The West Wing: Im Zentrum der Macht Five Votes Down (1999–2006) watch online HD

The long Steadicam shot in the episode teaser took thirteen takes and five hours of filming to accomplish.

While President is high on his back pills, he tells his aide Charlie that "Charlie's a great name." Martin Sheen, who plays President Bartlet, named his youngest son "Carlos" but nicknamed him "Charlie".

Toby says he drives a 1993 Dodge Dart. Dodge didn't make Darts in 1993, but Dodge Darts were a running punchline on the NPR radio show "Car Talk" at the time.

Martin Sheen almost kills the "walk and talk" at the beginning of the show? As the ensemble nears the exit of the building, Sheen delivers his line about Toby (Richard Schiff) being a 'pain the ass'. If you listen carefully there is a groaning sound - Charlie (Dulé Hill) jumps in with "Mr President" and Sheen replies "Oh yes, Charlie, by the way - did the first lady call?" Sheen had forgotten his line and Hill jumped in to try and save the scene.

"Previously on the West Wing" spoken by Leo (John Spencer).

In the pre-credits sequence there is one continuous steadycam shot which begins when the president leaves the ball room and ends when he reaches the motorcade outside. To get there the ensemble have to travel down flights of stairs, along corridors and keep the dialogue going with pin-point precision! Says Rob Lowe: "You'll have to ask Thomas Schlamme how many takes it was. It was either in the twenties or the thirties. The steadycam operator literally fell over from exhaustion when it was done. It's amazing that we did that in a weekly television show. In a movie, that would be a staggering achievement."

President Bartlet (Martin Sheen)'s back problems and medication is similar to the real back problems of President John F. Kennedy.

This episode takes obvious liberties with real life firearms, probably to avoid legal problems. The real life Ruger mini-14 is referred to as a "Rutger 14" and the real life Tec-9 is referred to as a "Tech-9".

Cal Tillinghouse (Michael McGuire) - the Democrat from Texas who opposes the gun reform bill in this episode - shares the same last name with the secretary of Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen)'s father, who preceded Mrs Landingham (revealed in season 2, ep 22).

Leo (John Spencer)'s home in the Pilot episode had a lawn and appeared suburban. Here, it's in a street that looks urban.

Several weapons are referenced in this episode. The "Rutger Mini-14" is mentioned several times, actually refering to the Ruger Mini-14, a gun that is indeed similar to the AR-15. When talking to Chris Wick Josh claims the "Mac-90, PCR, and NFR" are "both" copy cats of the AR-15 assault rifle except the grip is changed. This would be accurate if talking about the ARES SCR, however the Mak-90 would be more accurately described as a civilian version of the AK-47, the only PCR rifle that exists is bolt action and thus not similar to the AR-15, and the NFR is not a gun. In addition the Tec-9 is spelled in the captions as the "Tech-9" several times. There is also no such thing as the "Pat Maxi" grenade launcher. Congressman Richardson references the TEC DC-9, which is another name for the TEC-9 Josh says is getting banned, and both the Striker-12 and Street Sweeper, the latter of which is a complete copy of the former. Following this he says the "40 gauge barrel" which is unlikely to be addressed in a gun control bill since gauges are only ever used in reference to shotguns. He also references the "30 round clip and 20 round clip" most likely meaning magazine as most gun control bills address. At the end a reporter mentions the Mini-9, which in 1999 was not a gun that existed, and is probably mixed up with the TEC-9 and the Ruger Mini-14, which this reporter calls the Rutger-14.

Toby (Richard Schiff) claims to drive a 1993 Dodge Dart, but these where only produced from 1963 to 1976.

Scenes shot for the opening sequence are revealed by Making of documentary, as August 26th 1999. Placing the entire episode within the range, 23rd - 29th of August 1999, just prior to the season 1 broadcast.

Leo (John Spencer)'s alcoholism is first hinted at. His problem with substance abuse would become a subplot of the first season.

Tim Matheson' alcoholism is first mentioned. This would come up in Season Three when the Staff is briefly considering replacing Hoynes as the VP in the election.

Leo (John Spencer)'s wife leaves him in this episode. The divorce papers would be finalised in episode 2.7, West Wing - Tutti gli uomini del Presidente: The Portland Trip (2000).