You're listening to The West Wing Weekly. I'm Rishi Keish here, way.

And I'm Joshua Molina.

Today we're talking about Tuket Theedrals. It's the season finale of season two of The West Wing.

It's a doozy. And it was written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Thomas Schlamey.

And it first aired on May 16th in the year 2001.

And it's such a doozy that we're going to spend the next two episodes of the podcast talking about it.

We're throwing a double dose at you. That's right.

Here is the synopsis from TV Guide.

As it happens, a tropical storm is bearing down on Washington.

On the day the president is to disclose that he has MS and has been lying about it for eight years.

Bartlett himself is distracted, but the staffers are, as usual, all business as they deal with congressional Democrats, party officials, and network execs.

They also must fashion two responses to the question that is to be asked first at his prime time press conference.

Will Bartlett seek re-election?

Ta-da-da-da. Joining us for this episode is Lauren Soudonnell, writer and producer of The West Wing.

And in this episode, he is an actor as well.

But first we're going to speak to author Mary Graham.

I spoke to her about her book, President Secrets, which is obviously relevant to this episode.

Before we get into all of that, I did want to point out one thing that I loved about this episode.

So minor things, not enough to more discussion within a real recap.

But there's a part where Lauren Soudonnell, as the president's father and the flashback,

he introduces Mrs. Landingham to the young Bartlett.

I want you to meet someone. She's going to be taking over in my office for Mrs. Tillingham.

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