(Originally aired November 22, 2000)Last year I picked The West Wing's "The Indians in the Lobby" episode as a standout episode of the series. It just so happens that we're blessed with two Thanksgiving episodes of the show that are standouts. This one is called "Shibboleth."
The plots: While President Bartlet has to figure out what to do with dozens of Chinese immigrants who have stowed away on a freighter, Toby tries to get Leo's controversial sister nominated for an education post, C.J. has to pick one of two turkeys who will get to be pardoned by the President, and Charlie goes shopping for the perfect carving knife for the President.
(S07E21) This was an odd episode. I mean, it's the next to last show, and we're supposed to believe that everyone is getting ready to leave the White House and they're packing up and they're thinking about new job offers. But at the beginning, even though C.J.'s office is filled with boxes and Will goes to see someone about a possible political job, it didn't "feel" right. Focusing on C.J. is fine, but focusing on Will and Kate? I just don't see it.
(S07E20) Hmmm...you would think they would leave a title like "The Last Hurrah" for the last episode of the series (it's not, the title of that episode is "Tomorrow"), but it fit this one. This was a very solid episode. I usually don't like the episodes that are almost all Vinick and new administration-oriented, but this one was great. Alan Alda is a flawless actor, and it's terrific to see what Vinick is going through now that he's lost. And another nice touch? Using the older characters of Amy and Ron to sort of bridge the old cast and the new cast. 
(S07E18) Now this was the type of
episode longtime West Wing viewers were hoping for. If you had asked me what should happen in the Leo's
funeral episode and who should be in the episode, this is what I would have done. The montage at the beginning of the
episode showed everyone getting ready for the funeral - President Barlet, Josh, Toby, C.J., Donna, etc - and then
showed all of the people at the church. Sure, it was jarring not to have Sam there (Rob Lowe isn't back yet), but you
really can't complain when you have Mallory, Nancy McNally, Carol, Margaret, Hoynes, Russell, Joey Lucas, Danny and
everyone else. Nice touch having Toby stay in the church til everyone leaves and Charlie offering to walk out with
him.
(S07E17) This must have been the hardest episode for
the cast to film. How do you even go about filming the onscreen death of a beloved character when the equally beloved
castmate also died in real life?
While it's always great to see characters and references to the old, great West Wing (tonight's
opening had scenes from past episodes and the return of Danny Concannon), it clashes with the new West Wing,
which is all cynicism and bitchiness and tension between C.J. and Josh and the boring character of Kate. But
at least there's a glimmer of that old West Wing, if simply because the White House was prominently featured.
When there's more scenes in the White House than on the Santos campaign trail, that's a good thing (even if it means
Donna isn't around.)
There was a lot of confusion last week when The West Wing's John Spencer 
The West Wing star John Spencer, who played Leo McGarry, died today in a Los Angeles
hospital of a heart attack, according to his publicist. Spencer played Chief of Staff to Martin Sheen's President Jeb
Bartlet. On the show, ironically, Spencer's character suffered a heart attack that forced him to give up his White
House gig. In a main storyline this season, though, his character had been tapped as a vice-presidential running mate
for Democratic hopeful Matt Santos, played by Jimmy Smits.
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