Ep 4. Han

The West Wing season 5 episode 4, titled "Han," follows the staff of the Bartlet administration as they navigate a tense situation with China. The episode begins with President Bartlet and Leo McGarry discussing the case of an American pilot, Captain Roger Tillinghouse, who has been detained by the Chinese government after his plane collided with a Chinese fighter jet in international waters.

The situation is complicated by the fact that Tillinghouse's co-pilot, Lieutenant David O'Connor, was killed in the collision. The Chinese government is demanding that the United States officially apologize for the incident and offer a compensation package to O'Connor's family in exchange for Tillinghouse's release. However, the Bartlet administration is hesitant to give in to these demands, as they believe that doing so would set a dangerous precedent for future incidents.

Meanwhile, Toby Ziegler is dealing with a controversy of his own. A group of conservative religious leaders has taken issue with a White House initiative to increase funding for stem cell research. Toby is tasked with explaining the administration's position to the group, but his attempt to reason with them quickly becomes heated and confrontational.

As the episode unfolds, tensions between the United States and China continue to rise. The Chinese government threatens to put Tillinghouse on trial if the United States does not meet their demands, and the Bartlet administration scrambles to find a way to resolve the situation without giving in to blackmail.

The episode also touches on personal relationships between the characters. Josh Lyman is dealing with his own guilt over the Tillinghouse situation, as he feels responsible for encouraging the pilot to take a specific route that ultimately led to the collision with the Chinese fighter jet. Meanwhile, CJ Cregg is struggling to balance her work life with her personal life, as she tries to plan a birthday party for her boyfriend while also dealing with the crisis with China.

Overall, "Han" is a tense and emotionally charged episode that showcases the political and personal challenges faced by the Bartlet administration. As always, the show handles complex issues with nuance and sensitivity, making for a thought-provoking and engaging viewing experience.