30 Best West Wing Episodes Ranked

There are some shows that just stick with you. "The West Wing," which concluded its seventh and final season over 15 years ago, is one of those shows. One of the most beloved network programs of all time, "The West Wing" features so many iconic moments that it's hard to know where to start. Remember when Bartlet yelled at God in Latin in an empty cathedral? Or when he took down a homophobic radio host by quoting the bible at her? Remember when C.J.'s office was filled with turkeys? Or when Donna made Josh change into a pair of waders because he hadn't showered in days?

If we really took the time to sit here and write down every great moment on "The West Wing," this article would be the length of a novel. Since we're not in the business of book-writing, we've decided to truncate this list into something a bit more easily digestible. Though "The West Wing" is full of great moments and rousing speeches that can stand on their own, we're going to focus on individual episodes based on the highest ratings according to IMDb. So, without further ado, here are the 30 best "The West Wing" episodes.

Prior to leaving the show in Season 4 due to a supposed pay dispute, Rob Lowe played Sam Seaborn, one of the central characters on "The West Wing." One episode in Season 2 is especially Sam-centric, and unsurprisingly, it's one of Lowe's favorite episodes of the show. "Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail" follows Sam as he tries to get a pardon for his friend's grandfather, who was accused of being a communist spy decades earlier. In order to achieve this goal, Sam must face down some pretty powerful people, including but not limited to the NSA Director Nancy McNally (Anna Deavere Smith).

Speaking with Empire, Lowe notes that this is one of his favorites not only because he got nominated for an Emmy for this episode, but also because of the structure of the episode itself. As Lowe puts it, it's a "free-standing episode that was hermetically sealed in terms of its narrative," a type of episode that for him was "the highlight of doing the show."

Midway through the second season of "The West Wing," "Bad Moon Rising" depicts a typically busy day in the White House. Bartlet speaks with the White House Counsel (played by Oliver Platt) about the potential fallout that might come from the concealment of his pre-election diagnosis of MS. Toby and C.J. discover that there is a leak within the White House and interview the staffers to find out who it is. Meanwhile, Josh and Donna argue about (what else?) the collapse of the Mexican economy.

Like most episodes of "The West Wing" — apart from the rare bottle episode — "Bad Moon Rising" is customarily fast-paced (both literally and figuratively: "West Wing" characters tend to walk and talk at extreme speeds). It's probably not many people's number one favorite episode, but even when "The West Wing" is just competent, it's still very good, all things considered.

"Mr. Willis of Ohio" is one of those rare "West Wing" episodes that takes a look at how those outside the White House are affected by governmental policy. Much of this episode focuses on the census, as Toby and Mandy (Moira Kelly) meet with several congressmen to discuss proposed changes. Two of the representatives — lifelong politicians — refused to be swayed, but one, Mr. Willis of Ohio (temporarily filling the position of his late wife), actually listens to Toby and Mandy's argument.

Elsewhere, C.J. must swallow her pride and admit to Sam that she doesn't understand the finer points of the census, giving the show the perfect opportunity to explain it to the audience. It's a solid episode, and its decision to focus on a school teacher — the titular Mr. Willis — is a welcome reminder that not everyone is as wrapped up in the goings-on of the White House as our main characters are.

"Take This Sabbath Day" is an important episode of "The West Wing" because it's the one where we first get to meet pollster Joey Lucas, played by the brilliant Marlee Matlin. The moment where Josh first crosses paths with Joey is a funny one, and it's one of Bradley Whitford's favorites. He's not slept or left the office in some time, and he's wearing a pair of yellow waders Donna has made him put on. When Joey barges in full of righteous indignation, Josh has no idea what's going on.

Much of the episode focuses on the moral question of the death penalty. Bartlet has 48 hours to decide whether or not to commute the sentence of a man on death row. Unsure of what decision to make, he seeks the counsel of his childhood priest (Karl Malden). Meanwhile, Toby feels conflicted about the issue when his rabbi (David Proval) gives a sermon on capital punishment. Yet another "West Wing" episode where timing is everything and decisions are made right down to the wire, this episode's focus on morality is incredibly compelling. Moreover, the addition of the unstoppable Joey Lucas adds fire and humor to what is otherwise an intensely serious episode.

Season 2, Episode 7 of "The West Wing," entitled "The Stackhouse Filibuster," is kind of a silly episode. But so is the idea of a filibuster, so it makes sense, really. The episode begins with the White House staff impatiently waiting for an elderly senator (George Coe) to yield the floor. The senator is staging a filibuster in order to delay the vote on Bartlet's Family Wellness Act.

Meanwhile, C.J. is desperately trying to find a ceramic statue given to Bartlet by a Middle Eastern monarch who expects to see it displayed during his visit, while Josh struggles to finish his work so that he can visit the New York Mets training camp in Florida. While this episode very well could have been pure filler — much like the function of a filibuster itself — instead it's an amusing journey through the sometimes absurd world of the White House. Alison Janney — undoubtedly the funniest person in the cast — always knocks it out of the park with the more outlandish C.J. scenes, and this episode is no exception.

