The West Wing: Season 1

1999
22 episodes

Season 1 of The West Wing premiered on September 22, 1999 and has 22 episodes, from "Pilot" to "What Kind of Day Has It Been". The last episode aired on May 17, 2000.

Where to watch The West Wing

In the United States, you can stream The West Wing on Netflix and HBO Max. You can also buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and Fandango At Home. It is on streaming services in 23 countries.

Where to watch

Episodes

Episode 1PilotAired September 22, 1999
The senior members of the White House staff are summoned to the office early in the morning to handle difficult situations: Hundreds of Cubans are on their way across the Atlantic Ocean in search of freedom; and klutzy President of the United States Josiah Bartlet accidentally sprained his ankle riding a bicycle into a tree.
- 41m
- Directed by Thomas Schlamme
- Written by Aaron Sorkin
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Allison Smith Mallory O'Brien
- Wendell Wright Economist #1
- Annie Corley Mary Marsh
- Lisa Edelstein Laurie
- Suzy Nakamura Cathy
- Marlene Warfield Maid
Episode 2Post Hoc, Ergo Propter HocAired September 29, 1999
The Vice President refuses to fall in line with Bartlet. Sam discusses the problem of Laurie with Josh and Toby. Bartlet hires Mandy as his consultant.
- 38m
- Directed by Thomas Schlamme
- Written by Aaron Sorkin
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- J. August Richards Bill
- John Bedford Lloyd Lloyd Russell
- Merrin Dungey Daisy
- Ruben Santiago-Hudson Morris Tolliver
- Rose Rollins Suzanne
Episode 3A Proportional ResponseAired October 6, 1999
Still enraged at Morris's death, Bartlet makes a show of deadly force. C.J. is upset about being kept out of the loop about Laurie. Josh hires Bartlet's new personal assistant.
- 41m
- Directed by Marc Buckland
- Written by Aaron Sorkin
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Hunter von Leer Officer
- Rose Rollins Suzanne
- Suzy Nakamura Cathy
- Kathryn Joosten Dolores Landingham
- John Amos Percy Fitzwallace
Episode 4Five Votes DownAired October 13, 1999
Five votes keep a very important gun-control bill from being passed and the staff has 72 hours to track down the errant congressmen. Toby is accused of manipulating the stock market by having a friend testify to Commerce on internet stocks. Leo's wife gets fed up with his long hours.
- 41m
- Directed by Michael Lehmann
- Written by Aaron Sorkin, Lawrence O'Donnell and Patrick Caddell
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Jillian Armenante Leela
- Jay Underwood Christopher Wick
- Mark Blum Katzenmoyer
- Sara Botsford Jenny McGarry
- Thom Barry Mark Richardson
- Kathryn Joosten Dolores Landingham
Episode 5The Crackpots and These WomenAired October 20, 1999
The staffers spend the day ("Big Block of Cheese day") dealing with private organizations, aka the crackpots. Throughout the day, Sam deals with a UFO nut, CJ gets a proposal to build a wolves-only road, Toby and Bartlet clash over everything, and Josh is overwhelmed by guilt regarding his sister's death.
- 41m
- Directed by Anthony Drazan
- Written by Aaron Sorkin
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Elisabeth Moss Zoey Bartlet
- Sam Lloyd Bob
- Nick Offerman Jerry
- Guy Boyd Stanley
- Juwan Howard Mr. Grant
Episode 6Mr. Willis of OhioAired November 3, 1999
Toby and Mandy push for a commerce bill with a census-counting provision, with three votes as the deciding factor. Sam tutors CJ on the finer points of the census. Josh & Sam take Charlie out for a beer and are joined by Zoey and Mallory.
- 41m
- Directed by Christopher Misiano
- Written by Aaron Sorkin
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Allison Smith Mallory O'Brien
- Michael O'Neill Ron Butterfield
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Elisabeth Moss Zoey Bartlet
- Al Fann Joe Willis
- Kenneth Tigar Congressman Gladman
- Suzy Nakamura Cathy
Episode 7The State DinnerAired November 10, 1999
The president of Indonesia is honored at a state dinner. The staff deals with Hurricane Sarah, a potential teamster strike, and a raid involving children in Idaho while a reporter flirts with CJ.
- 41m
- Directed by Thomas Schlamme
- Written by Aaron Sorkin and Paul Redford
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- David Rasche Carl Everett
- William Lucking Bobby Russo
- John Kapelos Seymour Little
- Sal Landi Chafey
- Lisa Edelstein Laurie
Episode 8EnemiesAired November 17, 1999
