22 Episodes of The West Wing That Will Make You Feel Better About Politics
7. “And It’s Surely to Their Credit” (Season 2 Episode 5)
Though Sam is decidedly cranky about having the woman who destroyed him on live television working in the White House, he knows when to set aside his pride for the sake of being a good person. After Ainsley Hayes is harassed on her first day Sam fires the childish men who did it.
Seeing the gang band together to make her feel welcome is nothing short of joyous. It’s also a great example of the importance of intelligent voices from both sides being a part of the conversation to create progress.
8. “Shibboleth” (Season 2 Episode 8)
It’s Thanksgiving at the White House and between President Bartlet passing on his knife to Charlie, pardoning two turkeys for CJ, and allowing asylum for dozens of Chinese stowaways, there are plenty of reasons to be thankful for this episode.
9. “Somebody’s Going to Emergency, Somebody’s Going to Jail” (Season 2 Episode 16)
It’s Big Block of Cheese day, take two! Another dose of pure hilarity and the goodness of humanity.
10. “The Stackhouse Filibuster” (Season 2 Episode 17)
Filibusters are always an energizing political event in reality and this episode provides some real insight into how the process works. There are few things as satisfying watching someone stand up to prevent injustices and succeed.
11. “Two Cathedrals” (Season 2 Episode 22)
In Mrs. Landingham’s passing we learn about the ways she helped to shape Jed Bartlet into the President we know and love. And even in her death she motivates him to be the best person and President he can be.
If you don’t love this episode, then God Jed, I don’t even wanna know you.
12. “The Women of Qumar” (Season 3 Episode 9)
“The Women of Qumar” is not exactly a happy episode, but it shows us the difficulties of making decisions on a global scale. It raises important questions about our humanity and how we live with the decisions we make as a people and the decisions made by our government.
Samantha Coley
Samantha (she/her) is a social media specialist by day and a sci-fi junkie by night. As a freelance writer and podcaster, she also enjoys live-tweeting, blogging, good music, and better television. Her current favorite television shows include Star Trek (yes, all of them), Riverdale, and Stranger Things and there will always be a place in her heart for Battlestar Galactica, Leverage, and The West Wing.