Ep 8. Shutdown

The West Wing season 5 episode 8 "Shutdown" takes place during a government shutdown. As the episode begins, President Bartlet is trying to negotiate with the Republican Speaker of the House, who is refusing to pass a budget unless Bartlet agrees to certain conditions, including changes to Medicare and a ban on late-term abortions.

Meanwhile, the rest of the White House staff is dealing with the shutdown's effects. Toby is tasked with figuring out how to keep national parks open, while C.J. tries to keep the press informed about what's happening. Josh is trying to find a way to get NASA off the ground and Donna is tasked with finding a missing child who was supposed to be traveling with a group of government employees.

Throughout the episode, tensions rise as the shutdown continues and negotiations between Bartlet and the Speaker of the House become increasingly strained. On one hand, Bartlet wants to avoid giving into the demands of the Republicans, but on the other hand, he knows that the longer the shutdown lasts, the more damaging it will be for the country.

As the episode comes to a close, Bartlet makes a decision that will have major consequences for his administration and the country as a whole. With tensions at an all-time high, both the Republican and Democratic leaders of congress are forced to face the consequences of their actions and come up with a way to end the shutdown.

Overall, "Shutdown" is a tense and politically charged episode that highlights the challenges and consequences of government shutdowns. With strong performances from the cast and a gripping storyline, it's a must-watch episode for fans of the show.