Ep 1. In the Shadow of Two Gunmen - Part 1

As the second season of The West Wing begins, the show wastes no time in diving into a complex and dramatic storyline that will play out over the course of several episodes. "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen - Part 1" picks up immediately after the events of the first season's cliffhanger finale, which saw President Bartlet shot while leaving a town hall event.

The episode begins with a tense and chaotic scene as the President's staff tries to make sense of what has just happened. The shooting occurred in a crowded parking lot, and as the team pieces together what happened, they quickly realize that the shooting may have been part of a larger conspiracy. As the President undergoes surgery, his staff is forced to confront not only the physical damage he has suffered but also the implications for the future of the country.

The focus of the episode is split between two storylines. One follows the staff in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, as they try to gather information and keep the country stable in the face of uncertainty. The other storyline takes us back in time to a few months before the shooting, showing how the President's staff first came together and how their relationships evolved over time.

The flashback structure gives the episode a unique rhythm and allows us to view the characters in a different light. In these early days, the staff members are shown as highly competent individuals who are still figuring out how to work together effectively. We see different members of the team being brought on board and becoming more integrated into the group. A young Josh Lyman, who will eventually become the President's Deputy Chief of Staff, is shown joining the team and butting heads with Chief of Staff Leo McGarry. Meanwhile, White House Communications Director Toby Ziegler is shown trying to juggle his job with the demands of fatherhood, as his ex-wife struggles with addiction.

The flashback scenes help to flesh out the characters and give us a better sense of who they are as individuals. In particular, we get to see more of the President himself and the people who surround him. We see how Josh and Sam Seaborn, the speechwriter, first came to work for Bartlet and how they became impressed by his intelligence and political acumen. We see how the President's personal physician, Dr. Bartlet, first gets involved with the team and how she helps to keep the President healthy and focused. And we see how CJ Cregg, the Press Secretary, first learns to navigate the tricky and often combative world of White House politics.

Throughout the episode, there is a pervasive sense of uncertainty and unease. The shooting has thrown the country into a state of shock and confusion, and no one knows what will happen next. The staff members are wracked with guilt and fear, wondering if they could have done more to prevent the shooting. And the President himself, lying on the operating table, is fighting for his life.

Throughout "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen - Part 1," there are moments of both sadness and hope. The episode is beautifully directed and written, with a real sense of momentum and urgency. We are left wanting to know what happens next, both in the immediate aftermath of the shooting and in the flashbacks that give us a deeper understanding of the show's characters.

Overall, "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen - Part 1" is a stunning season premiere that sets the stage for what will become one of the show's most memorable and emotionally powerful story arcs. It's a testament to the show's ability to tackle difficult and complex topics with real depth and nuance.