West Wing Story Ideas

[yesthattom]

The West Wing episodes you'll never see (part 1 and 2)

Volunteering with Dean For America has been fun, but now I must drive home. I'm interrupting my packing to write these down.

In my imaginary life, there is a prequel series to The West Wing which is all flashbacks to his first campaign. Sadly in this alternate reality he doesn't win the primary, dropping out after losing in Wisconsin.

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Episode Title: Retail Politics

In this episode everyone is elated that the campaign is going so well. Everyone is euphoric. Literally people are dancing in the halls. However the campaign manager has to give Bartlet bad news. To move into the next phase of the campaign he needs to replace inexperienced top-level staff with people that have national experience. Bartlet dislikes this suggestion because it means removing friends that have been with him since he was governor.

The campaign manager (CM) enters the Barlett's office and closes the door.

CM: Congratulations, Governor.

Bartlet: Thanks! But I couldn't have done it without you. Nine months ago we were an asterix in the polls and now we're in the top three.

CM: Yes, Governor, but I have bad news. Your new polls indicate that soon we'll be number one.

Bartlet: And why is that bad news?

CM: Sir, there comes a time in every campaign like this where I have to say this. You aren't going to like it. I need to ask you to keep an open mind.

Bartlet: Yes?

CM: Sir, the campaign has turned the corner. We're no longer doing retail politics, one vote at a time. We need to move to tarmac politics. You do know what that means, right?

Bartlet: It means that we're going to be flight around talking to big media.

CM: You know that's not what I mean.

Bartlet: I know what you are saying, and you were right about me not liking it... and I'm not going to do it.

CM: Sir, with all due respect, these people don't have a political bone in their body! They're amaturs!.

CM continues as as camera zooms into Barlet's face, he isn't listening. He is daydreaming. Cut to flashback. A young man is being sworn in as governor.

In this flashback, we see Bartlet being sworn in as governor. It is ambiguous but it is obvious that it is happening under unusual circumstances.

Fade to newspaper saying, "Lt. Governor Bartlet sworn in after sudden death of Governor".

Fade to Governor's office. Now Governor Bartlet is speaking with a man and a woman. He is nervous. Edgy. We hear what he is saying mid-sentence:

Man: ...and we're going to get through this together.

Fade back to campaign office with Bartlet and Campaign Manager.

CM: Governor?

Bartlet: They're staying.

CM: At least let me bring in...

Bartlet: This meeting is over.

CM: I wish you'd at least consider...

Bartlet: Sarah! Who's next on my schedule.

[ Roll Opening credits. ]

The rest of the episode deals with the governor's difficult decision. There is nothing more difficult than getting rid of people that have been with you for more than a decade, that you trust, that you have confided in, that have been with you on your journey; even when they are not the people that you need around you. But you do need to have them around you if you are going to be human. How can you run a campaign with new people that don't know you?

In the end, he decides to keep his friends even if it means not winning the election. The campaign manager threatens to quit, but Bartlet knows he won't. He doesn't because he believes this candidate is the best thing for this country.

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Episode Title: Hair cuts

The campaign loses Iowa and New Hampshire in unmitigated disasters. A new campaign manager has been brought in and after a day or so appears with Bartlet to address the staff and announce a new strategy. Unlike their past strategy, it is uninspired and lacks vision.

I don't know the plot of this episode. However, there is one scene that crystalizes the episode for the audience. It is the opening teaser, before the credits roll.

A low level campaign volunteer (a young Donna Moss) walks into the office of the new campaign manager (NCM). NCM is startled by her sudden appearance.

NCM: Can I help you?

Donna: I'm not sure if you've noticed this but the staff are getting hair cuts.

NCM: I'm sorry?

Donna: Hair cuts.

NCM: I'm going to need a little more.

Donna: Sir, when I came in today I walked around as I usually do and I noticed that many of the staff seems to have gotten their hair cut.

NCM: And?

Donna: And I just thought you should know.

Donna turns and leaves. The camera tracks her exit and walk down the hall but is distracted by a laser printer in the hallway. It zooms to show that what is bring printed is a resume.

[ Roll Opening credits. ]