The Long Goodbye (15 Jan. 2003)

C.J. takes a short trip to her home in Dayton to check on her father, who is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, and to give a speech at her high school reunion; at the Dayton airport, she ... See full summary »

Director:

Alex Graves

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin (creator), Jon Robin Baitz,

Stars:

Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Rob Lowe	...	Sam Seaborn (credit only)
Dulé Hill	...	Charlie Young (credit only)
Allison Janney	...	C.J. Cregg
Joshua Malina	...	Will Bailey (credit only)
Janel Moloney	...	Donna Moss (credit only)
Richard Schiff	...	Toby Ziegler
John Spencer	...	Leo McGarry (credit only)
Bradley Whitford	...	Josh Lyman
Martin Sheen	...	President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet (credit only)
Donald Moffat	...	Talmidge Cregg
Matthew Modine	...	Marco Arlens
Verna Bloom	...	Molly Lapham
Betsy Aidem	...	Libby Lapham
Terry Beaver	...	Lee Voight
Elijah Roberts	...	Libby's Son Harry

Storyline

C.J. takes a short trip to her home in Dayton to check on her father, who is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, and to give a speech at her high school reunion; at the Dayton airport, she meets an old high school acquaintance and they have a quick fling.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 January 2003 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Hinsdale, Illinois, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

41 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Allison Janney's character of C.J. Cregg returns to her hometown of Dayton, Ohio for her high school reunion. Janney's real-life hometown is Dayton, but in the episode, her character is stated as attending West Dayton High School. There is no West Dayton High School in Dayton, and the episode itself was actually filmed in Chicago. The producers originally wanted to shoot the episode in Dayton but found it more cost-effective to shoot in Chicago.

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Goofs

CJ says to her father "It's February," but the episode came in sequence before the Inauguration (which takes place on 20th January).

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Quotes

Talmidge Cregg: [about Toby] That man lacks grace and charm.

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Connections

References The Long Goodbye (1973)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

...you're a very pretty girl, Toby

Exquisitely acted, beautifully written. They aimed for transcendent...and fell short. The sum isn't equal to the parts, and it's hard to say exactly why. The most C.J.-heavy episode of the series, and Allison was of course up to the moment. She returns home for a school reunion and to see her Dad (Donal Moffat - THE THING, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER), who is spiraling down into Alzheimer's dementia. Matthew Modine (VISION QUEST, FULL METAL JACKET) is the third side of this towering thespian triangle, as an ex- punk/jock whose arms the lonely, miserable Claudia falls into. Verna Bloom (ANIMAL HOUSE) plays the step-mom who deserted her husband. She gives an interrupted speech at her reunion...it's all so very, very good that you don't even care it's not excellent.