton. Toby tries to warn Sam away from ... See full summary »

Director:

Thomas Schlamme

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin (creator), Aaron Sorkin

Stars:

Rob Lowe, Moira Kelly, Allison Janney

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Rob Lowe	...	Sam Seaborn
Moira Kelly	...	Mandy Hampton
Allison Janney	...	C.J. Cregg
Richard Schiff	...	Toby Ziegler
John Spencer	...	Leo McGarry
Bradley Whitford	...	Josh Lyman
Martin Sheen	...	President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet
Ruben Santiago-Hudson	...	Morris Tolliver
Lisa Edelstein	...	Laurie
Merrin Dungey	...	Daisy
Renée Estevez	...	Nancy (as Renee Estevez)
John Bedford Lloyd	...	Lloyd Russell
Janel Moloney	...	Donna Moss
Suzy Nakamura	...	Cathy
Tim Matheson	...	Vice President John Hoynes

Storyline

Josh trumps a potential Democratic challenger in a masterful political move and then hires the challenger's chief of staff and ex-girlfriend Mandy Hampton. Toby tries to warn Sam away from his friendship with the call girl, but to Toby's horror, Sam seems intent on reforming her. CJ tries to spin the latest clash between President Bartlet and Vice President Hoynes. After an American plane is shot down carrying Bartlet's physician, Bartlet's response leaves Leo worried about the President's response.

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Plot Keywords:

president | politics | government official | reporter | government | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

29 September 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:

40 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

After Sam finds the call girl Laurie, she explains to him that she has broken some State laws, but claims to have never broken any federal laws. However in pilot she is shown in bed smoking marijuana which is a federal offense.

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Quotes

Sam Seaborn: [trying to get a moment alone with Laurie] I hope you don't mind my barging in like this. It's just that I've known this girl my whole life.
Woman #2: How do you know Brittany?
Sam Seaborn: Who's Brittany?
Laurie: I am.
Sam Seaborn: Okay!

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Connections

References Live with Kelly and Michael (1988)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

After it, therefore because of it.

Guess I'll start where the show did with Mandy(Moira Kelly), really don't care for her, she had a couple of funny moments but her character is just too out there to be believable(as someone doing the job she has), plus I'm not crazy about the actress in general. Things picked up before the cold open even finished though, with Josh celebrating his victory,

"I drink from the keg of glory, Donna. Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in all the land."

Sam Seaborn just boggles my mind, is he really going to risk his career and risk making Bartlet's administration look bad just so he can be the knight in shining armor to this call girl? Toby summed up my feelings on it pretty well,

"This administration doesn't even need an opposition party, you know that? We do fine by ourselves."

Dialogue stayed sharp throughout the episode. My favorite scene was when Tulliver was examining Bartlet and giving him the flu shot,

"How do I know this isn't the start of a military coup? I want the secret service in here right away."

"In the event of a military coup, sir, what makes you think the secret service is going to be on your side?"

"Now that's a thought that's gonna fester."

I found the plot with the VP going rogue interesting, especially once Leo let him have it. I was beginning to wonder if the drama was going to catch up to the comedy in terms of drawing me in, and that scene helped. As did the end of the episode, when Bartlet hears that Tulliver's plane was shot down. Though the final line was a bit unsettling(as Leo's face portrayed),

"Leo. I am not frightened. I am going to blow them off the face of the earth with the fury of God's own thunder."

I'm all for retaliation in those circumstances, but just mentioning God at that point makes me nervous, because it easily leads to Bartlet thinking he's doing God's will by retaliating. Though I get the impression this will lead to more compelling drama in the next episode/episodes, which is what I was hoping for.

All and all this episode got a lot of laughs while still getting in some well done dramatic elements near the end.