4x02 20 Hours in America (2) - The West Wing Episode Guide

The West Wing

- Episode 04x02

Episode: 04x02
Title: 20 Hours in America (2)
Type: Regular Episode
Production Code: 175302
First Aired: Sep. 25, 2002

Season 4 » Episode #02 - 20 Hours in America (2)

The West Wing - 04x02 20 Hours in America (2)

Summary: Bartlet interviews Debbie Fiderer for the secretarial position for the second time, and for the second time it doesn't go well. With the Dow continuing to drop and the stress over the Qumaris, Bartlet takes out his frustration on an elderly White House visitor. Meanwhile, General Fitzwallace and Nancy McNally worry about how much the Qumaris know about their missing Defense Minister; Toby, Josh, and Donna continue to make their way back to Washington; and the staff has to deal with a crisis in Iowa when a bomb explodes at a University of Iowa swim meet.

Who appeared in this episode?

President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet	played by Martin Sheen
Van Driver	played by Susan Allenback
Train Conductor	played by Jeff Gage
Motorist	played by Thomas M. Hagen
Peter	played by Victor McCay
Anthony Marcus	played by Andrew McFarlane (II)
Muriel Keith	played by Don Perry
Bruno Gianelli	played by Ron Silver
Ed	played by Peter James Smith

Season 4 / Episode 2: - 20 Hours in America (2)

President Josiah Bartlet: More than any time in recent history, America's destiny is not of our own choosing. We did not seek nor did we provoke an assault on our freedom and our way of life. We did not expect nor did we invite a confrontation with evil. Yet the true measure of a people's strength is how they rise to master that moment when it does arrive. 44 people were killed a couple of hours ago at Kennison State University. Three swimmers from the men's team were killed and two others are in critical condition. When, after having heard the explosion from their practice facility, they ran into the fire to help get people out. Ran *in* to the fire. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight. They're our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels, but every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we're reminded that that capacity may well be limitless. This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars. God bless their memory, God bless you and God bless the United States of America. Thank you.

Season 4 / Episode 2: - 20 Hours in America (2)

Bruno Gianelli: [after hearing the President give a inspiring speech] When did you write that last part?
Sam Seaborn: In the car.
Bruno Gianelli: [pause] Freak.

[More Quotes]

MISTAKES/GOOFS

[none added]

TRIVIA

Sam tells Mallory, "Good writers borrow from other writers. Great writers steal outright." This is a variation on a quotation by Pablo Picasso: "Good artists copy. Great artists steal." (Ironically, one of Sorkin's lines from this episode ("Every time we think we've measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we are reminded that that capacity may well be limitless") was plagiarized during an NBC sports feature airing directly before the 2006 Kentucky Derby. The freelance writer who wrote the line was fired.

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Season 4 » Episode #02 - 20 Hours in America (2)

Who appeared in this episode?

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Episode Quotes

MISTAKES/GOOFS

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