That's what I'm wondering too - he was a major character, and it looked like they were setting him up for a major role in the future as well.

I guess it all depends on how many episodes they've already shot, and if they are willing to change some future episodes to switch things around.

Last I heard, they'd shot 14 of the 22 episodes of the season. Production resumes January 2. The next new episode - January 8 - is the Veep debate with Leo.

Small WW Spoiler Alert...
 

I was so saddened to hear about John Spencer's untimely death. He was a very talented man.

I read somewhere that one of his lines in the debate is about how 'death is the first sign of a heart attack' and how lucky he feels to be having the debate at all. It will be strange to hear those words on the next episode. :(

Yoy know when 9/11 happen they re-arranged all their episodes to get that one on air when they are in lock down mode. The one where Josh , sam ,and the president were lecturing to those students in the WW cafeteria.... so hopefully they will take the same great care of this sensitive time and do the same.