The West Wing: Season 4
The West Wing season four continues the overarching saga across twenty-three episodes, providing a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation capital. 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 follows the fictitious Democratic administration of President Josiah Bartlet. Created by Aaron Sorkin
Season 4 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, which houses the Oval Office and the offices of presidential senior personnel.
- The administration is a fictitious Democratic administration led by President Josiah Bartlet.
- The show features an ensemble cast that includes actors Rob Lowe, Dule Hill, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Martin Sheen, Janel Moloney, and Stockard Channing.
- The program is a dramatic television series created by Aaron Sorkin that provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation capital.
Season overview
The West Wing season four continues the overarching saga across twenty-three episodes, providing a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation capital. 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 follows the fictitious Democratic administration of President Josiah Bartlet. Created by Aaron Sorkin, the television production features an ensemble cast including Rob Lowe, Dule Hill, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, Martin Sheen, Janel Moloney, and Stockard Channing. The series chronicles the daily operations, political maneuvering, and personal dynamics within the executive branch as the administration navigates the complex landscape of American governance during the president tenure.
Episode Guide
Season 4 Progress Shield
20 Hours in America (1)
Sep 25, 2002
Toby, Josh, and Donna learn the hard way about the lack of accessible public transportation in the heartland when they spend a long day trying to get back to Washington after the m
20 Hours in America (2)
Sep 25, 2002
Donna teaches Toby and Josh an important lesson as their trek homeward continues; Sam staffs the President in Josh's absence and welcomes an old friend home; Bartlet hires a secret
College Kids
Oct 2, 2002
Bartlet decides he needs a lawyer when Qumar goes after Israel; Josh is disturbed to learn that Stackhouse might not endorse Bartlet; a comment Deborah made years ago comes back to
The Red Mass
Oct 9, 2002
Leo meets with the Israeli Foreign Minister to enlist Israel's assistance with the Shareef investigation, but is ultimately foiled by the Qumari; the debate about the Ritchie deba
Debate Camp
Oct 16, 2002
As the staff prepares for the presidential debates at a North Carolina conference center, a vexing question about a failed attorney-general nomination (amid charges of racial profi
Game On
Oct 30, 2002
Bartlet, Leo, Josh, Sam and C.J. pull a practical joke on Toby; Sam's mission to end the Wilde campaign leads him to make a career-altering decision; Jordan backs up Leo as he deal
Election Night
Nov 6, 2002
Election day finally arrives with the staff eagerly anticipating the outcome; Sam is increasingly concerned about the Wilde campaign in Orange County; Toby worries about the effect
Process Stories
Nov 13, 2002
The staff celebrates election night and encourages Sam to run for the seat in Orange County; Toby continues to worry about how Andrea's pregnancy will play politically for both of
Swiss Diplomacy
Nov 20, 2002
The 15-year old son of an Iranian leader needs a heart transplant in the U.S. Problem is, the only man who could do it is an enemy of the Iranian government; The Senate minority le
Arctic Radar
Nov 27, 2002
When a celebrated female fighter pilot is threatened with a dishonorable discharge for refusing to end her affair with an enlisted man, the staff, though full of opinions, agrees t
Holy Night
Dec 11, 2002
It's December 23, and the holiday brings several visitors to the White House: Zoey comes home with her new French boyfriend in tow; aided by Josh, Toby's father seeks a reconciliat
Guns Not Butter
Jan 8, 2003
Josh, determined to make sure a foreign aid bill passes even though it's a hopeless cause, sends Donna out to track down a reluctant senator; in an attempt to impress Zoey's new bo
The Long Goodbye
Jan 15, 2003
While Toby unsuccessfully attempts to fill her shoes in the briefing room, C.J. returns to Dayton, where she gives a speech at her high school reunion, reconnects with an old frien
Inauguration (1)
Feb 5, 2003
The staff wrangles with the State Department over language in the inaugural address; a genocidal war breaks out in Kundu, and Bartlet weighs his options as Will pushes for American
Inauguration: Over There (2)
Feb 12, 2003
Toby discovers that Will's frankness, stubbornness, and commitment to ideals is much like his own; Charlie remains on the hunt for an inaugural Bible; Bartlet and the staff continu
The California 47th
Feb 19, 2003
Bartlet plays hardball to end the genocide in Kundu; after the entire speechwriting staff quits, Will is forced to rely on Elsie and some inexperienced interns to write tax policy
Red Haven's on Fire
Feb 26, 2003
While Toby and C.J. are in California working on Sam's campaign, Josh drops Abbey's agenda in favor of his own, Jed deals with a military hostage situation, and Will runs his inter
Privateers
Mar 26, 2003
Toby's old friend approaches him ready to blow the whistle on his employer's violations of environmental laws; staff pranks abound on Amy's first day at the office; Abbey charges A
Angel Maintenance
Apr 2, 2003
Air Force One is forced to keep aloft for almost 24 hours when an indicator light leads the flight crew to believe that the landing gear isn't functioning properly; Bartlet and Wil
Evidence of Things Not Seen
Apr 23, 2003
The White House is locked down after a gunman on the street fires shots into the West Wing; Josh interviews a candidate to replace Ainsley Hayes; Bartlet negotiates for the return
Life on Mars
Apr 30, 2003
On his first day at work, Joe Quincy pieces together three news leaks and uncovers a scandal which forces Hoynes to resign.
Commencement
May 7, 2003
Bartlet finally tells the staff the truth about the death of Shareef; Danny agrees to hold off on the story after five alleged terrorists go missing; Andy goes into labor after onc
Twenty Five
May 14, 2003
When Bartlet learns that Zoey's kidnapping is the work of Qumari terrorists, he invokes the 25th amendment to diminish their leverage and eliminate any conflict of interest; since