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From his office in the White House, President Josiah Bartlet (series star MARTIN SHEEN) leads the most powerful nation on earth. Directly descended from one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, New Hampshire Democrat Bartlet exudes a country-lawyer charisma that complements his brilliance, his deep conviction and his devotion to what he believes is right for the country. A brilliant academician in her own right, first lady Dr. Abigail "Abbey" Bartlet (series star STOCKARD CHANNING) staunchly supports her husband but does not hesitate to keep him in line when necessary.As always, professorial Chief of Staff Leo McGarry (series star JOHN SPENCER) resolutely serves as Bartlet's political and emotional right hand, while Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman (series star BRADLEY WHITFORD) keeps his highly regarded political mind in overdrive. Donna Moss (series star JANEL MOLONEY), Josh's capable assistant, more than holds her own in their friendly verbal sparring.Despite the constant media scrutiny in the briefing room, Press Secretary C.J. Cregg (series star ALLISON JANNEY) remains cool and competent.
Bartlet arranges for representatives from Israel and Palestine to visit Camp David in Maryland for peace negotiations. Leo remains at the White House in order to give the official order to attack the Ein Hawa terrorist training camp in Syria.
Before signing the Middle East peace accord, Bartlet orders his staff to enlist the support of the United States House of Representatives and the United Nations. Josh and Toby are assigned the task of getting congressional backing. Meanwhile, C.J. works to confirm international alliance with the United Nations Security Council. Donna returns to work, and Charlie refuses to take a college swimming exam that would allow him to graduate.
An emissary from the Republic of Georgia visits the White House and offers weapons-grade uranium stored in a research reactor the Russians left behind when they pulled out of Georgia. Meanwhile, Josh looks for tax cut support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and along the way meets with Matthew Santos (recurring guest star JIMMY SMITS - "NYPD Blue," "L.A. Law"), a bright and enigmatic congressman from Texas.
Josh test-drives an oversized SUV (sport-utility vehicle) and crashes into a hybrid car resulting in bad publicity for the White House. Annabeth Schott (recurring guest star KRISTIN CHENOWETH - "The Music Man"), the new press secretary, has been on the job for only a week and is preparing to encounter the press corps for the first time. Toby worries that she looks too young and may not be ready for the corps' probing questions.
The United States peacekeeping compound is attacked, and American soldiers are killed. As the White House struggles to control the story, the father of a slain soldier speaks out against the mission. Meanwhile, Democratic Congressman Matthew Santos (recurring guest star JIMMY SMITS) attaches the Patients' Bill of Rights he wrote to a Republican piece of legislation that effectively keeps the Democratic elements while maintaining a Republican agenda. Also, Leo gets a lesson in life and business from his nurse.
Final preparations are being made for Bartlet's visit to China when he accepts a flag from the delegation representing the Taiwanese Independence Movement--prompting China to prepare for military action. Recurring guest star ED O'NEILL ("Married...with Children") appears as Governor Eric Baker.
At a Bartlet family birthday, magicians PENN & TELLER (themselves) burn the American flag in the White House, prompting a publicity nightmare. Aboard Air Force One, Bartlet is stricken by a paralyzing episode of his multiple sclerosis. And Josh is approached to handle the Vice President's presidential campaign.
As Bartlet and his staff arrive in China for a critical meeting, the President is still suffering the paralyzing effects of multiple sclerosis. Meanwhile, an asteroid is headed for the U.S., leaving Josh and Leo to deal with the potential consequences.
The press circulates an untrue rumor about C.J. A controversial amendment banning gay marriage is added to the budget. Josh convinces Santos (recurring guest star JIMMY SMITS) to vie for the office of President. Bartlet tries to handle his latest recurrence of multiple sclerosis. And Donna works for Vice President Robert Russell (recurring guest star GARY COLE) in his New Hampshire presidential campaign headquarters. Series star BRADLEY WHITFORD wrote the episode.
The West Wing: Season 6 Photos
Tv Season Info
Cast & Crew
Abigail "Abbey" Bartlet
Chief of Staff Leo McGarry
Critic Reviews for The West Wing Season 6
All Critics (6) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (3)
It has the all-time worst West Wing episode, where we learn that Leo and Kate Harper's paths once crossed in Cuba, because hey, might as well be "Lost" now.
Political strategy collides with principle and it's not pretty. But the battle between them is smartly paced and superbly written, offering a penetrating insight into campaign politics.
