Summary of 20 Hours in America Season 4 of West Wing - Assignment Example

Summary of "20 Hours in America," Episodes 2, Season 4 of “West Wing” The series begins with Bartlet giving a speech at a farm in Indiana. This forms the basis of the story as Josh, Donna, and Toby remain behind by being left out of the Presidential motorcade. Following these events, they must find a way to navigate through this state, while under the help of the farmer’s daughter. For most part of the episode, the trio tries to find their way home amidst the several challenges that they encounter. While going through the treacherous journey, Toby and Josh are embroiled in a discussion on how to implement a campaign strategy. They concur on the idea that the elections should focus on the concerns of the voters, rather than the individual ambitions of Ritchie and Bartlet. While traversing Indiana’s rural settings, they learn that the cultural diversity in the United States is far much bigger than what many of the individual Presidential aspirants acknowledge. Their discussions and proposals are strengthened further when they meet Matt Kelly, a man wondering how he is going to materialize the completion of his daughter’s college tuition fee. Meanwhile, CJ is working round the clock to make the next Presidential meeting a success. However, in their backyard, Leo unravels a discovery that exposes Qumar’s investigations on the plane crash they instigated. Furthermore, Sam undergoes a rigorous working cycle that made him take a day off to rest. Contrary to his beliefs, Josh sends him home for alleged complacency (YouTube). In Episode 2, during the continuous journey towards home, Donna undertakes an initiative of teaching both Toby and Josh on how to play the intellectualism demonstrated by the President. She says that amidst the strategies used by the aspirants, neither should deviate from the real issues that the people encounter. She struggles to keep their argument on track, and urges them to communicate the real American problems that the people encounter along the way. The President addresses the stock market crisis. He is later presented with the news about the efforts made by the Qumar Government to launch an inquiry on the plane crash they instigated. Thoughts race through his seemingly disturbed mind until his confidant assures him about the successful cover-up on the events preceding the plane crash. The drama plays out when Qumar releases a false claim that the crash was instigated by a false flag operation that aimed at fuelling tensions between the Americans and the Israelis. In a show of solidarity, the President’s confidants agree with the report, further dismissing them as false evidence despite their knowledge of what transpired. Furthermore, Bartlet finds a secretary, while CJ introduces Anthony to a big brother, Charlie. After Simon’s death, Anthony’s mentorship was gone. Deeper into the episode, a report is unveiled of two pipe bomb explosions. The tragedy occurred during a college fun day, thus killing and injuring 44 and 100 people respectively. The news of the tragic event sent chills in the administration. However, this presented a perfect chance for Sam to tailor a speech for this tragic development. He writes a motivational, uplifting, and inspirational that the President delivers. The speech was apolitical, made to express the need for healing within the nation. The episode ends with a shot of DC sunrise. Donna, Josh, and Toby alight from their shuttle bus and walk to work. Seemingly, they forget about the on-going elections. They are embroiled in discussing the ideal structure and responsibility of the American government. What did you find most surprising in the portrayal of the Presidents day-to-day activities?  I found the planning related to the Presidents daily activities quite surprising. To begin with, Josh, Toby, and Donna are left in Indiana due to the Presidential schedule. They are unaware of the departure of the Presidential motorcade. As such, the planning of these activities is solely based on time. During that planning, the speech of the President is updated to touch on the most recent happenings of the country. The Presidential team plays a central role in making the Presidential speeches. I also found the President does not have total control of the people who work in his office. Instead, the staff is under the control of a White House employee. What did you find most frustrating in the portrayal of the Presidents day-to-day activities? The most frustrating of these activities is the lack of respect to the human input. Human beings play an important role in defining the success of the government. When Josh suspends Sam for sleeping, he fails to accept the fact that Sam had worked long enough to deserve that rest. In addition, the President is not privy to all the information on the operations of the White House. Besides, the White House is involved in massive cover-up of criminal cases. As depicted in the Defense Minister’s plane crash, the President’s confidants played the role of covering up all the possible traces that could have led to the revelation of the possible perpetrators. While at it, I realize that the President’s daily activities involves addressing issues to suit the interests of the people at any given time. The President does not accept the reluctance or failure by the government to protect its citizens, especially during the injuries and deaths that occurred at the college party (YouTube). Did you find the episodes helpful in understanding the office of the President? Why or why not? The episodes were pivotal in highlighting the role of the office of the President. While it offers solutions to both the major and minor issues, the office of the President also contributes to part of the mystery encountered by the American people. The speeches are tailored to suit what people want to hear, not on the best ways to solve the problems. In conclusion, “20 Hours in America” is a clear demonstration that not everybody can get what he or she want, but America is made for the Americans who believe in America. Work Cited YouTube. West Wing Season 4 20 Hours in America II the Pipe Bomb. N.P., 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. Read More