2x03 The Midterms - The West Wing Episode Guide

The West Wing

- Episode 02x03

Episode: 02x03
Title: The Midterms
Type: Regular Episode
Production Code: 226203
First Aired: Oct. 18, 2000

Season 2 » Episode #03 - The Midterms

Summary: In the aftermath of the shooting, Josh continues to recover from his bullet wounds while the staff prepares for the upcoming midterm congressional elections. C.J., knowing how the staff was affected psychologically, deflects press questions about the mood in the White House. After Charlie learns more about the shooting, he begins to pull away from Bartlet and Zoey. Meanwhile, Sam encourages a friend to run for congress, and Bartlet keeps an eye on a school board election in New Hampshire.

Who appeared in this episode?

President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet	played by Martin Sheen
Zoey Bartlet	played by Elisabeth Moss
Dr. Jenna Jacobs	played by Claire Yarlett
Sarah Jordan	played by Rebecca Creskoff
Tom Jordan	played by James Denton
Andrew Mackintosh	played by Alfonso Freeman
Jeffrey Mackintosh	played by Myles Kilpatrick
Sonny Saunders	played by Franc Ross
Dave Stewart	played by Jesse Corti

Season 2 / Episode 3: - The Midterms

Leo McGarry: We can't afford all the things we want, Sam.

Season 2 / Episode 3: - The Midterms

President Josiah Bartlet: I'm sorry. Uh, you're Dr. Jenna Jacobs, right?
Dr. Jenna Jacobs: Yes, Sir.
President Josiah Bartlet: It's good to have you here.
Dr. Jenna Jacobs: Thank you.
President Josiah Bartlet: The awesome impact of the airwaves and how that translates into the furthering of our national discussions, but also obviously how it can... Forgive me, Dr. Jacobs. Are you an M.D.?
Dr. Jenna Jacobs: A Ph.D.
President Josiah Bartlet: A Ph.D.
Dr. Jenna Jacobs: Yes, Sir.
President Josiah Bartlet: In psychology?
Dr. Jenna Jacobs: No, Sir.
President Josiah Bartlet: Theology?
Dr. Jenna Jacobs: No.
President Josiah Bartlet: Social work?
Dr. Jenna Jacobs: I have a Ph.D. in English literature.
President Josiah Bartlet: I'm asking 'cause on your show, people call in for advice and you go by the name Dr. Jacobs on your show, and I didn't know if maybe your listeners were confused by that and assumed you had advanced training in psychology, theology or health care.
Dr. Jenna Jacobs: I don't believe they are confused. No, Sir.

[More Quotes]

MISTAKES/GOOFS

MISC: Sam claims to have gone to four different schools at different points. In the first episode, when speaking to Malory's class, Sam says that he is a graduate of Harvard and Yale. Later, in the episode where Ansley is hired, Sam tells the White House counsel that he was recording secretary of the Princeton Gilbert and Sullivan society. Finally, in the first midterm elections, when Sam is trying to convince his old classmate to run, they talk about a professor they both had at Duke law school.
FACT: Congressional candidate Tom Jordan is described as a graduate of Oberlin College who lived in an all-white fraternity. Oberlin College hasn't allowed its students to join fraternities since its founding in 1833.

TRIVIA

President Bartlet criticizes a religious fundamentalist radio talk show host named Jenna Jacobs' with his detailed knowledge of scripture. The segment was adopted from a famous Internet chain letter allegedly sent to Dr. Laura Schlessinger, on whom the Jacobs character was based, and several of Bartlet's questions are identical to the questions posed in the letter.
Right after President Bartlett spouts off a list of Bible quotes to Jenna Jacobs to illustrate their inapplicability, Sam Seaborn takes a crab puff from her. This is not an isolated gesture of stealing food; Leviticus 11:10 indicates that shellfish are an "abomination", so Sam's action in effect continues the President's argument. Also, Jacobs is wearing a brooch shaped like a crab on her lapel.