Ep 10. Noel

"Noel" is the tenth episode of the second season of The West Wing. The episode centers around the character of Josh Lyman, who is one of the president's chief advisors. After being shot in an assassination attempt at the end of the first season, Josh has been struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In "Noel," Josh begins seeing a therapist named Stanley Keyworth to try to work through his issues.

The episode begins with Josh arriving for his first therapy session, but he is extremely skeptical of the process. He tells Stanley that he doesn't believe in therapy and thinks it's a waste of time. However, Stanley is patient and they begin to talk about the shooting and Josh's emotions surrounding it. As the session progresses, Josh becomes more agitated and tells Stanley that he doesn't want to talk about his feelings anymore. He storms out of the session, convinced that he doesn't need therapy.

Meanwhile, the rest of the White House staff is preparing for Christmas and dealing with various other issues. Toby is angry that the president's Christmas address is too religious, and he argues with the speechwriter Sam about how to make it more inclusive. CJ is dealing with the aftermath of a troubling incident involving the president's daughter, and she's also trying to coordinate a Christmas party. Leo is juggling various crises and trying to keep everything running smoothly.

As the day goes on, it becomes clear that Josh is not doing well. He becomes increasingly paranoid and agitated, and he even has a physical altercation with a Secret Service agent. Leo and Stanley both realize that Josh might be a danger to himself or others, and they work to get him the help he needs. In the end, Josh is hospitalized and there is a sense of sadness and uncertainty as the episode ends.

Overall, "Noel" is a powerful episode that explores the issue of PTSD and mental health in a thoughtful and nuanced way. The writing is excellent, and the acting is superb, particularly from Bradley Whitford as Josh. The episode is emotional without being overly sentimental or manipulative, and it raises important questions about the nature of trauma and healing.