Talking Points (The West Wing)
Encyclopedia
"Talking Points" is episode 107 of The West Wing
. This episode was directed by Richard Schiff
.
ruling allowing multimedia companies increased ownership of TV stations and takes extreme actions to demonstrate her outrage, while she has mixed feelings in balancing a love life with work. Meanwhile, the administration tries to downplay job-loss statistics, and Donna asks Josh for more job responsibility and a chance to travel abroad. Josh gets a surprise lesson in loyalty and cynical politics from intern Ryan Pierce
, when the latter leaves the White House to work for a congressman. At the end of the episode, Josh surprises Donna with a diplomatic passport. She will be sent as the only member of the White House Staff on a Congressional Delegation to the Middle East
, led by retired Admiral Fitzwallace and Toby's ex-wife, Congresswoman Wyatt.
Josh finds the courage to face the angry workers, empathetically telling them that, while he cannot save their jobs or undo globalization, he will do what he can to help workers in their situation move on. In the midst of it all, Bartlet meets Kate Harper, the brash new Deputy National Security Advisor
. Harper makes a fast impression on the Oval Office. She awkwardly points out the lapses in Debbie Fiderer
's security protocols but begins a firm and honest dynamic with the President.
first appearance as Kate Harper. Credited here as a guest star, she does not appear in the opening montage until episode 111
.
In this episode, CJ Cregg is vocal in her criticism of media purchases by the Comcast
Corporation. Ironically, as of December 2009, Comcast announced its intention to purchase a majority share of NBC Universal
. The West Wing aired on NBC
in the United States.
The West Wing (TV series)
The West Wing is an American television serial drama created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999 to May 14, 2006...
. This episode was directed by Richard Schiff
Richard Schiff
Richard Schiff is an American actor. He is best known for playing Toby Ziegler on the NBC television drama The West Wing, a role for which he received an Emmy Award...
.
Plot
On the eve of the President's controversial trade summit in Brussels, Josh is dismayed to learn that Bartlet will have his position on outsourcing undermined by one company's sending of 17,000 white-collar jobs to India. Some of the affected workers arrive in the West Wing to confront the administration on the politics of outsourcing and free trade. C.J. is frustrated with a new Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
ruling allowing multimedia companies increased ownership of TV stations and takes extreme actions to demonstrate her outrage, while she has mixed feelings in balancing a love life with work. Meanwhile, the administration tries to downplay job-loss statistics, and Donna asks Josh for more job responsibility and a chance to travel abroad. Josh gets a surprise lesson in loyalty and cynical politics from intern Ryan Pierce
Ryan Pierce
Ryan Pierce is a fictional character from Season 5 of the television drama The West Wing. Portrayed by Jesse Bradford. Ryan appears in nine episodes as Josh Lyman's wisecracking intern....
, when the latter leaves the White House to work for a congressman. At the end of the episode, Josh surprises Donna with a diplomatic passport. She will be sent as the only member of the White House Staff on a Congressional Delegation to the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, led by retired Admiral Fitzwallace and Toby's ex-wife, Congresswoman Wyatt.
Josh finds the courage to face the angry workers, empathetically telling them that, while he cannot save their jobs or undo globalization, he will do what he can to help workers in their situation move on. In the midst of it all, Bartlet meets Kate Harper, the brash new Deputy National Security Advisor
Deputy National Security Advisor
The Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor is a member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, serving as deputy to the President's National Security Advisor....
. Harper makes a fast impression on the Oval Office. She awkwardly points out the lapses in Debbie Fiderer
Deborah Fiderer
Deborah Fiderer is a character in the NBC television series The West Wing. She is Executive Assistant to the President, and is portrayed by noted actor and comedienne Lily Tomlin. The character first appeared during the program's third season and remained until its finale.After the death of...
's security protocols but begins a firm and honest dynamic with the President.
Note
This is Mary McCormack'sMary McCormack
Mary Catherine McCormack is an American actress. Best known for her work in television, she has had leading roles as Justine Appleton in the series Murder One , as Deputy National Security Adviser Kate Harper in The West Wing and as Mary Shannon in In Plain Sight .Her film roles include Private...
first appearance as Kate Harper. Credited here as a guest star, she does not appear in the opening montage until episode 111
NSF Thurmont (The West Wing)
-Plot:The start of the episode shows a military honor guard carrying a coffin containing the body of Admiral Fitzwallace.The world watches the aftermath of the Gaza attack on U.S. officials. The President learns that 82% of the American people, almost all of Congress, Vice President Bob Russell,...
.
In this episode, CJ Cregg is vocal in her criticism of media purchases by the Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
Corporation. Ironically, as of December 2009, Comcast announced its intention to purchase a majority share of NBC Universal
NBC Universal
NBCUniversal Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company engaged in the production and marketing of entertainment, news, and information products and services to a global customer base...
. The West Wing aired on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
in the United States.