Leo Tasks C.J. on Nolan Recusal; Sam and Leo Spar Over Supercollider and Abbey Intervention
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Sam enters, inquiring about Jack Enlow's presence at the party, leading to a brief, tense exchange with C.J. before she departs.
Sam and Leo discuss Dalton Millgate's unexpected visit and the potential conflict with Jack Enlow over supercollider funding.
Leo reveals his growing concern about Abbey's hearing as the swing vote, Robert Nolan, may recuse himself, complicating the situation.
Sam and Leo debate the risks of the President intervening in Abbey's hearing, acknowledging the volatile mix of politics and family.
Leo corrects Sam's terminology about the supercollider, ending their conversation with a warning to avoid conflict.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
professional
Enters the area outside Leo's office, questions Leo about a rumor of Robert Nolan recusing from Abbey's hearing, agrees to verify it discreetly by changing taxicabs to avoid press detection, plans to report to the President if true, notes need to talk to Abbey, and exits as Sam and Margaret enter.
- • Discreetly verify rumor of Robert Nolan's recusal from Abbey's hearing
Anticipated volatility off-screen
Senator Jack Enlow invoked by Sam as target for Millgate intro at the party, with Leo probing fight potential, framing him as volatile gatekeeper to supercollider funds amid Sam's defensive pitch.
- • Wield funding leverage
- • Pork-barrel priorities over pure science
- • Personal slights provoke confrontation
Implied protective instinct off-screen
President Bartlet flagged for briefing if Nolan recusal confirms, with Sam vehemently opposing his direct call to Nolan as escalatory, underscoring Leo's cautionary wisdom on family-politics bleed.
- • Shield Abbey's career
- • Personal loyalty justifies calls
Gruff concern veiling strategic unease over converging crises
Leo stands at the threshold of his office with Margaret, urgently tasking C.J. with verifying Nolan's recusal rumor via discreet tactics, then pivots inside to grill Sam on the Millgate-Enlow setup, revealing the swing vote crisis, debating presidential intervention risks, and delivering a paternal warning laced with sarcasm amid rising familial-political tensions.
- • Confirm Nolan recusal to preempt Abbey's hearing fallout
- • Dissuade Sam from volatile Enlow confrontation and presidential overreach
- • Mixing family and politics invariably backfires
- • Secrecy is paramount in probing leaks from outlets like Union Leader
Focused professionalism amid late-night frenzy
Margaret works diligently at her desk outside Leo's office alongside him during C.J.'s briefing, then seamlessly enters the office as C.J. exits and Sam arrives, embodying the unflagging operational backbone amid handoff of multiple crises.
- • Support Leo's crisis coordination
- • Facilitate smooth staff transitions
- • Operational precision sustains White House momentum
- • Timing is critical in high-stakes handoffs
Implied urgency off-screen
Dalton Millgate cited by Sam as incoming guest and former prof needing Enlow hookup for supercollider funding, sparking Leo's scrutiny and Sam's justification in the debate.
- • Secure supercollider resources
- • Pure science merits political risk
Neutral off-screen ethical quandary
Robert Nolan referenced repeatedly as the pivotal swing vote on Abbey's medical board, with Leo tasking verification of his rumored recusal sourced from Union Leader, heightening stakes as family friend whose decision could doom her license.
- • Maintain impartiality in hearing
- • Navigate personal ties to Bartlets
- • Recusal upholds board integrity
- • Family friendships demand ethical distance
Defensive idealism clashing with frustration at perceived underestimation
Sam strides in post-C.J., inquiring about Enlow to C.J., then spars inside Leo's office defending his Millgate-Enlow linkage for supercollider funding, pushing back on fight risks, reacting to recusal news by blocking presidential calls, correcting nomenclature, and exiting defiant against instigator labels.
- • Secure Enlow meeting for Millgate's funding
- • Prevent presidential intervention in Nolan matter
- • Personal favors advance worthy science causes
- • Direct calls risk unnecessary escalation
Subject of medical hearing where Robert Nolan's potential recusal as swing vote is discussed; sarcastically wished happy birthday by Leo.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The West Wing Bullpen serves as the frantic transition zone where C.J. intercepts Leo by Margaret's desk for recusal directive, then flows into Leo's office for Sam's heated supercollider debate; its late-night clutter and echoing footsteps amplify the pressurized handoff of Abbey's crisis and funding gambit amid overarching gala chaos.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The New Hampshire State Medical Board looms as the crisis epicenter, with chairman Nolan's rumored recusal as swing vote in Abbey's hearing driving Leo's secretive probe directive to C.J., framing the board's ethical protocols as a guillotine over her license amid White House scramble.
Manchester Union Leader surfaces as the leak vector for Nolan's recusal rumor, compelling Leo to instruct C.J. on evasive taxi changes to probe without alerting the paper, injecting media predation into staff triage and escalating Abbey subplot urgency.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Sam inquiring about Jack Enlow's presence sets up their later confrontation where Sam forces Enlow to withdraw the supercollider hold, closing the narrative loop on this subplot."
"Sam inquiring about Jack Enlow's presence sets up their later confrontation where Sam forces Enlow to withdraw the supercollider hold, closing the narrative loop on this subplot."
"CJ being tasked to investigate Nolan's recusal precedes her delivering the confirmed news to Bartlet, forming a clear investigative sequence."
Themes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Key Dialogue
"LEO: "Do me a favor, would you? Check out a rumor that a Robert Nolan, who's the chairman of the New Hampshire State Medical Board is gonna recuse himself from Abbey's hearing.""
"SAM: "That means the President's gonna want to call him." LEO: "Maybe." SAM: "Yeah, he can't.""
"LEO: "You ever mix politics and the President's family and get a good result?" SAM: "No." LEO: "Me neither, and I've been a this a lot longer.""
"LEO: "Keep blood off your shirt.""