The West Wing
S2E6
· The Lame Duck Congress

Josh Smirks at C.J.'s Press Trap and Rallies Donna to Intercept

In Josh's office, as he collects files while watching C.J.'s briefing, Josh smirks, declaring she 'walked into it'—a logical trap where denying the President hasn't considered a lame duck session forces her to inquire, making him consider it. Donna probes for clarity amid his muddled explanation, quipping it's 'stupid'; Josh concedes it was clearer in his head. With her briefing wrapping, they bolt down the hallway to intercept C.J., showcasing their razor-sharp banter, instinctive teamwork, and proactive crisis management amid the Test Ban Treaty's mounting chaos. This setup beat bridges C.J.'s deflections to unified staff strategy, injecting levity into high-stakes urgency.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

4

Josh smirks at C.J.'s predicament in the press room, enjoying her having 'walked into' a tricky situation while collecting files.

amusement to shared focus ["Josh's office"]

Donna presses Josh to explain his cryptic comment, exposing the circular logic behind C.J.'s press dilemma.

curiosity to dismissal

Josh brushes off his own muddled explanation with self-deprecation, pivoting abruptly to monitor C.J.'s press exit.

frustration to urgency

The duo spring into coordinated action, abandoning the office to intercept C.J. mid-crisis.

focus to movement ['Hallway']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
C.J. Cregg
primary

Trapped yet composed, sensing the ambush mid-briefing

C.J. appears onscreen during her press briefing viewed by Josh and Donna, having unwittingly 'walked into' a reporter's logical trap about confirming the President's non-consideration of a lame duck session, now wrapping up as they mobilize.

Goals in this moment
  • • Navigate media questions without committing the President
  • • Conclude briefing to pivot to internal strategy
Active beliefs
  • • Denials risk unintended confirmations
  • • Press briefings demand airtight deflections amid Senate threats
Character traits
poised under pressure strategically defensive aware of vulnerability
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Donna Moss
primary

Skeptically amused, balancing doubt with instinctive teamwork

Donna engages Josh directly in his office, probing 'Walked into what?' with sharp curiosity, dismissing his explanation as 'pretty stupid,' confirming C.J.'s briefing status as 'wrapping up,' and promptly following his lead out the door into the hallway.

Goals in this moment
  • • Clarify Josh's insight into the press trap
  • • Facilitate immediate interception of C.J. post-briefing
Active beliefs
  • • Josh's strategic mind outpaces his articulation
  • • Rapid coordination trumps perfect explanations in crises
Character traits
quick-witted skeptical loyal efficient
Follow Donna Moss's journey
Josiah Bartlet
primary

hypothetically referenced as not having considered a lame duck session yet

Character traits
protective resolute self-aware principled
Follow Josiah Bartlet's journey

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"JOSH: "She walked into it. She knows it too.""
"DONNA: "Walked into what?""
"JOSH: "She can't confirm that the President hasn't considered it less she asks the President if he's considered it, at which point, he'll have considered it.""
"DONNA: "That sounds pretty stupid.""
"JOSH: "It was a better organized thought in my head. Is she done?""