Steve Ryan

Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Christopher Meloni) have the unsavory task of investigating the sensationalized murder and sexual assault of a young boy, and their prime suspect (guest star Stephen Bogardus) is a convicted child molester whose only obsession seems to be collecting stamps. However, even with mounting evidence, one key piece doesn't fit -- but either way, the state is still prepared to cite civil detention as a test case to imprison him again as a likely repeat offender. Richard Belzer, Dann Florek, Michelle Hurd and Dean Winters also star.

A situation in an unimportant country on the other side of the world has Bartlet and his staff rewriting his address on the eve of his inauguration. Meanwhile, tensions mount between the White House and the Pentagon, and the staff is stunned by a betrayal of one of their own.

When a former President of the United States dies, the two remaining ex-Presidents fly on Air Force One with Bartlet to attend the funeral. Onboard, Bartlet's two historic guests partake in a lively debate about their administrations. Their past mistakes haunt the current administration including a recent event--protestors have surrounded a Saudi Oil headquarters, taking 200 hostages, including 50 Americans. Meanwhile, C.J. investigates government experiments on mind control. Leo discovers his ex-wife is engaged to be married. And Josh referees a debate concerning an original copy of the Bill of Rights. Acclaimed novelist John Sacret Young wrote the teleplay.

Bartlet is preoccupied with a killer tornado in Oklahoma and flies there to lend his support. But his compassion overrules good judgment, and Bartlet stays longer than planned. Meanwhile, Leo worries about several crises in the capital that need the president's immediate attention. Josh fears the worst after a political miscalculation costs the Democrats dearly. And Donna becomes concerned about Josh's welfare after he becomes Washington's latest target of scorn.

When the flash of a secret nuclear detonation is detected over the Indian Ocean, Bartlet calls upon his people to investigate which nation now has the atomic bomb--and since conventional thinking favors Iran, Bartlet orders bombers into the air to destroy that nation's most likely uranium-enriched targets. Meanwhile, Josh chides NASA personnel on the future of space exploration--until he is introduced to an attractive female administrator. C.J. fumes when a combative television talk-show host, Taylor Reid (Jay Mohr - "The Last Comic Standing"), denigrates her on the air, and Will discloses to Vice President Russell (recurring guest star Gary Cole - "Midnight Caller") that Russell is considered a buffoon by the White House staff.