Institutional Memory
Encyclopedia
"Insititutional Memory" is episode 153 of The West Wing
, the penultimate episode of the series.
is offered two jobs she is interested in – one to manage $10 billion for a computer billionaire's philanthropic foundation and one as a high-ranking counselor for the first 2 years of the incoming Santos administration. C.J.'s relationship with Danny
is suffering because he feels she is not taking it seriously. Andi Wyatt goes to C.J. and all but begs her to give Toby
consideration for a pardon. C.J. then visits Toby for the first time since his dismissal and considers whether she should urge President Bartlet
to pardon him before leaving office.
Will Bailey
is offered a job as Executive Director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
(DCCC) but finds himself becoming interested in one apparently unwinnable Congressional seat in Oregon, where the longtime incumbent is a mediocre Republican who has frightened away any serious opposition. He consoles Kate Harper when she reveals that President Santos named someone else to the National Security Advisor position she'd been interested in. Kate listens to Will discuss the Oregon race and then tells him he should run for the seat himself (the series finale, as well as the flash-forward opening sequence in "The Ticket", leave the Will-Kate couple question unresolved, though since Will is a congressman in the flash-forward and Kate is insistent in this episode that she won't move to Oregon it is likely they break up).
A primary part of the storyline here involves CJ Cregg's difficulty in letting go of her role, as she harangues staffers about Bartlet's last budget (it includes huge tax increases that Santos can then pare down and save billions while looking reasonable) and bugs Will to provide his notes for his successor as White House Press Secretary. She keeps telling Danny "I have a busy day." when it clearly isn't true. Margaret tells her she has time, but CJ can't seem to take it in. Eventually Danny tells her "You're not the busiest girl in America any more" and says she isn't even trying to have a relationship with him, and she finally realises she may lose him along with her future plans. In the end, she says she wants to work for the philanthropic organization, which will focus on improving infrastructure in Africa, and agrees to also work on her relationship with Danny.
There is a mention of the typo in the United States Constitution in this episode. Toby Ziegler
says that he has discovered a comma
which is present in some versions of the Takings Clause
and absent in others. He traced this difference to a mark on the original document
which could be either a comma or a smudge. He says that this comma could change the meaning of the clause in an unspecified way.
This episode marks the last appearances of Toby Ziegler, Danny Concannon and Andrea Wyatt.
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...
, the penultimate episode of the series.
Plot
The episode is set two weeks before the inauguration and the Bartlet administration staff is preparing to leave the White House. Most are seeking jobs in the Santos administration or elsewhere. C.J.C. J. Cregg
Claudia Jean "C. J." Cregg is a fictional character played by Allison Janney on the television serial drama The West Wing. From the beginning of the series until the sixth season, she is White House Press Secretary in the administration of President Josiah Bartlet...
is offered two jobs she is interested in – one to manage $10 billion for a computer billionaire's philanthropic foundation and one as a high-ranking counselor for the first 2 years of the incoming Santos administration. C.J.'s relationship with Danny
Danny Concannon
Daniel "Danny" Concannon is a fictional White House correspondent for the Washington Post played by Timothy Busfield on the television serial drama The West Wing. Danny first appeared in the third episode of Season 1, "A Proportional Response," where he mentioned that he had been a White House...
is suffering because he feels she is not taking it seriously. Andi Wyatt goes to C.J. and all but begs her to give Toby
Toby Ziegler
Tobias Zachary 'Toby' Ziegler is played by Richard Schiff on the television serial drama The West Wing. For most of the series' duration he is White House Communications Director.-Creation and development:...
consideration for a pardon. C.J. then visits Toby for the first time since his dismissal and considers whether she should urge President Bartlet
Josiah Bartlet
Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet is a fictional character played by Martin Sheen on the television serial drama The West Wing. He is President of the United States for the entire series until the last episode, when his successor is inaugurated...
to pardon him before leaving office.
Will Bailey
Will Bailey
William "Will" Bailey, is a fictional character played by Joshua Malina on the television serial drama The West Wing, holding various posts in the White House Office of Communications, Office of the Vice President and a backbencher Congressman .-Character biography:Will grew up in Belgium, as his...
is offered a job as Executive Director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States House of Representatives, working to elect Democrats to that body. They play a critical role in recruiting candidates, raising funds, and organizing races in districts that are expected to yield...
(DCCC) but finds himself becoming interested in one apparently unwinnable Congressional seat in Oregon, where the longtime incumbent is a mediocre Republican who has frightened away any serious opposition. He consoles Kate Harper when she reveals that President Santos named someone else to the National Security Advisor position she'd been interested in. Kate listens to Will discuss the Oregon race and then tells him he should run for the seat himself (the series finale, as well as the flash-forward opening sequence in "The Ticket", leave the Will-Kate couple question unresolved, though since Will is a congressman in the flash-forward and Kate is insistent in this episode that she won't move to Oregon it is likely they break up).
A primary part of the storyline here involves CJ Cregg's difficulty in letting go of her role, as she harangues staffers about Bartlet's last budget (it includes huge tax increases that Santos can then pare down and save billions while looking reasonable) and bugs Will to provide his notes for his successor as White House Press Secretary. She keeps telling Danny "I have a busy day." when it clearly isn't true. Margaret tells her she has time, but CJ can't seem to take it in. Eventually Danny tells her "You're not the busiest girl in America any more" and says she isn't even trying to have a relationship with him, and she finally realises she may lose him along with her future plans. In the end, she says she wants to work for the philanthropic organization, which will focus on improving infrastructure in Africa, and agrees to also work on her relationship with Danny.
There is a mention of the typo in the United States Constitution in this episode. Toby Ziegler
Toby Ziegler
Tobias Zachary 'Toby' Ziegler is played by Richard Schiff on the television serial drama The West Wing. For most of the series' duration he is White House Communications Director.-Creation and development:...
says that he has discovered a comma
Comma
A comma is a type of punctuation mark . The word comes from the Greek komma , which means something cut off or a short clause.Comma may also refer to:* Comma , a type of interval in music theory...
which is present in some versions of the Takings Clause
Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, protects against abuse of government authority in a legal procedure. Its guarantees stem from English common law which traces back to the Magna Carta in 1215...
and absent in others. He traced this difference to a mark on the original document
United States Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These limitations serve to protect the natural rights of liberty and property. They guarantee a number of personal freedoms, limit the government's power in judicial and other proceedings, and...
which could be either a comma or a smudge. He says that this comma could change the meaning of the clause in an unspecified way.
This episode marks the last appearances of Toby Ziegler, Danny Concannon and Andrea Wyatt.