Over the course of the present’s 7 season run, the hit NBC collection The West Wing grew to become recognized for having nice vacation episodes. Whereas all of them are nice episodes, it is the present’s first one which stands out above the remainder. Season 1, Episode 10 “In Excelsis Deo” helped set the stage for all the vacation episodes that got here after, utilizing the festivities as a backdrop to the extra somber themes that the vacation season brings. Even with the heavier storylines, nonetheless, creator Aaron Sorkin all the time managed to discover a glimmer of hope, reminding audiences of the true which means of Christmas.

What’s ‘The West Wing’ Episode “In Excelsis Deo” About?

“In Excelsis Deo” begins off as most episodes of The West Wing do — a bantery walk-and-talk by way of the halls of the White Home, this time with garland and twinkling lights. The episode facilities round Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff) when he will get a name from the DC Police. He arrives at a park and speaks with an officer performed by the late, nice Lance Reddick in one in every of his earliest TV roles. Toby learns {that a} man, Walter Hufnagle, died with Toby’s enterprise card in his pocket. He is confused at first, however when he takes a more in-depth look, he realizes the person is sporting a coat he donated to Goodwill and that the tattoo on his arm means he is a Korean Struggle Veteran.

It is clear that Toby is rattled {that a} veteran died alone and may not get a correct navy burial, so he makes it his mission to make sure that Walter will get what he is entitled to as a veteran. This tells audiences loads about Toby as a personality, particularly how he goes by way of again channels to make it occur. Toby finally tracks down Walter’s brother, George (Paul Austin) to inform him about his brother’s loss of life and lets him know that he’ll prepare the right funeral that Walter deserves.

Toby and Mrs. Landingham Attending Walter’s Funeral Reveals The True Which means of Christmas

All through the episode, it is clear that Toby feels an immense sense of gratitude and obligation to Walter. Whereas there is not a lot he can do for Walter now, he makes use of his place as a “highly effective individual” to provide him the funeral he deserves. There are moments the place Toby appears virtually embarrassed to have the wealth and privilege that he does when males who sacrificed for his or her nation are dying alone within the chilly. He faucets into that generosity and places his job in danger by giving Walter one final reward.

Alternatively, audiences study why Mrs. Landingham (Kathryn Joosten) is so down through the holidays. Whereas Charlie (Dulé Hill) is enchanted by the lights, music, and presents of Christmas, Mrs. Landingham does not share the sentiment. She goes on to inform Charlie that her twin sons have been killed by enemy hearth within the Vietnam Struggle on Christmas Eve. Later, when Toby leaves for Walter’s funeral, Mrs. Landingham goes with him. This exemplifies the vacation spirit of generosity, even when you your self do not have a lot to provide.

How “In Excelsis Deo” Set the Stage for Different Nice Christmas Episodes of ‘The West Wing’

The West Wing’s first Christmas installment confirmed how a Christmas episode might nonetheless characteristic extremely emotional and harder themes of the vacations, even surrounded by tinsel and singing carolers. For instance, one other storyline in “In Excelsis Deo” was the tragic story of Lowell Lydell, a younger homosexual teenager who was attacked in a severe hate crime. In a scene the place President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and CJ Craig (Allison Janney) are greeting a bunch of youngsters which are there for the Christmas festivities, they discover out that Lowell died of his accidents.

Each characters are visibly shaken by this horrible information as the kids look forward to the President to return to them. It is a nice instance of exhibiting the emotional dichotomy of being President, one thing that The West Wing was all the time excellent at, particularly through the holidays. It additionally reminds the viewers that Christmas could also be a joyful time for some, however not for others.

“In Excelsis Deo” gained an Emmy for writing for each Sorkin and Rick Cleveland, and an performing Emmy for Richard Schiff. This episode ready audiences for an additional implausible Christmas Episode, in Season 2, Episode 10 “Noël”, which centered on Josh’s (Bradley Whitford) PTSD. Whitford additionally gained an Emmy for his efficiency in that episode, proving that The West Wing Christmas episodes weren’t only a seasonal filler.

The West Wing is offered to stream on Max within the U.S.

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