WEST WING-COMPLETE 3RD SEASON (DVD/4 DISC/WS 1.77/STEREO 2.0/ENG-FR-SP-SUB) DVD

The West Wing: Season 03
Part of Series:
The West Wing [TV Series]
Debuting September 22, 1999, NBC's multi-award-winning The West Wing was America's first truly successful political drama series. Producer Aaron Sorkin had allegedly created the property to make fuller use of the White House interior sets built for his 1999 theatrical film, The American President. Whatever the case, the weekly, hour-long series disproved the long-held theory that the American TV viewing public was bored stiff by fictional political intrigue. The series was largely set during the administration of U.S. president Josiah "Jed" Bartlet (Martin Sheen), a Liberal Democrat (and a devout Catholic) from New Hampshire. The first lady was Dr. Abigail "Abby" Bartlet (Stockard Channing), who, though she publicly supported her husband in every aspect, privately expected him to hold to his promise that he would serve only one term. The Bartlets had three daughters, the youngest of whom, free-spirited Zoey (Elizabeth Moss), was a great source of consternation in many ways. President Bartlet was backed up by a fiercely loyal staff, including his venerable chief of staff, Leo McGarry (John Spencer); his blunt-talking deputy chief of staff, Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford); Josh's wisecracking assistant, Donna Moss (Janel Moloney); witty, idealistic press secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney); deceptively unkempt-looking communications director Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff); and deputy communications director Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), who had trouble keeping his tempestuous private life from spilling over into his work. As originally conceived, Sam was to have been the main character, with President Bartlet merely a recurring presence. Rob Lowe left the series near the end of season four, reportedly distressed by his ever-diminishing screen time; it was explained that Sam had gone off to run for a seat in the House of Representatives. He was replaced by Joshua Malina as the new deputy communications director (and later the vice president's chief of staff) Will Bailey. The Bartlet administration, like many before it, had as many tribulations as triumphs. The first season ended with an attempted assassination, which turned out to be directed not at the president but at his personal aide Charlie Young (Dule Hill). During season two, it was revealed that Bartlet suffered from multiple sclerosis, a fact he kept secret from the public until the beginning of season three. Despite his illness and an unpleasant congressional investigation in which both the president and the first lady faced charges of conspiring in a cover-up, Bartlet handily won re-election at the end of the third season, trouncing his conservative opponent (played by James Brolin) and emerging more popular than ever. In other developments, Bartlet was forced to find a new vice president after the defection of John Hoynes (Tim Matheson), who had never truly liked his running mate; "First Daughter" Zoey was kidnapped, compelling Bartlet to briefly relinquish power to avoid conflict-of-interest charges, placing the government under the control of Speaker of the House Glenallen Walken (John Goodman), a hard-line Republican; Leo was sidelined by a massive heart attack; and at the end of Bartlet's second term, a battle royal ensued between Democratic candidate Matthew Santos (Jimmy Smits) and Republican senator Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda) for the Presidency. Though decidedly left of center in its political viewpoint, The West Wing used advisors from both parties to ensure a modicum of accuracy. Many felt that the series' quality diminished after producer Aaron Sorkin left the show after season four, but The West Wing made a remarkable recovery, both in terms of its writing and its viewership, during its sixth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Includes Seasons:
The West Wing: Season 03
Season three of The West Wing breaks the series' established continuity with the opening episode, "Isaac and Ishmael," hastily assembled to address the terrible events of September 11, 2001. Thereafter, the principal storyline picks up where season two left off, with President Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) facing possible impeachment because of his failure to make public his multiple sclerosis. Also dragged into the turmoil is First Lady Abby Bartlet (Stockard Channing), who as a doctor may face accusations of malpractice or at least dereliction of duty because she did not reveal her husband's condition. Season three is marked by a number of international crises, beginning with unrest in Haiti, continuing through the ominous disappearance of a nuclear submarine in North Korean waters, and ending with the U.S.'s