West Wing is a popular political drama series that aired on NBC from 1999 to 2006. The show is known for its realistic portrayal of the inner workings of the White House and the political world. However, there was one episode that caused controversy and shock among viewers. This was the episode where "West Wing put a baby in her".
What Happened in the Episode?
The episode in question is called "20 Hours in America: Part II". The episode followed the White House staff as they tried to make their way back to Washington D.C. after being stranded in a small town in Indiana. One of the staff members, Donna Moss, played by Janel Moloney, was pregnant and went into labor during the episode.
What shocked viewers was not the fact that Donna went into labor, but the fact that the show decided to show her in labor and actually gave her a baby bump. This was a departure from the usual TV trope of hiding the pregnancy of a character or simply writing them off the show until after the baby was born.
The Controversy
The controversy surrounding the episode centered on the fact that the show had never hinted at Donna being pregnant. There was no build-up, no foreshadowing, and no explanation as to how Donna became pregnant. It was as if the show had just decided to give her a baby bump out of nowhere.
Many viewers felt that this was a lazy and unrealistic way of handling a character's pregnancy. They argued that the show should have either hinted at Donna's pregnancy earlier on or simply not included it in the storyline at all.
The Response
The show's creator, Aaron Sorkin, defended the decision to include Donna's pregnancy in the episode. He argued that the show was trying to be different and show a realistic portrayal of a character going through a pregnancy while also juggling a demanding job.
Despite the controversy, the episode was well-received by some viewers who appreciated the show's attempt to tackle a sensitive and realistic topic. The episode also won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series.
The Legacy
The episode "20 Hours in America: Part II" remains a controversial and memorable moment in the history of West Wing. It is often cited as an example of how TV shows can sometimes mishandle sensitive topics and how important it is to handle these topics with care and sensitivity.
Overall, while the controversy surrounding the episode was understandable, it also sparked an important conversation about how TV shows should handle sensitive topics like pregnancy and childbirth. It is a conversation that is still ongoing today.