The West Wing: Season 5
- 2003
- 22 episodes
Season 5 of The West Wing premiered on September 24, 2003 and has 22 episodes, from "7A WF 83429" to "Memorial Day". The last episode aired on May 19, 2004.
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.
Episodes
Episode 17A WF 83429Aired September 24, 2003
As the search for Zoey continues, Walken takes a hard line against the kidnappers that could contribute to her death; Danny releases the Shareef story, and the revelation creates a rift that separates Jed from Abbey and Liz; tensions arise between Walken's staff and Bartlet's staff; the Democratic leadership in Congress assails Leo for allowing Jed to step aside; in retaliation for Shareef's death, a movie theater in Turkey is bombed, and eighty people, including American soldiers, are killed.
Guest stars
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- Timothy Davis-Reed Mark O'Donnell
- Timothy Busfield Danny Concannon
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Nina Siemaszko Ellie Bartlet
- Clark Gregg Michael Casper
- Željko Ivanek Steve Atwood
- Lily Tomlin Deborah Fiderer
Episode 2The Dogs of WarAired October 1, 2003
Bombs drop on Qumar upon Walken's orders; as the hours pass without any word on Zoey's whereabouts, tensions increase within the Bartlet family; Walken and Leo clash after Josh's suspicion that the opposition is using Walken's tenure in the Oval Office to advance their agenda is confirmed; Andy takes the twins home; Leo inflicts a new intern from a prominent political family on an unwilling Josh; Jed's staff is less than thrilled when they learn who will succeed Walken as Speaker of the House; the search for a new Vice President is accelerated; Zoey is rescued.
Guest stars
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- Timothy Davis-Reed Mark O'Donnell
- Mary-Louise Parker Amy Gardner
- Kathleen York Andrea Wyatt
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Nina Siemaszko Ellie Bartlet
- Clark Gregg Michael Casper
- Željko Ivanek Steve Atwood
Episode 3Jefferson LivesAired October 8, 2003
When he realizes that his first choice for Vice President faces an uphill fight for nomination, Jed nominates a congressman that none of the staff can get excited about; Josh is less than thrilled with his new intern.
Guest stars
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- Timothy Davis-Reed Mark O'Donnell
- Mary-Louise Parker Amy Gardner
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Michael O'Neill Ron Butterfield
- Lily Tomlin Deborah Fiderer
- Elisabeth Moss Zoey Bartlet
- Rebecca Avery Anna
Episode 4HanAired October 22, 2003
Josh fails to sway an unruly congressman who insists on voting against the administration on the vice presidential confirmation, but Ryan reaches out to get him to change his mind; Leo fears that the potential defection of a prominent North Korean pianist will jeopardize secret nuclear disarmament talks; Will and Toby are humiliated when an early draft of a speech outlining their struggle to laud Bob Russell's confirmation is erroneously substituted for the final version; Donna's aunt and uncle from Wisconsin pay a visit, testing Josh's ability to refrain from bad cheesehead jokes during their tour of the White House; the staff struggles over how to language the state of the economy; fearing that the administration is drifting off-course, Toby wants to hand over more responsibilities to Will in order to focus on getting back to their core message.
Guest stars
- Mary-Louise Parker Amy Gardner
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Gary Cole Bob Russell
- Kris Murphy Katie Witt
- Ron Canada Theodore Barrow
- Benjamin Brown Mike Wayne
- Tony Lee Jai Yung Ahn
- Christopher Cousins Theo
Episode 5Constituency of OneAired October 29, 2003
Will Bailey receives an offer to become Vice President Russell's top aide. Amy Gardner does some skillful lobbying for domestic violence prevention which gets the wrath of Bartlet. A conservative democratic senator switches parties.
