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Apr 1, 2014 · JOEY [KENNY] And Immanuel Kant said that the death penalty is a categorical imperative. But, Mr. President, those writings are from other centuries. BARTLET I've got a Harris poll says seventy-one percent of the American people support capital punishment.
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OSCAR WINNERS MARLEE MATLIN, KARL MALDEN GUEST-STAR -- After the Supreme Court refuses to stay the execution of a Federal prisoner convicted of killing two drug kingpins, President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) must decide whether or not to commute his sentence in less than 48 hours, so he calls upon his sagacious childhood priest (guest star and Oscar wi...
The episode opens with the Supreme Court denying a writ of certiorari and ordering the execution of a prisoner on death row (Simon Cruz). The lawyers want to find someone in the White House they can appeal to. One of them (Bobby Zane) suggests they call Sam Seaborn, as he "used to beat him up in school."
At the White House, Josh and Sam are readying for a weekend off when Sam reminds Josh that he is supposed to meet with Joey Lucas about O'Dwyer, who is running for Congress in the California 46th. Josh had been looking forward to a bachelor party that evening and did not want to have to come in on Saturday, which Donna concurs, because Josh cannot hold his liquor. Sam is determined to take the time off, threatening to leave both his pager and cell phone behind. As he starts to pull his door shut, his desk phone rings. Although he closes the door, he comes back and answers the phone.
Sam meets with Bobby and goes over the facts of the pending execution. Sam tells him that he will brief Toby and Toby will take it to the President. Bobby asks what temple Toby goes to and rushes off. Back at the White House, Sam tells Leo what is going on. Leo questions why the execution is not taking place until Monday morning when it is Friday evening and the Court has denied the writ. Sam explains that executions do not take place between sundown on Friday and sunup on Monday. "We don't execute people on the Sabbath," replies an astounded Leo. On Saturday morning, Donna comes into the office and finds Josh passed out on the floor, completely disheveled from his night out. Not only is he hung over, he is filthy and she reminds him of his meeting with Joey Lucas. She begins to work at finding him new clothes.
Upon the President's return on Air Force One, Leo meets the group at Andrews and rides back with the President to bring him up to speed. In the next scene, Toby is sitting in temple when his pager goes off. He gets up to respond and calls Sam, who tells him about the appeal being denied and asks if his rabbi is giving a sermon on capital punishment. Toby says yes and tells Sam he is on his way. Josh is sleeping at his desk when he is awakened by Kenny, who is screaming Joey's words at him (allowing Josh to finally understand that Joey Lucas is a woman and is deaf). Josh gets up to go change his clothes and Donna tells him that he needs to go see Sam because "they turned down the appeal."
In the residence, Leo is talking to President Bartlet about the Cruz case. Bartlet is clearly uncomfortable about being put in the situation. Bartlet asks Charlie to bring Father Thomas Cavanaugh to the White House to offer his counsel to the President. The Senior Staff is working through the Cruz issue while Josh and Joey are going back and forth about her candidate. She demands to see the President just as the President happens by. The President asks Joey about what should be done about Simon Cruz. Joey takes the opportunity to ask about her candidate. The President tells Joey that O'Dwyer is an empty shirt and if she gets someone worthwhile he will get interested.
Toby goes back to his temple and has a conversation with his rabbi about the Cruz case. Back at the White House, Mandy and C.J. go over what C.J.'s role would be in the Cruz case. In the Oval Office, Toby comes to see the President to make his case. Leo comes in and the President and Leo talk some more. Nancy tells the President that Sam would like to see him. The President tells Leo that he doesn't want to see him and Leo has to tell Sam "the President's done" and he cant do anything more about this right now.
Rob Lowe as Sam Seaborn
Moira Kelly as Mandy Hampton
Dulé Hill as Charlie Young
Allison Janney as C.J. Cregg
Richard Schiff as Toby Ziegler
John Spencer as Leo McGarry
〉Josh – I wish you'd stop telling people that, it makes me sound like an idiot〈
〉Josh – I have a very delicate system〈
〉He asked me if I had any influence over Toby Ziegler. I told him clearly he hadn't spent any time with Toby Ziegler〈
—Rabbi Glassman
〉Leo, there are times when we are absolutely nowhere!〈
—Sam
•The small bible used by Karl Malden's character is the same one he used in On the Waterfront (1954).
•Richard Schiff argued to Sorkin and Lawrence O'Donnell Jr. that Charlie Young should not rollback his statement that he himself would kill his mother's murderer, as Schiff found the notion of revenge interesting in the exploration of that character.
•This is one of the few episodes of the series without a "Previously on The West Wing" montage.
•In the DVD commentary, it is mentioned that Allison Janney was very sick during the shooting and had trouble getting through one scene. Luckily her character was supposed to be very upset in that episode. After the president's plane lands and they get into the car you can hear and see her sneeze.
ERRORS
•During Toby's discussion with his Rabbi, the Rabbi's arm position over the back of the pew changes repeatedly between shots.
1.First appearence of Joey Lucas, who becomes a recurring character throughout the show
2.Karl Malden: A life on screen (July 2009)
Aug 4, 2014 · The West Wing - Toby and Bartlet discuss the death penalty. From season 1, episode 14, "Take This Sabbath Day".
- 1 min
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- G Fox
Jan 9, 2023 · We’ve curated the most powerful quotes from individuals who are against the death penalty — including activists, abolitionists, political leaders, and the families of victims.
“I support the death penalty because I believe, if administered swiftly and justly, capital punishment is a deterrent against future violence and will save other innocent lives."
These quotes offer a glimpse into the complexity of the death penalty debate. They highlight the ethical, moral, and practical considerations surrounding this contentious issue. Whether you are an advocate for or against capital punishment, these quotes serve as a reminder of the importance of engaging in thoughtful discourse and reflection.
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Enjoy our death penalty quotes collection by famous governors, authors and comedians. Best death penalty quotes selected by thousands of our users!
