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Tomorrow (The West Wing)
Encyclopedia
"Tomorrow" is the 154th episode and the series finale
of the American television show The West Wing
. It originally aired on May 14, 2006.
It is the last day of the Bartlet Administration, and the day President-elect Santos
is to be inaugurated. It is revealed that Santos plans to nominate Eric Baker as Vice President
through the Twenty-fifth Amendment (previously discussed as a possibility) and Bartlet pardons Toby Ziegler
as the last act of his presidency. West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin
provides a cameo
as a member of President Bartlet's staff and attendee at the inauguration. Bartlet wanders the White House and says his final goodbyes to the staff and gives Charlie his copy of the Constitution of the United States
.
In accordance with tradition, the White House senior staff writes notes of advice to their incoming successors. C.J.'s note to Josh says "WWLD", for "What Would Leo Do?"
After Santos takes the oath, the new Santos Administration team, including Deputy Chief of Staff Sam Seaborn
, White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman
, and Chief of Staff to Mrs. Santos
, Donna Moss
, enter the White House - for Sam the first time in four years, prompting him to call it "home sweet home."
C.J. leaves via the press room door, after a brief moment on the podium where she began her White House tenure. After she leaves the White House, she is approached by two tourists who ask if she works there, to which she replies, "No." and they then have a piece of conversation which gives a strong meaning to the whole series:
Upon leaving the White House, Bartlet is given a sentimental gift by Leo McGarry
's daughter Mallory
— the cocktail napkin on which McGarry wrote "Bartlet for America
" in a third season flashback while persuading Bartlet to run for the presidency (and which the President had framed for Leo as a Christmas gift). As the Special Air Mission, the designation of the otherwise-known Air Force One, flies Bartlet and the first lady
home, he reflects on the events of the past eight years while looking at this note from his friend.
When his wife turns to him and asks, "What are you thinking about?" Bartlet responds, "Tomorrow."
Series finale
A series finale refers to the last installment of a series with a narrative presented through mediums such as television, film and literature. In many Commonwealth countries, the term final episode is commonly used in regards to a television series...
of the American television show The West Wing
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...
. It originally aired on May 14, 2006.
Plot
All the major characters are shown to start their day, be it drinking coffee or, as in Donna and Josh's case, waking up in the same bed.It is the last day of the Bartlet Administration, and the day President-elect 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...
is to be inaugurated. It is revealed that Santos plans to nominate Eric Baker as Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
through the Twenty-fifth Amendment (previously discussed as a possibility) and Bartlet pardons 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:...
as the last act of his presidency. West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin
Aaron Sorkin
Aaron Benjamin Sorkin is an Academy and Emmy award winning American screenwriter, producer, and playwright, whose works include A Few Good Men, The American President, The West Wing, Sports Night, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, The Social Network, and Moneyball.After graduating from Syracuse...
provides a cameo
Cameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
as a member of President Bartlet's staff and attendee at the inauguration. Bartlet wanders the White House and says his final goodbyes to the staff and gives Charlie his copy of the Constitution of the United States
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
.
In accordance with tradition, the White House senior staff writes notes of advice to their incoming successors. C.J.'s note to Josh says "WWLD", for "What Would Leo Do?"
After Santos takes the oath, the new Santos Administration team, including Deputy Chief of Staff Sam Seaborn
Sam Seaborn
Samuel Norman "Sam" Seaborn is a fictional character portrayed by Rob Lowe on the television serial drama The West Wing. He is best known for being Deputy White House Communications Director in the Josiah Bartlet administration throughout the first four seasons of the series.-Creation and...
, White House Chief of Staff 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...
, and Chief of Staff to Mrs. Santos
Helen Santos
Helen Santos is a fictional First Lady of the United States in the television drama The West Wing. She is the wife of Matt Santos played by Jimmy Smits. She became First Lady in the seventh season episode "Tomorrow," when her husband was inaugurated as President of the United States...
, 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...
, enter the White House - for Sam the first time in four years, prompting him to call it "home sweet home."
C.J. leaves via the press room door, after a brief moment on the podium where she began her White House tenure. After she leaves the White House, she is approached by two tourists who ask if she works there, to which she replies, "No." and they then have a piece of conversation which gives a strong meaning to the whole series:
- Tourist: «It must be something, mh?»
- C.J. Cregg [moved]: «Yes»
Upon leaving the White House, Bartlet is given a sentimental gift by 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...
's daughter Mallory
Mallory O'Brien
Mallory O'Brien is a fictional character on NBC's drama "The West Wing". The character is portrayed by Allison Smith. Mallory is the daughter of Leo McGarry, White House chief of staff and 2006 Democratic vice-presidential nominee, and his ex-wife, Jenny McGarry...
— the cocktail napkin on which McGarry wrote "Bartlet for America
Bartlet for America
"Bartlet for America" is the 53rd episode of The West Wing.-Plot:It is December 23, but no one at the White House is feeling much in the Christmas spirit. Indeed, the most pressing holiday matter is a threat to firebomb black churches in Tennessee on Christmas Eve...
" in a third season flashback while persuading Bartlet to run for the presidency (and which the President had framed for Leo as a Christmas gift). As the Special Air Mission, the designation of the otherwise-known Air Force One, flies Bartlet and the first lady
Abbey Bartlet
Dr. Abigail Anne "Abbey" Barrington Bartlet, MD, is a fictional character played by Stockard Channing on the television serial drama, The West Wing. In the show, she is the First Lady of the United States, the wife of President Josiah Bartlet.-Overview:...
home, he reflects on the events of the past eight years while looking at this note from his friend.
When his wife turns to him and asks, "What are you thinking about?" Bartlet responds, "Tomorrow."