Impact Winter 

President Bartet's attack of multiple sclerosis requires hasty reorganization of the summit in China. Unable to endure the long meetings, he becomes frustrated when the Chinese take ... See full summary »

Director:

Lesli Linka Glatter

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin (created by), Debora Cahn

Stars:

Stockard Channing, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Stockard Channing	...	Abbey Bartlet
Dulé Hill	...	Charlie Young
Allison Janney	...	C.J. Cregg
Joshua Malina	...	Will Bailey
Mary McCormack	...	Kate Harper
Janel Moloney	...	Donna Moss
Richard Schiff	...	Toby Ziegler
John Spencer	...	Leo McGarry
Bradley Whitford	...	Josh Lyman
Jimmy Smits	...	Matthew Santos
Martin Sheen	...	Jed Bartlet
Kristin Chenoweth	...	Annabeth Schott
Gary Cole	...	Vice President Bob Russell
Mary Kay Place	...	Surgeon General Millicent Griffith
Ron Canada	...	Under Secretary of State Theodore Barrow

Storyline

President Bartet's attack of multiple sclerosis requires hasty reorganization of the summit in China. Unable to endure the long meetings, he becomes frustrated when the Chinese take advantage of his absence to drag their feet over North Korea. Back at the White House, Josh is told by NASA that a large asteroid is on a collision course with earth; staffers are unsure whether to prepare for the end of the world or not. Donna becomes frustrated when Josh continually postpones what she says is an important conversation. With the New Hampshire primary looming and Vinick looking like a formidable opponent, Josh and Leo try to find a Democratic presidential candidate they can believe in.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas episode | christmas | tugging on one's ear | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 December 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:

44 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title refers to the possibility of a large asteroid hitting the planet and ejecting vast quantities of dust and ash into the atmosphere. This would significantly reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the earth's surface and cause a long global winter, resulting in failed harvests and famine. A large asteroid is theorized to have caused mass extinction amongst dinosaurs about 66 million years ago.

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Quotes

Josh Lyman: Cabinet meeting?
Will Bailey: ...an informal conversation with senior members of the administration.
Josh Lyman: President doesn't need the Cabinet swooping in on their shining steeds.
Will Bailey: Wanna step into your office or something?
Josh Lyman: The president is still running the show, on two continents. Russell can stop with the less than subtle insinuations to the contrary. There will be no cabinet meeting.
Will Bailey: It's been announced. You don't think it will be more awkward if it doesn't happen.
Josh Lyman: You know what? Watch yourself. You and the ...
[...]

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Connections

References Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

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Soundtracks

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

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