Ep 6. Gone Quiet

As the third season of The West Wing continues, viewers are treated to episode six titled Gone Quiet. The episode opens with CJ, played by Allison Janney, learning from her Secret Service detail that a noise was heard coming from the nearby woods while the President was out jogging. Although it most likely was nothing, the implications of a potential threat against the President weigh heavily on CJ's mind as she spends the rest of the day trying to learn more.

Meanwhile, Toby and Sam are focused on a veterans' parade that is happening in Indiana. When they learn that the organizers of the parade have not invited any surviving family members of those who were killed in action, they spring into action. The two of them are tasked with finding a Gold Star family to invite to the parade, ultimately coming across one that is from their home state of New York.

In Washington, Leo and Josh are busy in the Situation Room, trying to convince a hostile ambassador from Qumar to attend a summit aimed at ending the outbreak of violence in the middle east. The Qumari ambassador is reluctant to attend, and Leo and Josh spend most of the episode strategizing to try and convince him to change his mind. As this is happening, the rest of the West Wing staff is scrambling to figure out who was behind the noise heard in the woods and what it could potentially mean for the President's safety.

Throughout the episode, the underlying tension of potential danger against the President only continues to build. When CJ receives a package from an unknown sender, she is forced to confront the very real possibility that the noise heard in the woods may have been a warning shot. As she tries to navigate the situation and figure out what threat it may or may not pose, the rest of the staff continues to be on high alert, with everyone keeping a watchful eye out for any suspicious activity.

The pacing of the episode is incredibly well done, with the various storylines weaving seamlessly together to create a sense of urgency and unease. Gone Quiet is a masterclass in building tension, with each passing moment feeling increasingly fraught with potential danger.

As the episode reaches its climax, viewers are left with a sense of uncertainty and apprehension. While the threat of danger against the President may be resolved, the episode leaves plenty of questions unanswered and sets the stage for larger conflicts and tension in future episodes.

Overall, Gone Quiet is a standout episode in a show that is already beloved for its writing, character development, and masterful storytelling. It's an episode that manages to evoke a sense of fear and unease without ever feeling melodramatic or over the top. Fans of The West Wing will undoubtedly find themselves on the edge of their seats as they watch this tense and unforgettable episode.