Bartlet Bonds Heartwarmingly with Tatums Over Unearthed FDR Letter
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Charlie meets Alan Tatum and his son, Dr. Ted Tatum, revealing the mystery of the letter to FDR and its connection to President Bartlet.
President Bartlet arrives, confirming the authenticity of the letter and the personal connection to FDR, offering a photo as a token of appreciation.
Bartlet invites the Tatums into the Oval Office, sharing stories and taking photos, culminating in a heartfelt moment of connection over FDR's legacy.
Bartlet humorously engages with Dr. Tatum about his profession while insisting on hearing more stories about FDR, creating a light-hearted yet meaningful exchange.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
joyful
approaches group, jokes about FDR code homage, shakes hands with Tatums, escorts them to Oval Office, banters humorously about FDR legacy and Tatum family careers, poses for photos, motions Charlie into photo, insists they stay for food and stories
- • celebrate the FDR letter connection
- • share stories and humanize interaction
Amused delight mixed with filial pride
Dr. Ted Tatum shakes hands with Charlie upon arrival, introduces his father Alan lightly joking about Candid Camera ruse, prompts movement to Oval, shakes Bartlet's hand proudly noting his profession, laughs at banter, thanks profusely, and sits quietly as instructed amid family legacy celebration.
- • Showcase father's hidden history
- • Ensure smooth once-in-a-lifetime experience
- • Family legacies merit presidential recognition
- • Humor eases surreal White House encounters
Overwhelmed delight and nostalgic astonishment
Alan Tatum enters arm-in-arm with son, reacts with stunned awe to letter revelation and address confirmation, shakes hands with Bartlet and Charlie, banters on railroad career and FDR meeting via Tom Farley, requests photo with Charlie, expresses wonder, and sits for stories over food.
- • Relive FDR encounter through modern echo
- • Capture memory via photo with Charlie
- • Childhood innocence pierces presidential barriers
- • Hard work like railroading earns life's miracles
Excited pride in orchestrating the miracle, radiating quiet competence
Charlie energetically greets Dr. Ted and Alan Tatum in the Mural Room doorway, verifies letter details including Pittsburgh address and Tom Farley's role, explains the FDR code's journey, facilitates Bartlet's introduction, joins Oval photo at Bartlet's motion, shakes hands with Alan, and stands by as group bonds over history.
- • Deliver the letter's full backstory to Tatums
- • Bridge ordinary citizens to presidential intimacy
- • Presidential traditions like FDR codes deserve honoring
- • Personal aides enable magical White House connections
Focused urgency amid White House churn
Nancy briefly summons Charlie from the Mural Room with a curt call, hands him urgent papers interrupting the initial greeting, then fades as letter revelation unfolds, her intervention underscoring the crisis backdrop to this tender interlude.
- • Pass critical documents to key aide swiftly
- • Maintain operational flow despite personal encounters
- • Security briefings cannot wait for anecdotes
- • Aides like Charlie handle multiple fronts seamlessly
Neutral efficiency in service of legacy
The Photographer silently captures multiple shots in the Oval Office—first Tatums with Bartlet, then including Charlie at Bartlet's call—concluding with a terse 'Thank you' that punctuates the ritual, preserving the joyous historical convergence.
- • Document presidential-personal interaction accurately
- • Facilitate seamless photo session
- • Images eternalize White House intimacy
- • Precision honors participants' emotions
N/A (mentioned)
Tom Farley invoked by Charlie as FDR's personal aide whom young Alan met, linking past White House access to present miracle without physical presence.
N/A (historical figure invoked)
Franklin Roosevelt referenced extensively as letter recipient, New York governor and presidential candidate, originator of the emulated code, fueling Bartlet's homage and banter that bridges eras.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Charlie vividly recounts Alan Tatum's fragile childhood letter to FDR—written at age nine, featuring Tom Farley's connection, unearthed from demolished apartment with restored postage—as the event's emotional core, triggering revelations, code confirmation, banter, photos, and extended storytelling; it symbolizes enduring citizen-presidency bonds amid crises.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
2345 Northern State Boulevard referenced by Charlie as the razed Pittsburgh apartment where nine-year-old Alan penned his FDR letter two weeks prior, its demolition unearths the relic propelling this Oval miracle and evoking lost childhood amid urban renewal.
The Mural Room serves as intimate entry point for Charlie's greeting of the Tatums, Nancy's paper handoff, letter backstory reveal, and Bartlet's dramatic approach; its historical murals frame the FDR homage, contrasting crisis shadows with personal warmth before Oval transition.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Charlie's abrupt inquiry about former staffer Farley ties into his broader investigation of the mysterious FDR letter, showcasing his dedication to resolving historical puzzles."
"Charlie's abrupt inquiry about former staffer Farley ties into his broader investigation of the mysterious FDR letter, showcasing his dedication to resolving historical puzzles."
Themes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Key Dialogue
"BARTLET: "For the hundredth time, it was an homage!""
"BARTLET: "FDR was a fine president, don't get me wrong, but if you want something done right, dammit, call New Hampshire!""
"BARTLET: "You were there, you were at his feet, you got to tell me everything! Sit, we're going to get some food.""