Ep 16. Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail

The West Wing season 2 episode 16, titled "Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail," follows the Bartlet administration as they deal with the fallout from a scandal involving the Vice President's son, who has been arrested on drug charges.

As the episode opens, the Vice President's office is in damage control mode, trying to downplay the situation and keep the media from running wild with the story. Meanwhile, the President and his staff are scrambling to figure out how to handle the situation, which has the potential to derail their entire agenda and damage the administration's reputation.

At the heart of the issue is the fact that the Vice President's son was caught with drugs in a federal building, which is a serious offense that carries significant legal consequences. His father is understandably upset and worried about his son's future, but he also knows that he needs to protect his own political ambitions.

As the President and his staff discuss how to handle the situation, they are forced to grapple with a number of difficult questions. How much information should they release to the public? Should they try to broker a deal with the prosecutor overseeing the case? And what does this all mean for the Vice President's political future?

As they work through these questions, the underlying tension between different factions within the White House becomes increasingly apparent. Some of the staffers are worried about the political fallout from the scandal, while others are more focused on the ethical implications of the Vice President trying to protect his son from legal consequences.

At the same time, we see the impact that the scandal is having on the Vice President's son and his family. We see him struggling to come to terms with his mistakes and the consequences they have brought about, and we see his parents grappling with how to support him while also protecting their own interests.

Throughout the episode, we also get glimpses into the personal lives and relationships of the staffers who make up the Bartlet administration. We see Toby struggling to deal with his brother's alcoholism, Josh navigating a complicated romantic situation, and CJ dealing with the pressures of her job and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field.

Ultimately, "Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail" is a tense and thought-provoking episode that highlights the complexities and challenges of political life. It's a reminder that even the most well-intentioned leaders can make mistakes, and that personal values and political values don't always align. Despite the many challenges faced by the characters, however, the episode ultimately ends with a sense of hope and possibility, as the team comes together to face whatever challenges lie ahead.