When Levity Breaks and Retaliation Is Born
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Senator engages his staff with a trivial question about Cognac versus Brandy, displaying disdain for Bartlet's speech.
Onorato interrupts the Senator's dismissive attitude, insisting Bartlet's speech holds critical information.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Not present to react, but implied to be threatened and targeted; likely to feel alarmed and braced for crisis management.
Joshua Lyman is absent but becomes the immediate object of demand and blame; the Senator insists on speaking to him and frames him as the administration operative responsible for the perceived provocation, making Josh the focal point for retaliatory action.
- • To defuse the Senator's rage and negotiate a way to blunt legislative retaliation (inferred).
- • To shield the administration and its personnel from personal and political retribution (inferred).
- • That as the White House political operator he will be held accountable for controversial decisions regardless of direct responsibility.
- • That rapid tactical response can limit damage and reframe the conflict (inferred from his role).
Tersely triumphant — moving from cautious anticipation to self-aware vindication as he delivers news that upends the room.
Watching the television broadcast, Steve Onorato interrupts the convivial banter to identify and announce the President's nominees, admits he was wrong about earlier expectations, and names the two reformers that ignite the room's anger.
- • To inform the senators and staff of the President's unexpected action quickly and authoritatively.
- • To provoke or expose the political consequences of the nominations, positioning himself as the bearer of consequential information.
- • That the President will act in ways that force congressional actors to respond publicly.
- • That leaking or announcing the information immediately will yield political leverage or advantage for his side.
Begins the scene amiably discussing a gift, then abruptly converts to rage when the nominations are announced; demands Josh Lyman …
Patricia Calhoun (called 'Patty' in room) is named as the second nominee; her technocratic reputation is invoked indirectly, and her …
John Branford Bacon is invoked by name on-screen and in the room; though absent physically, his nomination crystallizes the senators' …
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Josh Lyman's office desk telephone is invoked as the concrete instrument through which the Senator expects to deliver immediate, personal retribution; the demand to 'Get Josh Lyman on the phone' converts the televised policy act into a targeted personnel assault.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Cognac region of France is invoked in passing to settle a petty argument about a gifted bottle's provenance; the reference is used to puncture the Senator's small‑town praetorian pride and to mark the earlier, lighter tone before the political eruption.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Bartlet's announcement of F.E.C. nominations directly causes the Senator's shocked and furious reaction."
"Onorato's revelation of the nominees' names leads to the Senator's vow of retaliation and the subsequent call to Josh."
Key Dialogue
"SENATOR: This was given to me by a constituent who read in Time Magazine that I like Cognac. The problem is, that this is Brandy and not Cognac. Anyone know the difference?"
"ONORATO: He's going to name two finance reformers to the F.E.C."
"BARTLET ([on T.V.]): I am proud to nominate John Branford Bacon and Patricia Calhoun to the Federal Election Commission."
"SENATOR: Get him on the phone. Josh Lyman. Get him on the phone. I'm going to reach down his throat and take out his lungs with an ice-cream scoop."