Bartlet and Hoynes argue in front of the Cabinet. CJ fends off Danny's advances when she suspects he's after a big story. Mallory asks Sam out. The staff leaps hurdles to pass a banking bill.
- 41m
- Directed by Alan Taylor
- Written by Lawrence O'Donnell, Patrick Caddell, Ron Osborn and Jeff Reno
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Allison Smith Mallory O'Brien
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Kathryn Joosten Dolores Landingham
- Tim Matheson John Hoynes
- Devika Parikh Bonnie
Episode 9The Short ListAired November 24, 1999
Bartlet struggles to name a nominee to the Supreme Court when the perfect nominee turns out to be not so perfect. A congressman attacks the staff, claiming that 1 in 3 use drugs.
- 41m
- Directed by Bill D'Elia
- Written by Aaron Sorkin, Patrick Caddell and Dee Dee Myers
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- Edward James Olmos Roberto Mendoza
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Kris Murphy Katie Witt
- Ken Howard Judge Peyton Cabot Harrison III
- Mason Adams Justice Joseph Crouch
- Holmes Osborne Congressman Peter Lillienfield
Episode 10In Excelsis DeoAired December 15, 1999
Toby tries to arrange a proper funeral for a homeless veteran. Josh and Sam try to set up a preemptive strike against Lillienfield, who is attacking Leo because of his prior drug and alcohol problem. CJ tries to get the staff to revisit the hate crimes issue. Bartlet sneaks out to do some last minute shopping.
- 41m
- Directed by Alex Graves
- Written by Aaron Sorkin and Rick Cleveland
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Lance Reddick D.C. Police Officer
- Paul Austin George Huffnagle
- Raynor Scheine Homeless Man
- Lisa Edelstein Laurie
Episode 11Lord John MarburyAired January 5, 2000
War breaks out between India and Pakistan and Bartlet consults with Lord John Marbury. Toby accuses CJ of being too friendly with the press when she objects to being kept in the dark. The staff realizes that Lillienfield's efforts to bring down Leo are going to get ugly when Josh gets a subpoena.
- 41m
- Directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan
- Written by Aaron Sorkin, Lawrence O'Donnell and Patrick Caddell
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Roger Rees John Marbury
- James Hong Chinese Ambassador
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Erick Avari Pakistani ambassador
- Clyde Kusatsu Joe
- Iqbal Theba Indian ambassador
- Elisabeth Moss Zoey Bartlet
Episode 12He Shall, from Time to TimeAired January 12, 2000
Bartlet collapses before his first State of the Union address. Leo publicly admits to his former alcoholism and drug abuse. Things get interesting romantically for both Sam and CJ. Lord John Marbury helps the staff negotiate an agreement between India and Pakistan.
- 41m
- Directed by Arlene Sanford
- Written by Aaron Sorkin
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- Roger Rees John Marbury
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Allison Smith Mallory O'Brien
- Kathryn Joosten Dolores Landingham
- Harry Groener Roger Tribbey
Episode 13Take out the Trash DayAired January 26, 2000
Josh and Sam are able to make a bargain to keep Leo from going through a hearing, at the expense of a new sex education report. Mandy doesn't think a couple should be present at the signing of a new hate crimes bill instigated by the death of their son. Toby contends with some of PBS's detractors.
- 41m
- Directed by Ken Olin
- Written by Aaron Sorkin
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Dakin Matthews Simon Blye
- Liza Weil Karen Larson
- Kris Murphy Katie Witt
- Suzy Nakamura Cathy
Episode 14Take This Sabbath DayAired February 9, 2000
After the Supreme Court refuses to stay the execution of a convicted murderer, Bartlet has forty-eight hours to decide whether or not to commute the sentence. Josh faces off with Joey Lucas about his staff's not backing her candidate as vigorously as she'd like.
- 41m
- Directed by Thomas Schlamme
- Written by Aaron Sorkin, Lawrence O'Donnell and Paul Redford
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Karl Malden Father Thomas Cavanaugh
- Marlee Matlin Joey Lucas
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Felton Perry Jerry
- David Proval Rabbi Glassman
- Noah Emmerich Bobby Zane
- Bill O'Brien Kenny Thurman
Episode 15Celestial NavigationAired February 16, 2000
