Top Favorite "THE WEST WING" Season Two (2000-2001) Episodes

Below is a list of my top favorite episodes from Season Two of NBC's "THE WEST WING". Created by Aaron Sorkin, the series starred Martin Sheen: 



TOP FAVORITE "THE WEST WING" SEASON TWO (2000-2001) EPISODES



1. (2.01) "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, Part I" - Following the shooting at the Rosslyn, Virginia town hall at the end of Season One, President Jed Bartlett is rushed to hospital. Meanwhile, West Wing staffers field questions on executive authority and the Secret Service protection measures. Flashbacks show how key staff members joined the Bartlet campaign.





2. (2.22) "Two Cathedrals" - A tropical storm approaches Washington D.C., while President Bartlett prepares to disclose to the American public that he has multiple sclerosis (MS). Meanwhile, he wrestles over a crisis in faith during the funeral of his secretary, Dolores Landringham; and his decision over whether to seek re-election.





3. (2.10) "Noël" - Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman is ordered to seek psychiatric help during the Christmas holidays, when his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over being shot during the Rosslyn incident causes him to become increasingly volatile. 





4. (2.20) "The Falls Gonna Kill You" - White House Counsel Oliver Babish questions Press Secretary C.J. Gregg and First Lady Abbey Bartlett about the President's MS cover-up. Also, the staff begins to develop a strategy to deal with the impending MS crisis. 





5. (2.18) "17 People" - White House Communications Director "Toby" Ziegler finally learns about Bartlett's multiple sclerosis, becoming the 17th person to know. While he and the President have a heated argument over the matter, the rest of the staff struggle to punch up the President's speech for the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

"Double Enmity" (R) - Chapter 10

"DOUBLE EMNITY"

Chapter 10

The moment Cole entered the penthouse, Olivia greeted him with a martini glass in her hands. "Welcome home! Gibson?" She held out a glass of gin and vermouth martini garnished with an onion.

A smiling Cole stepped forward and accepted the offered drink. Then he placed it upon a nearby side table. "Later. Right now, I just want to hold you." He enveloped his wife into his arms. As usual, she smelled of hot cinnamon. She let out a squeak. "Something wrong?"

"Cole, I have this drink in my hand," Olivia's muffled voice replied.

The half-daemon took the drink and placed it on the nearest table. "We'll drink later. Right now, I just want you." Before Olivia could utter another word, Cole lowered his mouth upon hers. She resisted . . . at first. And he found her actions baffling. But when she slid her arms around his neck, all doubts banished from the half-daemon's mind.

Over a minute passed before the couple's lips finally parted. Breathing heavily, Cole teased his wife. "Now, what were you saying about a drink?"

A sultry smile curved Olivia's mouth. "Absolutely nothing." She grabbed the back of Cole's head and guided it toward her. Once more, their lips met for another passionate kiss. Olivia parted her lips slightly, giving Cole the opportunity to slide his tongue between them.

Overcome by the play of lips and tongues, Cole felt his body grow hard. He swiftly lifted Olivia into his arms and carried her over to the sofa. Once he had plopped down, the redhead shifted her body around, until she ended up straddling his lap.

In their new position, the couple's kissing continued in earnest. Cole felt his wife's slim fingers slide through his hair. He surreptiously allowed one of his hands to cover a firm breast. Then Cole set about unfastening the buttons to her blouse. Once he had finished, his hand cupped what was now a warm globe of flesh barely covered by her bra's thin material. A slight moan escaped from Olivia's mouth. She wriggled slightly in his lap and he felt himself grow even harder. Whatever restraint he had possessed, no longer existed.

Cole quickly shrugged off his jacket. At the same time, Olivia's fingers unfastened his tie, before she began to unfasten his shirt buttons. Then their mouths met for another long and passionate kiss. A groan escaped from Cole's mouth, as her fingers caressed his nipples, causing them to immediately harden. During his own caresses, the half-daemon made a small, yet delightful discovery. Olivia wore a bra with a clasp in the front. With a flick of his forefinger, he unfastened the clasp. His eyes gazed upon a pair of deliciously familiar breasts. Like a greedy infant, Cole encircled one rose-colored nipple that quivered at the tip of Olivia's right breast and began to suckle. Olivia sighed . . . long and hard. He switched his attention to the other nipple. And once again, Olivia's response expressed her pleasure.

