Bad Moon Rising (The West Wing)

"Bad Moon Rising (The West Wing)"

"Bad Moon Rising" is the 41st episode of The West Wing.

Plot

The President tells White House Counsel Oliver Babish of his MS. Babish conducts a pointed interview with the President where they discuss key issues such as whether Jed Bartlet ever lied about his health in a court of law when he was Governor Bartlet in New Hampshire (the answer: no). Babish tells Leo that the problem is that the President didn't cover up, didn't dissemble...just that he did everything you do if your intent is to perpetrate a fraud. However, the President learns that Zoey told Charlie of his condition so that he could watch out for signs, and Charlie finds out that Zoey lied by omission about her father's illness in a form for Georgetown that the President and First Lady signed off on. Babish tells the President that they need to make a statement, decide on a plan of action, and appoint the most fire-breathing Republican Special Prosecutor they can find and then accept any challenges, insults, legal proceedings or other claims coming out of that with three words: "BRING IT ON".

Josh and Donna discuss the merits of bailing out Mexico with American tax dollars after the Mexican economy collapses for the third time in 10 years. The needed loan guarantee total is $30 billion and it has to be in place overnight to avoid a crushing hit to the Mexican stock exchange. Donna feels it's time for tough love after Mexico keeps making the same economic mistakes over and over again, and quotes a paper about a worker in South Carolina facing tough times. Josh feels that there's a time to simply help a friend in trouble, and quotes from the Lend-Lease Act. The bailout plan goes through and Josh and Donna are happy again.

One of the oil tankers for which Sam set up a litigation shield crashes into the coast of Delaware and causes a catastrophic oil spill. Sam wants to pretty much cause his own disbarment by testifying about how the conglomerate that purchased the boat knew its steering and navigation systems were terrible but didn't bother to spend $11 million to rectify the situation. Ainsley Hayes tells Sam that no way in hell is he going to do that. In the end, Sam is miserable that he didn't speak up strongly enough at the time and prevent the disaster that waited in the future.

C.J. and particularly Toby are furious about a leak to the press that jeopardizes tough negotiations between the Administration and Republicans in Congress over school vouchers. C.J. conducts several in-staff interviews but can't find the leak. Toby later reveals that he was the leak and that the information was minor and reparable intentionally, because they need to know what to do if things go seriously and uncontrollably wrong. C.J., who doesn't know why Toby is more nervous and angry than usual, asks him what's going on. Toby simply looks away and doesn't say the horrible news C.J. is going to find out about very soon.

Title

The title, Bad Moon Rising, is a reference to the name of a Creedence Clearwater Revival song from 1969.

External links

• The West Wing Episode Guide