Directed by Christopher Misiano
Written by Aaron Sorkin, Eli Attie, David Handleman, Debora Cahn, David Gerken, Mark Goffman, William Sind, Paula Yoo, & Michael Oates Palmer
While participating in a late night staff poker game, Josh is interviewing an attorney for the counsel's office, CJ is trying to convince the guys that an egg can stand on end during the equinox, and Bartlet has to convince the Russians to hand over a spy plane without letting them know its a spy plane. Then somebody shoots at the White House after two terrorist bombings earlier in the day.
This episode provides examples of:
- Classified Information: After ascertaining that Toby, C.J. and Will are okay, Leo firmly but respectfully tells Will he needs to wait out of earshot as the information that is in plain view in the Oval Office is above his security clearance.
- Code Emergency: A couple different examples. When initially securing the Oval Office the Secret Service mentions that "Bamboo shoots ready", which Bartlet translates as they want him in the Presidential motorcade. Later, Ron calls for them to "crash it", which means a total lockdown and communications blackout until they can secure the premises.Ron: Nevada, Bravo, 3, 3, 1. Crash the West Wing.
- Continuity Nod: Josh's comment about assuming somebody was locked and loaded because he heard "First Noel" is a call back to the episode Noel. Donna also mentions that she's got Stanley Keyworth, the therapist that diagnosed Josh in that episode, on the line if he needs to talk to someone.
- Determinator: Charlie and Debbie Fiderer getting through the secret service protection around the Oval Office after somebody shoots at the White House.
- Home Guard: It turns out Will is a member of the Air Force Reserve in the JAG Corps.
- Oh, Crap!: Bartlet hurriedly gets off the phone with the Russian President when he sees two uniformed Secret Service agents in full body armor and carrying assault rifles enter the Oval Office on their way to the portico.
- Suicide by Cop: Name-dropped by Ron Butterfield as the shooter's motivation.
- Title Drop: By CJ during the card game and discussing faith.
- Wham Shot: The bullet hitting the window of the press room just inches from C.J.'s face.
- Yiddish as a Second Language: C.J. attempts this when Toby asks her why she's still so positive about the night of the equinox after getting shot at.Toby: I think what [Ed]'s asking is why most other nights do you think the world's going to hell in a hula hoop, but tonight...?
C.J.: We dipped twice and eat gefilte fish?
Toby: Suzy Cream Cheese, do not attempt the hagaddah.
C.J.: I know how to bless the soup too. - You Called Me "X"; It Must Be Serious: Because Will was in his Air Force uniform on his way to his weekend Reservist duty, Leo addresses him as "Lieutenant Bailey" when telling him to leave due to the Classified Information present.
