Home
Creators
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

The West Wing, Season 2, Episode 11 (Patreon)

Published:
2023-05-10 19:37:19
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:
haven't archived this post yet. have a subscription? use the importer!

Content

The Leadership Breakfast

Files

Previews only

The West Wing, Season 2, Episode 11

Comments

Weird Magic

Originally airing on January 10, 2001, 'The Leadership Breakfast' is Episode 11 of Season 2 of The West Wing. It is the 33rd episode overall and has an IMDB rating of 9.0, placing it as the #5 ranked episode of this season and #12 out of all 155 episodes.

Pam Nail

I *love* this episode and it has such a good balance of humor and drama. West Wing has long been criticized (and was when it was airing) of being a liberal fantasy and making Republicans look too conciliatory (people used to call them "MSNBC Republicans"). Ann Stark is a sharp rebuttal to that. In answer to your question before the episode, my favorite ep that you've seen so far is "Noel." I ranked all 154 episodes once on Tumblr and it's my #2 of the whole series (#1 is coming up pretty soon). I put "The Leadership Breakfast" at #43. (If anyone is curious -- except Joe and Kevin, obviously -- the full list is at westwingranked.tumblr.com.)

Luca Siracusa (Bob)

Every episode in this season we've told you guys they're gearing up from Season One instead of using brakes, now the characters are doing it too The last scene between Leo and Toby about the "reelection committee" is so simple, yet so impressive: two man in power that decides to change the world. You told me if this is not the most beautiful and fascinating intro for any story in the world The rest of the episode is actually really hilarious! The Cold Open with the whole White House on fire and Bartlet angry 'cause he was forced to stay in his underwear on the balcony and "Was it cold?" "In January? No" Plus, I'd actually give credit to Donna to try the obvious thing. Leo messed up and asked Josh (then it was Sam) to cover him. Sam messed up and asked Donna to cover him. Donna went full "Why in the hell would she believe me or people beneath me, let's make the president do it" and even if he didn't, it was actually worth a shot So: Joe, Kevin, are you guys with us, Leo and Toby in this reelection committee?

Sarah P

IMO, what makes the friendships on this show so endearing and interesting is the constant balance everyone’s trying to maintain between “My friend that I love” and “My coworker that I deeply respect”. This episode has that in spades! Leo checking in on Josh’s feelings. Toby not trusting CJ and her PR skills, and CJ being (rightly) angry at him — but both keeping their professional attitudes when communicating about it. Josh playfully(?) throwing Sam under the bus about the smoke alarm, and Sam just giving him a Look instead of being a snitch. The underwear. And then you have Toby and Anne, where that dynamic has gone in a negative direction. I love how honest and self-aware Toby is. When he fucks up, he’s the first to admit it. His and CJ’s friendship might be my favorite. Glad he makes sure everyone knows that CJ was right! It hurts when he doesn’t trust her, because you can tell that in his heart he stans the absolute fuck out of her.

Taylor

Whenever I watch this series with someone who hasn’t seen it, I always liken the last half of season 2 to the first big hill of a roller coaster. Beginning with the end of this episode, you just start climbing. This episode also helped me in college by allowing me to never forget the difference between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan :)

Balazs Foldes

It's one of those episodes that just feels frustrating. I mean, it want's to feel frustrating, and it succeeds. When people just want to do good, do a proper job of governing, and the most cut-throat election politics come and interrupt, taking away the window for doing real stuff. Oh, well, you should not be in politics if you are not ready for it. I also find the Karen Cahill thing interesting. I mean, a really brave writing decision of making a character out of her, without ever showing her on screen. It would be so tempting to show the little scenes which they only describe to each outher (the shoe joke, the Kirghizistan mistake, the underwear thing). I mean, you keep hearing, writing 101, show, not tell... and this still kind of works. Interesting, but it still feels strange somehow.

Marc

I've been following your reactions now for many weeks, both on Patreon and on YouTube and it brings such a joy to my week to see people being so happy having discovered my and many others favourite show. I'm from Germany and there are very few Wingnuts - it's actually not known here at all since it was never on free television or on a streaming service like Netflix or Prime Video. I'm on my 7th or 8th rewatch (lost count kind of...) and this one with you is a completely new and not to be missed experience because it is the first time I'm watching it 'together' with someone. You understand the show incredibly very well although it's the first time you watch it - you can even predict many of the things that are about to happen because you have such a fine understanding for the brilliant writing. Thanks for the ride so far, it has been amazing!

Youtalkingtome
>>108267700

Noel was a fantastic episode of television. I don't know how anyone can think that it's bad. I really don't

Youtalkingtome
>>108284572

Why anyone continues to doubt CJ is beyond me. She's the absolute best! Love the friendship between everyone. You can really tell they care.

Youtalkingtome
>>108312542

Thank you for your kind words! We really appreciate you staying up to date and tell your fellow WIngnuts we say hi!

Luca Siracusa (Bob)
>>108312542

Man, I'm from Italy and I feel you so much. These guys are what us europeans needed, because we have almost no fandom and no first reactions. Plus, they're so talented it seems it's the show they've always seen in their lives. They pick up everything so smoothly, it's beyond understanding

Luca Siracusa (Bob)
>>108268909

Oh, about the favorite episode you've already seen: I think it's Take This Sabbath day (The one about Bartlet and death penalty with his confession)

Jack S

Is there a Succession this week?

Jeff

I just discovered your channel two weeks ago, and I've happily binged all these West Wing reactions. It is such a joy to revisit these episodes with people who truly appreciate the genius and high quality of this show. I first watched the original episodes when they were shown on tv, then owned the complete DVD set, and then rewatched on HBO. Even though I've practically memorized the dialogue, it's all still fresh and entertaining and surprising. So this isn't a spoiler -- really, it isn't -- but I think it's helpful to think of the final episodes of season 2 as one connected story: episodes 17, 18, 19 are a trilogy, and 20, 21, and 22 continue the story to the season "cliffhanger". And episode 18 requires very thoughtful attention to initially grasp what's going on, but you're both already good at that, so you'll do fine. And on another note, I'd like to make a series suggestion. Before "The West Wing" there was another well-written show that dealt with realistic characters in challenging and morally ambiguous situations: "E.R.", which started in 1994 and ran for fifteen seasons. It is a bit dated now, but it was groundbreaking in its direction -- it was one of the first tv shows to use the Steadicam -- and in its depiction of the daily lives of ER doctors and nurses. I wouldn't suggest watching all fifteen seasons; just the first eight would be enough. I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on all the medical and health care issues that are brought up on that show.