Leo Swears Oath, Brushing Off Jordan's Concern
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Leo takes the oath for his testimony, with Jordan showing concern about the earlier phone call.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Deeply uneasy and probing, sensing vulnerability in Leo's exchange
Jordan anxiously questions Leo post-call about 'what's going on,' urgently repeating his name as the Chairman interrupts, her concern underscoring her eavesdropping on the overheard conversation.
- • Uncover the call's implications for Leo's testimony
- • Support Leo amid perceived distress
- • Leo needs candid reassurance before high-stakes swearing
- • The call signals hidden pressures threatening his position
Procedurally neutral and commanding
The Chairman formally instructs Leo to rise, raise his right hand, and swear the written oath, initiating the witness testimony with procedural authority amid Jordan's interruption.
- • Commence Leo's testimony per hearing protocol
- • Uphold the oath's solemnity without disruption
- • Oath ensures truthful accountability under congressional oversight
- • Witness must prioritize institutional process over side conversations
Reinvigorated by Bartlet's loyalty yet feigning casual nonchalance to evade vulnerability
Leo dismisses Jordan's probing concern about the presidential call with a casual deflection, then turns to the committee, raising his hand to solemnly swear the oath, marking his formal entry into testimony with resolute composure amid the room's scrutiny.
- • Deflect Jordan's inquiry to protect call's sensitive content
- • Project strength by swearing oath without hesitation
- • Personal loyalties are private 'family' matters not for scrutiny
- • Presidential support equips him to face perjury risks
Trusted ally in absentia
Josh is indirectly invoked via the call's context, where Bartlet directs Leo to allow his disruptive actions, tying into broader crisis management.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Leo's Written Oath lies prominently before him in the witness chair; the Chairman directs him to swear it by raising his hand, symbolizing the perilous commitment to truth amid cover-up scrutiny, heightening perjury tension as Leo recites it verbatim.
Leo's phone, just used for Bartlet's call overheard by Jordan, lingers as the catalyst for her probing; its recent role underscores the intrusion of White House loyalty into the hearing's formality, now set aside as oath begins.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The House Hearing Room hosts Jordan's anxious probing, the Chairman's summons, and Leo's oath-swearing, its panelled windows and witness chair amplifying the shift from private reassurance to public accountability, charged with post-call tension.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The Subcommittee conducts the hearing through its Chairman's formal oath administration, embodying congressional oversight as Leo swears truth amid MS cover-up probe, framing personal deflection against institutional demands.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Bartlet's instruction to Leo to let Josh protect him leads to Leo's public disclaimer about perjury."
"Bartlet's reassurance of widespread support mirrors Leo's dismissal of the phone call's importance, both reinforcing the facade of control under scrutiny."
"Leo's insistence on facing the hearing directly contrasts with Bartlet's trust in Josh's disruptive tactics, showing both Leo's protective nature and Bartlet's strategic delegation."
"Leo's insistence on facing the hearing directly contrasts with Bartlet's trust in Josh's disruptive tactics, showing both Leo's protective nature and Bartlet's strategic delegation."
"Leo's defiance in the press scrum mirrors his playful banter with Jordan and Bartlet, illustrating his use of humor as a coping mechanism under stress."
"Leo's defiance in the press scrum mirrors his playful banter with Jordan and Bartlet, illustrating his use of humor as a coping mechanism under stress."
"Bartlet's protective surveillance of Jordan echoes in Leo and Jordan's banter, reflecting unspoken trust and authority dynamics."
"Josh's offer to help Leo disrupt the hearing is followed by Bartlet's call instructing Leo to let Josh act on his behalf."
"Josh's offer to help Leo disrupt the hearing is followed by Bartlet's call instructing Leo to let Josh act on his behalf."
"Leo forgetting Christmas Eve plans contrasts with Bartlet's later reminder, symbolizing their shared avoidance of looming personal and professional crises."
"Bartlet's joke about perjury mirrors his later cryptic questions about Jordan, both serving as veiled directives to Leo about navigating crises."
"Bartlet's instruction to Leo to let Josh protect him leads to Leo's public disclaimer about perjury."
"Bartlet's reassurance of widespread support mirrors Leo's dismissal of the phone call's importance, both reinforcing the facade of control under scrutiny."
"Bartlet's protective surveillance of Jordan echoes in Leo and Jordan's banter, reflecting unspoken trust and authority dynamics."
"Leo forgetting Christmas Eve plans contrasts with Bartlet's later reminder, symbolizing their shared avoidance of looming personal and professional crises."
"Bartlet's joke about perjury mirrors his later cryptic questions about Jordan, both serving as veiled directives to Leo about navigating crises."
Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"JORDAN: "Leo. What's going on?""
"CHAIRMAN: "Will the first witness rise raise your right hand to God and swear the oath that's written in front of you?""
"JORDAN: "Leo.""
"LEO: "It ain't nothing but a family thing.""
"LEO: "I solemnly swear that the testimony today will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.""