S2.E22

Two Cathedrals

Name: Two Cathedrals
Genre: Drama
Released: 2001-05-16
Duration: 43 min
Rating: 9.7
Cast: Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney

Episode aired May 16, 2001
TV-14
43m

IMDb RATING

9.7/10

4.6K

YOUR RATING

Drama

As the Haitian army continues their seizure of the American embassy there, Bartlet and the staff prepare for the announcement that Bartlet has M.S. and the President must decide whether or h... Read allAs the Haitian army continues their seizure of the American embassy there, Bartlet and the staff prepare for the announcement that Bartlet has M.S. and the President must decide whether or he will seek re-election. As the funeral for Mrs. Landingham takes place and the announceme... Read allAs the Haitian army continues their seizure of the American embassy there, Bartlet and the staff prepare for the announcement that Bartlet has M.S. and the President must decide whether or he will seek re-election. As the funeral for Mrs. Landingham takes place and the announcement draws nearer, Bartlet thinks back to his past in search of the answer to the question e... Read all

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

9.7/10

4.6K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos13

+ 8

User reviews17

9.74.6K

Featured reviews

10Mixx-2

The epitome of Good writing

Of the whole series, all seven seasons of it, this is the one that stands out from the crowd. West Wing was always about great storytelling, Aaron Sorkin is one of the most intelligent story writers out there, and here, at the end of a season, he gets to show all his prowess. All episodes that comes before this one had been building up to this crescendo, and what a final it is! Everything about this episode, everything, is perfection. Pacing, mood, camera, dialog, music, even the weather is perfect. All the characters do exactly what is needed. It is like watching a great opera unfold. It is, in a word, Perfect!

I have watched a lot of series in my days. I mention this, not that it will give me any credibility since you do not know me, because I think I have some knowledge about what woks and what does not. There are a few series out there that have that special Something.... 'The Wire', 'House', Boardwalk Empire, '24' to some extent, 'Six Feet Under', 'Dexter', 'American Horror Story', all those had something that aspired to be Great, but nothing comes close to West Wing.

Is this the Best Episode Ever! fro0m the West Wing? Well, it sure does come really close.

Is it the Best Episode Ever, any category? It might just be actually.

West Wing had a lot going for it, no matter what political persuasion you belong to (I am not American, just a Swede). Great writing, great characters, engaging stories, fantastic camera-work, and seriously good music and audio.

I HAVE to give this 10/10.

Do NOT watch this episode as a Stand Alone! See all the episodes that comes before this and you will find this one so much more rewarding.

9BuddyBontheNet

Goosebumps

One of the best TV episodes of all time for raising the hairs on the back of your neck - brilliant TV and exceptional performances, especially from Martin Sheen, Kathryn Joosten and the late John Spencer! The tension builds and never dips, ending with a fantastic series cliff hanger. There is not one character I would like to see cut and each has been carefully developed since the beginning, so we know their strengths and weaknesses and still like them. Normally I hate flashbacks in a series, as it gives me the impression that the storyline wasn't thought out well from the start. That doesn't apply to 'Two Cathedrals' where so much is explained and revealed about Jed Bartlet in this episode. It is easy to forget that Martin Sheen is acting a part because he is just so believable throughout the whole episode - no wonder he was asked to run for the US Senate.

I miss this series so much - it has never been bettered. If you have never watched The West Wing then watch it from the start - you will be hooked.

10coene-wim-809-572936

The best piece of television ever

The West Wing is one of the best series ever created and this episode is without a doubt the best episode of any television series I've ever seen and I doubt I'll see anything better.

10lareval

One of the best television episodes of all time PERIOD

Every time I watch the show and I get to see this magnificent hour, goosebumps run all over my body. The show never got any better than this (though keeping a superb level). "Brothers in arms" closes a masterpiece of TV that should be witness by everybody.

10EdwardHamill

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
The President's tirade in Latin at the end loosely translates as: "Thank you, Lord. Am I to believe these things from a righteous God, a just God, a wise God? To hell with your punishments! I was your servant, your messenger on the earth; I did my duty. To hell with your punishments! And to hell with you!" The sentences, "Cruciatus in crucem. Eas in crucem", literally translate as "To a cross with your punishments. To a cross with you." So an idiomatic translation of the last might be "Go crucify yourself."

Goofs
During the final press conference, there is a close-up of two photographers. The one furthest away still has the lens cap on.

Quotes
President Josiah Bartlet: You're a son of a bitch, You know that? She bought her first new car and You hit her with a drunk driver. What? Was that supposed to be funny? "You can't conceive, nor can I, the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God," says Graham Greene. I don't know whose ass he was kissing there, 'cause I think You're just vindictive. What was Josh Lyman - a warning shot? That was my son. What did I ever do to Yours but praise His glory and praise His Name? There's a tropical storm that's gaining speed and power. They say we haven't had a storm this bad since You took out that tender ship of mine in the North Atlantic last year. Sixty-eight crew. You know what a tender ship does? Fixes the other ships. It doesn't even carry guns. It just goes around, fixes the other ships and delivers the mail. That's all it can do. Gratias tibi ago, Domine
[Thank You, Lord]
President Josiah Bartlet: . Yes, I lied. It was a sin. I've committed many sins. Have I displeased You, You feckless thug? 3.8 million new jobs, that wasn't good?
[scoffs]
President Josiah Bartlet: Bailed out Mexico. Increased foreign trade. Thirty million new acres of land for conservation. Put Mendoza on the bench. We're not fighting a war. I've raised three children. That's not enough to buy me out of the doghouse? Haec credam a Deo pio, a Deo iusto, a Deo scito? Cruciatus in crucem. Trus in terra servus, nuntius fui, officium perfeci. Cruciatus in crucem. Eas in crucem.
[Am I really to believe that these are the actions of a loving God? A just God? A wise God? To Hell with Your punishments. I was Your servant here on Earth. I spread Your word and did Your work. To Hell with Your punishments. To Hell with You!]
President Josiah Bartlet: [deliberately lights a cigarette and grinds it out on the Cathedral floor] You get Hoynes.