Complete story — includes the ending
When a conservative Supreme Court justice dies suddenly, the White House is in a rush to find a suitable candidate for the spot. Josh pushes to nominate federal judge Evelyn Baker Lang ( Glenn Close ) to fill the seat, but she is seen as too liberal to be confirmed. However, instead of settling on a compromise candidate moderate enough for both sides of the aisle, Josh and Toby decide to nominate her as the first female Chief Justice of the United States by convincing the ailing liberal Chief Justice Ashland ( Milo O'Shea ) to retire, while also nominating a conservative but brilliant young judge ( William Fichtner ) to fill the other open seat. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Andy Wyatt is joining a congressional fact-finding mission to the Middle East that troubles the White House. Note: Submitted as Emmy nominee for Outstanding Drama.
Sources and content license
Source and revision history · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, The West Wing season 5. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. · Content license