By Silvana Smith
Something about 2000s television just feels like home. Maybe it’s the hazy glow of non-HD camera quality, the terrible 2000s fashion (yes, I reject its comeback), or the lack of smartphones, but something about shows from back then make for the perfect cozy holiday marathons. One of my favorite shows that I return to during the holiday season is The West Wing—Aaron Sorkin’s 26-time Emmy-winning drama about the White House senior staff.
Although my childhood nostalgia for the time before social media plays a role in my affection for television of this time period, there are definitely stories told in this show that have stood the test of time. Along with the quick-witted writing of Aaron Sorkin, the beautiful Allison Janney, and the ability to inject heart and humor into the cold world of politics, The West Wing has some of the best holiday episodes of any show, bar none. Something about the timbre of Martin Sheen’s voice, the classic workplace romances, and the idea of a White House staffed by people with good hearts and human souls gets me all warm and fuzzy, even if the good guys don't always win at the end of each episode.
So, whether you’re in the mood to dive back into an old favorite or whether you’re looking for a new show to binge, here is a list of my favorite West Wing holiday episodes suited for whatever mood you’re in this winter season.
If you want an Emmy Award Winning tear-jerker:
“In Excelsis Deo” (Season 1 Ep 10)
Diving straight in with what is probably the best Christmas episode of the whole series, we have the first episode that won this show an Emmy for screenwriting—not to mention this episode is effectively the birth of Josh and Donna’s more-than-coworkers-not-quite-lovers ship. The episode takes place in the few days leading up to Christmas Eve, as Josh and Sam try using the low road to save a good friend’s career. Meanwhile, CJ fights off romantic advancements from a White House reporter, and Toby finds out that a homeless Korean War veteran has died and is determined to give him the funeral that a man with a Purple Heart is entitled to.
In this heartwarming episode, although no grand policy changes or life-changing laws are passed, these 45 minutes are a testament to the enduring currency of respect and honor—that even if the troubles in this country seem too insurmountable to tackle, we owe it to our nation and the people who fight for us to try. It’s a nice thought in the 2020 landscape of defeatist attitudes plaguing our news feeds and monsters plaguing our White House. This episode is also a valuable representation of the homeless population, who often go unseen and ignored by the many that walk by. The ending sequence of the homeless veteran’s funeral is set to “Little Drummer Boy,” as we hear the 21-gun salute over the young boys’ choir, and it’s sure to bring anyone to tears.
If you want to remember the true spirit of Thanksgiving:
“Shibboleth” (Season 2 Ep 8)
"Then said now unto him, say now “shibboleth" and he said "sibboleth", for he could not frame to pronounce it right”
In honor of Thanksgiving and the upcoming Christian celebration everyone talks about, this episode is about religious freedom. Although the show addresses the racist history of Thanksgiving in a separate episode, I chose to include this particular one because it illustrates the hypocrisy of America and its attitudes towards immigration and religion. After a container ship full of Chinese evangelicals seeking religious asylum arrives in California, the president is pushed to decide whether or not to grant them refuge on the eve of Thanksgiving after accusations of feigning faith. Along with more lighthearted side storylines of pardoning turkeys and ceremonial carving knives, the staff also tackles the subject of allowing school prayer. The episode not only explores what religious freedom means in a country like America but also highlights parts of America’s shameful past (and some of its present).
If you want a late-night office hang:
“17 People” (Season 2 Ep 18)
This bottle episode is perfect for anyone who misses hanging out with co-workers (or any group of more than four people really). Although the episode starts off with a somber Toby uncovering a dark secret about the President, this one is a fan favorite for its lighthearted B-story of Josh, Sam, and the rest of the gang staying late to punch up the lame jokes for the President’s speech at the Correspondents' Dinner.
In this episode, viewers also get a glimpse into how much Josh and Donna truly mean to each other. And with quotes like “If you were in an accident, I wouldn’t stop for red lights,” it sounds a lot deeper than a boss-employee relationship to me. Although not even a part of the show’s original storyline, Josh and Donna’s relationship was one of the show’s main arcs—the classic love story; a will-they-won’t-they for the ages. All in all, this episode is about loyalty and to what extent the I’d-walk-through-fire-for-you sentiment can be tested.
Although admittedly this isn’t a holiday episode or even a winter season episode, it is an episode where characters take inventory of the people in their lives they truly trust. And in the spirit of the holidays, I hope this episode inspires you to give back to those people in your life and perhaps give them a token of your affection. Maybe even give them a bouquet of flowers (but not in a mean way @ Josh Lyman).
If you want to watch Josh yearn from afar whilst Donna dates a Republican:
“Holy Night” (Season 4 Ep 11)
Anyone who has gotten through the first three seasons of TheWest Wing knows that Donna has a way of accidentally dating Republicans. Despite the obvious conflicts of interest, by season four, she still hasn't learned her lesson. However, the elements have conspired to intervene in her relationship as a winter storm blows in, threatening to delay any travel to meet her boyfriend for the holiday (much to Josh’s liking as he’s spending the evening alone). Also, Toby deals with some daddy issues, as his father drops by unannounced (although unannounced guests during a COVID-19 holiday are especially unappreciated). As the West Wing episode with the most carol singing, I highly recommend this episode for those who need a little holiday pick-me-up in the midst of any letdowns this season.
