The Supremes (The West Wing)
Encyclopedia
"The Supremes" is episode 105 of The West Wing
and the 17th of the fifth season. The episode centers on the appointment of a new Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
), a federal judge, is brought in by the President
's senior staff to appease the left and frighten the right and hence make confirmation of their real choice, moderate Judge Brad Shelton (Robert Picardo
), easier. At her meeting with Josh
and Toby
, her awareness of the political realities of the situation impresses them both; however, she is still considered an impossible choice. Due to the success of the strategy she is asked in again – Democrats
are elated the White House is considering "bold choices" and the Republican
staff director of the Judiciary Committee
Lisa Wolfe issues "threats and admonitions."
Although still a "red herring", Baker Lang is asked by Josh and Toby to discuss the potential concerns the Judiciary Committee would have during a confirmation hearing. She again shows remarkable awareness of the political issues involved, describing in detail how she would answer the varying reproductive rights concerns of each Republican member of the committee. After further discussion, Baker Lang reveals she had an abortion in law school after Roe v Wade legalised abortion. Due to the height of public concern over the nomination, CJ argues Baker Lang cannot be used as a decoy for Shelton; "you keep this up, someone's going to take it to the press and this bright woman is going to be a checkout counter spectacle. Get her out of the building." When discussing the short list with the President he reacts angrily to the fact that Baker Lang has been removed due to "legal activity" and demands her name be reinstated.
Following the meeting, Donna relates an anecdote about her parents' cats that inspires Josh to find a controversial but brilliant solution; the White House will ask ailing Chief Justice
Roy Ashland (Milo O'Shea
) to resign to be replaced by Baker Lang. In return for her confirmation they will give Republicans the opportunity to name a conservative to replace Brady. Josh's argument is based on the belief that the court would be better served by the maintenance of the status quo (a staunch liberal chief justice and a staunch conservative associate justice) rather than the nomination of a moderate. The President instructs Josh and Toby to take the plan to the Chief Justice, who agrees. The Republicans name Christopher Mulready (William Fichtner
) as their choice for the seat. Despite his extremely conservative views Josh and Toby invite Baker Lang and Mulready in to speak with the President. In a chance meeting Toby witnesses how Baker Lang's and Mulready's arguing "works", and after personally speaking with them, the President ultimately agrees to announce both Baker Lang and Mulready as his nominees to the Supreme Court.
, Celestial Navigation, and Six Meetings Before Lunch
, Justice Mendoza is very much a left-leaning judge. This error is corrected later in the episode when President Bartlet tells Judge Christopher Mulready that Judge E. Bradford Shelton is at the top of the list. Mulready then names just five Justices who if they were to drop dead, the center would still be well tended under Shelton, excluding Mendoza's name as a centrist. This concurs with the assertions made in the rest of the episode that if Mulready and Lang are appointed in the place of Ashland and Brady, the court will remain balanced with 2 liberals, 2 conservatives, and 5 moderates.
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...
and the 17th of the fifth season. The episode centers on the appointment of a new Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
Plot
Owen Brady, the conservative anchor of the Supreme Court, has died. Evelyn Baker Lang (Glenn CloseGlenn Close
Glenn Close is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and singer of theatre and film, known for her roles as a femme fatale Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and...
), a federal judge, is brought in by the President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
's senior staff to appease the left and frighten the right and hence make confirmation of their real choice, moderate Judge Brad Shelton (Robert Picardo
Robert Picardo
Robert Picardo is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayals of Dr. Dick Richards on ABC's China Beach, the Emergency Medical Hologram , also known as The Doctor, on UPN's Star Trek: Voyager, The Cowboy in Innerspace, Coach Cutlip on The Wonder Years , Ben Wheeler in Wagons East, and as...
), easier. At her meeting with Josh
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...
and 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:...
, her awareness of the political realities of the situation impresses them both; however, she is still considered an impossible choice. Due to the success of the strategy she is asked in again – Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
are elated the White House is considering "bold choices" and the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
staff director of the Judiciary Committee
United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary
The United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary is a standing committee of the United States Senate, of the United States Congress. The Judiciary Committee, with 18 members, is charged with conducting hearings prior to the Senate votes on confirmation of federal judges nominated by the...
