Charlie Lands the X-Factor Secretary Candidate
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Charlie reveals he's found the ideal candidate for a pivotal White House position, hinting at unspoken qualities that mirror Mrs. Landingham's legacy.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Stressed urgency tempered by amused camaraderie
Striding urgently toward Oval Office, pauses to engage in quick-witted banter with Charlie, affirming X-factor's mystery as 'unknown intangible' before absorbing the candidate reveal with a intrigued 'Hmm?' and proceeding inside.
- • Reach Oval Office promptly for crisis response
- • Acknowledge Charlie's effort amid personal pressures
- • X-factor defines irreplaceable aide quality
- • Staff replacements vital for operational continuity
Infectious enthusiasm laced with proud accomplishment
Energetically intercepts hurrying Josh in the Outer Oval Office, enthusiastically listing essential secretary qualities—typing speed, discretion, devotion, X-factor—before repeatedly and triumphantly declaring 'I've got the lady,' injecting levity and hope into the moment.
- • Share excitement over finding ideal secretary candidate
- • Bolster Josh's morale with recruitment success
- • Perfect aide requires indefinable X-factor beyond skills
- • His discovery fills critical gap post-Landingham
angry
confronts Josh angrily in the Oval Office about the welfare vote scheduling, Catholic Charities event conflict, and past mistakes
- • reprimand Josh for scheduling errors
- • secure 218 votes for the welfare bill
cautious
interjects during Bartlet's confrontation to note that no one thought the Catholic Charities event was a good idea
- • support the staff's decision on avoiding the Catholic Charities event
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Toby's early strategic discussion about avoiding shared events with Ritchie escalates to Bartlet's explosive anger over Josh's poor scheduling of the welfare vote against Ritchie's fundraiser."
"Toby's early strategic discussion about avoiding shared events with Ritchie escalates to Bartlet's explosive anger over Josh's poor scheduling of the welfare vote against Ritchie's fundraiser."
Key Dialogue
"CHARLIE: "Well, she needs good skills. 110 ten words a minute. And discretion, obviously. A willingness to put this first no matter what. But there's an X-factor, right?""
"JOSH: "An intangible...""
"CHARLIE: "I've got the lady. I know who's the lady going to be. I've got the lady.""