The West Wing: Season 02  (2000)

Theatrical Release Information:
The West Wing: Season 02

Season one of The West Wing ended with a violent cliffhanger, as President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and his staff were apparently targeted for assassination. As season two begins, it is revealed that the intended bull's-eye of the attack was actually Bartlet's young African-American aide, Charlie Young (Dule Hill), who had raised the hackles of white supremacists for getting "too friendly" with the president's daughter Zoey (Elizabeth Moss). There is a bit of suspense in the first couple of episodes, inasmuch as the full extent of injuries to Bartlet and his deputy chief of staff, Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), are not immediately revealed to the public. This potentially tragic occasion permits the series' writers to pause for a few moments and flash back to the early days of Bartlet's presidential campaign, thereby explaining how such loyal aides as Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), and C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney) hopped on the Bartlet bandwagon. Janel Moloney, as Josh's assistant Donna Moss, is moved up to regular status this season, while Emily Procter joins the cast as White House clerk Ainsley Hayes, who as a devout Republican is at first cold-shouldered by everyone on the Bartlet staff except Leo, who is in awe of her photographic memory and organizational skills. Major season-two plot developments include President Bartlet's revelation to those within his private circle that he has multiple sclerosis, which may scotch his bid for a second term; the kidnapping of five DEA agents in South America, and the disastrous consequences of a rescue attempt; the efforts by the administration to push through a "Family Wellness" bill; a fomenting political crisis in Haiti; and a highly controversial governmental lawsuit against all of big tobacco. The season concludes with a profound personal tragedy for Bartlet involving his loyal secretary Delores (Kathryn Joosten), which leads to a crisis of faith and a momentous decision. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide