Access (The West Wing)
Encyclopedia
Plot
Producing a program on past and present White House press secretaries, a television documentary crew follows C.J. around to film a "typical" day. But the presence of outsiders adds stress when a crisis involving a terrorist shootout with the FBI has a smiling C.J. trying to keep the story a secret. Meanwhile, C.J. supervises her team in preparation for a formal papal visit with Bartlet and dodges difficult questions about the imminent future of the current FBI director.The show concludes with a statement, seemingly made after the conclusion of Bartlet's presidency, that C.J. Cregg is the only female White House Press Secretary to have served two terms. However, since the commentary did not say C.J. had served two full terms, it may not be considered a Retroactive continuity. The "documentary" was withheld being aired during Bartlet's second term due to "national security" reasons and could only be shown after they left office.
The hostage situation at Shaw Island
Shaw Island
Shaw Island is the smallest of the four San Juan Islands served by the Washington State Ferries. The island has a land area of 19.952 km² and a small year-round population of 240 , with only a slight increase during tourist season. The Wilkes Expedition, in 1841, named the island after John Shaw,...
was the second such situation on the show; the first was in "The State Dinner
The State Dinner
"The State Dinner" is the 7th episode of The West Wing. It is the first time that First Lady Abigail Bartlet appears.-Plot:...
", in McClane, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. Interestingly, the episode cites a third hostage crisis at Casey Creek during Bartlet's first term.
Reception
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
called the episode "memorable" and described the episode as a "Frontline-type 'day-in-the-life' documentary". They said it was one of Allison Janney
Allison Janney
Allison Brooks Janney is an American actress, best known for her role as C.J. Cregg on the television series The West Wing.- Personal life :...
's (who plays C. J. Cregg) "showcase hours", with Janney winning the only Primetime Emmy Award
Primetime Emmy Award
The Primetime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American primetime television programming...
of the season for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.