Drought Conditions
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| “Drought Conditions” | |
|---|---|
| The West Wing episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 6 Episode 126 |
| Written by | Debora Cahn |
| Directed by | Alex Graves |
| Guest stars | Kristin Chenoweth Mark Feuerstein Lily Tomlin Sam Robards Mel Harris NiCole Robinson Karis Campbell Evan Arnold |
| Production no. | 2T5016 |
| Original airdate | February 23, 2005 |
| Season 6 episodes | |
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| List of The West Wing episodes | |
"Drought Conditions" is episode 126 of The West Wing.
[edit] Plot
Senator Rafferty, a new presidential candidate garnered much media attention with a ground-breaking speech about health care. But her words contain interesting echoes of President Bartlet's original health plan known only to White House insiders. Meanwhile, Toby is more than usually morose after the death of his brother while C.J. is having problems dealing with lobbyist Clifford Calley. Calley details why a water-allocation bill has no chance of passing the House, and Josh later comes in and gives the same analysis. C.J. realizes it's time to find a new Deputy Chief of Staff and offers the position to Calley; he initially refuses, but at a White House reception the President and C.J. make it clear he pretty much has to accept the job, so he does. Kate Harper seeks a date for that reception and Charlie offers to play matchmaker, but nearly sets her up with one of her ex-husbands. At the reception, Kate and Will Bailey end up having a nice conversation.
Josh finds it difficult to enter the White House, as Margaret has cancelled his pass. Eventually he gets in, and learns of Toby's bereavement. After an initial conversation the two men soon start flinging recriminations of betrayal (Josh is furious that Toby leaked a plan they worked on together, and Toby's furious that Josh left him to work on a suicide-run campaign) and they are involved in a fight. White House staff are horrified and embarrassed. As Josh leaves, Toby dissolves in tears.
Eventually CJ realises that it was Toby who leaked the speech to Rafferty, and offers support to a gradually unravelling Toby. Toby then tells the sad details of his brother's passing and later recovers somewhat emotionally after talking to a warmly supportive Senator Rafferty.
