In the shadow of a real Inauguration, let’s turn our eyes to the fictional administration in “The West Wing,” shall we? It’s Leo’s first day back at work, in a new office with no furniture and no secretary. Everyone rushes around trying to solve various problems, and it’s not really made clear what the point of the episode was at all. If anyone can tell us, please do so. We’re stumped.

The big story of the week is Bolivia. In the midst of an election, American contractors are taken hostage by a socialist candidate, who promises to free them if he’s elected president. There’s a lot time in the situation room, but it’s never made clear what happens to the hostages in the end. Do they live? Do they die? Apparently, no one cares.

Annabeth and Charlie spend time discussing the Earned Income Tax Credit, and how it’s just great for the working poor. Charlie gives it a catchy name, the Poor Tax.

Leo spends the first day back watching old State of the Union speeches and waiting for people to come talk to him. Yeah, we’ve had days like that at work too. After a long day of doing nothing, Leo calls everyone in back to work at 10 p.m. and gives the staff a little motivational speech, telling them they only have 365 days left to make a difference, so they should get their butts in gear.

What else happens? Oh yeah, Jed takes a nap.