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The West Wing, Season 2, Episode 21 (Patreon)

Published:
2023-07-20 23:14:17
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

18th and Potomac

Files

Previews only

The West Wing, Season 2, Episode 21

18th and Potomac

Comments

Jake

Oh I've been waiting for this, let's gooooo!!!

Martin Nicholls

Oh boy. Here we go, the darkest timeline. Also if any of the writers got paid anything for She-Hulk that's infuriating ;) Seriously though, I'm entirely on the fence about the strike apart from pointing out that last time they did this it did immeasurable damage to scripted TV that it still hasn't recovered from - there's a serious quantity over quality problem in the world. One of these times, and I wouldn't rule out it being this time, it is going to be final. The margins for most of these companies are wafer thin - the highest paid actors, writers, directors etc are chewing up all the cash that flows through these productions: if they had anything about them that would be the topic of discussion.

JVTrickypants

Oh yeah...now it really it begins!!

Baeziii

Oh you gonna love the next episode. One of the best episodes in the history of television.

Sarah P

James Lipton (RIP), the guy who hosted Inside The Actors Studio, once said that the season 2 finale of TWW was “the greatest hour of television ever produced”. He said it like 20 years ago, but STILL . . .

Max F.

And now, you'll never have a problem remembering two streets in DC that intersect... It boggles my mind how well the end of this show mimics the plot. A thousand things going everywhere at a hundred miles an hour and then it stops. I've seen this episode so many times, but it gets me every time.

Sandee B

Fact: So upset by Mrs Landingham's death following a car crash on the show was a San Francisco assemblyman. He adjourned a session of the California Congress in 2001 in order to commemorate her passing. Assemblyman Kevin Shelley called Mrs Landingham "a great American whose contributions to the nation were too numerous to count" - and held a minute's silence for her in the California Congress.

Jake

Coming back after watching, I am so hype for you guys to see the next episode. It is the best episode of all television.

Sandee B

The backstory is that the actress playing Mrs. Landingham was chatting with Aaron Sorkin, and mentioning that she was auditioning for a pilot on another show. That got him thinking about how he would handle her exit if she got cast on the other show. So he proceeded to create the storyline. She never ended up getting the other show and she joked about how actors should never tell Aaron Sorkin that they are potentially seeking other work. Otherwise they will get killed off on the show.

Sunkrish Bala

It was hard to watch you guys watch that.

JVTrickypants

Ironically, Sandee B, she snuck out of some awards show to have a cigarette and that's where she and Aaron had the discussion about the other show and he had the idea. As Sorkin said on the podcast, "Cigarettes do kill."

Pam Nail

The end of this episode has got to be in the top five of emotional whiplash cuts to that cheery closing credits music! And yeah, there's more focus on Mrs. Landingham in this episode than in probably any other episode, which should have been a clue. My heart still races when everyone is leaving Leo's office and I can feel what's coming. I know there's not really any reason for Donna to know about the MS before any of the other assistants, except that she's a main character, but I'm glad we got that scene with her and Toby and her absolutely precious response.

JVTrickypants

Another story about this. Sorkin said in the middle of the table read he realized he had told everybody but Dule that Mrs. Landingham was going to die. Then it happened where his line about "No she's not. She's dead." was at the top of a new page so Dule turned the page and basically read it exactly like he wound up doing on the show with that shock.

Devon Cooper

You felt like everyone else did when we saw it in real time. Just disbelief😢 looking forward to then next episode reaction which is considered the best ever and then, well, each one after lol😉

Sandee B

The thing you have to remember is the short amount of time between the previous episode and this one. We know that Josh gave Joey 72 hours (?) do the poll. We also know that Sam was told later that evening. So Sam has had three days to process the news. And his learning of the news came very shortly after CJ was told. What I really admire is how each actor in this episode clearly conveyed their stress level proportional to when they found out the news. Toby has known the longest, and he remains calm and supportive of his colleagues throughout the episode. In clear contrast to CJ and Sam. It’s a nice bit of acting on the teams part.

JVTrickypants

Of the dozens of times I've watched this episode just noticed that Leo could have walked directly into the oval office but instead went outside and around to gather himself. Great directional choice.