Olivia's nails dig into Cole's back, while he continued his ministrations upon her chest. Then he felt one slim unzip his trousers and slip inside. She gave his manhood a tug and a loud groan escaped from Cole's lips. "Olivia," he murmured, while she continued to caress him. Unable to hold his passion in check any longer, Cole flipped his red-haired wife on her back. Then he removed her shoes. She cried with pleasure, as he tugged at her pants off. As he prepared to remove his own pants, the telephone rang. The couple stared at each other and then at the living room telephone.

"Ignore it," Olivia said breathlessly.

"Right." Cole lowered himself on her, before gathering her into his arms for a deep kiss. The telephone rang several more times before it stopped. Cole kicked off his shoes. His mouth left Olivia's and moved to her slender neck. The telephone rang again. Only the ring came from Cole's trouser pocket.

The half-daemon reluctantly removed his mouth from Olivia's neck. "It's my cell phone," he murmured.

Olivia turned slightly and planted a light kiss on the edge of Cole's mouth. "What about it?" She kissed him again.

"It might . . ." Cole broke off, as Olivia captured his mouth for another kiss. His cell phone continued to ring. Cole reluctantly ended the kiss. "Wait . . . a minute." He let out a gust of breath. "It might be an emergency." Reluctantly, he sat up and climbed off Olivia. "Just a . . . just a minute. Damn!" A pout threatening to form on her lips, Olivia heaved a big sigh. Cole reached inside his pocket for his cell phone. "Hello?"

"Cole?" the voice over the phone cried. "Thank God, I finally reached you!"

The half-daemon immediately recognized his ex-wife's voice. "Phoebe?"

The Charmed One continued, "My God, Cole! Aren't you home yet? Didn't Olivia tell you about my premonition?"

"Yes Phoebe, she did," Cole muttered in a slightly annoyed tone. "That's why . . . I'm at home. Now."

A sigh of relief filled Cole's ears. "Thank goodness! But . . . why didn't you answer your regular phone?"

Cole decided not to answer Phoebe's question. "Is there any other reason why you had called me?"

In a more subdued voice, Phoebe replied, "Oh yeah. Um . . . look, about my little rant against Holly McMillan, this morning – I'm sorry. She's your client and I had no business dictating how you should do your job. I'm . . . I'm sorry."

Cole felt satisfied with Phoebe's apology. Yet, he wished she had shown better timing in delivering it. "It's okay, Phoebe. Apology accepted. Listen, I was in the middle of . . . something. Can I talk to you later?"

"You're going to stay home for the rest of the day . . . right?" Phoebe insisted.

The half-daemon shot a glance at his wife, who stood next to the liquor cabinet. "Trust me, Phoebe. I have no intention of leaving this place for the rest of the day." He turned away. "And thanks for the warning."

"Yeah. Okay." Phoebe hesitated before she added warmly, "See you around, Cole."

Cole replied, "Bye Phoebe." He disconnected the line with a sigh. Time to return his attention to more important matters – like his wife. The half-daemon whirled around and found himself facing her. To his disappointment, she was fully clothed.

A smiling Olivia held up both cocktail glasses. "Now, how about that Gibson?"

---------

Darryl stood in the middle of the alley, shaking his head in consternation. "What in the hell happened to her?" he demanded in frustration. Scott merely shrugged. "I realize that she's a witch, but at least . . ."

A loud thump interrupted Darryl. It came from a nearby garbage dumpster. Both Darryl and Scott paused to exchange glances. "Did I just hear a noise?" the latter asked.

"Yeah," Darryl replied. "Coming from . . ." Another thump resonated. "Someone is in that dumpster." The pair rushed toward the object. They peered inside and found a bleeding and semi-conscious Olivia barely thrashing on a pile of garbage. "Oh my God!" Darryl exclaimed. "Olivia!" He started to climb aboard the dumpster. "How in the hell do we get her out of there?"

Scott shot an uneasy glance at the older man. "I could use magic. If you don't mind." The young inspector happened to be a well-trained sorcerer.

Darryl nodded. "Go ahead."

