We won’t waste too much time recapping this week’s episode, because, like last week’s episode, (which we missed — we know, we’re sorry, but there’s only so much TV we can watch sometimes), very little in the way of actual plot development happens.

Last week on the “West Wing”, amid rumors that Castro might be seriously ill, Jed normalized relations with Cuba by lifting the trade ban. It’s revealed that Kate was a CIA spy in Cuba who drove a drunk Leo home once. That pretty much sums up the whole episode, unless you want to know about termites in the White House.

This week, the Republicans make a claim for the White House. Senator Vinick (Alan Alda) is running away with the Republican nomination. He’s a pro-choice moderate Republican from California and everyone, including Bartlet, seems to think the Democrats have no chance of beating him in the general election. Icky Bruno from season 4 is also back, trying to convince the Senator he has a plan that will let him win all 50 states. All we have to say about that is that Ron Silver seriously needs a hair cut. By the way, Vinick is holding campaign meetings in his Senate office. Under FEC rules, is that allowed? Possible illegal activity aside, he’s in on the Republican side.