Ep 10. In Excelsis Deo

The West Wing season 1 episode 10, titled In Excelsis Deo, follows the President's staff as they prepare for Christmas. While festive decorations line the halls of the White House, tragedy strikes when a homeless, Korean War veteran dies alone on the street wearing a coat that once belonged to a veteran close to the President. Toby, feeling deeply affected by this, starts a journey to give the homeless man a military burial and discovers just how many vets are living on the streets. Meanwhile, the President deals with a foreign power that has taken possession of an American spy plane, and Josh continues to investigate the funding of a new missile defense system.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Toby's mission to give a homeless veteran a proper burial has a profound impact on the rest of the staff. A sentimental note runs throughout the episode as all the characters, in their own ways, try to show compassion and humanity towards the veteran's plight. The episode offers a touching glimpse of how one man's life can be so easily forgotten, but how his death can bring together a community in a meaningful way.

The storylines of the episode provide a mix of drama, emotion, and politics. The scenes of Toby's quest to give the veteran a decent burial are particularly powerful. In these moments, he enlists the help of a homeless shelter worker, played by guest-star Mel Harris, which adds a new level to the human side of the story. Throughout In Excelsis Deo, the West Wing staff is seen not just as policymakers, but as individuals with complex lives, outside commitments, and feelings of their own.

The episode is masterfully crafted and excellently acted, with several memorable moments, including the moment when the President takes a moment to light the national Christmas tree, and Toby's struggle to make amends with his estranged father. The episode highlights the different personalities of the ensemble cast and shows how they come together to work as a team in times of crisis.

In terms of the political drama, In Excelsis Deo deals with a number of heavy issues, including the geopolitics surrounding the downing of a US spy plane in a long-standing enemy nation. It also looks at the practicalities of missile defense funding, providing commentary on the military-industrial complex's influence and the politics of military spending.

Overall, The West Wing season 1 episode 10, In Excelsis Deo, is a standout episode of the series. It balances a heartfelt storyline that focuses on the less fortunate in society with an intricate political plot, making it a perfect symbol of the show's blend of serious storytelling and human drama. The episode shows how storytelling can be used to to shed light on complex issues, and how an individual's life, no matter how marginalized, can touch so many in ways never imagined.