The younger man peered into the dumpster. He chanted something in Chinese. Seconds later, Olivia's bloodied body disappeared from inside the dumpster. They whirled around and spotted their colleague on the ground, still bleeding.

Darryl knelt beside the redhead to examine her. He could hear Scott summoning for medical help. Her shallow breathing, along with the amount of blood from her chest made Darryl wonder if anyone could help Olivia. "Olivia! Olivia! Can you hear me?" Darryl leaned forward to place his head near hers. "Who did this to you?" he demanded quietly. "What happened?"

Slowly, Olivia opened her mouth. More blood gushed out.

An anxious Scott said, "I don't think she's in any condition to talk." He shot a glance at the dumpster. "I wonder how she got into that dumpster."

Again, Olivia opened her mouth. Her breathing grew more ragged. "T-tel . . . leport. I . . ."

Darryl frowned. "Did you say . . ."

"I think she was trying to say that she had teleported," Scott added. "She must have used a spell."

A gurgle from Olivia followed. Darryl leaned toward her, again. "What? Olivia? Are you trying to say something?" A thought came to him. "Do you know who shot you? Olivia?"

More blood gushed out of Olivia's mouth. She moaned for several seconds, until she replied, "Me. Me shot . . . ano . . . another . . ."

Darryl and Scott exchanged confused looks. "What did she say?" the latter demanded.

"I think she said . . . me." Darryl shook his head in confusion. "Whatever that means. Look, you need to call for help. Get some paramedics over here."

While Scott summoned for help with a walkie-talkie, Darryl continued to attend Olivia. He used his handkerchief to wipe the blood from her lips. He also stroked her damp forehead. Then more blood gushed from her mouth. Darryl feared that she would have no more blood by the time help arrive. Fortunately, the paramedics finally appeared.

"Goddamn!" one of the paramedics cried. "This place has become a regular blood bath!" He glanced at the figure surrounded by trash cans. "Is that guy okay? He looks . . ."

Darryl replied sharply, "He's dead. She's not!" He pointed at the wounded Olivia.

"Okay." The paramedic and his partner set about treating Olivia. From what Darryl could gather from their call to a hospital, the red-haired witch was hemorrhaging badly. Even worse, a bullet may have severed an artery. Several members from the Coroner's Office arrived. While some of them took photographs, a coroner assisted the paramedics.

Finally, two ambulance drivers appeared with a gurney. They gently lifted Olivia's body upon it and began to carry it away from the crime scene. Darryl and the two paramedics followed. Scott remained behind with the corpse and the Coroner's Office members. When they reached the ambulance, Olivia was loaded into the vehicle. One of the paramedics climbed aboard. As Darryl began to follow him inside, the paramedic stopped him. "Sorry Lieutenant. You can meet . . ."

"I'm joining you," Darryl firmly insisted. He gave the paramedic a hard stare. The latter relented and Darryl climbed inside the ambulance.

-------------

The moment Cole turned away to answer his cell phone, the red-haired warlock felt a surge of anger. She was angry that Cole had interrupted a very enjoyable bout of foreplay. She felt angry that the person responsible for the interruption turned out to be that skanky bitch, Phoebe Halliwell. But what really burned Olivia was the fact that she had allowed herself to be distracted. She had forgotten that the Cole of this dimension . . . was not her Cole.

This Cole – the one who now spoke on his cell phone – was a powerful daemon who had abandoned his old life as a demonic assassin. This Cole had not been affected by the drug she had arranged for those British warlocks to feed him with in Scotland, last June. Yet, all this Cole had to do was kiss her and she completely forgotten her task.

Heaving a sigh, Olivia scrambled off the sofa. She quickly donned her clothes and buttoned her blouse. Her eyes saw the untouched glass of Martini. The opportunity still remained for her to finish the job. Olivia snatched the glass from the side table near the door. She carried it to liquor cabinet. Then she prepared another glass of martini before pouring some of the first glass' contents into the second glass. She finished preparing a third glass of martini for herself just before Cole hung up.

Once Cole had ended his call from Phoebe Halliwell, Olivia held out the doctored drink. "How about that martini?" she said with a smile.

Cole frowned. "You got dressed?"