There should be term limits for television presidents. And one term was just right for The West Wing. The prolongation of one of the best and most popular dramas on television is brave and at times bold, but often it is painful to watch.
No more moments of sinus-clogging idealism in which the actors almost sob with Emmy-moment rectitude; cranky, shaken, and calculating, this is a White House we can relate to. It's a divider, not a uniter.
The West Wing is finally back on dry land.
The show has locked itself into philosophical stasis, determined to air its liberal credentials via Bartlett and his staff yet equally determined never to challenge the status quo.
Audience Reviews for The West Wing: Season 6
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Jul 10, 2020The critics are just plain wrong about Season 6, in which the show gets its groove back to become addictive viewing again for the first time since Bartlett's re-election win in Season 4, wherein the show began to drift into unevenness with filler episodes like the one about C.J.'s dad, Sam's clunky exit from the show, the over-the-topness in the 2-3 big narratives by that season's climax and beginning of the 5th season. The 5th season would have very good episodes like "The Supremes", "Full Disclosure", the shutdown narrative, and the last 3 episodes of S5 (where the show really starts to get back on track) but are mixed in with filler like "Access" and "Han" (Han feels more like leftovers from the cutting room floor of S1 or S2), and of course, the absolutely incredulous narrative of Bob Russell becoming VP. Season 6 just gets everything right (even when it cheats by moving things along by more than a year) from juggling all its old & new characters, watching how they evolve, to the terrific, snappy pacing & witty dialogue throughout where all those narrative strands hurtle forward with purpose, momentum, and without any filler. Season 6 really moves and I found it a refreshing return to form.
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Apr 28, 2020Very good season I like how each character was put into a different situation and was forced to work with what they had
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Dec 21, 2019After an awkward and uneven season 5, this season finally finds it feet again, albeit not straight away, and even when it does it still finds time to stumble here and there. The first few episodes were pure soap-opera, and about as true to West Wing norms as trying to make South Park into a serious political drama. Those early episodes were pretty awful in relative terms, probably because the writers from S5 still couldn't find the right Sorkin ingredients to return to the show to past glories. However, by mid season and a change of tack from the melodramas of Gaza and the Israel Palestine Question, to a more familiar trip towards the forthcoming presidential nominations, and the arrival of two fresh faces - Jimmy "Santos" Smits, and Alan "Vinick" Alda. The story arc for those two characters, along with the departure of Donna and Josh out of the White House and onto the campaign trail, was a breath of much needed air. Even the writing improved by a small margin, and it was also good to be outside, and seeing middle America rather than been stuck in dark rooms and corridors of the White House. The season still had some pretty bad episodes, the worst being "90 Miles Away". But by and large TWW had found its feet again, and come the final episodes I was begging for more!
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Oct 17, 2018I was a fan of the West Wing during it's initial run. I've been re-watching it on Netflix after all these years. It's still one of the best shows ever and holds up well even with the passing of time. But Season 6 is in a league of it's own. The writing around the Jimmy Smits character and Josh and the campaign is phenomenal. Highly recommended.
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Jun 15, 2017The consistency of this show is remarkable. What was anticipated in the previous season has come to full bloom in this season: characters sacrificing trust among friends for a great leap towards a better future. We see the familiar cast grasping the coming loss of time in the West Wing, acting in whatever ways to either prolong time there or act radically under the assumption that they have only a year left. We can see that the characters care about humanity as a whole, yet they so easily throw their closest friends to the curb. Come for the politics, stay for the drama.
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Aug 16, 2015My favorite Drama Show
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May 31, 2015one of my favorite tv show ever
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Sep 08, 2014In some ways Series 6 and 7 are the most interesting series. They bring the presidency full circle, as we see the campaigning for who is going to be the next president. Less smugness, less folksyness, less Toby, less Will - these are all very good things. We also have Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda acting out of their skins. Alda is so convincing and likable that, even though he is supposed to be the bad guy, you want to vote for him. It's not all good, however. There are still the preachy, idealistic, naive detours. Plus, seeing a presidential campaign in action reminds me of all the reasons I hate politics: the superficiality, the appearances-are-everything conceit, the pandering to the media, the soundbites for the sake of it, the money spent (wasted), the back-stabbing, the horse-trading.
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May 27, 2014a very addictive tv series. But along the way you do get tired of the way the democrats are shown as saviors and republicans the very bad people so felt like a preaching type an elitist agenda. At time so many geographical issues I have observed but all this is nit-picking and nothing else. Overall I love this show.
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