Ep 1. 7A WF 83429

The West Wing season 5 episode 1, titled "7A WF 83429," starts out with a bang as the president himself, Josiah Bartlet, is introduced to the audience. As the leader of the United States, Bartlet is faced with a myriad of problems to fix, and "7A WF 83429" is no exception.

At the base of the episode's plot is a leak - the leak of a memo, to be exact. This memo lists the ways in which President Bartlet plans to "trim the fat" on government spending. Unfortunately for him, the memo is leaked to the press, providing a headache for the entire administration.

As the plot unfolds, tensions between the members of the Bartlet administration rise. Josh Lyman, the deputy chief of staff, spends much of the episode attempting to figure out who within the administration is responsible for the leak. Meanwhile, Toby Ziegler, the White House Communications Director, is also on the hunt for the leaker, though for slightly different reasons.

Despite the tension, there are also lighter moments in "7A WF 83429." The newly-minted Vice President, John Hoynes, makes an appearance, and his interactions with the members of the Bartlet administration are always a highlight. Additionally, the president and his staff grapple with the strange requests that come along with being the leader of the free world, such as a request from a children's charity asking if they can have a live hermit crab to name after the president.

Throughout the episode, the viewer is given a glimpse into the inner workings of the West Wing. We see the meetings, the stress, and the negotiations that go on behind closed doors. The acting is phenomenal, especially by Martin Sheen, who portrays President Bartlet with such depth and nuance that it's easy to forget he's simply an actor playing a role.

"7A WF 83429" also tackles some important issues. For example, it's revealed that a prominent member of the administration has a drug problem, and the way in which the rest of the staff handles the situation is both interesting and thought-provoking. The episode also highlights the struggles of balancing work and family, as Josh Lyman's personal life interferes with his job.

Overall, "7A WF 83429" is a strong episode of The West Wing. It's fast-paced, intriguing, and manages to balance heavy issues with moments of levity. Anyone looking to dive into the world of The West Wing would be smart to start here.