The campaign comes to an end. The votes are cast. And the reelected Bartlet Presidency begins its ambitious second term in The West Wing, the highly entertaining series that in its 23-episode fourth season claimed its fourth consecutive Emmy Award for Best Drama.

The administration has its agenda and mandate. But history has a wide way of imposing agendas and curtailing dreams. Unforeseen events soon dominate. Sam exits to vie for a seat in a Republican congressional stronghold. The Vice-President lays scandal on the White House doorstep. A genocide in Africa raises the question of intervention - and inspires the declaration of a bold foreign policy doctrine. And an unthinkable events leads to the stunning swearing in of a replacement President.