Guest stars
- Timothy Davis-Reed Mark O'Donnell
- Mary-Louise Parker Amy Gardner
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Gary Cole Bob Russell
- Tom Skerritt Chris Carrick
- Erinn Hayes Laura
- Melissa Fitzgerald Carol Fitzpatrick
Episode 6Disaster ReliefAired November 5, 2003
The fallout on the Hill from Carrick's switch to the Republican party exiles Josh deep into a White House doghouse, so C.J. gives Donna some tips on how she can support him; Jed gets a harsh reality check from C.J. when he lingers too long in a small Oklahoma town devastated by a deadly tornado; in Jed's absence, Leo juggles an impending war between Albania and Greece, a visit from the German chancellor, a tussle over tax cuts, and an over-reaching Secretary of Defense; Josh and Toby are less than thrilled when Leo brings Angela on board to assume some of Josh's responsibilities.
Guest stars
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Steve Ryan Miles Hutchinson
- Gary Cole Bob Russell
- Michael Hyatt Angela Blake
- Bryan Callen Louis Slater
- Maree Cheatham Governor Wade
- Steven Anderson Daniel Rubin
Episode 7Separation of PowersAired November 12, 2003
As Chief Justice Ashland's health problems continue to mount, Joe Quincy, Ashland's former clerk, is pressed into service to persuade him to retire; as C.J. prepares Zoey for a sit-down interview about her kidnapping, Abbey reveals that her relationship with her husband is still strained; Jed refuses to be held hostage by the Republican in the budget negotiations.
Guest stars
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Elisabeth Moss Zoey Bartlet
- Gary Cole Bob Russell
- Matthew Perry Joe Quincy
- Michael Hyatt Angela Blake
- Obi Ndefo Donald
- Steven Culp Jeff Haffley
Episode 8ShutdownAired November 19, 2003
Jed's decision not to be held hostage by Haffley shuts down the federal government; unable to get through to Jed and fearing the worst, Leo calls in the reinforcements, and Abbey returns to Washington to deliver a message and provide her husband with a little perspective; after being benched from the staff meetings, Josh gets put back in the game by Jed and sets the stage for victory; disregarding the advice of more seasoned colleagues, Haffley makes a major misstep and loses his advantage over the White House; Jed and Haffley meet and reach an accord on the budget.
Guest stars
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- Timothy Davis-Reed Mark O'Donnell
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Melissa Marsala Rina
- Gary Cole Bob Russell
- Kris Murphy Katie Witt
- Michael Hyatt Angela Blake
- Brandon Barash Bret
Episode 9Abu el BanatAired December 3, 2003
The Bartet clan attempts to gather for a holiday dinner. Jed must deal with a hostage situation in Sudan, an assisted suicide in Oregon, his son-in-law's yearn to run for the House of Representatives, and his grandson's want to spend time with his grandpa. C.J. takes a stand on the assisted suicide because of her father's worsening condition.
Guest stars
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Nina Siemaszko Ellie Bartlet
- Lily Tomlin Deborah Fiderer
- Elisabeth Moss Zoey Bartlet
- Annabeth Gish Elizabeth Bartlet-Westin
- Ron Canada Theodore Barrow
- Steven Eckholdt Doug Westin
Episode 10The Stormy PresentAired January 7, 2004
President Bartlet attends the funeral of a former president with other former presidents Glenallen Walken and D. Wire Newman, while monitoring a possible situation in Saudi Arabia. Josh Lyman mediates an argument between a representative from Connecticut and one from North Carolina who wants her state's copy of the Bill of Rights returned. CJ is concerned about a scientist's invention which could interfere with privacy.
Guest stars
- James Cromwell President D. Wire Newman
- Stephen Tobolowsky Dr. Max Milkman
- Allison Smith Mallory O'Brien
- Diana Douglas Libby Lassiter
- Maz Jobrani Prince Bitar
- Bellamy Young MaryLou Meriwether
- Steve Ryan Miles Hutchinson
- John Goodman Glenallen Walken
Episode 11The Benign PrerogativeAired January 14, 2004
In the days leading up to the State of the Union address, Toby gets crucial voter feedback when he accompanies Joey as she mall-tests the speech around the nation; Jed and the staff wrestle with the issues of presidential pardons and mandatory minimums; Charlie dates an attractive woman who's not what she seems; Joey Lucas derails Josh's plans when she arrives at the White House carrying a surprise; Jed and Abbey reach out to an old friend on the eve of his ex-wife's remarriage.