Lisa Wolfe issues "threats and admonitions."
Although still a "red herring", Baker Lang is asked by Josh and Toby to discuss the potential concerns the Judiciary Committee would have during a confirmation hearing. She again shows remarkable awareness of the political issues involved, describing in detail how she would answer the varying reproductive rights concerns of each Republican member of the committee. After further discussion, Baker Lang reveals she had an abortion in law school after Roe v Wade legalised abortion. Due to the height of public concern over the nomination, CJ argues Baker Lang cannot be used as a decoy for Shelton; "you keep this up, someone's going to take it to the press and this bright woman is going to be a checkout counter spectacle. Get her out of the building." When discussing the short list with the President he reacts angrily to the fact that Baker Lang has been removed due to "legal activity" and demands her name be reinstated.
Following the meeting, Donna relates an anecdote about her parents' cats that inspires Josh to find a controversial but brilliant solution; the White House will ask ailing Chief Justice
Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States...
Roy Ashland (Milo O'Shea
Milo O'Shea
-Early life:He was born and raised in Dublin and educated by the Christian Brothers at Synge Street, along with his friend Donal Donnelly.He was discovered in the 1950s by Harry Dillon, who ran the "37 Theatre Club" on the top floor of his shop The Swiss Gem Company, 51 Lower O'Connell Street...
) to resign to be replaced by Baker Lang. In return for her confirmation they will give Republicans the opportunity to name a conservative to replace Brady. Josh's argument is based on the belief that the court would be better served by the maintenance of the status quo (a staunch liberal chief justice and a staunch conservative associate justice) rather than the nomination of a moderate. The President instructs Josh and Toby to take the plan to the Chief Justice, who agrees. The Republicans name Christopher Mulready (William Fichtner
William Fichtner
William Edward Fichtner is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Sheriff Tom Underlay on Invasion, as Alexander Mahone on Prison Break, as William Sharp in Armageddon, and as Ken Rosenberg in the video games Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.- Early life...
) as their choice for the seat. Despite his extremely conservative views Josh and Toby invite Baker Lang and Mulready in to speak with the President. In a chance meeting Toby witnesses how Baker Lang's and Mulready's arguing "works", and after personally speaking with them, the President ultimately agrees to announce both Baker Lang and Mulready as his nominees to the Supreme Court.
Errors
When Senator Roland Pierce asks Josh Lyman "You couldn't find a single warm-blooded centrist to put on the court?", Josh argues there are six of them, plus two conservatives (one of whom would be the deceased Justice Brady) and liberal Chief Justice Ashland. This statement by Josh contends that Justice Roberto Mendoza is a centrist, though as seen in previous episodes The Short ListThe Short List
"The Short List" is the 9th episode of The West Wing. The episode introduces recurring characters Roberto Mendoza and Gail the goldfish and a story arc concerning potential congressional investigation of a White House staff members history of substance abuse.-Plot:When a liberal Supreme Court...
, Celestial Navigation, and Six Meetings Before Lunch
Six Meetings Before Lunch
"Six Meetings Before Lunch" is the 18th episode of The West Wing.-Plot:While Toby and the rest of the White House staff celebrate the confirmation of Roberto Mendoza to the Supreme Court, Josh discusses slavery reparations with a civil-rights attorney, and Sam and Mallory battle over school vouchers...
, Justice Mendoza is very much a left-leaning judge. This error is corrected later in the episode when President Bartlet tells Judge Christopher Mulready that Judge E. Bradford Shelton is at the top of the list. Mulready then names just five Justices who if they were to drop dead, the center would still be well tended under Shelton, excluding Mendoza's name as a centrist. This concurs with the assertions made in the rest of the episode that if Mulready and Lang are appointed in the place of Ashland and Brady, the court will remain balanced with 2 liberals, 2 conservatives, and 5 moderates.