S1E22 · What Kind of Day Has It Been?

Complete story — includes the ending

Iraqi ground forces, using a surface-to-air missile, shoot down an F-117 Nighthawk of the US Air Force during a routine three-hour patrol of a no-fly zone; the pilot, a 26-year-old captain, survives, but Iraqis are only 10 miles away. President Bartlet orders a military rescue immediately. The staff learns that the Space Shuttle Columbia has incurred a mechanical problem and a resulting delay in its landing, and that Toby's brother is a payload specialist aboard the flight. Later, the officials learn that the rescue of the downed pilot has succeeded. The President, Zoey, and the senior staff go to a museum in Rosslyn, in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, where the President speaks in a town-hall meeting, during which Josh signals him that the problem with the shuttle has been resolved. Afterward, as the group returns to the motorcade, Zoey's Secret Service agent Gina Toscano sees something, but is unable to piece it together before two unknown concealed gunmen begin shooting. The screen goes to black, leaving the fate of the President and senior staff unknown. Note: Also submitted as one of the package of episodes for The West Wing ' s first of four consecutive Outstanding Drama Series wins.