Olivia shrugged her shoulders. "You answered that phone call."

"Oh, I see. This is punishment."

Widening her smile, Olivia replied, "Consider this your chance to make up for interrupting some very promising sex. Starting with a drink." She handed one of the Gibsons over to Cole. Then she saluted the half-daemon with her own glass. "Bottoms up."

Both Olivia and Cole took a sip of their drinks. Through narrowed eyes, the warlock closely observed the half-daemon. To her relief, he failed to notice anything odd about his martini. "Excellent," he proclaimed. "Quite good." He finished the rest of his drink. After placing his empty glass on the side table, he said, "Now . . . about finishing what we had started . . ."

"I haven't finished my martini," Olivia protested.

Cole slowly approached her, wearing a seductive smile that nearly caused Olivia's heart to flip. "Do you mean to say that you're more interested in that martin . . ." His expression suddenly changed before a gasp left his mouth. "What the . . .?" He clutched his stomach.

Olivia stared at him. "Is there something wrong? Cole?"

The half-daemon fell to his knees. "There's something . . ." He stared at Olivia with eyes wide with disbelief. "Wha . . . what did you . . . put . . . in my drink?"

"An onion of course," Olivia blithely replied. "Isn't that how we both prefer our martinis?" Cole cried out in pain, as a black cloud seeped out of his body. Olivia grabbed an empty glass bottle from the coffee table and held it out. The cloud immediately seeped into it. "And a power stripping potion. Considering your immense powers, I had to give it an extra kick."

Breathing heavily, Cole demanded to know why she had stripped away his powers. "Oh God! Either you're under a spell or . . . you're not Olivia." He spoke the last words in a whisper. "But you must be . . . her. You . . . Everything about you . . ."

"I am Olivia." The warlock used her telekinesis to force Cole flat on his back. He stared at her with sheer terror. She then kneeled over him, straddling his waist. "I . . . am Olivia Jocelin McNeill. And I'm certainly not under a spell." She paused dramatically. Cole struggled to sit up, but Olivia's telekinesis kept him pinned to the floor. "I'm from another dimension. An alternate dimension. In my world, I'm a warlock. As for your Olivia," she removed an object from her pants pocket, "I believe I had put one bullet in her chest and another in her gut about less than an hour ago." She pressed a button on the object and a stiletto snapped upward. "I believe she should be dead by now. And you're about to join her."

Without any further hesitation, Olivia plunged the stiletto into Cole's heart. The former half-daemon shuddered for a few seconds, while blood poured from his heart and mouth. Then he laid still. Olivia leaned forward to check his pulse. Dead. She smiled. Mission accomplished.

------------

The ambulance conveying both Darryl and his seriously wounded partner raced along Clay Street. The police lieutenant looked on in silent anxiety, as the paramedic struggled to keep Olivia alive.

Then Olivia's body began to shudder, taking both men by surprised. The nearby electrocardiogram monitor began to beep erratically. "What's wrong?" Darryl demanded. "What's going on?"

"Dammit!" the paramedic cried. "She's going into cardiac arrest!" He pulled back Olivia's already opened blouse, fully exposing her blood soaked chest. Then he reached for the defilibrator pads. Before the paramedic could add cream to them, the monitor screeched into a long beep. He leaned back and sighed. The ambulance came to a halt. "She's gone, Lieutenant."

A horrified Darryl stared at the paramedic. "That can't be. You didn't even try to . . ."

"She . . . is . . . gone . . . Lieutenant! Dead!" The doors flew open, revealing the two ambulance drivers and a hospital nurse. The paramedic shook his head. "She's gone. Went into cardiac arrest. Time of death around three twenty-eight."

Darryl glanced down at the pair of green eyes now devoid of life. He dropped his head into his open palms, wondering how he was going to tell Cole and the McNeills the bad news.


END OF CHAPTER 10

"HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" (2005-2014) Photo Gallery

Below are images from the CBS series, "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" (2005-2014). Created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, the series starred Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson Hannigan: 



"HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" (2005-2014) Photo Gallery

"THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ" (1954) Review

"THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ" (1954) Review

A few years ago, I had reviewed an old 1953 Tyrone Power movie called "THE MISSISSIPPI GAMBLER". This 1953 movie proved to be a mixture of a costume melodrama and adventure that chronicled the adventures of a Northern-born gambler who moves to New Orleans to start his own casino. The following year saw the release of another movie with a similar theme called "THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ". 

