22 Episodes of The West Wing That Will Make You Feel Better About Politics
13. “Bartlet for America” (Season 3 Episode 10)
Any episode with flashbacks to their initial campaign is always full of delight and insight. In this episode we see Leo convince Jed to run for President back when he was just Governor of New Hampshire.
14. “Dead Irish Writers” (Season 3 Episode 17)
It’s the First Lady’s birthday and all of the women of The West Wing are getting drunk with her, oh and they’re all dressed to the nines.
15. “20 Hours in America” (Season 4 Episode 1)
This is easily one of the greatest episodes of The West Wing. When Josh, Toby, and Donna get left behind on the campaign trail hijinks ensue.
“20 Hours in America” delivers a joyous hour of an increasingly difficult trek back to Washington and ends with a poignant speech from President Bartlet about terrorism and the resilience of the human spirit.
16. “College Kids” (Season 4 Episode 2)
This episode shows us how important it is for young people to be involved in the election process. After all it’s young people who have to live the longest with the decisions made by each administration.
CJ Cregg: Decisions are made by those who show up.
17. “Game On” (Season 4 Episode 5)
After strenuous debate prep, Abbey Bartlet takes one last opportunity to get Jed where he needs to be to take on his opponent. It’s an episode filled with excitement and hopefulness, and it always satisfies.
18. “Election Night” (Season 4 Episode 7)
“Election Night” is a perfect example of all the anxious excitement and nervousness we feel on election day. The cold open with Josh being increasingly worried for how people are voting is all of us on election day.
Thankfully, with The West Wing, we already know who wins, so watch this episode and hope reality turns out the same way!
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.