S5E22 · Memorial Day

Jed weighs his options for responding to the bombing as Israeli and Palestinian forces face off against each other; Josh has an interesting reaction when Colin arrives at the hospital to visit Donna; Kate and Leo clash over the advice she's giving Jed; Josh assumes a diplomatic role when the Palestinians approach him to initiate settlement discussions; Toby and Charlie prepare a reluctant Jed for throwing out the first ball at Camden Yards; Donna's life is threatened when she develops a pulmonary embolism; Jed reflects on the days prior to his first inauguration.

Plot summary and ending

Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.

Complete story — includes the ending

The killings of key U.S. officials might drag the fuming President into an unending cycle of violence. Events in the tinderbox Gaza Strip spin out of control as the angry President weighs appropriate military action, even as Israel launches its own strikes and surrounds the Palestinian chairman, prompting more retaliatory terrorism. The dangers are compounded when President Bartlet suddenly cannot communicate with the chairman. A wary Josh meets with a Palestinian in an attempt to open up a new diplomatic channel while tending to Donna in Germany. Note: Martin Sheen submitted this episode as an Emmy nominee for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama series. John Spencer submitted this episode as a nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

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