There are differences between "THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ" and "THE MISSISSIPPI GAMBLER". The latter film featured a top film star - Tyrone Power. And I can only assume that it was one of Universal Pictures' "A" films for 1953. It was certainly a big hit. On the hand, one glance at "THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ" and a person was bound to regard it as a "B" movie. The film's lead, Dale Robertson, was never big as Power. He was mainly known as a television star during the 1950s and 1960s. And his Hollywood career had only started five years before this film. 

"THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ" began in 1848 Baton Rouge with the arrival of a discharged Army militia officer named Captain Vance Colby, who had fought in Texas and Mexico during the Mexican-American War. In response to a message from a close family friend, Vance planned to travel down to New Orleans on horseback to meet his father, a famous and successful professional gambler named Chip Colby. During his journey, he meets a beautiful Creole aristocrat named Ivette Rivage and comes to her aid, when her carriage's horse becomes lame. She invites him to her family's plantation, Araby, where he meets her brother Andre Rivage and her fiance Claude St. Germaine. The two men react coldly upon learning of Vance's relation to his father, who has recently been accused of being a card cheat. 

Following Vance's departure from Araby, he is attacked by Andre's hired thug, Etienne. Riverboat captain Antoine Barbee and his daughter Melanie, whom Vance had first met in Baton Rouge, come to the wounded Vance's aid. Upon his arrival in New Orleans, Vance learns that his father was killed and framed for card cheating by three men - casino owner Nicholas Cadiz, Claude St. Germaine and Andre Rivage. Colby Sr. had won half interest in a new gambling vessel that the three accusers had plans to launch. Upon learning this Vance vows revenge against his father's enemies.

I first saw "THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ" on late night television when I was a teenager. Which means that MANY years had passed since my recent viewings. I wondered if my opinion of the film would change. To my surprise, I discover that it had not. As I had earlier stated, "THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ" struck me as a "B" swashbuckler. Although the film was released through Twentieth Century Fox, it was made by a production company called Panoramic Pictures that released a series of low budget films during the 1950s. And yes . . . it was quite obvious that "THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ" was a low budget film.

I noticed that for a movie set in the lower Mississippi River Valley, I cannot recall seeing any hint or sign of water in it, aside from the swamp (or a back lot pond) where Vance Colby was wounded and the body of water (or back lot pond) where one of the villains fell from a riverboat. I am still amazed that Chester Bayhi's set decorations and art director Leland Fuller managed to convey the movie's late 1840s setting with some plausibility - especially in scenes featuring the interior sets for the Araby plantation, Nicholas Cadiz's New Orleans casino and the parlor of Andre Rivage's new steamboat. 

On the other hand, I had a problem with Travilla's costumes. His costumes for the movie's actors, especially leading man Dale Robertson. Travilla did an excellent job in recapturing the men's fashion for that era, including the U.S. Army officer uniform that Robertson wore during the film's first half hour. I wish I could say the same for the women's costumes in the movie. Well, I found most of them a somewhat adequate representation of women's fashion in the late 1840s - especially those costumes worn by actress Lisa Daniels. But Travilla's designs for leading lady Debra Paget's costumes . . . what on earth?



Paget wore at least two or three more costumes in the film that struck me as a bit more tolerable. But she wore the one featured in the image above more than the others Now, I realize that her character, Melanie Barbee, was the daughter of a man who owned and operated a minor steamboat. But this is the 1840s we are talking about. Melanie was definitely not a prostitute or daughter of a poor backwoodsman. Her father owned a steamboat, even if it was second-class. A woman of her background and time would never be caught dead wearing such an outfit out in the open for everyone to see, let alone in the lobby of an exclusive New Orleans hotel.

I might have some issues with "THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ". But if I must be honest, my opinion of the film has not changed over the years. I still managed to enjoy it. During my review of "THE MISSISSIPPI GAMBLER", I had complained about the film's vague and episodic narrative. I certainly had no such problems with "THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ". I thought Gerald Adams and Irving Wallace had created a solid and entertaining story about a mid-19th century gambler who sought revenge against the men who had killed his father and ruined the latter's reputation. In fact, I cannot help but feel somewhat impressed by how Adams and Wallace had structured the movie's plot.