If you want to see an Irishman show emotion (and celebrate male friendship love):
“Bartlet for America” (Season 3 Ep 10)
This Christmas episode is sure to pull at your heartstrings. Although this season is usually filled with cherishing time with your family or your significant other, it’s also a time to reflect on the friends in your life that you love as well. Many of us have been separated from our friends for far too long this year, and it’s good to remind them how much they mean to us as well. This episode does just that. Told in present day and flashbacks, we see the beginnings of the President’s friendship with his Chief of Staff, Leo, and how strong that bond remains today as Leo testifies before Congress about the President.
If you want to get a lil’ steamy during these cold winter nights:
“The Cold” (Season 7 Ep 13)
This episode is all about the double meanings. The premise of the episode is literally in the title: the cold. As the winter weather signifies the election creeping closer and closer, the governor gets an actual cold, American troops face fighting their first land war near Russia during wintertime in decades, and Josh gets the cold shoulder. After some shake-ups with the showrunner and writing staff in the 5th season, the 7th season is when the team really starts to get their groove back just in time for the series ending, and episode 13 is probably one of the best written episodes of the last season. So as the winter winds and snow storms keep you indoors this holiday, this is the perfect episode for anyone who wants to warm up with the ~heat~ of a little sexual tension. Will Josh and Donna finally consummate their love!?! You’ll have to watch to find out. And with an ending sequence set to the incomparable Billie Holiday, what more could you need to get into the holiday spirit?
If you want to quiz your Hebrew School knowledge:
“On the Day Before” (Season 3 Ep 5)
This episode starts off with the gang getting black tie ready for an event at the White House (a nice change of pace for anyone else who’s been in sweatpants since March like me). At the same time, the President vetoes repealing the estate tax, and Republicans hold an emergency session. Janel Maroney was actually nominated for an Emmy for this episode, and Donna dates yet another Republican, which turns out to not only be a conflict of interest but potentially a legal liability.
However, the night comes to a halt when tragedy strikes two American students in Jerusalem, forcing the staff to try and quell tensions overseas. When the President calls the victims’ parents to offer condolences, he recalls a conversation with a dinner guest earlier that evening: “On Yom Kippur, you ask forgiveness for sins against God. But on the day before, you ask forgiveness for sins against people.” Erev Yom Kippur. During a time when it feels like the world is conspiring against us as some kind of cosmic punishment, it’s good to remember the control we still have over our actions and the violence we create against others. The world has been cruel enough; let this be a season to spread peace. Log out of Twitter, turn off the news, and spend time with the ones you love (while watching The West Wing of course), if only for the night.
If you want to feel seasonally angsty:
“Impact Winter” (Season 6 Ep 9)
Maybe you aren’t feeling the holiday love this year. The world is currently crumbling around us and to top it off, it’s cold as hell and the sun sets at four o’clock. We all get a little seasonal angst; some even get seasonal affective disorder. Turns out the characters of The West Wing aren’t immune to winter madness either. This episode finds the gang in not the best spirits. The President has an MS attack and sends the rest of his staff spinning trying to get through a critical summit with China. On top of this, the episode deals a huge blow to Josh that really everyone else saw coming except him. Not to mention, there’s an asteroid heading straight for Earth. All in all, this is a very angsty episode filled with nothing going right and everything going wrong. I think anyone watching this episode in 2020 can relate.
If you want to cope with some trauma:
“Noel” (Season 2 Ep 10) (TW: PTSD)
This episode takes place on Christmas Eve over the course of one therapy session between Josh and a representative from ATVA (American Trauma Victims Association) as they get to the bottom of why he has a bandage on his hand, with flashbacks breaking up the conversation. Meanwhile, the White House prepares for a Christmas performance from Yo-Yo Ma much to the excitement of Donna and to the chagrin of our resident grinch, Josh.
Bradley Whitford was nominated for an Emmy for his performance as Josh in this episode about his PTSD, although it is to be said, it felt eerie to see an episode featuring ATVA made in 2000, that lists off major traumatic events in American History pre-9/11. As a viewer, you get that moment we’ve all felt a lot this year whenever we’re looking back to the past, with that “if they only knew what was to come” feeling. As a millennial, I grew up in a country defined by its collective trauma and the ways our nation chose to pick up the pieces. We never really expected to go through it all again in our 20’s. But seeing that process on an individual level, through Josh, helps show that there are healthy ways to cope and friends that will help us get there. Just as we’re doing all that we can to make sure our bodies stay healthy during this time, we can’t forget to look after our minds as well.
The holidays are an especially tough time for many people who experience grief, loss, or isolation, this year in particular. Anyone who’s had first-hand experience in how complex and painful trauma can be will resonate with Josh. This episode is a nice reminder that it’ll be okay. Why? As Stanley, the therapist, says “because we get better.” Our bodies are built to heal and this time in our lives is still just a season that eventually will pass.
So whatever kind of holiday season you are having this year, I hope this list and The West Wing will offer you some television to enjoy, whether as catharsis, comfort, or distraction. Feel free to go make yourself a cup of hot cocoa or cider, grab a cozy blanket, and curl up on a couch before you press play.
If you want to take your love for The West Wing one step further and get behind the scenes insight into each episode, I strongly recommend checking out The West Wing Weekly podcast, a great show hosted by one of the actors and Song Exploder’s Hrishi Hirway, with a sick online community as well.
Happy Holidays <3
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