S1E10 · In Excelsis Deo

Complete story — includes the ending

While the senior staffers discuss the preparations for the Christmas celebration at the West Wing, Toby receives a telephone call from the office of the local coroner, and he responds by meeting a detective of the Metro PD at the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall to identify a body who had been found wearing a jacket that had Toby's business card in the pocket. Toby becomes emotionally and actively involved with the death of the man, who he discovers was a homeless veteran had served as a lance corporal in the US Marine Corps in the Korean War, and works to find out the man's identity and next of kin. C.J. tries to push for hate crime legislation after a deadly assault on a young gay man but receives little support amongst senior staff. Danny and C.J. continue to discuss the pros and cons of a first date. Sam and Josh, against Leo's wishes, visit Laurie to try and get dirt on Lillienfield and his allies, but she refuses to tell them anything and reminds them to behave as the good guys. Toby and Mrs. Landingham accompany the veteran's brother to his burial at Arlington National Cemetery with an honor guard. Note: Won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series. Richard Schiff won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor for this episode. Also submitted as one of the package of episodes for The West Wing ' s first of four consecutive Outstanding Drama Series wins.