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

Bartlet Vows Personal Calls to Families of the Fallen

At Dover Air Force Base at night, President Bartlet strides past Mickey amid the raid's grim aftermath. C.J.'s voiceover urges the press to hold questions on the Colombian prisoner's release demand. Mickey confirms the hostages' safe extraction, pivoting the crisis. Bartlet, internalizing the nine soldiers' deaths, vows to personally call their families, a raw act of accountability that humanizes his leadership burden and heightens emotional stakes before confronting the coffins.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Bartlet commits to calling the hostages' families, showing a moment of personal responsibility amidst the political storm.

relief to resolve

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
C.J. Cregg
primary

Steely authority masking crisis urgency

Voiceover intrusion from off-site, commanding press to hold questions while contextualizing the terrorists' demand for a Colombian prisoner's release, exerting narrative control amid the unfolding Dover grief.

Goals in this moment
  • • Contain press speculation on prisoner demand
  • • Frame hostage crisis to protect administration
Active beliefs
  • • Information discipline preserves operational integrity
  • • Public narrative shapes policy outcomes
Character traits
authoritative strategic composed
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Mickey Troop
primary

Professional resolve tempered by underlying grief over casualties

Positioned stoically on the tarmac as Bartlet walks past, delivers concise confirmation of hostages' safe extraction via radio or direct speech, bridging diplomatic relief against the raid's deadly cost in a moment of crisis pivot.

Goals in this moment
  • • Update President on successful hostage rescue
  • • Shift focus from raid failure to partial victory
Active beliefs
  • • Timely information can mitigate tragedy's impact
  • • Diplomacy's gains validate military risks taken
Character traits
stoic dutiful concise
Follow Mickey Troop's journey
Josiah Bartlet
primary

somber

walks past Mickey and vows to call the families of the fallen soldiers afterwards

Goals in this moment
  • • express personal accountability by committing to contact families of the deceased
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

Storm-ravaged nighttime tarmac at Dover Air Force Base frames the raid's aftermath as Bartlet passes Mickey, coffins implied in the shadows; it amplifies the visceral clash of hostage triumph against soldier losses, forcing raw confrontation with war's human price in a theater of military solemnity.

Atmosphere Storm-whipped darkness heavy with grief and rain-lashed tension
Function Ceremonial site for casualty reception and leadership reflection
Symbolism Monument to failed raid's moral carnage and unwinnable drug war
Access Restricted military base, Honor Guard and principals only
Pitch-black night with churning storm Screeching tires and engine growls Rigid Honor Guard phalanx presence

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

"MICKEY: "The hostages are out.""
"BARTLET: "I'll call their families afterwards...""