“The West Wing” returns for its sixth season tonight at 9 p.m. on NBC, unfortunately going up against Game 7.

When we last saw our public policy heroes they were in various levels of distress, dealing with the fall out from a terrorist attack on a visiting American delegation in the Gaza Strip. The car bomb killed Adm. Fitzwallace (sniff) and various members of Congress but spared Congresswoman Wyatt (the mother of Toby’s kids) and seriously wounded Donna Moss, Josh Lyman’s long suffering assistant.

Tonight’s episode, according to the NBC website, has President Bartlett meeting with Palestinian and Israeli leaders to discuss a peaceful resolution to the conflict. There’s no word on whether Donna and Josh finally hook up, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed.

Viewers can expect big changes this season for the Bartlett administration. Industry buzz indicates that executive producer John “ER” Wells wants to bring in a brand spanking new Republican administration. Also, Jimmy “NYPD” Smits and Alan “M*A*S*H” Alda join the cast as Congressmen.

To be honest, it’s been awhile since DCist sat down to watch this show. Series creator Aaron Sorkin’s departure last year left us bitter and perturbed at the network powers that be. But, we’re slowly re-learning all the characters names and have steeled ourselves for a season’s worth of political melodrama.

Any DCers planning on watching tonight’s episode?

(Image from NBC)