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The West Wing Season 1 Episode 20

Mandatory Minimums

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8.7

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AIRED: 5/3/00

Josh gets payback while Sam gets played; Andrea Wyatt insists that mandatory minimums be added to a new drug policy the staff is developing; C.J. makes a mistake and sets them back.

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

The staff is off the leash.

8.0

By kickdoor, May 13, 2010

Nice cold open, proved they weren't just blowing smoke at the end of Let Bartlet, Be Bartlet. I was pretty surprised to learn that Toby had been married, he never struck me as the husband type. Danny and CJ were once again great in their scene together and it was interesting to see CJ turn the tables on Danny and ream him out.

CJ: Congratulations, you're a movie star. You're also on the outside looking in for awhile so get used to it.

Leo's scene with the politicians' aides, about allocating money for drug treatment instead of enforcement, was excellent as well. It was nice to see their hypocrisy getting thrown in their face. I felt bad for Sam, with Steve Onneratto so blatantly trying to set him up. Though in this case Sam's righteous indignation was pretty funny. Bartlet, as he so often does, stole the show with the final scene by being both funny and poetic.

Bartlet: Guys let me tell you what I would like to have happen right now...

Josh: (enters room with a spring in his step) Good evening, Mr. President.

Bartlet: Josh walking in the door wasn't even close.

Bartlet: I'm sleeping better. And when I sleep, I dream about a great discussion, with experts and ideas and diction and energy and honesty. And when I wake up I think, 'I can sell that.'moreless
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Review.

10

By CTUBauer24, Sep 24, 2008

In the 20th episode of the first season of the hit TV show The West Wing titled Mandatory Minimums. Getting pressure from congress President Bartlet nominates two people the Federal Election Commission. CJ and Danny have a big fight about the work of the Bartlet admiration and Toby meets with his ex-wife who is also a congresswoman for Maryland. Overall I liked the episode I thought It was great I liked meeting Toby's ex-wife and The Federal Election Commission storyline of the episode was great as well my overall rating is 10 out of 10 the end of review end.moreless
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They try to do things their way and they do not need no mistakes...

8.0

By Parricida, Nov 20, 2007

They try now to do their thing their way as Presidents announce that he will offer the new candidates. That makes a storm to CJ has to answer them, but makes a mistake that seems to be so simple - Even Toby in not prepared was able to answer it right.

Everyone is having bad day, they are grouchy and it seems that only Donna can manage to keep the smile. Josh is dressing up well as Joey is coming to work for them and it seems he will get his second change. But in the end, when they have all had bad they, it is time to let some things go - President says they should forgive CJ and let Mandy out of the box.. It was full of action and events but not as brilliant as some previous episodes.moreless
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The staff deals with the aftermath of the Presidents speech.

9.7

By amfarley84, Jun 11, 2007

I thought that this was a wonderful episode of the West Wing. I really liked the opening when Sam was tring to get Josh prepared for a phone call that he was going to get and i really like what Josh said to the senitor. I thought that it was funny that Sam thought the meeting he had was a innocent meeting when it turned out that the person he was meeting knew about Sam's friendship with Laurie. I also liked seeing Tobey working with his ex wife about a bill they want to get passed and what she wants added to it.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Martin Sheen	President Jed Bartlet
Dule Hill	Charlie Young
Allison Janney	Claudia Jean "C.J." Cregg
Moira Kelly	Mandy Hampton (Episodes 1-22)
Rob Lowe	Sam Seaborn (Episodes 1-84)
Richard Schiff	Toby Ziegler

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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John de Lancie	Al Kiefer	Guest Star
Bruce Weitz	Senate Majority Leader	Guest Star
Paul Provenza	Steve Onorato	Guest Star
Kathleen York	Andrea Wyatt	Recurring Role
Kathryn Joosten	Delores Landingham	Recurring Role
Nicole Robinson	Margaret	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (7)
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- Josh: ( answering the phone ) Hi, Senator. Why don't you take your legislative agenda and shove it up your ass? ( Hangs up. )
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- Andrea: Toby, are you upset that I went out on a date, or are you upset that I went out on a date with someone who plays in the same division as the Yankees.
  Toby: Honest to God, I'm not sure.
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- Toby: We need hispanics. You know what state has a large population of hispanics?
  Josh: Uh, I want to say Maine, but, uh...
  Toby: California.
  Josh: California. Damn, and I was only off by a continent.
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- Reporter: Is the President declaring war on Congress?
  C.J.: The president isn't empowered to declare war. I call it more of a police action.
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- Bartlet: Let me tell you what I would like to have happen right now.
  Josh (arriving): Good evening, Mr. President.
  Bartlet: Josh walking in the door wasn't even close.
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- Sam: Is that what you meant when you said, "You're completely in charge on this?"
  Toby: Yes, I meant you're in charge, in the sense that you're subordinate to me in every way.
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- Steve: My boss is ready to set the building on fire.
  Sam: Then your boss will be arrested, as I'm quite sure that's against the law.
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NOTES (2)
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- Awards and Nominations:
  Commendation for the 2001 Prism Awards for TV Prime Time Drama Series Episode
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- Kathleen York starts her recurring role as Toby Ziegler's ex-wife, Congresswoman Andrea Wyatt.
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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- Sam:He... are you saying, he... he tried to practice on my...
  Toby:...credulous simplicity?
  
  This is a quote from Act 2 of Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance", which becomes a subject of debate between Lionel Tribbey and Ainsley Heyes in Season 2.
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