The Warfare of Genghis Khan (11 Feb. 2004)

A nuclear missile is tested in the Indian Ocean, but none of the known nuclear powers will claim responsibility, leading to the possibility of a terrorist group holding missile tests. Vice ... See full summary »

Director:

Bill D'Elia

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin (creator), Peter Noah,

Stars:

Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Joshua Malina

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Dulé Hill	...	Charlie Young
Allison Janney	...	C.J. Cregg
Joshua Malina	...	Will Bailey
Janel Moloney	...	Donna Moss
Richard Schiff	...	Toby Ziegler
John Spencer	...	Leo McGarry
Bradley Whitford	...	Josh Lyman
Martin Sheen	...	President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet
Armin Mueller-Stahl	...	Israeli Prime Minister Efraim 'Eli' Zahavy
Gary Cole	...	Vice President Bob Russell
Jay Mohr	...	Taylor Reid
Anna Deavere Smith	...	Nancy McNally
Terry O'Quinn	...	General Nicholas Alexander
Steve Ryan	...	Secretary of Defense Miles Hutchinson
Christina Chang	...	Alex Moreau

Storyline

A nuclear missile is tested in the Indian Ocean, but none of the known nuclear powers will claim responsibility, leading to the possibility of a terrorist group holding missile tests. Vice President Russell, heretofore dismissed by west wing staff as a joke, a four-term congressman alleged to be securely in the pocket of a large Colorado mining company, recalls a junket he'd taken early in his political career in which a drunken Israeli statesman confessed to secret missile tests. Russell visits the sit. room and puts the military and national security leaders at ease, leading the president and Leo to reassess the man's political gravitas. Bartlet then drags the Israeli p.m. to the White House, where they debate the power of the U.S. to dictate which states should have nuclear capabilities.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 February 2004 (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

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

Leo McGarry says admiring the beautiful interior of the Swiss embassy: "You can afford them when you don't have to pay for a national defense", despite the fact that Switzerland has, being independent since 1292, had a national defense for more than seven centuries.

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Quotes

Josh Lyman: Hey, you want to hear something cool? Voyager I just crossed the termination shock eight billion miles away. First human-made object to leave the solar system.
Donna Moss: Funny, I'm going through a little termination shock myself.
Josh Lyman: What?
Donna Moss: Suddenly this consuming interest in space just because some NASA administrator batted eyes at you?
Josh Lyman: You hate that I'm interested in this.
Donna Moss: What was your first hint?
Josh Lyman: That's perfect. Sit down. Sit. I need to play out an argument.
Josh Lyman: Everyone hates us.
Donna Moss: Inspiring start.
Josh Lyman: We're the ...
[...]

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Where's my jetpack?

The space episode. Josh swats down NASA reps appealing for more funds. One of them (Christina Chang, 24) has a gentle flirtation with him, takes him stargazing, and makes him dream of humans on Mars. Elsewhere, an orbital detonation has the nuclear community scrambling to find out who's joined the club, but it turns out to be Israel developing submarine warfare. The israeli prime minister (the debut of the exquisite Armin Mueller-Stahl - THE LAST GOOD TIME, THE LONG RUN) is summoned to the White House, and has a grand scene with Martin. Vice President Russell has a great episode, as the clueless fool who figures out what's going on and prevents a military assault on Iran. Jay Mohr (JERRY MAGUIRE) debuts as ultra-conservative talk show hack Taylor Reid, who baits C.J. mercilessly. The story and music of Blind Willie Johnson ("Dark Was the Night") are rendered beautifully.