The West Wing: Season 7
After nearly eight years, President Bartlet's time in the White House has come to an end, and two formidable men vie for the Presidency: Arnold Vinick, a Republican senator from California, and Matthew Santos, a three-term Houston Democratic congressman. After suffering a heart attack, former Advisor to the President Leo McGarry resolutely serves as Santos' vice presidential running mate, ably assisted by Annabeth Sc
Season 7 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The West Wing Season 6.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
After nearly eight years, President Bartlet's time in the White House has come to an end, and two formidable men vie for the Presidency: Arnold Vinick, a Republican senator from California, and Matthew Santos, a three-term Houston Democratic congressman. After suffering a heart attack, former Advisor to the President Leo McGarry resolutely serves as Santos' vice presidential running mate, ably assisted by Annabeth Schott. Former Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman keeps his highly regarded political mind in overdrive as Santos' campaign manager.
Episode Guide
Season 7 Progress Shield
The Ticket
Sep 25, 2005 · 40 min
As everyone but Josh causes Santos to question his choice of Leo as his running mate, Bartlet's investigation into the dangerous press leak continues. Also C.J. gets interviewed by
The Mommy Problem
Oct 2, 2005 · 41 min
Santos and Vinick have to deal with press fallout when it looks like the Bartlet White House is not going to continue the investigation into the press leaks.
Message of the Week
Oct 9, 2005 · 40 min
It's three weeks into the presidential campaign and Vinick meets with Frost out on the trail. Santos pulls a stunt which leads to higher approval ratings and jolts the Vinick camp.
Mr. Frost
Oct 16, 2005 · 39 min
Margaret is interrogated at a hearing held by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Santos deflects religious questions onto Vinick; Someone gives C.J. intelligence informat
Here Today
Oct 23, 2005 · 41 min
The White House is trying to cope with the revelation of the identity of the leaker and Babish's questioning of Toby convinces him that he must get his lawyer. Lou persuades Josh t
The Al Smith Dinner
Oct 30, 2005 · 40 min
Donna is back and she's working for the Santos/McGarry campaign, but not for Josh. An attack ad on Santos by a pro-life group puts Vinick in a corner when Santos demands Vinick ren
The Debate
Nov 6, 2005 · 41 min
Santos and Vinick battle it out in primetime live. Forrest Saywer the moderator poses questions and attempts to ensure that the candidates remain within bounds. Ellen DeGeneres gue
Undecideds
Nov 13, 2005 · 40 min
Lou and Santos run into trouble on the road when they try to pick up a family's vote; their child was shot by a Latino police officer. Also, CJ must manage a crisis between China a
The Wedding
Dec 11, 2005 · 41 min
Santos is working on campaign strategy, Ellie's getting married, Abbey is welcoming guests, Bartlet's making jokes, China and Kazahkstan are about to go to war, Carol makes an appe
Running Mates
Jan 8, 2006 · 40 min
All eyes are looking forward to the Leo McGarry/Ray Sullivan Vice Presidential debate. Meawhile, Santos is trying not to catch his children's cold and he visits his home in Texas a
Internal Displacement
Jan 15, 2006 · 40 min
The Westins visit Washington and Doug is keeping a secret from Liz that many other senior staffers already know about. C.J. tries to make a deal with the French to try to handle a
Duck and Cover
Jan 22, 2006 · 40 min
Bartlet must deal with the possiblity of a nuclear explosion in California, Kate is keeping a careful watch on the election in Kazakhstan and China's response, Will is acting as th
The Cold
Mar 12, 2006 · 40 min
After the near-nuclear disaster at the power plant the polls show surprising, or maybe not so surprising, results for both candidates. The Vinick camp gears up for backlash while t
Two Weeks Out
Mar 19, 2006 · 40 min
There are only two weeks left before Election Day and both candidates must make difficult choices at a time when they are both extremely tired. Vinick meets a famous athlete who gr
Welcome to Wherever You Are
Mar 26, 2006 · 40 min
The Santos campaign meets up with Rock the Vote. Helen gives a lecture to a National Latina Organization, but her heritage doesn't help her when trying to deliver part of the Santo
Election Day (1)
Apr 2, 2006 · 40 min
Election Day finally arrives, and between analyzing exit polls, and mulling over news reports, a few Santos staff members discover the joys of campaign romance. Meanwhile, C.J. pon
Election Day (2)
Apr 9, 2006 · 40 min
Abbey is in New Hamphire with Liz Bartlet-Westin and they are awaiting the results of Doug Westin's campaign for a seat in Congress. Members of both the Santos campaign and the Vin
Requiem
Apr 16, 2006 · 40 min
Bartlet, Santos, and their staff members attend a funeral for one of their own. Also, Josh cautions Santos about getting involved in the vote for Speaker of the House.
Transition
Apr 23, 2006 · 41 min
Bartlet and his staff make the transition as easy as possible for the president-elect, who discovers some unpleasant realities about his new job.
The Last Hurrah
Apr 30, 2006 · 41 min
While Santos is busy trying to select a new vice president, his wife finds her new responsibilities staggering. Meanwhile, Vinick ponders his next move.
Institutional Memory
May 7, 2006 · 41 min
C.J. and Will both face uncertain futures as Bartlet and his staffers prepare to leave the White House to make way for the Santos administration.
Tomorrow
May 14, 2006 · 40 min
While Santos and his winning camp are nervously gearing up for the presidential inauguration, current President Bartlet, CJ, and the others fondly look back as they prepare to leav