Ep 21. Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

In season 1 episode 21 of The West Wing titled "Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics," the staff at the White House are grappling with how to handle a report that shows surprisingly high levels of inflation. The report is causing panic in the financial markets and sparking a lot of public anxiety. As they dig into the data, the team realizes that the report is flawed and that the numbers aren't as bad as they first seemed.

Meanwhile, Sam (Rob Lowe) has to deal with the fallout from a bizarre quote he gave to a newspaper, where he suggested that America's founding fathers were all alcoholics. This leads to a series of interviews where he has to defend his comments and try to steer the conversation back to more substantive issues.

Elsewhere, Josh (Bradley Whitford) is still grappling with the fallout from the shooting at Rosslyn. He's struggling to figure out how to handle the press and push back against negative stories that are springing up in the wake of the tragedy.

As the episode unfolds, the team grows increasingly frustrated with the way that media coverage distorts facts and overlooks nuance. They're forced to confront the reality that sensationalism and shallow reporting can be dangerous, even when it comes from seemingly reputable sources.

Throughout the episode, we see the team wrestling with the challenges of governing in a complex and rapidly-changing world. They're all juggling multiple tasks and trying to stay ahead of the curve, even as they're tasked with addressing urgent crises that spring up unexpectedly.

Despite the many obstacles they face, the staff at the White House remain committed to doing their jobs to the best of their abilities. Each character brings a unique perspective and set of skills to the table, and they all work together to try to make the world a better place.

Overall, "Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics" is a powerful episode of The West Wing that showcases the show's ability to tackle complicated issues and explore the intricacies of political decision-making. It's a must-see for fans of the series and a great choice for anyone looking for a thought-provoking and engaging drama.