Ep 4. Five Votes Down

The West Wing season 1 episode 4, titled "Five Votes Down," follows the hectic day-to-day operations of the West Wing staff as they navigate a major crisis. President Bartlet's proposed budget is only getting the support of 45 senators, leaving him five votes short of passing it. Meanwhile, Sam Seaborn, the White House Deputy Communications Director, is in hot water over a comment he made on a morning talk show, and his boss, Toby Ziegler, has to figure out a way to contain the fallout.

The episode begins with the President's Chief of Staff, Leo McGarry, frantically trying to drum up support for the President's budget. He's making phone calls, meeting with senators, and trying to find a way to sway the five senators who are on the fence. But it's an uphill battle, and Leo is starting to lose hope.

Meanwhile, Sam finds himself in trouble over a comment he made on a morning talk show. He said that U.S. soldiers don't wear body armor because it slows them down, which is completely untrue. The comment has sparked outrage among veterans groups, and Sam's boss, Toby, is trying to control the damage. He orders Sam to go on another talk show to apologize and set the record straight, but Sam balks at the suggestion. He feels that he shouldn't have to apologize for speaking the truth and that Toby's request is undermining his credibility.

As the day wears on, Leo's desperation grows. He knows that if the budget doesn't pass, it will be a major blow to the President's agenda, and it could even lead to his defeat in the midterm elections. Leo meets with the five undecided senators one-on-one, trying to convince them of the importance of the budget and the repercussions of not passing it. But they're not swayed, and Leo is running out of time.

Back at the White House, Toby is still trying to get Sam to apologize on another talk show. He argues that the comment was a mistake, and that Sam needs to take responsibility for it. But Sam is still resistant, and Toby realizes that he's going to have to come up with a different solution.

As the clock ticks down, Leo has an idea. He decides to meet with the leader of the opposition party and offer him a deal. If the opposition lends their support to the budget, the President will support their pet project, a highway bill that he had previously opposed. It's a risky move, but it's Leo's last hope.

Meanwhile, Toby comes up with a compromise for Sam. He convinces him to go on a talk show, but instead of apologizing, he'll use the opportunity to explain why he made the comment in the first place. Sam agrees, and Toby breathes a sigh of relief.

The episode reaches its climax as Leo meets with the leader of the opposition. It's a tense negotiation, with both men trying to protect their interests. But in the end, Leo's gamble pays off, and the opposition agrees to support the budget. Leo returns to the White House, elated, and shares the good news with the President and the rest of the staff.

The episode ends with Sam going on the talk show and giving a passionate speech about the importance of supporting the troops. He doesn't apologize, but he does explain why he made the comment and how it was a mistake. The episode closes with the White House staff celebrating the passing of the budget and the resolution of Sam's crisis.

Overall, "Five Votes Down" is an intense and gripping episode that showcases the challenges and complexities of working in the White House. It's a reminder that even the most well-laid plans can go awry, and that sometimes, it takes bold moves and a willingness to compromise to get things done.