Guest stars
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Marlee Matlin Joey Lucas
- Gabrielle Union Meeshel Anders
- Melissa Marsala Rina
- Bill O'Brien Kenny Thurman
- Michael Hyatt Angela Blake
- Melissa Fitzgerald Carol Fitzpatrick
Episode 12Slow News DayAired February 4, 2004
Toby gets Jed's support to seize a controversial window of opportunity to save Social Security, but is hampered by Jed's mandate to keep the operation under wraps; desperate to feed the press corps beast on a glacially slow news day, C.J. meets with an attache to discuss cabbage imports, and has a little fun with a particularly dense reporter; Josh's brainstorm to help Will burnish Bob Russell's presentation problems and a persistent reporter endanger Toby's attempts to broker a deal on the Hill; Rina finds a friend in Donna, and Josh isn't too happy about it; Toby is saved from having to fall on his sword when Josh and Jed devise a plan to rescue his deal from certain disaster.
Guest stars
- Melissa Marsala Rina
- Josef Sommer Steve Gaines
- Kate Burton Sarah Brainerd
- Michael Nouri Roy Turner
- Scott Allan Campbell Grey Polk
- Joaquim de Almeida Carlos Carrio
- Melissa Fitzgerald Carol Fitzpatrick
- Joyce Guy Charlayne
Episode 13The Warfare of Genghis KhanAired February 11, 2004
An unlikely party comes to the aid of the administration as it seeks to discover the party responsible for nuclear testing in the Indian Ocean; Will is unhappy, but his boss doesn't seem to mind, when a request to beef up the Vice President's issue profile results in Toby's handing him boring, low-level minutae; Josh dismisses a NASA proposal for a manned Mars mission until an agency staffer shows him the error of his ways; a conservative talk show host makes a pathetic attempt to bait C.J. into appearing on his show.
Guest stars
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Steve Ryan Miles Hutchinson
- Anna Deavere Smith Nancy McNally
- Gary Cole Bob Russell
- Thomas Kopache Bob Slatterly
- Armin Mueller-Stahl Efraim 'Eli' Zahavy
- Terry O'Quinn Nicholas Alexander
- Christina Chang Alex Moreau
Episode 14An KheAired February 18, 2004
When five navy E-2C Hawkeye crew members are stranded in North Korea, Bartlet orders a risky Navy Seal rescue attempt. C.J. agrees to one on one with a motormouth conservative talk show host.
Guest stars
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Lily Tomlin Deborah Fiderer
- Ron Canada Theodore Barrow
- Terry O'Quinn Nicholas Alexander
- Philip Baker Hall Senator Matt Hunt
- Melissa Fitzgerald Carol Fitzpatrick
- Jeffrey DeMunn Kenneth Sean 'Ken' O'Neal
Episode 15Full DisclosureAired February 25, 2004
He's back, Former VP John Hoynes, who resigned in sex scandal, makes a bid for political resurrection by trashing Barlet and Leo in a tell-all book. But it's C.J. who's taking the news the hardest.
Guest stars
- Timothy Davis-Reed Mark O'Donnell
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Melissa Marsala Rina
- Sam Robards Greg Brock
- Tim Matheson John Hoynes
- Melissa Fitzgerald Carol Fitzpatrick
- Peter James Smith Ed
- James Pickens Jr. Mayor
Episode 16Eppur Si MuoveAired March 3, 2004
When a conservative Republican Congresswoman targets Ellie's research project in an effort to discredit Jed, Toby discovers that the source of the leak is uncomfortably close to home, and Will realizes that they've all greatly underestimated his boss; Josh investigates the wisdom of a recess appointment as he tries to convince an old friend to be patient with the Sixth Circuit judicial nomination process and keep his hat in the ring; C.J. completely misreads Ben's intentions; Donna tracks down an AWOL Ryan; an opening is created on the Supreme Court; in an effort to redefine Abbey's image with the press, C.J. sets her up to do a public service announcement with the Muppets, which inspires Ellie to stand up before the press in defense of scientific research unhampered by politics.
