Mallory O'Brien

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Allison Smith as Mallory O'Brien on The West Wing

Mallory O'Brien is a fictional character on NBC's drama "The West Wing". The character is portrayed by Allison Smith. Mallory is the daughter of Leo McGarry, White House chief of staff and 2006 Democratic vice-presidential nominee, and his ex-wife, Jenny McGarry. She is an elementary school teacher, and a potential love interest of Sam Seaborn, deputy communications director for the Bartlet White House. In Season Two, she is cited to be dating a hockey player named Richard Andrewchuk, although they break up in Season four following his being traded to Chicago.

[edit] Mallory and Sam

The extent of Mallory and Sam's relationship is never fully touched on. By season two, according to Sam, they've had nothing more than one date and some flirtation (which, as we see on screen, has included kissing.) In season four however, they are seen going home together implying a furtherance of their relationship by at least that point. They are not in the same episode together again until the series finale, by which time Mallory is married and has an infant son and Sam is engaged. C.J. mentions to Mallory that Sam's back in town in case she wants to meet up with him but Mallory makes a bit of a face (implying that it would be uncomfortable) and says no.

[edit] Last Name

No explanation is given in the series as to why Mallory's last name is "O'Brien" when her father's is "McGarry." and up until their divorce, at least, her mother also went with "McGarry", which was after we were introduced to Mallory with the last name of "O'Brien" which doesn't suggest it's her mother's maiden name. Although theories range from a previous marriage to using it as a way to keep out of the limelight created by her father, nothing remains definitive. After her marriage we never hear her last name spoken to know if she's still "O'Brien", although she is still credited as such.

Number of Episodes: 11
First Episode: 101 - "Pilot"
Last Episode: 722 - "Tomorrow"