The West Wing:

The West Wing: The Crackpots and These Women

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The staffers spend the day dealing with private organizations, aka the crackpots. Throughout the day, Sam deals with a UFO nut, CJ gets a proposal to build a wolves-only road, Toby and Bartlet clash over everything, and Josh is overwhelmed by guilt regarding his sister's death. Read full recap »

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Writers:: Aaron Sorkin

Director:: Anthony Drazan

Stars:: Martin Sheen (President Jed Bartlet); Dul� 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); John Spencer (Leo McGarry); Bradley Whitford (Josh Lyman)

Recurring Role:: Kathryn Joosten (Delores Landingham); Nicole Robinson (Margaret); Melissa Fitzgerald (Carol Fitzpatrick); Elisabeth Moss (Zoey Bartlet); Suzy Nakamura (Kathy); Renee Estevez (Nancy); Janel Moloney (Donna Moss)

Guest Star:: Rachel Singer (Marge); Juwan Howard (Mr. "Rodney Grant" Collins); Michele Marsh (Economist); David M. Fabrizio (Jonathan Lacey); Nicholas Cascone (Loomis); Nick Offerman (Jerry); Sam Lloyd (Bob Engler); Guy Boyd (Stanley Maxwell)

In this episode, C.J mentions that Pluie the wolf might eat her cat. However, in the episode Dead Irish Writers in Season Three, she mentions she doesn't have a cat. edit »
This is the first time we hear the theme music that is used for the rest of the series. Up until this episode, it was similar but not the same one. edit »
This is the first time we see Zoey Bartlet. edit »

This episode, in conjuction with several others, won the 2000 Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. edit »
Music: The music that Josh listens to is the "Ave Maria" composed by Franz Schubert and performed by Marian Anderson. edit »
This episode is where we first hear about Josh's sister and how she died. edit »

Leo: Andrew Jackson, in the main foyer of his White House had a big block of cheese.
Toby: Hmmm.
Leo: I am making a mental list of those who are snickering, and even as I speak I�m preparing appropriate retribution. The block of cheese was huge--over two tons. And it was there for any and all who might be hungry.
Toby: Leo, wouldn�t this time be better spent plotting a war against a country that can�t possibly defend itself against us?
Leo: We can do that later, Toby. Right now I�m talking about President Andrew Jackson.
Sam: Actually, right now, you�re talking about a big block of cheese.
Leo: And Sam goes on my list!
Sam: What about Toby?
Leo: I�m unpredictable. Jackson wanted the White House to belong to the people, so from time to time, he opened his doors to those who wished an audience.
Mandy: And then he locked the doors behind them and made them eat two tons of cheese.
Leo: It is in that spirit...
Sam: Hang on. Mandy doesn�t go on the list?
Leo: Mandy�s new.
Sam: So it�s just me... on the list?
Leo: Yes. It is in the spirit of Andrew Jackson that I, from time to time, ask senior staff to have face-to-face meetings with those people representing organizations who have a difficult time getting our attention. I know the more jaded among you, see this as something rather beneath you. But I assure you that listening to the voices of passionate Americans is beneath no one, and surely not the peoples� servants.
Josh: [walks in with C.J.] Sorry, we�re late. Is it �Total Crackpot Day� again?
Leo: Yes, it is.
Sam: And let us please note that Josh does not go on the list. edit »
Josh: I serve at the pleasure of the President, and it�s a great privilege that I will never forget. I can�t keep this. I think it�s a white flag of surrender. I want to be a comfort to my friends in tragedy. And I want to be able to celebrate with them in triumph. And for all the times in between, I just want to be able to look them in the eye. Leo, it�s not for me. I want to be with my friends, my family, and... these women. edit »
Donna: And you don't find that adorable?
Josh: That you seek to control me?
Donna: Yeah.
Josh: Love it.
edit »
Cathy:(walks up with mouth full) You know that doughnut sitting on your desk?
Sam: You ate it.
Cathy: That was predictable, wasn�t it?
edit »
Toby: It�s �Throw Open Our Office Doors To People Who Want To Discuss Things That We Could Care Less About... Day�

edit »

Leo: Andrew Jackson, in the main foyer of his White House had a big block of cheese.

This story is true. Andrew Jackson received a 1,400-pound block of cheese from a New York dairy farmer. It remained in the Entrance Hall to the White House for two years to age, and, in 1837, Jackson invited the public to come in and eat it. It was gone within two hours. edit »

10
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CTUBauer24
member since: Jan 5, 2007
The Crackpots and These Women
The Bottom Line: "Above average"
Review ...Continue »
09/09/08 07:06pm | report abuse
9.5
00
JoshSeaborn
member since: Mar 19, 2008
The Crackpots and These Women
The Bottom Line: "Series classic"
I love Leo and his block of cheese days. Alll the staffers have to spend their day with these loony people with their looney ideas, but they always seem to end up becoming interested and they get you interested as well. ...Continue »
03/18/08 11:11pm | report abuse
8.9
00
Parricida
member since: May 9, 2007
The Crackpots and These Women
The Bottom Line: "Character development"
Leo's cheese days ...Continue »
11/12/07 11:29pm | report abuse
9.4
00
amfarley84
member since: Jan 20, 2006
The Crackpots and These Women
The Bottom Line: "Exciting"
A big block of cheese day. ...Continue »
05/12/07 10:12pm | report abuse
9.3
10
Andrea28
member since: Jul 18, 2005
The Crackpots and These Women
The Bottom Line: "Character development"
When Josh is given a card as to where to go in nucleur attack, he breaksdown in grief as he recalls the death of sister. Meanwhile the staff is in the midst of a Big Block of Cheese days where insignificant interest groups get the ear of the staff. ...Continue »
10/08/05 07:56pm | report abuse