Guest stars
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Nina Siemaszko Ellie Bartlet
- Lily Tomlin Deborah Fiderer
- Melissa Marsala Rina
- Gary Cole Bob Russell
- Melissa Fitzgerald Carol Fitzpatrick
- Kevin Clash Elmo (voice)
Episode 17The SupremesAired March 24, 2004
Jed and the staff vet potential Supreme Court appointees; Toby and Andy don't see eye-to-eye on her fact-finding trip to the Middle East; Donna's parents are the unlikely inspiration for the resolution to the problems arising from the judicial confirmation process.
Guest stars
- Kathleen York Andrea Wyatt
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Lily Tomlin Deborah Fiderer
- Melissa Marsala Rina
- Melissa Fitzgerald Carol Fitzpatrick
- Glenn Close Evelyn Baker Lang
- William Fichtner Christopher Mulready
- Mitchell Ryan Roland Pierce
Episode 18AccessAired March 31, 2004
A documentary camera crew follows C.J. around for a not-so-typical day in the White House.
Guest stars
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- Timothy Davis-Reed Mark O'Donnell
- Will Lyman Narrator (voice)
- NiCole Robinson Margaret Hooper
- Clark Gregg Michael Casper
- Rebecca Avery Anna
- Kris Murphy Katie Witt
- Sam Robards Greg Brock
Episode 19Talking PointsAired April 21, 2004
Hail the conquering hero. Josh returns after nailing down details for a trade agreement. But the devil in the detail, including information kept from Josh. C.J. fights megamedia ownership of local TV.
Guest stars
- Mary McCormack Kate Harper
- Lily Tomlin Deborah Fiderer
- Anna Deavere Smith Nancy McNally
- Sam Robards Greg Brock
- Steven Culp Jeff Haffley
- Melissa Fitzgerald Carol Fitzpatrick
- Peter James Smith Ed
- John Amos Percy Fitzwallace
Episode 20No ExitAired April 28, 2004
An airborne contamination alert locks down the West Wing, forcing staffers to stay put until the all-clear is sounded; Toby and Will face off over Will's working for the vice president; C.J. tells Donna some things she'd rather not hear about Josh and her career prospects; Leo confronts Abbey about the dangers of her recent coping mechanisms; Jed, Debbie, and Charlie are poked, prodded, and sent to the decontamination showers; Kate is initially reluctant to give Josh any information on a personal or professional level as they sit out the alert together.
Guest stars
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- Mary McCormack Kate Harper
- Michael O'Neill Ron Butterfield
- Lily Tomlin Deborah Fiderer
- Reed Diamond Dr. Mike Gordon
- Wilson Cruz Jack Sosa
- Brent Huff Agent Broder
- Beau Billingslea Agent Velasquez
Episode 21GazaAired May 12, 2004
Donna Moss, Percy Fitzwallace, Andrea Wyatt and a couple of congressmen are in the Middle East on a fact finding mission when their cars are blown up. President Bartlet considers possible military targets to bomb in retaliation. In flashbacks, we see Donna becoming attracted to British photojournalist Colin Ayres.
Guest stars
- Mary McCormack Kate Harper
- Kathleen York Andrea Wyatt
- Steve Ryan Miles Hutchinson
- Kris Murphy Katie Witt
- Ron Canada Theodore Barrow
- Terry O'Quinn Nicholas Alexander
- Melissa Fitzgerald Carol Fitzpatrick
- Jason Isaacs Colin Ayres
Episode 22Memorial DayAired May 19, 2004
Jed weighs his options for responding to the bombing as Israeli and Palestinian forces face off against each other; Josh has an interesting reaction when Colin arrives at the hospital to visit Donna; Kate and Leo clash over the advice she's giving Jed; Josh assumes a diplomatic role when the Palestinians approach him to initiate settlement discussions; Toby and Charlie prepare a reluctant Jed for throwing out the first ball at Camden Yards; Donna's life is threatened when she develops a pulmonary embolism; Jed reflects on the days prior to his first inauguration.
Guest stars
- Stockard Channing Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet
- Mary McCormack Kate Harper
- Renée Estevez Nancy
- Lily Tomlin Deborah Fiderer
- Steve Ryan Miles Hutchinson
- Gary Cole Bob Russell
- Ron Canada Theodore Barrow
- Natalija Nogulich Shira Galit
