We Watch So You Don't Have To (Final Edition)
The season finale night for the West Wing and it did not disappoint, that's for sure. All eyes are on the Democratic National Convention as hell breaks loose with Santos and Russell desperately fighting for delegate votes.
The first half of the episode is just the mad dash to keep delegate votes. Josh and Will basically do everything but pay for votes to make sure their guy will win. To make matters worse, Gov. Baker rejects Russell's offer for the VP spot and throws his own hat into the ring, right on the convention floor. It's chaos people!
Now, votes are shifting left and right and Josh and Will both look like they'll implode in minutes. It's kinda fun to watch. Before Baker can walk away with the nomination, though, it's revealed that his wife was hospitalized for depression years ago, and people freak, as they are wont to do.
In the actual White House, Jed starts an investigation to find out who leaked the information about the super secret space shuttle to the press. Toby and Kate head that up. Who wants to bet that it's actually Toby that leaked the info and not CJ?
So who wins the nomination?
At the convention, Leo asks Santos to step aside for the good of the party. Of course, he doesn't. He gives a stirring speech to the assembled shrieking masses about the how all candidates are flawed but want to do what's best for the country, etc. etc. It's an ok speech, but Jimmy Smits is a good actor and he sells it. We now have our Democratic nominee, Congressman Matt Santos. Also, Josh asks Leo to be VP. Say what? We didn't see that coming either.
Your thought's on the finale? Let us know. Here's what another DCist had to say:
Though this wasn't a season finale like "What Kind of Day Has it Been"
"Two Cathedrals", or even "Twenty Five", this was the season finale we
all hoped Wells could actually write. There were moments that were
annoying plot asides -- in fact, the entire "who's the leak?" plot
seems like a cheap way to keep previous cast members involved next
season -- but the good moments outweighted the bad by a significant
margin. Leo saying to Josh "I thought I had found the last one"; the
final humiliation of Hoynes with the signs getting tossed; Donna
standing up to evil Will even as Josh succumbs to dirty politics;
"Presidente ex machina" as Bartlet swings Santos the nomination; and,
of course, the Santos speech.