JVTrickypants

Of course had to go right on and watch the finale again after this. Brace yourselves, Fannie Mae (or Fannies Mae? Like Attorneys General? lol)

Jeff

I've seen this episode so many times, but watching you react to it had me sobbing yet again. And, yes, the finale is amazing. This is not a spoiler, but I want to jump ahead to Season 3. The beginning of the third season was delayed by the 9/11 attacks, and Sorkin decided to address those events in the first episode of Season 3. The episode takes place outside of the storyline and canon of the show, so don't expect it to continue from the Season 2 finale. When the show originally aired, there was a short introduction with all the actors explaining that the epsiode is a kind of "play" outside of the normal continuity. For some reason, "Max" decided to omit this introduction, possibly leading to some confusion for those not "in the know." But don't worry, episode 2 picks up where the season 2 finale left off.

kyle

I recommend skipping the first episode of Season 3 if you're not there already. It's a stand-alone episode made in response to 9/11 and does not fit in with the Season 2 finale. Jumping straight to episode 2 keeps the momentum going, and nothing is lost if you return to ep. 1 after Season 3 settles in. I at least wanted to make sure you were aware so you're not confused if you decide to continue in order.

Imagine Nat

The way Charlie was holding the phone kills me. I think of how he had to find out his mom died, and that started him on his path to here. He's been through so much already to lose another important person to him.

Anna

Issac and Ishmael, though not a part of the cannon timeline, is a fantastic episode of television. Such great writing, such a great job taking a deep dive in a discussion of complicated ideas. I would wholeheartedly recommend watching that episode with the full knowledge that it sits outside of the current events.

Peggy G
>>113389983

They gotta get through Two Cathedrals first, but yep, the stand-alone 9/11 response episode it's up after it, & it's the one I've been looking forward to their reaction of most. :)

David
>>113383540

Sam also had his whole thing with his dad not too long ago, and CJ went through being kept in the dark about stuff back in S01E11. Lots of stuff probably going through their heads.

Youtalkingtome
>>113378900

Normally I would agree but what the CEO's of these companies are proposing is ridiculous. They wanna utilize AI over just paying artists for their work. We are absolutely not fans of using AI for any form of art. Yes there's way too many shows but the ones that stand out were created by PEOPLE. We need to recognize our artists.

Youtalkingtome
>>113381361

She will be missed. As I type this now i'm saddened by it and she was a fictitious character! That's the power of this show.

Youtalkingtome
>>113382966

God that would be so shocking to just find out then, if i'm not mistaken Game of Thrones has done that a few times with table reads.

Youtalkingtome
>>113389800

I know, poor Charlie. He's been through so much yet he's still there standing shoulder and shoulder with everyone else.

Weird Magic

Yeah - the point of the reactions for people that haven't seen it yet is to repeat how those of us who watched it originally did - watch it in order so you get the same experience the rest of us had! Of note with that - I always put that air date and was going to preface it when we were coming up to that episode but it is on topic so I will say it now. For those of us that remember the chaos (airplanes grounded for days) and mistrust and everything else that happened for years after 9/11....Sorkin and everyone else had to write/direct/produce/act/edit/everything that goes into creating an hour-long drama - during the chaos - from the first time he put pen to paper to having it air on national tv - in 22 days. Isaac and Ishmael aired on 10/3/2001.

Luca Siracusa (Bob)

Here we are: 18th and Potomac is the last stop before Season 2 finale and let us all tell you: it is considered by the majority if not everyone in the fandom and the cast: The Perfect Episode, the best episode of the show and probably one of the best episodes ever aired Your reaction to Mrs.Landingham was so genuine and sweet, you guys felt like all of us and we know how hard it must have been to comment afterwards. It's a train wreck of a moment: you're there, hyped about the Leo and Josh moment, happy because she got a new car, ready to end the episode with a bright of hope...but this is not the moment They're gonna kick you when you're down and that's what it is about. You may have thought we were at the bottom, but life always find a way to surprise you, for better or - in this case - for worse The next episode is gonna be an experience. Mark the day, mark the hour, look at each others and feel it: you will NEVER forget where you were, what was happening around you and who was there with you. It's gonna be an experience you will never just move on. It's gonna change your everything about this show and much more Welcome to the pinnacle of tv shows and the pinnacle of The West Wing; welcome to the episode when we say "We'll be here when you're done"; Joe and Kevin, welcome to Two Cathedrals

Weird Magic

Duo cathedrales mea ventus eventus alicuius spectaculi omnis temporis est Originally airing on May 9, 2001, '18th and Potomac' is Episode 21 of Season 2 of The West Wing. It is the 43rd episode overall and has an IMDB rating of 9.0, placing it as the #5 ranked episode of this season and #6 out of all the episodes shown so far.

Jack
>>113399644

You know, when you set expectations that high, there are only two ways for them to feel when watching it: either it was what they were expecting, or it was disappointing.

jimmy2k4o .

that outrageous, $396 is way too much to pay a writer of she-hulk. they should be paying us. just kidding but seriously that was impressively bad.