In the second installment of the two-part Season 4 opener, Toby, Josh, and Donna are still trapped in Indiana and trying to make their way back to D.C. In the meantime, Bartlet is met with a host of problems when he returns to the White House. There has been a domestic terrorist attack resulting in the deaths of several college students, and the President has been accused of being involved in the assassination of a foreign leader. While the sequences in Indiana are full of humor and hijinks, the mood at the West Wing is much more somber.

The second part of the season opener also features two different Bartlet speeches, both of which are incredibly moving. It's a reminder that along with being masterful at mapping out plots and characters, Sorkin is, at his heart, a wordsmith. The first speech, where Bartlet proclaims that "this is a time for American heroes," could move even the staunchest skeptic, and the second, where he speaks of how "joy cometh in the morning" is similarly touching. It's a stirring example of what the show does best.

"18th and Potomac" depicts a very stressful day inside the White House. The Bartlet administration has decided to reveal his MS diagnosis to the world, despite the fact that polling indicates that this announcement will lead to political disaster. Oliver Platt is featured in this episode as the White House Counsel, untangling the legal ramifications of their decision. During this crisis, Bartlet must also decide whether or not to grant the Haitian President sanctuary after his people have turned against him. Along the way, Josh hits a roadblock as he tries to continue the Justice Department's case against Big Tobacco. And as though all of that weren't enough, the episode ends with a devastating shock, when Mrs. Landingham (Kathryn Joosten) is killed by a drunk driver.

"18th and Potomac" is a very tense, serious episode that comes near the end of Season 2. While the episode that follows is more immediately iconic, the penultimate episode of the season perfectly sets up what's to come. Before catharsis, there is stress and trauma, and that's exactly what this episode depicts.

"Game On" depicts something everyone likes to watch: a good, old-fashioned debate. Though not as bold and innovative as "The Debate," "Game On" features some great writing from Sorkin and a lot of intriguing interpersonal drama for the staffers. The episode follows the last debate of Bartlet's career, as he squares off against Republican candidate Robert Ritchie (James Brolin). Rather than steer clear of his supposed elitism, Bartlet leans into this image, using his rhetorical skill to take down his opponent. 

He gives another famous speech in this episode, this one about his refusal to comply with the "ten-word answer" format of politics. The episode also features a great moment when Abbey (Stockard Channing) cuts Bartlet's tie in half right before he walks on stage, forcing him to borrow Sam's tie and giving him a much-needed burst of adrenaline. Debate scenes are always fun, as are moments where we get to see Bartlet using his considerable charm and intelligence to take down his critics, and this episode gives us a good dose of both.

"Commencement" takes place on the day of Zoey's graduation from Georgetown. Bartlet is due to give the speech at the commencement ceremony, but wants to change it at the last minute. On the day of graduation, Bartlet informs his staff that he ordered Qumari Defense Minister Abdul Shareef to be killed the previous year, and now a group of Qumari terrorists are suspected to be in the U.S. to exact their revenge.

After graduation, Charlie (Dulé Hill) and Zoey reunite, even though Zoey is about to leave for France with her boyfriend, Jean-Paul. But then the episode has a shocking twist. Zoey begins to feel ill and asks Jean-Paul if he drugged her drink. She heads to the bathroom, and when her secret service agents (led by Taye Diggs) go looking for her, she's gone. The episode ends on a riveting cliffhanger, with Leo running through the halls of the White House to inform Bartlet about his daughter's kidnapping. It's a great setup for what will be an even more thrilling season finale.

With the death of beloved character Leo McGarry (and cast member John Spencer), "Election Day: Part II" is a necessarily bittersweet episode. After finally consummating their relationship in the previous episode, Donna and Josh are given some terrible news: Leo has died on the day of the election. Josh is devastated, as are the rest of the senior staff. Despite the fact that he is no longer has a vice presidential candidate, Santos continues getting votes, eventually winning the election. Although it's exciting that Josh has just won an election, the moment is dampened by the fact that he has just lost a close friend and mentor.

The episodes following Leo's death are especially devastating considering that John Spencer died in real life. The episode perfectly encapsulates the somewhat melancholy nature of this election day, emphasizing the characters' relationships with one other more than the political events of the day. The reason Season 7 has more episodes on this list than Season 6 is for exactly this reason — it deals with the impending change of administration with sadness, humor, and poignancy.

The next episode on this list is also a Christmas episode, this time from Season 1. "In Excelsis Deo" is a perfect example of what "The West Wing" is about at its core: people who care deeply just trying to do their best. Though political drama can often feel cold or callous, the best episodes of "The West Wing" focus on the humanity of its characters first and foremost.