The two screenwriters set up the plot by allowing the protagonist, Vance Colby, to encounter a series of mysteries surrounding his father. From the fight he participated in with another gambler during his arrival at Baton Rouge via steamboat to the discovery of Chip Colby's death, Vance seemed encounter one mystery after another. Midway into the film, Adams and Wallace allowed Vance to finally discover the true mysteries behind Colby Senior's recent reputation as a card cheat, Andre Rivage's murder attempt on his life and Colby Senior's death. Upon this point, the plot for "THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ" focused solely on Vance's desire for revenge against the three men responsible for his father's death. Through it all, Adams and Wallace created a light love triangle between Vance and two women - the steamboat captain's daughter, Melanie Barbee; and Ivette Rivage, who proved to be more superior than her morally bankrupt brother. 

The movie also benefited from a first-rate cast. By 1954, Dale Robertson had been around Hollywood for five years. Although he never became a big star like Tyrone Power, his excellent performance as the strong-willed and determined Vince Colby made it pretty obvious why his acting career lasted for the next four decades - mainly in television. He also managed to create a strong screen chemistry with his leading lady, Debra Paget. She gave a very entertaining and superb performance as the feisty Melanie Barbee, who quickly fell in love with Vance while saving his skin on at least two or three occasions. Robertson also had a strong screen chemistry with Lisa Daniels, the British actress who portrayed the Creole aristocrat, Ivette Rivage. I believe Ivette proved to be a more complex character than any other in this film. She had to be regarded as the wrong woman for Vance, yet portrayed in a more sympathetic light than her brother. And I believe Daniels managed to skillfully achieve this balance in her performance.

I find it odd that Kevin McCarthy ended up in a low-budget film some three years after appearing in the film adaptation of Arthur Miller's play, "DEATH OF A SALESMAN". Well . . . regardless of how he must have felt at the time, McCarthy proved to be the first-rate actor and consummate professional who portrayed Andre Rivage as the charming, yet violent aristocrat whose temper and gambling addiction set the story in motion. Another excellent supporting performance came from Thomas Gomez, who portrayed Vance's new friend and Melanie's father, steamboat Captain Antoine Barbee. Gomez did an excellent job in conveying Captain Barbee's friendly and pragmatic personality . . . and providing a brief father figure for Vance. The movie also featured solid performances from Douglas Dick (who portrayed the spineless Claude St. Germaine), John Wengraf (who portrayed the intimidating Nicholas Cadiz), Jay Novello, Peter Mamakos, Donald Randolph, and Henri Letondal. And guess who else was in this film? Woody Strode, who portrayed Josh, one of Captain Barbee's crewmen. Or only crewman. Hell, I am not even certain whether he portrayed a free man or a slave. But his character did help the main hero defeat the "Big Bad" in a way that will prove to be very surprising for a film made in the 1950s.

I realize that "THE GAMBLER FROM NATCHEZ" is not perfect. But for a low-budget film, it proved to possess a very well-structured and well-written narrative, thanks to screenwriters Gerald Adams and Irving Wallace. Although I regard the story to be the backbone of any film, director Henry Levin could have have ruined it with bad direction. But he did not. Instead, I believe Levin and a cast led by Dale Robertson did more than justice to the screenplay. Perhaps this is why after so many years, I still managed to enjoy this film.

TIME MACHINE: Armistice of 11 November 1918

TIME MACHINE: ARMISTICE OF 11 NOVEMBER 1918

This month, November 2018, marked the 100th anniversary of armistice that was signed between the Allied/Entente Powers that included Great Britain, France, Italy and the United States and Germany, the remaining member of the Central Powers. This armistice ended the fighting in World War I. 

