The West Wing: Season 3
The West Wing Season 3 continues the overarching saga across twenty-one episodes. Created by Aaron Sorkin, the series is set primarily in the West Wing of the White House, where the Oval Office and offices of presidential senior personnel are located. The dramatic television series provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital during the fictitious Democratic administration of President Josiah
Season 3 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- The series is set primarily in the West Wing of the White House, featuring the Oval Office and the offices of presidential senior personnel.
- The administration depicted is the fictitious Democratic administration of President Josiah Bartlet.
- The series was created by Aaron Sorkin as an American dramatic television series centered on American politics.
- The narrative follows the overarching saga of the administration's operations across its broadcast run.
Season overview
The West Wing Season 3 continues the overarching saga across twenty-one episodes. Created by Aaron Sorkin, the series is set primarily in the West Wing of the White House, where the Oval Office and offices of presidential senior personnel are located. The dramatic television series provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital during the fictitious Democratic administration of President Josiah Bartlet. The narrative continues to explore the inner workings of the United States government and the high-stakes environment surrounding the administration's senior staff, offering a window into the daily operations and political challenges faced within the executive branch under the leadership of President Bartlet.
Episode Guide
Season 3 Progress Shield
Manchester (1)
Oct 10, 2001
Bartlet's decision about Haiti falls under scrutiny; C.J. makes a horrible blunder in a press conference and is hounded about the president's health by reporters; the staff disagre
Manchester (2)
Oct 17, 2001
The senior staff clash with the consultants who are to work on Bartlet's reelection campaign; C.J. is concerned that the press senses the Bartlets' marriage could be in trouble; Jo
Ways and Means
Oct 24, 2001
The Special Prosecutor sets his probe in motion; Sam and Bruno are concerned about the loyalty of a powerful labor leader; Toby and Josh are preoccupied with a congressional battle
On the Day Before
Oct 31, 2001
When Bartlet vetoes the "death tax", the staff must scramble to keep the veto from being overridden; Josh tries to smooth talk a promising governor who is considering running again
War Crimes
Nov 7, 2001
The President has a showdown; Donna lies when she appears before the Congressional committee investigating the President; Leo debates with an old friend about the US future stance
Gone Quiet
Nov 14, 2001
When an American spy submarine suddenly goes silent in hostile North Korea, Bartlet must decide whether to inform the enemy or attempt a secret rescue operation; Abbey learns her p
The Indians in the Lobby
Nov 21, 2001
While Bartlet worries about where he will be on Thanksgiving--and how to best cook a gourmet turkey -- C.J. meets with two Native Americans, Maggie and Jack, who are camped in the
The Women of Qumar
Nov 28, 2001
At Abbey's urging, Josh meets with a powerful women's caucus over the proposed language of a United Nations treaty banning prostitution.
Bartlet for America
Dec 12, 2001
Leo fears the worst when he testifies in the congressional investigation into Bartlet's lack of public disclosure about his illness.
H. Con-172
Jan 9, 2002
Leo defiantly rejects the Congressional Oversight Committee's offer of a public censure of Bartlet that would finally bring an end to the investigation and spare Leo of any possibl
100,000 Airplanes
Jan 16, 2002
On State of the Union night, Sam is being trailed by a magazine reporter to whom he was once engaged; the President' Congressional censure weighs heavily on staffers' minds as they
The Two Bartlets
Jan 30, 2002
On the day of the Democratic Caucus, Bartlet, Toby and C.J. go to Iowa to kick off the presidential race, and disagree over Bartlet's making a statement about affirmative action. B
Night Five
Feb 6, 2002
Stanley Keyworth revisits the White House to uncover the reason Bartlet hasn't been able to sleep since the night of the Iowa caucus; C.J. enlists Leo's help in freeing a White Hou
Hartsfield's Landing
Feb 27, 2002
On the day before the New Hampshire primary, Josh drafts Donna as his frontwoman to ensure that Bartlet wins the nation's first primary in the small town of Hartsfield's Landing; C
Dead Irish Writers
Mar 6, 2002
Concern arises over the medical board's decision on Abbey's actions in treating Jed's M.S.; Sam tries to get a Senator he doesn't like to pass a bill for a super-conducter that he
The U.S. Poet Laureate
Mar 27, 2002
Toby looks forward to meeting the new U.S. Poet Laureate; Jed fires the first salvo of his reelection campaign when he calls his likely opponent less than brilliant, and the nation
Stirred
Apr 3, 2002
Hoynes and Bartlet each make an unexpected announcement about Hoynes' place on the ticket; fears of a terrorist attack arise when a truck carrying depleted uranium-fuel rods is inv
Enemies Foreign and Domestic
May 1, 2002
The revelation that a Russian company may be building a heavy water reactor in Iran puts Jed in a difficult position as he prepares to meet with the new Russian president; Jed orde
The Black Vera Wang
May 8, 2002
Bartlet and the staff are on high alert when they receive reports of an impending attack on a military installation; Josh is furious when he discovers that a gift he passed on to D
We Killed Yamamoto
May 15, 2002
While Jed, Leo and Fitzwallace grapple with terrorism and moral absolutes, Josh and Amy grapple with each other over a welfare-reform bill; Donna represents the White House at a No
Posse Comitatus
May 22, 2002
Bartlet continues to struggle over the wisdom of assassinating the terrorist Qumari defense minister; after Ritchie declines to meet Bartlet, Sam and Toby play a dirty trick; as th