Agree with the above post on Nuclear Power. It is safe and it pains me to see the West Wing go so far left in its interpretation of how an accident would/could happen. One of the reasons the West Wing is such a good show is its intelligent diologue and meaningful points on issues that matter. The story line for this episode is incredibly stupid... far beneath the standard I expect from this show.

Speaking as a longtime nuclear energy worker, I can say that West Wing version of a nuclear accident was a bit silly, with some gross errors. (The President doesn't take charge of a plant, for instance.) If you'd like a more accurate look at such an event, see http://RadDecision.blogspot.com for a novel I've written on the topic. It's available at no cost to readers and there's no advertising.

I got misty when Josh said that Leo was going to call in later. LEO!!!

The show last night showed signs of life and glimmers of Seasons 2-4 with the multiple crises occuring all at once. I truly expected one of Josh's calls to be from Leo's people saying he's dead. THAT would've been a way to end the show. Not only is the Vinnick campaign in deep-s**t but Santos has no VP. But of course I ALSO expected Vinnick's grandkids to be harmed/killed in the nuclear incident thereby enciting sympathy for Vinnick through the controversy. Still, ending it with Josh getting the call (which you know HAS to happen sometime soon) would've been great.

IIRC, Ron Silver has always been a Republican. He was the one actor during the first several seasons (one prominent actor, I guess) that was.

That being said, I would agree that this episode was right on the money. While the plotline was a bit contrived (The debate set up this up pretty heavily a couple of weeks ago... Every other point debated that night was either a prominent one in either the real world or the West Wing world... While nuclear energy is a big issue right now, it kind of seemed out of place in the episode).

While I'll always miss the actor's, it was tough to miss Toby's character given his situation. Its not like Josh would take time out of that day to call and say, "Hey, what's up, dude?" The next day, maybe. Leo, and his voice, were sorely missed IMHO.

JOSH AND DONNA! Its the first time all season that they got their dynamic in the same ballpark of being right.

While most people seem to dislike "shakycam," I thought it was used very well here. It didn't suprise me at all when I looked back and saw that Chris Misiano directed this episode. He did my favorite (Celestial Navigation), and looking at the list of epi's he did is like looking at a "Best Of" list of West Wing shows.

I'm going to miss the hell out of this show :(

this was better... but not great. even in crisis mode, Bartlet seems bored. everything's slow paced. there's very little humor on this show anymore (not that there was really room for it tonight). what ever happened to Debbie? i don't know... i no it's annoying to hear (for some of you) and i know there's no point in saying it, but (especially as i've been working my way through the DVD sets) i really miss the Sorkin years. and i can't believe they let it get to where it is.

What is wrong with this picture? The West Wing is cancelled the same day Friends is being renewed!? ... and so the dumbing of America continues.

Z00phile