possible complicity in the assassination of the terrorist foreign secretary of Qumar. Additionally, Bartlet and his staff work overtime to martial up support for the president's upcoming re-election bid (a decision made despite Josh's promise to Abby that he would serve only one term). Adding to the intrigue is the fact that there is no love lost between Bartlet and his vice president, John Hoynes (Tim Matheson), making the latter's placement on the re-election ticket questionable at best. Meanwhile, Press Secretary C.J. (Allison Janney) uncharacteristically loses her cool with the media in her efforts to "spin" the MS issue, and later must call upon the Secret Service to protect her from a demented stalker. And Josh's assistant, Donna Moss (Janel Moloney), finds herself in a bind when, after dating the head of the congressional investigation committee looking into charges of Bartlet's "medical coverup," she herself is summoned to testify. Further travails await Donna when, during a security checkup, she is not cleared because she is technically not a U.S. citizen! The season ends with a tense showdown between Bartlet's staff and the president's chief Republican antagonist, Robert Ritchie (James Brolin), and with the introduction of Lily Tomlin as Bartlet's new, infuriatingly efficient secretary, Debbie Fiderer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Includes Episodes:
The West Wing: Manchester, Part 1
Its scheduled telecast delayed because of news coverage of the 9/11 tragedy, this "official" opening episode of The West Wing's third season (the first of two parts) finds the Bartlet White House in turmoil after President Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) has made public the fact that he has multiple sclerosis. Inasmuch as there is talk of impeachment because the president kept his medical condition a secret for too long, Press Secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney) is bombarded with nagging and downright hostile questions from a group of reporters -- an experience that causes C.J. to lose her famous cool entirely. In other developments, Bartlet's decision to run for a second term has caused friction between Jed and First Lady Abbey Bartlet (Stockard Channing); the growing crisis in Haiti is sorely affecting the work performance of National Security Advisor Nancy McNally (Anna Deavere Smith); and Chief Counsel Oliver Babish (Oliver Platt) advises presidential aide Charlie Young (Dulé Hill) to hire a lawyer in case he is accused of complicity in the MS "cover-up." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The West Wing: Manchester, Part 2
In the conclusion of The West Wing's "official" third-season opener, political consultants Bruno Gianelli (Ron Silver), Connie Tate (Connie Britton), and Doug Wegland (Evan Handler) cross swords with the presidential staff over the issue of Bartlet's impending re-election campaign. C.J. (Allison Janney) suffers the repercussions of her press-conference "meltdown" and endeavors to keep the press corps from assuming that Bartlet (Martin Sheen) is worried about winning a second term. The situation involving the Haitian dictator comes to a boil -- and a solution. And Leo (John Spencer) is ordered to pull political strings to postpone the FDA's announcement on the controversial drug RU-486. Like the first part of "Manchester," part two is framed in a flashback format, recalling the events leading up to Bartlet's decision to run again despite the controversy surrounding his medical condition. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The West Wing: Ways and Means
Sam (Rob Lowe) and Bruno (Ron Silver) set aside their differences in hopes of persuading labor leader Victor Campos (Miguel Sandoval) to throw his support toward President Bartlet's re-election campaign. As Congress battles over the estate-tax issue, the governor of California takes issue with the ecology-driven decision made by Bartlet (Martin Sheen) to let a huge forest fire burn itself out. The staff goes into spin mode to attack Special Prosecutor Rollins (Nicholas Pryor) as he investigates the possibility that Bartlet's cover-up of his medical condition is an impeachable offense. And Donna (Janel Moloney) is set up on a fateful date with a Republican named Clifford Calley (Mark Feuerstein). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The West Wing: On the Day Before
The staff tries to prevent President Bartlet's estate-tax veto from being overridden by the GOP. Bartlet (Martin Sheen) himself turns on the old charm with Jack Buckland (Kevin Tighe), a Democratic governor who is thinking of running for president against Jed. Presidential aide Charlie Young (Dulé Hill) is encouraged by one and all to accept an immunity deal when called to testify in the investigation of the MS "cover-up." And C.J. (Allison Janney) crosses swords with obstreperous TV entertainment reporter Sherri Wexler (Mary Mara). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The West Wing: War Crimes
