Character

Lawrence Altman

patient prominent medically authoritative

Lawrence Altman anchors front-row primacy as New York Times Chief Medical Correspondent, his perch—first seat on Bartlet's right—dictating the opening call in high-stakes press gauntlets. Staff hammers the protocol to funnel queries through his medical lens, shielding reelection fire amid MS fallout and Landingham's shadow. Patiently vigilant yet deliberately bypassed, he sharpens journalism's blade at executive vulnerability's edge, where precision meets presidential defiance.

5 appearances

Lawrence Altman's Journey

A timeline through the narrative

5 moments

S2E22 · Two Cathedrals

Bartlet Probes Donna on Unprecedented May Tropical Storm

Patiently positioned off-screen

Lawrence Altman is repeatedly invoked by C.J. as the pivotal New York Times Chief Medical Correspondent seated front-row right, dictating the press conference's opening query to pivot toward MS health …

View full event

S2E22 · Two Cathedrals

C.J. Drills Distracted Bartlet on Altman Protocol

Professionally poised for inquiry

Explicitly positioned by C.J. in briefing as front-row, first-seat-on-right target for President's opening call, invoked as safe medical entry point to preempt reelection chaos in press gauntlet.

View full event

S2E22 · Two Cathedrals

C.J. Deflects Hearings Query, Announces Bartlet's Arrival

Patient vigilance turning to subtle bypass frustration

Positioned prominently in the first row on Bartlet's right, waits expectantly to be called on as per protocol, visibly noted by Bartlet who deliberately chooses another reporter instead.

View full event

S2E22 · Two Cathedrals

Bartlet's Pocketed Smile: The Defiant Nod to Reelection

Frustrated anticipation held in check

Lawrence Altman waits patiently in the front row, deliberately overlooked as Bartlet pivots to Sandy, his medical scrutiny sidelined in the reelection pivot.

View full event

S2E22 · Two Cathedrals

Bartlet Snubs Altman, Playfully Draws Out Sandy's Reelection Query

Patient expectation turning to subtle surprise at bypass

Sits expectantly in the front row on Bartlet's right, primed as the designated first call per protocol, but deliberately overlooked as Bartlet scans the room and points elsewhere.

View full event

Affiliation

Congress