The Stormy Present

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“The Stormy Present”
The West Wing episode
Episode no. Season 5
Episode 98
Guest stars John Goodman
James Cromwell
Michael Hyatt
Stephen Tobolowsky
Terry O'Quinn
Allison Smith
Ron Canada
Diana Douglas
Steve Ryan
Maz Jorbrani
Bellamy Young
Ryan Cutrona
David Andriole
Written by John Sacret Young (teleplay)
John Sacret Young & Josh Singer (story)
Directed by Alex Graves
Production no. 176060
Original airdate
Season 5 episodes
  1. 7A WF 83429
  2. The Dogs of War
  3. Jefferson Lives
  4. Han
  5. Constituency of One
  6. Disaster Relief
  7. Separation of Powers
  8. Shutdown
  9. Abu el Banat
  10. The Stormy Present
  11. The Benign Prerogative
  12. Slow News Day
  13. The Warfare of Genghis Khan
  14. An Khe
  15. Full Disclosure
  16. Eppur Si Muove
  17. The Supremes
  18. Access
  19. Talking Points
  20. No Exit
  21. Gaza
  22. Memorial Day
List of The West Wing episodes

"The Stormy Present" is episode 98 of The West Wing.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

[edit] Plot

When former President Owen Lassiter dies, the three remaining ex-Presidents fly on Air Force One with Bartlet to attend the funeral. Onboard, Bartlet's two historic guests partake in a lively debate about their administrations. Their past mistakes haunt the current administration including a recent event — protestors have surrounded a Saudi Oil headquarters, taking 200 hostages, including 50 Americans. Meanwhile, C.J. investigates claims that DARPA is conducting experiments on mind control. Leo discovers his ex-wife is engaged to be married. And Josh referees a debate between representatives of Connecticut and North Carolina, concerning an original copy of the Bill of Rights.

Much of the episode centers on this quote of Abraham Lincoln, from which the title is taken: "The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present."

[edit] External link