Toby and Sam travel to Connecticut to get Roberto Mendoza released from jail; Josh must run a press briefing when CJ has an emergency root canal.
- 41m
- Directed by Christopher Misiano
- Written by Aaron Sorkin, Lawrence O'Donnell and Dee Dee Myers
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Vaughn Armstrong Sgt. McNamara
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- Edward James Olmos Roberto Mendoza
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- CCH Pounder Deborah O'Leary
- Robert David Hall David Nessler
- Kris Murphy Katie Witt
Episode 1620 Hours in L. A.Aired February 23, 2000
Bartlet and the senior staff fly to California to attend an important fundraiser. Hoynes must decide whether he will support Bartlet's stance or go with his convictions when the Senate is deadlocked on an ethanol tax bill.
- 41m
- Directed by Alan Taylor
- Written by Aaron Sorkin
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Marlee Matlin Joey Lucas
- Jorja Fox Agent Gina Toscano
- Bart Braverman Shapiro
- Bob Balaban Ted Marcus
- Michael O'Neill Ron Butterfield
- Elisabeth Moss Zoey Bartlet
Episode 17The White House Pro-AmAired March 22, 2000
Abbey keeps the staff busy with the fallout when she leaks her personal preference for a Federal Reserve Board appointment and discusses child labor on a talk show, prompting a Congresswoman to offer an amendment which could shoot down the entire international tariff bill. Charlie's date with Zoey is cancelled because of threats by a white supremacist group.
- 41m
- Directed by Ken Olin
- Written by Lawrence O'Donnell, Aaron Sorkin and Paul Redford
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- Jorja Fox Agent Gina Toscano
- Elisabeth Moss Zoey Bartlet
- Kris Murphy Katie Witt
- Amy Aquino Becky Reeseman
- Richard Fancy Congressman
Episode 18Six Meetings Before LunchAired April 5, 2000
Mendoza is confirmed by the Senate; Mandy needs Toby's help to replace a dead panda bear; Sam angers Mallory when she reads a position paper that he wrote supporting school vouchers; Josh meets with Jeff Breckenridge, who is irritating certain Congressmen with his stance on slavery reparations.
- 41m
- Directed by Clark Johnson
- Written by Aaron Sorkin
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Jorja Fox Agent Gina Toscano
- Allison Smith Mallory O'Brien
- Michael O'Neill Ron Butterfield
- Elisabeth Moss Zoey Bartlet
- Suzy Nakamura Cathy
Episode 19Let Bartlet Be BartletAired April 26, 2000
Mandy's old memo about Bartlet administration weaknesses surfaces; Josh tries to get administration nominees appointed to the Federal Elections Committee; Sam works to get a better policy on gays in the military.
- 40m
- Directed by Laura Innes
- Written by Aaron Sorkin, Patrick Caddell and Peter Parnell
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Kris Murphy Katie Witt
- Paul Provenza Steve Onorato
- Aaron Lustig Senate Aide
- David Brisbin Ken
Episode 20Mandatory MinimumsAired May 3, 2000
Andrea Wyatt insists that mandatory minimums be added to a new drug policy the staff is developing; C.J. makes a mistake and sets them back.
- 41m
- Directed by Robert Berlinger
- Written by Aaron Sorkin
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- Kathleen York Andrea Wyatt
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Marlee Matlin Joey Lucas
- Kris Murphy Katie Witt
- Suzy Nakamura Cathy
- John de Lancie Al Kiefer
Episode 21Lies, Damn Lies and StatisticsAired May 10, 2000
Bartlet gets closer to making the FEC campaign finance reform-friendly, but his opponents strike back by making Sam's former dalliance with the call girl public knowledge; CJ waits anxiously for the administration's approval rating.
- 41m
- Directed by Don Scardino
- Written by Aaron Sorkin
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Marlee Matlin Joey Lucas
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Kris Murphy Katie Witt
- Reiko Aylesworth Janine
- Lawrence Pressman Ken Cochran
Episode 22What Kind of Day Has It BeenAired May 17, 2000
The staff deals with the crisis of an American pilot who was shot down in Iraq; Toby's brother is in danger on a space shuttle whose doors won't close; Bartlet and the senior staff walk into trouble as they leave a town meeting.
- 41m
- Directed by Thomas Schlamme
- Written by Aaron Sorkin
Guest stars
- Janel Moloney Donna Moss
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Jorja Fox Agent Gina Toscano
- Michael O'Neill Ron Butterfield
- Elisabeth Moss Zoey Bartlet
- Kris Murphy Katie Witt
- Suzy Nakamura Cathy