The staff must deal with several problems throughout the course of a day, including UFOs and smallpox. The senior staff meets with several interest groups referred to as 'the crackpots'. Josh becomes shaken when he receives a card that instructs him where to go in case of a nuclear attack. Meanwhile, Toby and President Bartlet clash over plans for a trip to California and Bartlet prepares for a press conference.

Episode Viewers and Ratings

Season 1 Episode 5 of The West Wing resulted in a 0.00 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

The West Wing Season 1 Episodes...

• s01e01 - Pilot
• s01e02 - Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc
• s01e03 - A Proportional Response
• s01e04 - Five Votes Down
• s01e05 - The Crackpots and These Women
• s01e06 - Mr. Willis of Ohio
• s01e07 - The State Dinner
• s01e08 - Enemies
• s01e09 - The Short List
• s01e10 - In Excelsis Deo
• s01e11 - Lord John Marbury
• s01e12 - He Shall, From Time to Time
• s01e13 - Take Out the Trash Day
• s01e14 - Take This Sabbath Day
• s01e15 - Celestial Navigation
• s01e16 - 20 Hours in L.A.
• s01e17 - The White House Pro
• s01e18 - Six Meetings Before Lunch
• s01e19 - Let Bartlet Be Bartlet
• s01e20 - Mandatory Minimums
• s01e21 - Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
• s01e22 - What Kind of Day Has It Been?

The West Wing Show Summary

In a unique glimpse of the inner-workings of Presidential politics, The West Wing takes viewers inside the White House and follows the lives of the staff as they help President Jed Bartlet make the crucial decisions that shape the nation and the world around it. Working closely with the President are close friend and Chief of Staff Leo McGarry; Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman; Josh's assistant Donna Moss; Communications Director Toby Ziegler; and his Deputy, Sam Seaborn; Press Secretary C.J. Cregg; First Lady Abbey Bartlet; and Charlie Young, Bartlet's Personal Aide.

As season 6 unfolded, the show shifted its focus from the current administration to the Arnold Vinick vs. Matthew Santos race for the presidency, presidential election, and transition to the new administration from the Bartlet administration.