Ep 5. And It's Surely to Their Credit

As the second season of The West Wing progresses, "And It's Surely to Their Credit" is the fifth episode of the season and an intriguing one. This episode, like others in the series, tends to combine both personal and political elements. It blends the storylines of the Bartlet presidency with the character's personal lives, making it more than just another political drama.

The episode opens with the administration defending the President's recent comment about school vouchers, which has stirred up controversy and caused problems with some of the President's constituents. This contentious issue is framed in a compelling and insightful way, with the show exploring both sides of the voucher debate.

Meanwhile, Sam (Rob Lowe) is still reeling from his recent breakup with long-term girlfriend, Laurie. He's dealing with depression and panic attacks, and this storyline gets a lot of attention in the episode. Both Sam's colleagues and a new therapist are trying to help him come to terms with his emotions and start the healing process.

At the same time, Josh (Bradley Whitford) is dealing with a personal issue of his own, as he tries to reconcile with his father. He enlists the help of his colleagues – but their efforts do not go as planned.

Another significant aspect of this episode is that it offers a glimpse of Vice President Hoynes (Tim Matheson), a character who is not often given much screen time. In this episode, Toby (Richard Schiff) and C.J. (Allison Janney) travel to his office in order to address a significant issue, with Hoynes giving an unexpected response.

Finally, there's a subplot that has Donna (Janel Moloney) working to get a White House tour for a young girl whose father has died in the line of duty. This plot adds a much-needed glimmer of hope and humanity to an episode that could otherwise be pretty heavy.

Overall, "And It's Surely to Their Credit" is a fascinating and emotional episode that handles multiple storylines with grace and depth. The show remains an intriguing look at political life in America, and continues to shine in its second season.