D'Astier

sensitive formal diplomatic prideful

D'Astier serves as Ambassador to France. President Bartlet recounts their dinner at the Palais de l'Élysée, where his joke about cheese visibly offended D'Astier and prompted him to question Bartlet's diplomatic status. The incident reveals D'Astier's strong cultural pride amid formal state functions. As a representative of France, he navigates high-level U.S.-French relations, where personal exchanges test alliance resilience.

2 appearances

Diplomatic Relations

D'Astier's Journey

A timeline through the narrative

2 moments

S4E2 · 20 Hours in America Part II

Church, State and the Missing Secretary

Not present; recalled as mildly offended in the anecdote, serving as evidence of diplomatic fragility.

Referenced in an anecdote about a dinner at the Elysee where Bartlet joked about cheese and D'Astier was offended—used to illustrate a candidate's sensitivity and Bartlet's self-awareness.

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S4E2 · 20 Hours in America Part II

The President's Small-Scale Rage

Described as offended in the anecdote; serves as foil to Bartlet's comedic test of social radar.

Referred to in Bartlet's anecdote as the Ambassador to France who was 'visibly insulted' by a joke about cheese; his reaction is used to measure social calibration.

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