In 2006, audiences said goodbye to the political drama, The West Wing. Starring actors such as Martin Sheen, Janel Moloney, Allison Janney, Dule Hill, Rob Lowe, and Marlee Matlin, it was beloved by both critics and audience members. 20 years later the series continues to stay relevant. But what are the best episodes during its seven-year run?
Let's take a look at the 20 best episodes. The West Wing served up during its seven-season run, which wrapped its run 20 years ago!
20. "Internal Displacement" - Season 7, Episode 11
About the Episode: Danny tells C.J. some important news about the President's son-in-law over dinner; C.J. attempts to broker an international deal to stop genocide in Darfur; Josh twists C.J.'s arm to get her to help the Santos campaign.
Why It's So Memorable: One of the best from the final season had witty dialog and sharp drama and was written by star of the show, Bradley Whitford
19. "Pilot" - Season 1, Episode 1
About the Episode: The senior members of the White House staff are summoned to the office early in the morning to handle difficult situations: Hundreds of Cubans are on their way across the Atlantic Ocean in search of freedom.
Why It's So Memorable: The episode that started the show on the right path. The best scene may be Martin Sheen's introduction as President Bartlett.
18. "The Stormy Present" - Season 5, Episode 10
About the Episode: When a former President of the United States dies, the two remaining ex-Presidents fly on Air Force One with Bartlet to attend the funeral. Onboard, Bartlet's two historic guests partake in a lively debate about their administrations.
Why It's So Memorable: Great discussion about past presidents plus a bonus scene of Toby singing on Air Force One.
17. "100,000 Airplanes" - Season 3, Episode 12
About the Episode: While the White House staff works intensely on Bartlet's crucial State of the Union speech, Bartlet suddenly demands the inclusion of a passage that ambitiously promises a crusade to cure cancer within 10 years.
Why It's So Memorable The episode features several memorable moments for Marlee Matlin's guest-starring role and a great discussion about cancer research.
16. "The Short List" - Season 1, Episode 9
About the Episode: The President confidentially chooses Judge Harrison as his nominee for the Supreme Court. His staff continues to search Harrison's past.
Why It's So Memorable: The episode does a great job showing the morality and human side of the administration as they decide who to nominate for the Supreme Court.
15. "In God We Trust" - Season 6, Episode 20
About the Episode: Arnold Vinick begins working on his campaign. Bruno Gianelli, a political strategist, gives the Republican candidate advice about choosing a vice president and handling Vinick's latest controversy--his failure to attend church.
Why It's So Memorable: The starring episode for Alan Alda does not disappoint with his performance as a presidential candidate. The moments with two heavyweights, Sheen and Alda, are a highlight of the entire series.
14. "The Mommy Problem" - Season 7, Episode 2
About the Episode: As a grand jury convenes to investigate the military shuttle leak, the campaign's focus changes to national security. Vinick handles the issue while Santos is bound by his party loyalty to align himself with the Bartlet administration.
Why It's So Memorable: More Marlee Matlin and a great montage of Jimmy Smits running for president. It's wishful thinking to see his character do military service during the campaign.
13. "Mr. Willis of Ohio" - Season 1, Episode 6
About the Episode: A mentally unbalanced woman with a gun climbs the White House fence. The Secret Service foils her plan to target Zoey. Toby and Mandy convince the husband of a deceased congresswoman to vote against a census amendment in committee.
Why It's So Memorable: Toby shows his heart and Dule Hill as Charlie begins to come into his own in this humorous and impactful episode.
12. "The Red Mass" - Season 4, Episode 4
About the Episode: Bartlet ponders the potential consequences of ordering a strike force to overtake a barricaded gang of domestic terrorists in Iowa, one of whom is a noncombatant requiring medical attention.
Why It's So Memorable: Josh being angry about the Mets is great. However, George Coe's scenes as a senator steal the episode.
11. "Way and Means" - Season 3, Episode 4
About the Episode: When a prosecutor begins investigating Bartlet's failure to disclose his illness to the staff, C.J. cunningly reveals clues to the press that could force Rollins to be ousted and replaced by someone more favorable to the administration.
Why It's So Memorable: Take away the annoying Donna date, and this is a fantastic episode. From Ainsley and CJ's power to the administration taking on Congress, it packs a punch.
