Fabula
S2E14 · The War At Home
S2E14
· The War At Home

C.J. Reveals Prisoner Demand as Hostages Are Freed

As President Bartlet walks past Mickey at Dover Air Force Base, C.J.'s voiceover briefs the press, revealing the terrorists' demand for a Colombian prisoner's release in exchange for the DEA agents—publicly thrusting the administration's moral crisis into the spotlight. Mickey radios the partial victory: hostages extracted safely. Bartlet, stoic amid grief over the Blackhawk losses, vows to call families later. This turning-point revelation escalates national tension, forcing Bartlet's wrenching ethical choice between agents' lives and war-on-drugs principles.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

C.J. announces the demand for the release of a Colombian prisoner, setting the stage for the political fallout.

neutral to tension

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
C.J. Cregg
primary

Professional steel masking urgency of spinning crisis narrative

C.J. Cregg's voiceover overlays the Dover scene, commanding 'Hold your questions' while revealing the terrorists' demand for a Colombian prisoner's release, thrusting the moral dilemma into public scrutiny amid the base's grim ceremony.

Goals in this moment
  • • Control press narrative on hostage demands to shape public perception
  • • Buy time by deflecting questions during administration's ethical reckoning
Active beliefs
  • • Managed disclosure preserves White House credibility in scandals
  • • Public briefings humanize high-stakes foreign policy failures
Character traits
Commanding authority Strategic transparency Press mastery
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Mickey Troop
primary

Relieved determination veiling sorrow for raid's human cost

Mickey Troop stands resolute on the tarmac as Bartlet walks past, delivering the critical radio update 'The hostages are out,' bridging operational success with the unfolding grief of fallen soldiers' arrival.

Goals in this moment
  • • Convey hostage extraction success to President immediately
  • • Maintain chain-of-command poise amid national mourning
Active beliefs
  • • Timely intelligence sharing averts further catastrophe
  • • Negotiation's fruits outweigh raid's perils in hostage crises
Character traits
Stoic under pressure Diplomatic precision Crisis composure
Follow Mickey Troop's journey
Josiah Bartlet
primary

stoic

walks past Mickey and vows to call the families afterwards

Goals in this moment
  • • maintain composure amid crisis and commit to personal outreach to affected families
Character traits
protective resolute self-aware principled
Follow Josiah Bartlet's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Dover Air Force Base

Dover Air Force Base's external tarmac at night frames Bartlet's passage past Mickey, C.J.'s VO layering national crisis atop the arrival of flag-draped coffins from the botched raid; its military austerity amplifies the collision of hostage relief and soldier sacrifice, underscoring leadership's visceral burdens.

Atmosphere Storm-whipped, grief-heavy darkness pierced by operational radio crackle and press VO urgency
Function Ceremonial reception for fallen soldiers and ad-hoc command post for hostage update
Symbolism Harsh emblem of war's intimate carnage and diplomatic tightropes
Access Restricted military installation, limited to Honor Guard, President, and key advisors
Churning night rain lashing tarmac Rigid Honor Guard phalanx and C-141 cargo bay disgorging coffins

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 2
Thematic Parallel medium

"Bartlet's refusal to negotiate with the cartel thematically parallels the later announcement of the demand for a prisoner's release, both centering on the moral cost of dealing with criminals."

Bartlet Slams Folder on Aguilar's Release, Demands Military Options
S2E14 · The War At Home
Thematic Parallel medium

"Bartlet's refusal to negotiate with the cartel thematically parallels the later announcement of the demand for a prisoner's release, both centering on the moral cost of dealing with criminals."

Bartlet Rejects Aguilar Release, Staff Voices Gratitude as He Exits
S2E14 · The War At Home

Key Dialogue

"C.J.: "Hold your questions. There was a demand for the release of a Columbian prisoner...""
"MICKEY: "The hostages are out.""
"BARTLET: "I'll call their families afterwards...""