This episode focuses on the generally stoic Toby, who is devastated to hear about the death of a homeless veteran who happened to be wearing his coat. Incensed by how this man was treated, Toby goes out of his way to give him a proper military funeral, paying for it out of his own pocket. When Bartlet chastises him for giving special treatment, saying "If we pull strings like this, you don't think every homeless veteran will come out of the woodwork?" Toby replies, "I can only hope."

Meanwhile, C.J. has an emotional day of her own, as she is confronted with the murder of a gay teenager which she then connects to the upcoming hate crime legislation. A heart-wrenching episode like this could very easily have been cheesy or overwrought, but the writing is so tight and the performances so touching that it never feels that way at all. In fact, this episode earns Sorkin his first writing Emmy for the series, and Richard Schiff his first acting Emmy for Season 1.

Another thrilling cliffhanger of a season finale, "What Kind of Day Has It Been" starts off on a hectic note and never slows down. When a stealth fighter is shot down over Iraq, Bartlet must send a secret military rescue. At the same time, Toby is worried about his brother, who is trapped on a space shuttle orbiting the earth. C.J. has to deal with the fallout from her misleading statement about the rescue mission, and the rest of the staff prepares for a town hall taking place that evening.

If there's one thing that brings renewed attention to a show, it's a cliffhanger, and this one delivers. Not only is it guaranteed to garner conversation, it gives audiences a renewed reason to tune in for the next season. After the town hall, Bartlet leaves the building and suddenly, shots ring out. Someone yells out "Who's been hit? Who's been hit?", and then the episode ends there. It's a thrilling conclusion to the season that sets up the excellent two-part Season 2 premiere.

The very last Sorkin episode of "The West Wing," "Twenty Five" is a fitting way for the show's creator to go out. After Zoey was kidnapped at the end of the previous episode, President Bartlet is obviously in shock. Zoey's kidnapping leads to a military crisis that ends with the President deploying the Fifth Fleet to the Gulf Coast.

Following Zoey's kidnapping, the White House is in disarray and emotions run high. Bartlet begins to question whether or not he can be the President and a father at the same time, and comes to the conclusion that he cannot. He decides to invoke the 25th amendment, temporarily stepping down from the presidency. Since his vice president had just resigned in the previous episode, the position then goes to the Republican Speaker of the House, Glen Allen Walken, played by John Goodman. In a chilling line near the end of the episode, Walken tells Bartlet "you're relieved, Mr. President," and is sworn in himself.

It's an apt end for Sorkin's tenure on the series, as it also feels like Sorkin is being relieved of his duties in this moment. Of course, Bartlet returns to the presidency, but Sorkin never did, making this episode the last classic episode of "The West Wing," at least according to purists.

The highest-rated Christmas episode in "West Wing" history, "Noël" comes in the middle of Season 2. Like Season 3's Christmas episode, "Bartlet for America," this one focuses primarily on one character. This time it's Josh, who has returned to work after the shooting but is struggling to adjust to life after his near-death experience. Leo kindly but firmly orders Josh to go to a doctor who specializes in working with trauma victims.

While Bradley Whitford is often known for his comedic work on the show, this episode really gives him a chance to shine as a dramatic actor. (In fact, he won an Emmy for best supporting actor during this season.) The entire episode takes place in the doctor's office, with Josh recounting his increasingly erratic behavior since the shooting. It's revealed that Josh yelled at the President in the Oval Office and later punched his hand through the window of his apartment the night of the Christmas party. The doctor diagnoses Josh with PTSD, as Leo waits for Josh outside the door. It's an important reminder that mental injuries are just as painful as physical ones, and it's fantastic to see Josh reckon with what he's experienced rather than have it swept under the rug.

If you're a fan of "The West Wing," this selection probably won't be surprising to you. While it may seem like an obvious choice at this point, there's no getting around it: "Two Cathedrals" is one of the best television episodes of all time.

The episode deals with the aftermath of Mrs. Landingham's death. We see how Bartlet and Mrs. Landingham first met, when she was a secretary for Bartlet's father, an imposing private school headmaster. We're given insight into all the ways Mrs. Landingham has shaped Bartlet into the man he is today, and what an important figure she is to him. We also see a flashback of Bartlet standing up to his father for the first time, a moment that would come to define him as a person and shape his beliefs as a Catholic.

Of course, the most memorable moment in the episode comes in the third act, when Bartlet is left alone in a cavernous cathedral following Mrs. Landingham's funeral. Reeling from her death and feeling guilty for concealing his MS, Bartlet yells at God in both English and Latin. It's probably the greatest speech Bartlet ever gives — and no one's there to hear it. It's Martin Sheen's favorite episode in the entire series, and for good reason. It's a stunning treatise on faith, love, and loss, and, in a beautiful tribute to Mrs. Landingham, it ends with Bartlet finally deciding to run for a second term.