S3E20 · We Killed Yamamoto

While Jed, Leo and Fitzwallace grapple with terrorism and moral absolutes, Josh and Amy grapple with each other over a welfare-reform bill; Donna represents the White House at a North Dakota state-party caucus whose goal is to remove the word "North" from the state's name; Toby doesn't want Jed to attend a New York fund-raiser because Ritchie will be there; Charlie is assigned the responsibility of finding Jed a new secretary; C.J. discovers that Simon Donovan is a very straight shooter.

Plot summary and ending

Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.

Complete story — includes the ending

President Bartlet agonizes over whether to disregard the principle of diplomatic immunity for a Middle Eastern official who is known to be plotting terrorist acts. The President is advised not to attend a fundraiser for a politically sensitive cause because his Republican opponent will also be attending. Josh and Amy clash over a welfare renewal bill, while Sam is gun-shy after the tape disclosure from earlier. Note: The episode title refers to the U.S. military assassination of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in 1943. Note: John Spencer won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for this episode. Also submitted for Outstanding Drama win.

Sources and content license

Source and revision history · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, The West Wing season 3. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. · Content license