Requiem (The West Wing)
Encyclopedia
"Requiem" is episode 150 of The West Wing
.
Following his death on election night, Leo McGarry
is laid to rest. The service was filmed at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
in Baltimore
.
, President-elect Matt Santos
, Josh Lyman
, Charlie Young
, former DNC head Barry Goodwin, and McGarry's unnamed son-in-law carry the casket. Afterwards, President Bartlet invites the mourners to the White House for a reception.
During the reception, Josh must keep Santos from getting involved in a battle for the leadership of the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Josh's task is complicated when one of the candidates turns out to be a close friend and probable ally of Santos. The other contender is more moderate and vows to challenge the President on a number of issues. Not helping the situation is Amy Gardner
who is trying to get Josh to support a woman as Leo's replacement for Vice President.
The situation comes to a head when Santos places Goodwin in charge of the transition. Josh confronts Santos and suggests the President-elect find someone else to be the President's 'yes-man.' Santos instead reveals that Goodwin's role is to protect Josh from angering people he will need to work with as Chief-of-Staff as Josh won't be the guy telling these people 'no' for job offers.
Meanwhile, Donna Moss
makes plans to stay the night in C.J. Cregg's spare bedroom as she is unsure how serious her relationship with Josh is. This causes both Josh and Danny Concannon
problems as both were planning on romantic evenings with their respective dates.
Proving himself a savvy leader, Santos decides to offer Amy a job as head of Legislative affairs, teasing her, "it is easier to throw rocks at a house than to build one." He also agrees to remain neutral in the House leadership battle, essentially killing his friend's chances and guaranteeing a tough fight with Congress.
Finally, Josh, Donna, C.J., Annabeth Schott
, and others gather with the President and First Lady Abigail Bartlet to share stories and memories of Leo.
.
The episode is the final appearance in the series for a number of characters, including John Hoynes
, Bob Russell
and President Bartlet's daughters Elizabeth
, Ellie
and Zoey
.
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...
.
Following his death on election night, Leo McGarry
Leo McGarry
Leo Thomas McGarry is a fictional character played by John Spencer on the television serial drama The West Wing. The role earned Spencer the 2002 Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. McGarry's character, the former United States Secretary of Labor, begins the series as the White...
is laid to rest. The service was filmed at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen is a cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church located at 5200 North Charles Street, in northern Baltimore, Maryland....
in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
.
Plot
Requiem involves the funeral of Leo McGarry, the President's former Chief of Staff and newly-elected Vice President. Former and current Vice Presidents, National Security Advisors, staff members and friends gather to pay respects. President Josiah BartletJosiah 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...
, President-elect Matt Santos
Matt Santos
Matthew Vincente "Matt" Santos is a fictional character on the American television show The West Wing, played by Jimmy Smits. His initial appearance is as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Houston, Texas. According to West Wing writer and producer Eli Attie, Santos was based on the then...
, Josh Lyman
Josh Lyman
Joshua "Josh" Lyman is a fictional character played by Bradley Whitford on the television drama The West Wing. For the majority of the series, he was White House Deputy Chief of Staff in the Josiah Bartlet administration...
, Charlie Young
Charlie Young
Charles 'Charlie' Young is a fictional character played by Dulé Hill on the television serial drama The West Wing. For the majority of the series, he is the Personal Aide to President Josiah Bartlet.-Creation and development:...
, former DNC head Barry Goodwin, and McGarry's unnamed son-in-law carry the casket. Afterwards, President Bartlet invites the mourners to the White House for a reception.
During the reception, Josh must keep Santos from getting involved in a battle for the leadership of the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Josh's task is complicated when one of the candidates turns out to be a close friend and probable ally of Santos. The other contender is more moderate and vows to challenge the President on a number of issues. Not helping the situation is Amy Gardner
Amy Gardner
Amelia "Amy" Gardner is a fictional character on the American television series The West Wing, portrayed by Mary-Louise Parker. Politically skilled and a strong advocate on feminist causes, the character holds various jobs throughout the timeline depicted on The West Wing, both in public-advocacy...
who is trying to get Josh to support a woman as Leo's replacement for Vice President.
The situation comes to a head when Santos places Goodwin in charge of the transition. Josh confronts Santos and suggests the President-elect find someone else to be the President's 'yes-man.' Santos instead reveals that Goodwin's role is to protect Josh from angering people he will need to work with as Chief-of-Staff as Josh won't be the guy telling these people 'no' for job offers.
Meanwhile, Donna Moss
Donna Moss
Donnatella "Donna" Moss is a fictional character played by Janel Moloney on the television serial drama The West Wing. Donna is a recurring character during the first season, although she appears in every episode, making her a de facto regular...
makes plans to stay the night in C.J. Cregg's spare bedroom as she is unsure how serious her relationship with Josh is. This causes both Josh and Danny Concannon
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...
problems as both were planning on romantic evenings with their respective dates.
Proving himself a savvy leader, Santos decides to offer Amy a job as head of Legislative affairs, teasing her, "it is easier to throw rocks at a house than to build one." He also agrees to remain neutral in the House leadership battle, essentially killing his friend's chances and guaranteeing a tough fight with Congress.
Finally, Josh, Donna, C.J., Annabeth Schott
Annabeth Schott
Annabeth Schott, played by Kristin Chenoweth, is a fictional character on the political drama The West Wing. She joined the Bartlet administration in Season 6 as the Deputy Press Secretary for Media Relations following the promotion of C.J. Cregg to White House Chief of Staff...
, and others gather with the President and First Lady Abigail Bartlet to share stories and memories of Leo.
Note
Leo had a military honor guard at his funeral because of his service in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was laid to rest at Arlington National CemeteryArlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.
The episode is the final appearance in the series for a number of characters, including John Hoynes
John Hoynes
John Hoynes is a fictional character played by Tim Matheson on the American television series The West Wing. Hoynes is Vice President of the United States during the first four seasons of the show....
, Bob Russell
Bob Russell (The West Wing)
Robert 'Bingo Bob' Russell is a fictional character played by Gary Cole on the television serial drama The West Wing.After the resignation of Vice President John Hoynes due to a sex scandal in May 2003, the Bartlet Administration was forced to replace him with another Democrat...
and President Bartlet's daughters Elizabeth
Elizabeth Bartlet
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Anne Bartlet Westin is a fictional character played by Annabeth Gish on the television serial drama The West Wing. Elizabeth is the oldest of President Josiah Bartlet and Abbey Bartlet's three daughters.She is a married mother of two—daughter Annie and son Gus. Her husband is...
, Ellie
Eleanor Bartlet
Eleanor "Ellie" Emily Bartlet Faison, M.D. is a fictional character played by Nina Siemaszko on the television serial drama The West Wing. Ellie is the middle daughter of President Josiah Bartlet and Abbey Bartlet....
and Zoey
Zoey Bartlet
Zoey Patricia Bartlet is a fictional character played by Elisabeth Moss on the television serial drama The West Wing. Zoey is the youngest of President Josiah Bartlet and Abbey Bartlet's three daughters, and is more prominently featured in the series than either of her sisters.Zoey and...
.