The West Wing: A Proportional Response
Episode score
9.1
Superb
A Proportional Response
- 3.
- Season: 1
- Episode: 3
- First Aired: 10/6/1999
- Prod Code: 225902
- Debbie, played by Lily Tomlin, who later becomes a regular cast member is referred to in this episode as "Miss DiLaguardia." edit »
- Bartlet: Did you know that two thousand years ago a Roman citizen could walk across the face of the known world free of the fear of molestation? He could walk across the earth unharmed, cloaked only in the words ‘Civis Romanis’ I am a Roman citizen. So great was the retribution of Rome, universally understood as certain, should any harm befall even one of its citizens. Where was Morris’ protection, or anyone else on that plane? Where is the retribution for the families and where is the warning to the rest of the world that Americans shall walk this earth unharmed, lest the clenched fist of the most mighty military force in the history of mankind comes crashing down on your house!? In other words, Leo, what the hell are we doing here? edit »
- Josh: I’m like a writer on a movie set.
Donna: Have you ever been on a movie set?
Josh: No, but I hear stories. edit » - Josh: I really think I’m the best judge of what I mean, you paranoid Berkeley shiksa feminista! Whoa. That was way too far.
C.J: No, no. Well, I’ve got a staff meeting to go to and so do you, you elitist, Harvard fascist missed-the-Dean’s-list-two-semesters-in-a-row Yankee jackass!
Josh: Feel better getting that off your chest there, C.J.?
C.J.: I’m a whole new woman. edit » - Donna: Is it possible that there’s a situation involving Sam, a woman, and C.J. being denied information about something?
Josh: (realizes what CJ wants with him) Ok. Here’s what I’m gonna do.
Donna: Hide in your office?
Josh: No. I’m not gonna hide in my office. I’m gonna go into my office and devise a strategy. That is what I do. I’m a professional. I’m not a little boy. Donna: Hmm. That’s the spirit.
Josh: But if she calls, I’m at the dentist. I’ll be back in an hour.
Donna: (smirks) Got it.
(Josh walks into his office and C.J. is already there)
C.J.: (very upset) Wow, are you stupid! edit » - Toby: Ordinarily we get help from inside Syrian intelligence.
Bartlet: So what's the problem?
Toby: We just blew up Syrian intelligence.
Bartlet: Oh, for God's sake. Somebody get on the phone to CNN and find out if we hit anything. edit » - Josh: What's the good of being in power if you're not going to haul your enemies in for questioning? edit »
- Jed: There's a delegation of cardiologists having their pictures taken in the Blue Room. You wouldn't think you could find a group of people more arrogant than the fifteen of us, but there they are, right upstairs in the Blue Room. edit »
- C.J.: Admiral Fitzwallace is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Leo McGarry is White House Chief of Staff, I'm your host, C.J.. Let's play our game. edit »
- Dulé Hill joins the cast as Charlie Young edit »
- This is the second script in which Aaron Sorkin has had a United States President ask "What is the virtue of a proportional response?". In "The American President" (which also starred Martin Sheen), Michael Douglas as President Andrew Shepherd says the same line as Martin Sheen does in this episode as President Josiah Bartlet. edit »
Show Score
9.0
superb
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