The West Wing
S3E4
· On the Day Before

Bartlet Nurses Ailing Abbey, Shares Bombing Horror and Zoey Fears

In a rare intimate respite amid cascading crises, President Bartlet enters the bedroom to tend his flu-stricken wife Abbey, bantering lightly despite her warnings of contagion. He delivers the devastating news of a Jerusalem suicide bombing killing two young American brothers (19 and 21), confirming they were likely targeted as investigations unfold. Probing parental instincts surface as he frets over daughter Zoey's uncharacteristic silence, enforcing a daily call rule. Offering solicitude before departing for duty, this tender beat humanizes Bartlet's principled resolve, contrasting personal fragility with national peril on Erev Yom Kippur—a poignant setup amplifying leadership's emotional toll.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

4

Bartlet enters the bedroom to check on his sick wife Abbey, who warns him to stay away due to her illness.

concern to lightheartedness ["The President's Bedroom"]

Bartlet shares the tragic news of a suicide bombing in Jerusalem that killed two American brothers, revealing his deep concern.

lightheartedness to sorrow

Bartlet expresses his worry about their daughter Zoey not calling daily, showing his parental concern amidst the crisis.

sorrow to parental anxiety

Bartlet offers to get anything Abbey needs before leaving, showing his care despite the overwhelming pressures he faces.

anxiety to resigned concern

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Abigail "Abbey" Bartlet (First Lady — The West Wing)
primary

sick and worried

lying sick in bed with flu, warns Bartlet of contagion, reacts to bombing news, discusses Zoey's calls, agrees to daily call enforcement

Goals in this moment
  • • warn husband of illness risk
  • • respond to news and family concerns
Character traits
politically engaged socially influential privately opinionated protective of presidential reputation assertive media-savvy maternal-authoritative pragmatic confrontational attentive professional discreet supportive logistically competent intellectual influential private
Follow Abigail "Abbey" …'s journey
Abigail Bartlet
primary

Affectionately concerned, blending lighthearted reassurance with underlying grief and paternal anxiety over family safety amid national crisis.

Bartlet enters the bedroom, approaches his wife's bedside despite contagion warnings, engages in affectionate banter, delivers the tragic news of the Jerusalem bombing killing two brothers aged 19 and 21, expresses worry over Zoey's silence, enforces a daily call rule, and offers solicitude before departing.

Goals in this moment
  • • Comfort and check on Abbey's well-being despite her illness
  • • Share bombing news to process grief together and enforce family communication protocols
Active beliefs
  • • Family vigilance is non-negotiable even during presidential crises
  • • Intimate moments strengthen resolve against external perils like the Jerusalem attack
Character traits
affectionate protective resolute empathetic
Follow Abigail Bartlet's journey
Zoey Patricia Bartlet
primary

Unspecified but implied as source of parental anxiety due to silence.

Zoey is not physically present but invoked through dialogue as the parents confirm her lack of contact that day, heightening Bartlet's worry over her uncharacteristic silence.

Character traits
vulnerable cherished communicative resilient
Follow Zoey Patricia …'s journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
President's Bedroom

The President's Bedroom serves as an intimate sanctuary where Bartlet tends to Abbey amid her flu, sharing devastating Jerusalem bombing news and enforcing family protocols; its seclusion amplifies the contrast between private vulnerability and the encroaching weight of national crises on Erev Yom Kippur.

Atmosphere Hushed and intimate with soft night hush, marked by illness's quiet discomfort and sudden intrusion …
Function Private refuge for spousal care and familial crisis discussion.
Symbolism Embodiment of personal fragility shielding the presidency from public gaze, underscoring emotional toll of power.
Access Highly restricted to immediate family and essential personnel.
Dim night lighting fostering intimacy Bed as central site of illness and conversation

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "It's good... but... a suicide bomber got two American kids in Jerusalem." / ABBEY: "No." / BARTLET: "Yeah.""
"ABBEY: "How old were they?" / BARTLET: "19 and 21. They were brothers.""
"BARTLET: "You speak to Zoey today?" / ABBEY: "No." / BARTLET: "I thought the deal was she calls once a day." / ABBEY: "She calls most days." / BARTLET: "I want her to call every day.""