The West Wing
S2E2
· In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part 2 Flashback

Bartlet Declares 'I'm Ready' and Delivers Victory Speech

In this poignant flashback pivot, after comforting the grieving Josh—whose father has just died—Governor Bartlet turns to Leo McGarry, affirming Josh's resilience. With steely resolve, he states 'I'm ready,' eliciting Leo's knowing grin. They stride out amid adoring supporters shaking hands, as Bartlet's voiceover unleashes a thunderous victory speech invoking revolutionary roots and declaring, 'I accept your nomination,' alchemizing personal loss into galvanizing public leadership and campaign momentum.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Bartlet and Leo reunite, with Bartlet signaling readiness to return to the campaign trail.

resolve to determination

Bartlet delivers his victory speech, transitioning from personal grief to public leadership.

determination to triumph

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

7
Press Pool
primary

neutral

reporting on TV screen about happy Bartlet supporters and the candidate refining remarks in the suite

Goals in this moment
  • • update the public on campaign developments
Follow Press Pool's journey
Josiah Bartlet
primary

Empathetic resolve hardening into triumphant determination

Bartlet stands resolute post-Josh's departure, reassures Leo on Josh's well-being, summons him directly, declares 'I'm ready' with commanding poise, leads their exit while shaking hands with recognizing supporters, and delivers thunderous VO victory speech accepting nomination.

Goals in this moment
  • • Reassure Leo and affirm team strength
  • • Signal readiness for public victory address and campaign surge
Active beliefs
  • • Josh possesses innate resilience to overcome grief
  • • Personal loyalty fuels unbreakable political momentum
Character traits
empathetic resolute paternal charismatic
Follow Josiah Bartlet's journey
Flight Attendant Chicago O'Hare Gate
primary

announcing boarding of Delta Airlines Flight 175 to Kennedy International over VO

Goals in this moment
  • • notify passengers to board the flight
Character traits
procedural detached professional neutral authoritative
Follow Flight Attendant …'s journey
Holbrook
primary

calling to Josh to wake up over VO as the flashback fades

Goals in this moment
  • • wake Josh from unconsciousness
Character traits
urgent authoritative clinically insistent bedside resolute
Follow Holbrook's journey
C.J. Cregg
primary

significantly mentioned by Bartlet as someone he's been a 'jackass' to on the campaign

Character traits
resilient strategic poised terse dutiful
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Sam Seaborn
primary

significantly mentioned by Bartlet as someone he's been a 'jackass' to on the campaign

Character traits
fiercely loyal emotionally perceptive decisive principled resolute amid grief
Follow Sam Seaborn's journey
Toby Ziegler
primary

significantly mentioned by Bartlet as someone he's been a 'jackass' to on the campaign

Character traits
methodical sarcastic resolute irascible loyal
Follow Toby Ziegler's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Chicago Airport

Chicago Airport terminal serves as liminal crossroads where private grief yields to public triumph: Bartlet and Leo pivot from intimate reassurance to outgoing handshake procession amid milling night crowd, fluorescent glare amplifying emotional shift from loss to nomination roar via VO speech.

Atmosphere Charged with recognition buzz, cheers, and anticipatory energy under nighttime fluorescents
Function Exit stage for leadership transition and supporter interaction
Symbolism Threshold bridging personal fracture and national ascent
Access Public terminal with spontaneous supporter access
Fluorescent lighting casting stark glows Echoing footsteps and distant plane hums Crowded gates with recognizing admirers

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What this causes 1
Symbolic Parallel

"Bartlet comforting Josh at the airport after his father's death parallels his presence at Josh's hospital bed, both symbolizing mentorship and resolve."

Josh Awakens: 'What's Next?'
S2E2 · In the Shadow of Two …

Key Dialogue

"LEO: "Is he going to be all right?" BARTLET: "He's going to be fine." LEO: "Good.""
"BARTLET: "Leo?" LEO: "Yeah?" BARTLET: "I'm ready.""
"BARTLET (VO): "My name is Josiah Bartlet, and I accept your nomination for the Presidency of the United States!""