Daywalker

Really recommend doing the last two episodes of each season as close together as possible. For example, I really recommend doing the next episode "Two Cathedrals" as soon as possible and then doing the first episode of season 3 when you originally planned it, two weeks from now. It has the benefit of providing time to reflect on the season and speculating on what may be in store for next season. Plus, yeah, I'm anxious to see your reaction to the finale.

Brendon Waldron

"I wonder how she's gonna take it?" Oh no. "It's gonna hit her pretty hard." OH NO!

jimmy2k4o .

My grampa has dementia, so I’m Not making light of it, nor am I making a partisan point because the GOP are a mess. But president president Biden is clearly is clearly in the early stages of dementia. His lack of press conferences, his multiple gaffs confusing war in Ukraine with war in Iraq. Thinking that Russia was invaded by Russia. Calling for regime change in Russia which his staff immediately had to withdraw. I’m not mocking him, 10 year ago he would have been great. But he acts exactly like my grandfather a few years ago when we realised something was wrong. I like that you take west wing plots and apply them to our current world, but on the polls about how many American would vote for a president with a incurable neurological condition that will get worse…….how many would vote against because he lied, how many would be less likely to vote for a candidate with a neuro degenerative condition. This issue is very pertinent to the current state of affairs. I’m Not saying Biden is senile, or trump is a better candidate, he’s not!!! Last think USA needs is another trump vs Biden. But cmon guys, you do yourself no favors by supporting this president zombie. And pretending he’s fine makes the left seem delusional as best cynical and dishonest at worse. Im a republican (moderate) I hope trump isn’t the nominee next year, I really hope! But if he was and the democrats ran a moderate democrat who doesn’t remember where he was when Kennedy was shot, because he wasn’t born. Parties need fresh blood! Both of them but Biden particularly! He visited King Charles recently and Charles had to guide him around the meeting of the troops, holding his hand and pulling him along. He spoke to HM household guards which you do not do. He’s literally my grandpa a couple of years back. And seen tones of people say they lived with somebody with dementia and they act the same and the president, including stunted gait , speech patterns, short term memory loss etc I say hats off to his staffers, his toby Leo Sam, CJ Donna Josh and Charlie of President Biden’s administration. To be fair in 1953 Churchill had two strokes while being PM, one then another the following day. They kept it quiet. He told people he had the flu………he took two weeks to recover and was back at the Conservative Party conference giving a massive speech. Churchill wasn’t a man, he was the human manifestation of fate.

jimmy2k4o .

It’s u fair if Disney are taking money from writers and actors, but she hike is not a great example to inspire sympathy. My first though was “wow that show has writers” writer who are meant to write a legal drama with superhero stuff and openly and proudly admit they know nothing about the law. She hulk was a an insult to the fans and took value off of marvel’s brand, not all but definitely some!

Brian Harris
>>113450484

“President Biden is clearly in the early stages of dementia.” “I’m not saying he’s senile.” Come on Jimmy, at least be consistent. Under this president, we’ve seen the most job growth in literally sixty years. Inflation is back down to 3%. COVID is functionally a memory. He’s balancing two cold wars with Russia and China, and he’s dealing with right-wing extremists and a demagogue who wants to burn the country down out of vengeance. I wish all our presidents had dementia.

Taylor

The first time I watched this I thought it was a little strange that after Bartlet walks into the Oval Office it has a short cut back to Mrs. Landingham just walking away from her desk. It just seemed unnecessary to me. Now, when I rewatch it, I wait for that shot because it’s the last moment they give us before she’s gone.

Youtalkingtome
>>113399639

That's pretty incredible all things considering. We think it's absolutely important and we will be watching the show in order.

Youtalkingtome
>>113451190

It was the first example that came to mind in terms of residuals, again we are not the biggest fans of Disney.

Youtalkingtome
>>113465027

God that's so heartbreaking. I went back and rewatched this episode and immediately teared up when I saw her.

Zachary Loeser

Sorkin at his best: builds incredible tension and makes you anxious to see how the A and B plots will be resolved. Then the C plot comes and knocks you out with a left hook at the end.

Kat Oliver

This was the most heartbreaking episode. The loss of Mrs. Landingham was devastating. This just makes you realize what a great story teller Sorkin is, when he is at his finest

Youtalkingtome
>>113577217

He truly is. Everyone talks about his film work being the strongest. The West Wing might be his best. Not saying it is but it's definitely shoulder to shoulder with The Social Network and A Few Good Men.