The Dogs of War (The West Wing)
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| “The Dogs of War” | |
|---|---|
| The West Wing episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 90 |
| Written by | John Wells |
| Directed by | Christopher Misiano |
| Guest stars | Mary-Louise Parker Jesse Bradford William Devane John Amos Lily Tomlin Elisabeth Moss Nina Siemaszko Annabeth Gish Kathleen York Clark Gregg Michael Hyatt Zeljko Îvanek Steven Eckholdt NiCole Robinson Renee Estevez Saïd Taghmaoui John Goodman (uncredited) |
| Production no. | 176052 |
| Original airdate | October 1, 2003 |
| Season 5 episodes | |
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| List of The West Wing episodes | |
"The Dogs of War" is episode 90 of The West Wing.
[edit] Plot
The episode begins with Leo McGarry meeting a friend in a parking garage, where they discuss the ramifications of President Bartlet's decision to invoke the 25th amendment during the kidnapping of his daughter, Zoey. After the opening credits, Leo sits in on a meeting with the ambassador of Qumar. While the ambassador expresses concern in Qumar over the assassination of a Qumari minister, Leo becomes more aggressive in demanding that Qumar take more proactive actions against terrorist elements of Qumari society. Leo eventually states that the United States is bombing terrorist training camps in Qumar, which the ambassador is notably unhappy about.
The First Lady's chief of staff comes in to talk with Josh about the Republicans appointing Congressman Haffley as Speaker of the House and their attempts to resume their legislative agenda, regardless of Zoey's rescue or not. Toby and Andy are with their newly-born twins discussing their future plans together, when they spot C.J. on the news announcing the attacks against Qumar that were ordered by President Walken. Reporters immediately ask what effect this will have on Zoey's kidnapping. This prompts the Bartlet women to walk out of the room where the family is watching news updates together.
Josh tries to continue some amount of normalcy, discussing with Toby and Leo about the Republican moves in Congress. Josh argues that Bartlet needs to reclaim his position as president and Leo responds that Bartlet has other issues (Zoey) to worry about. Josh explains that's why Bartlet's staff needs to be worrying about politics and Leo instructs him to continue the search for a vice president to replace the resigned Hoynes. Toby and Will go on to argue about the wording of Bartlet's press conference if/when Zoey is rescued.
In the Oval Office, President Walken, Leo, Fitzwallace, and staff discuss plans for the Middle East, including Qumar and Saudi Arabia. The meeting comes to an end and Leo brings up concerns with Walken about the Republican agenda. Leo and Walken argue, ending with Walken offering that Leo resign if he is uncomfortable serving Walken.
In the White House residence, Leo and Bartlet discuss the current situation of the Middle East, such as how the United States has contributed to the situation by supporting the certainty of despots over the uncertainty of developing democracies. Bartlet's citation of Martin Luther King, Jr. indicates he may be considering changing American policies in the Middle East.
Josh, Donna, and new assistant Ryan Pierce walk through the White House, continuing with their daily business and making small talk. As Ryan asks, "Do you guys always walk so fast," he trips and falls, adding some levity to the episode. Meanwhile, Walken discusses the presidency with Debbie, asking, "When do I get to the fun part of being president?" Debbie answers rhetorically, "The fun part?"
Josh confronts one of Walken's staff about the Republicans apparently testing sound bites for future elections. The Republican staffer indicates that Bartlet's sacrifice (resigning his office to an opposing party's leader) shows a tremendous amount of patriotism and that only someone playing politics would think the Republicans were going to dishonor that sacrifice.
Shortly after, Al-Jazeera releases a tape of Zoey expressing the terrorists' demands in typical radical Muslim terrorist language. More importantly, the tape indicates a 24-hour deadline to remove American forces from Qumar before Zoey is executed. As night falls, Bartlet is in Toby's office where he reviews the speeches Toby is writing for Bartlet's return to office. Bartlet asks to see the speech he'll give if Zoey is killed and he is visibly shaken before stepping out of the office.
In the FBI Command Center, a staff member walks into the office of the agent in charge and says, "I think we may have something." Shortly after, the situation room of the White House is informed that the FBI believes they've found Zoey. President Bartlet and the First Lady are put on a helicopter and taken to the scene, where Zoey is sitting in an ambulance and her parents rush to her. She has been injured (a broken clavicle, cuts, and bruises) and drugged, but is otherwise okay, while the terrorists were all killed during the rescue.
Back in the White House, Bartlet walks into the Oval Office and signs the letter reclaiming the presidency from Walken. Bartlet offers to campaign for Walken if he runs, but Walken says, "I'm not sure if that'd be a plus in my district." Bartlet resumes the presidency and prepares his press conference, where he gives Will's speech prepared in case of Zoey's death, rather than the triumphal one Toby wrote for her safe return. The president's speech serves as the background to a scene of the Bartlet family at Zoey's bedside in the hospital. The episode closes with the first lady staring out the hospital window, with a look of concern about the past and the future on her face.