During the investigation of the MS "coverup," Donna (Janel Moloney) is questioned by Republican counsel Clifford Calley (Mark Feuerstein), whom she has been dating -- and to whom she tells deliberate lies. In the wake of a fatal church shooting in Texas, President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) squares off against Vice President Hoynes (Tim Matheson) on the issue of gun control. Leo (John Spencer), likewise, has a confrontation with an old friend, Air Force General Adamley (Gerald McRaney), over details of an international war-crimes tribunal. Foreign correspondent Will Sawyer (Michael O'Keefe) gets wind of an embarrassing statement made by Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff). And Sam (Rob Lowe) is whimsically sidetracked by an effort to abolish the penny. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The West Wing: Gone Quiet
President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) finds himself in another rock-and-a-hard-place crisis when an American spy submarine goes silent in North Korean waters. How, he wonders, can the U.S. mount a search and/or rescue mission without alerting the Korean authorities? Complicating matters is the presence of curmudgeonly, advice-dispensing Assistant Secretary of State Albie Duncan (Hal Holbrook). In other developments, Abbey's (Stockard Channing) previous malpractice suits may hurt her husband in the ongoing MS cover-up investigation. Toby (Richard Schiff) butts heads with an Appropriations Committee representative over the issue of funding avant-garde artists. And C.J. (Allison Janney) finally has something to be happy about vis-à-vis the re-election campaign. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The West Wing: The Indians in the Lobby
On Thanksgiving Eve, C.J. (Allison Janney) tries to find someone to mollify a pair of Native Americans (Gary Farmer, Georgina Lightning) who intend to camp out in the White House lobby until a 15-year-old dispute is settled. Meanwhile, Josh (Bradley Whitford) is forced to broker a political deal with a high-ranking death-penalty advocate in order to expedite a 13-year-old American boy who fled to Italy after killing his teacher. Sam (Rob Lowe) tries to put a positive spin on a new OMB poverty formula that would negatively reclassify millions of Americans. And President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) will not be swayed in his resolve to prepare a proper Thanksgiving dinner for his family. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The West Wing: The Women of Qumar
C.J. (Allison Janney) passionately objects to an arms-sale deal to build an airstrip in the Persian Gulf state of Qumar, where women are subjected to deplorable treatment. President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) tangles with feminist lobbyist Amy Gardner (Mary-Louise Parker, in her first series appearance) over the wording of a treaty addressing the issue of prostitution. Toby (Richard Schiff) tries to mollify a group of veterans who are angry over the Smithsonian's Pearl Harbor exhibition. Sam (Rob Lowe) ponders the possibility of a national seatbelt law. And casting a sinister shadow over all these events is the likelihood of a mad cow disease outbreak. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The West Wing: Bartlet for America
It is two days before Christmas, and all through the White House, no one is sleeping, not even....Well, to get down to business: Leo (John Spencer) engages the very expensive services of lawyer Jordon Kendall (Joanna Gleason) in preparation for his testimony before the committee investigating Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) failure to disclose his MS. During the hearings, it becomes obvious that Leo is the specific target of a ruthlessly ambitious congressman. Elsewhere, the FBI joins forces with the White House staff to investigate warnings that several black churches will be firebombed on Christmas Eve. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The West Wing: H. Con-172
Lowe, Rob~Sam Seaborn Sheen, Martin~President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet Janney, Allison~Claudia Jean "C.J." Cregg Whitford, Bradley~Josh Lyman Schiff, Richard~Tobias Zachary "Toby" Ziegler Spencer, John~Leo McGarry Hill, Dule~Charlie Young Channing, Stockard~Abigail "Abbey" Bartlet Moloney, Janel~Donnatella "Donna" Moss Parker, Mary-Louise~Amy Gardner Gleason, Joanna~Jordon Kendall Feuerstein, Mark~Clifford Calley Robinson, Nicole~Margaret ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast Rob Lowe as Sam Seaborn Martin Sheen as President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet Allison Janney as Claudia Jean "C.J." Cregg Bradley Whitford as Josh Lyman Richard Schiff as Tobias Zachary "Toby" Ziegler John Spencer as Leo McGarry Dule Hill as Charlie Young Janel Moloney as Donnatella "Donna" Moss Stockard Channing as Abigail "Abbey" Bartlet

