S1E4 · Five Votes Down

The week of a crucial gun control vote, the staff gets word that 5 votes have flipped. All resources are used to get them back. Meanwhile, Leo faces a huge personal challenge, and an adversary becomes an unlikely friend. The President has a bad day with his back, and his prescription medications throw him for a loop. Meanwhile, the staff is under for the annual economic scrutiny, and there are some items for which an answer is needed.

Plot summary and ending

Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.

Complete story — includes the ending

The White House has surprisingly lost five votes for an incremental gun control bill, so the West Wing staff work during the three remaining days to regain the votes for the passage of the bill. After Leo forgets his wedding anniversary, his wife announces that she is leaving him. Josh and Toby encounter difficulties over their personal financial disclosures which are being shared publicly. The last gun bill vote is secured thanks to the Vice President who counted on being the hero of the process. Note: John Spencer submitted this episode as a nominee in the Emmy category Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama series.

Sources and content license

Source and revision history · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, The West Wing season 1. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. · Content license