By late September 1918, war had waged between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa for roughly over four years. On the 28th of that month, the German Supreme Army Command had met with Kaiser Wilhelm II and the Imperial Chancellor, Count Georg von Hertling at the Imperial Army Headquarters at Spa in occupied Belgium. The Command had informed the Kaiser and the Imperial Chancellor that the military situation facing Germany was hopeless. Quartermaster General Erich Ludendorff, probably fearing a breakthrough, claimed that he could not guarantee that the Germany's front would hold for another two hours and demanded a request be given to the Entente for an immediate ceasefire. Then news came of the signing of the Armistice of Salonica at Thessaloniki, Greece; between Bulgaria and the Allied Powers on September 29, 1918. The Central Powers had lost one member of its alliance and the war hostilities ceased on the Bulgarian front.

Prince Maximilian of Baden replaced Georg von Hertling as Chancellor of Germany on October 3, 1918 in order to gegotiate an armistice. Two days later, the German government sent a message to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to negotiate terms on the basis of his Fourteen Points. The points or Wilson's demands included the retreat of Germany from all occupied territories, the cessation of submarine activities and Kaiser Wilhelm's abdication.

Then on October 17, 1918; the Allied forces made its final push towards the German border. While the British, French and American armies advanced, the alliance between the Central Powers began to collapse. The Ottoman Empire (Turkey) signed the Armistice of Mudros on October 30, 1918; ending the hostilities in the Middle East. On November 3, Austria-Hungary signed the Armistice of Villa Guisti with Italy, ending hostilities on the Italian front on the following day, November 4. 

By mid-to-late October, Germany began to crumble from within. Faced with the prospect of returning to sea, the sailors of the High Seas Fleet stationed at Kiel mutinied on October 29. Within a few days, the entire city was under their control and the revolution against the empire spread throughout the country. On November 9, 1918; Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated from Germany's imperial throne. The former monarch slipped across the border into the Netherlands and remained in exile until his death in 1941, at the age of 82. A German Republic was declared and peace feelers extended to the Allies. Also on November 9, Max von Baden handed over the office of Chancellor to Friedrich Ebert, a Social Democrat. Ebert's SPD and Erzberger's Catholic Centre Party had enjoyed an uneasy relationship with the Imperial government since Bismarck's era in the 1870s and 1880s. They were well represented in the Imperial Reichstag, which had little power over the government, and had been calling for a negotiated peace since 1917.

In the end, the Armistice proved to be a rushed process. The German delegation headed by Matthias Erzberger crossed the front line in five cars and traveled under escort for ten hours across the devastated war zone of Northern France. They arrived on the morning of November 8, 1918 and were taken to the secret destination aboard the Allied Powers' Supreme Commander Marshal Ferdinand Jean Marie Foch's private train parked in a railway siding in the forest of Compiègne. The Germans were handed the list of Allied demands and given 72 hours to agree. The latter included complete German demilitarization, immediate evacuation of occupied territory, surrender of weaponry, vacated territory to be occupied by Allied troops at Germany's expense, and evacuation of German forces in Africa. The Germans were able to correct a few impossible demands (for example, the decommissioning of more submarines than their fleet possessed), extended the schedule for the withdrawal and registered their formal protest at the harshness of Allied terms. But they were in no position to refuse to sign. 

On Sunday 10 November, the German delegation received news of the Kaiser's abdication and departure via Parisian newspapers shown to them. That same day, Ebert instructed Erzberger to sign the armistice. The cabinet had earlier received a message from the German Army Supreme Commander Paul von Hindenburg, who requested that the armistice be signed even if the Allied conditions could not be improved on. Germany and the Allied Powers agreed at 5:00 am on November 11, 1918, to sign the Armistice of Compiègne. It became effective at 11:00 am (Paris time).

The armistice went through prolongation (extension) three times - between November 11, 1918 and January 10, 1920 - before it was finally ratified on that final date at 4:15 pm. Also ratified on that date was the Treaty of Versailles, which brought a final end to World War I. Celebration of the Armistice became the centerpiece for the war's memories, along with salutes to the unknown soldier. Nations built monuments to the dead and the heroic soldiers, but seldom to the generals and admirals. November 11 is commemorated annually in many countries under various names such as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, Veterans Day, and in Poland it is Independence Day.

For more information on the Armistice of Compiègne, read the following book:

*"Peace at Last: A Portrait of Armistice Day, 11 November 1918" (2018) by Guy Cuthbertson