Crew n/a

The West Wing: Season 03
(not reviewed)
 

Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Outstanding Drama Series (winner)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: English, French, Spanish Sound Processing: DDS: Dolby Digital Surround Additional Features: cc Reel-life to real-life documentary special in which real-life White House veterans talk about their experiences Third-season making-of documentaries "A Property Master's Story" and "The Chief of Stuff" Audio commentary on three key episodes by series creator Aaron Sorkin and others "Political Missteps" All-new digital transfers Subtitles: English, Français, & Español DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1: Alternate Wide Screen MPAA Rating: NR DVD Discs Included: 4 DVD Sides: 7 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 954 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- Disc 1, Side A 1. Crash [5:47] 2. Fill in the Blank [9:28] 3. The Suspect; Political Analogy [9:35] 4. Wanted: Spies on the Ground [4:27] 5. Origins; Leo's Apology [10:43] 6. End Credits [1:24] 1. No Smooth Ride [6:46] 2. The First Lady Disagrees [7:06] 3. Repolling [11:59] 4. Manchester Hustler [5:56] 5. C.J.'s Gaffe [11:03] 6. End Credits [:38] 1. Snakes in the Grass [4:30] 2. No Photo Op [8:24] 3. Bruno Gianelli [14:37] 4. The Speech Is Locked [5:35] 5. Frayed Nerves and Recommitment [9:33] 6. End Credits [:38] 1. Subpoenas [4:01] 2. Fire and Fury [7:59] 3. Estate-Tax Strategy [7:46] 4. The President's Pen [11:51] 5. The Democrat's Constituency [11:16] 6. End Credits [:38] Side #2 -- Disc 1, Side B 1. Barlet's First Veto [7:28] 2. The Threat of Override [4:51] 3. Two Targeted Americans [7:23] 4. Throwing Elbows [10:37] 5. Condolences [12:33] 6. End Credits [:38] 1. Shooters and Victims [3:32] 2. Donna Deposed [7:29] 3. What Texans and VPs Do [9:50] 4. Not Worth a Penny [8:31] 5. "All Wars Are Crimes" [13:32] 6. End Credits [:38] 1. USS Portland [5:36] 2. A Liability Named Abbey [7:48] 3. Causus Belli? [8:51] 4. NEA Controversy; Issue Ads [8:31] 5. Off the Hook, on the Ballot [11:00] 6. End Credits [:38] 1. Crossing the Line [5:13] 2. Treaty of 1856 [8:37] 3. Fifteen Years [5:19] 4. Talking Turkey [11:56] 5. Dealmakers: Josh and C.J. [11:19] 6. End Credits [:38] Side #3 -- Disc 2, Side A 1. Lease Renewal [4:25] 2. Keeping a Lid on I [7:12] 3. A "Forced" Issue [9:14] 4. World War II Veterans [9:43] 5. Qumar and Political Reality [12:12] 6. End Credits [:38] 1. The Witness [6:29] 2. Note on a Napkin [12:35] 3. Telling Hoynes [5:55] 4. A Prior Collapse? [5:29] 5. The Third Man [13:15] 6. End Credits [:38] 1. An Offer of Censure [4:18] 2. The Nonbinding Bind [7:34] 3. Chasing Amy [7:30] 4. Midnight Oil [11:25] 5. "History Forgets. Presidents Don't" [11:55] 6. End Credits [:38] 1. Dialed In [4:51] 2. Impact of the Censure [9:26] 3. Smart Bomb for Cancer [8:59] 4. Decade of Hope [10:41] 5. A Strong Leader [8:20] 6. End Credits [:38] Side #4 -- Disc 2, Side B 1. 5 a.m. Visitor [6:52] 2. Problem in Vieques [7:53] 3. Unfirm Affirmation [8:57] 4. Aliens in Fort Knox [9:56] 5. Toby the Shrink [8:58] 6. End Credits [:38] 1. Tour Guide Josh [5:22] 2. The President's Analyst [9:05] 3. Toby's Speech [6:08] 4. Four Nights Ago [8:04] 5. Lipstick Feminism; Abe's Shadow [14:12] 6. End Credits [:39] 1. History of Chess [4:30] 2. 42 Votes [8:12] 3. Shanghai Communiqué [7:48] 4. The Whole Board [12:33] 5. Standing Down and Standing Tall [9:45] 6. End Credits [:38] 1. Cross Words [4:05] 2. Birthday Gala [7:20] 3. Political Gambits [10:23] 4. Motivations [7:53] 5. In Vino Veritas [11:41] 6. End Credits [:38] Side #5 -- Disc 3, Side A 1. From the Mural Room [6:43] 2. All Things Josh [5:01] 3. What Rhymes With Ziegler? [9:37] 4. Leveling With Tabatha [10:38] 5. Old-School Politics [10:48] 6. End Credits [:37] 1. Not a Poker Game [3:24] 2. Breaking News [8:50] 3. Hoynes Factor [8:06] 4. What Bartlet Doesn't Know [9:35] 5. Sobering Words [11:07] 6. End Credits [:38] 1. Outraged [5:04] 2. Heavy Water [5:59] 3. Consensus: The Bomb [9:42] 4. Business of America [9:46] 5. Letter to FDR [12:18] 6. End Credits [:38] Side #6 -- Disc 3, Side B 1. A VHS Tape [4:48] 2. Credible Threat [7:11] 3. Simon Says [9:20] 4. Return to Sender [10:40] 5. Players Get Played [9:49] 6. End Credits [:37] 1. The Money Trail [4:00] 2. Terror In Any Language [6:42] 3. In a Stew [9:32] 4. Dead Center [8:44] 5. "We Have to End Him" [13:53] 6. End Credits [:38] 1. Q&A [2:43] 2. Death Plot [10:46] 3. Unfavorable Impression [8:07] 4. New York Night [7:13] 5. Absolute Wrongs [14:01] 6. End Credits [:38] Side #7 -- Disc 4: Special Features 1. In Their Own Words [3:52] 2. Half a Windowless Closet; Ride the Sizzler [9:35] 3. Pride of Lions; DC Blood Sport [10:46] 4. Room on Rushmore; Truth to Power [8:08] 5. A Very Human Place [9:05] 6. End Credits [:38]