10. "Commencement" - Season 4, Episode 22
About the Episode: The assassination of Shareef threatens to become public, the president speaks at Zoe's graduation, and the unthinkable happens.
Why It's So Memorable: The final 10 minutes of Zoey Bartlett being kidnapped are enough to have this crack the top 10 of any list about the series.
9. "Here Today" - Season 7, Episode 5
About the Episode: Toby's confession sends shock waves through the White House; Kate tracks developments following the assassination in Kazakhstan; the Santos campaign appears stalled.
Why It's So Memorable: Toby's heartbreak and Louise Thornton's strength carry this episode. The shots and cinematography are amazing.
8. "On the Day Before" - Season 3, Episode 5
About the Episode: As a State Department dinner nears, Bartlet boldly vetoes the "death tax" bill, but his staff must scramble when they learn that the House of Representatives has enough votes to immediately override the veto.
Why It's So Memorable: Dule Hill's Charlie has great moments, and the writers take on terrorism in one of the first post-September 11th episodes.
7. "We Killed Yamamoto" - Season 3, Episode 21
About the Episode: Bartlet agonizes over whether to forfeit the principle of diplomatic immunity for a Middle Eastern official who is known to be plotting terrorism. Josh debates with his lover, feminist activist Amy Gardner, over a key welfare reform bill.
Why It's So Memorable: Mary Louise Parker shows female empowerment in an amazing storyline. Plus, John Amos's monologue as Chairman Fitzwallace is the best of the series.
6. "In this White House" - Season 2, Episode 4
About the Episode: After a Republican commentator trounces Sam on television, President Bartlett decides to hire her over the objections of the staff. Josh and Toby mediate a conference between U.S. drug companies and an African President whose country is dying of AIDS.
Why It's So Memorable: Ainsley Hayes is arguably the best female character on the series outside of CJ Gregg. This episode is her first of the show, and it was an amazing introduction for an incredible character.
5. "17 People" - Season 2, Episode 18
About the Episode: For days, Toby ponders the mystery of Hoynes' attempt to gain the voters' favor by admonishing the oil companies. He knows about a poll conducted for Hoynes and an upcoming visit for the vice president to Bartlet's home state.
Why It's So Memorable: Toby finding out Barlett has MS makes most not turn away. A bonus is Ainsley and Sam debating the ERA amendment.
4. "In Excelsis Dio" - Season 1 Episode 10
About the Episode: When a homeless veteran dies on the National Mall and his body remains uncollected for hours, Toby becomes fixated on getting him a proper burial.
Why It's So Memorable: Martin Sheen gives the President humanity. The episode's strength is about supporting homeless veterans from both Toby and Mrs. Landingham
3. "In the Room" - Season 6, Episode 8
About the Episode: At a Bartlet family birthday, magicians Penn and Teller burn the American flag in the White House, prompting a publicity nightmare. Aboard Air Force One, Bartlet is stricken by a paralyzing episode of his multiple sclerosis.
Why It's So Memorable: The best Sorkin episode. Alan Alda's introduction and Penn and Teller have great moments. Plus, Martin Sheen gives a stirring performance with Bartlet struggling with his MS.
2. "Shibboleth" - Season 2, Episode 8
About the Episode: Dozens of Chinese stowaways are discovered in a container ship in California; Toby looks to pick a fight over school prayer with a recess appointment; Thanksgiving at the White House sees C.J. in charge of turkeys and Charlie looking for the ultimate carving knife.
Why It's So Memorable: The Thanksgiving episode was full of humor and debates about faith. The best scene may be Bartlett showing how much he respects Charlie.
1. "Two Cathedrals" - Season 2, Episode 22
About the Episode: Josh implements a rash plan to coerce wayward Democrats to support the administration's lawsuit against big tobacco companies. The crisis in Haiti escalates. Bartlet must decide whether to run for reelection--most Democrats hope he won't.
Why It's So Memorable: No debate here as Bartlet decides to run. This is not just the best episode of The West Wing but also one of the best episodes of television in history.
This list may be subject to debate. However, in a political show about civil discourse like The West Wing, someone should not expect anything different.
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