The West Wing
S3E16
· The U.S. Poet Laureate

C.J. Probes Toby's Sightseeing Gambit for Tabitha Amid Press Surge

In a tense hallway exchange, C.J. intercepts Toby to report the Bartlet gaffe's fallout exploding press conference coverage from one to four networks, amplifying crisis stakes. Toby counters with his unorthodox plan to neutralize Poet Laureate Tabitha Fortis's landmine protest ultimatum via a casual sightseeing outing, revealing his empathetic calculation over confrontation. C.J. challenges his breezy confidence in managing the volatile poet, then falters on voicing a 'crazy thought,' exposing strategic hesitation and underscoring Toby's risky humanism amid mounting media pressure—a pivotal setup deepening character contrasts and subplot momentum.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

4

C.J. informs Toby that the press conference coverage has expanded from one to four networks, indicating heightened media interest.

surprise to realization ['Communications Office']

Toby reveals he is taking Tabitha Fortis sightseeing in Washington, hinting at his personal investment in her situation.

casual to curious ['NORTHWEST LOBBY']

C.J. questions Toby's confidence in handling Tabitha's ultimatum, revealing underlying tension about the Poet Laureate's demands.

concern to dismissal ["HALLWAY next to C.J.'s office"]

C.J. hesitantly starts to voice a 'crazy thought' about the situation but decides against sharing it, leaving an unresolved tension.

hesitation to withdrawal ["HALLWAY next to C.J.'s office"]

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Tabitha Fortis
primary

Perceived as unpredictably agitated, ripe for empathetic redirection

Tabitha Fortis invoked as central figure in Toby's plan; portrayed as poet unaccustomed to Washington and political consequences, targeted for sightseeing tour to neutralize her landmine protest ultimatum without direct confrontation.

Goals in this moment
  • • Leverage poetic protest for presidential audience on landmine issue
  • • Amplify voice through high-stakes ultimatum amid personal trauma
Active beliefs
  • • Artistic outrage demands immediate political reckoning
  • • Washington insiders underestimate outsiders' moral fire
Character traits
naive to politics emotionally volatile artistically principled
Follow Tabitha Fortis's journey
C.J. Cregg
primary

concerned

Calls out to Toby from behind, reports press conference coverage expanding from one to four networks, questions Toby's sightseeing plan for Tabitha and his confidence in handling her, hesitates on voicing a 'crazy thought' before entering her office.

Goals in this moment
  • • Inform Toby of press surge (per TEMPORAL and NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS connections)
  • • Probe Toby's confidence in managing Tabitha's ultimatum (per CAUSAL connection)
  • • Consider and withhold alternative strategy (per NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS connection)
Character traits
resilient strategic poised terse dutiful
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Toby Ziegler
primary

Casual confidence veiling acute awareness of escalating pressures

Toby dons his jacket and exits Communications Office into hallway, absorbs news of press expansion with resigned acknowledgment, counters crisis by unveiling sightseeing plan for Tabitha to defuse her threat, reassures skeptical C.J. with breezy confidence before parting.

Goals in this moment
  • • De-escalate Tabitha Fortis's protest ultimatum through personal rapport-building
  • • Project control over gaffe fallout to steady C.J. and maintain team momentum
Active beliefs
  • • Tabitha's inexperience with political 'consequences' makes her amenable to gentle persuasion
  • • Humanistic gestures like sightseeing outperform direct confrontation in volatile negotiations
Character traits
pragmatic empathetic strategically optimistic wryly unflappable
Follow Toby Ziegler's journey

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 1
Temporal weak

"Ainsley's acceptance of the promotion is followed by C.J. informing Toby about the expanded press conference coverage."

Sam Drops Bombshell Promotion on Ainsley, Sparking Fiery Elitism Clash
S3E16 · The U.S. Poet Laureate
What this causes 1
Temporal weak

"C.J.'s unresolved tension is followed by Josh discovering an unexpected reaction to his post on LemonLyman.com."

Josh Uncovers LemonLyman.com Backlash
S3E16 · The U.S. Poet Laureate

Themes This Exemplifies

Thematic resonance and meaning

Empathy as Crisis Containment
5
Toby Ziegler wields empathetic rapport to avert scandal, striding from chill doorways to fountain-side benches to console despondent poet Tabitha Fortis after her lecture collapse, …

Part of Larger Arcs

Toby Ziegler's tense negotiation to neutralize U.S. Poet Laureate Tabitha Fortis's landmine treaty protest threat, uncovering her trauma-induced breakdown and brokering a private presidential audience to avert public disruption.

Key Dialogue

"C.J.: "We've gone from one network carrying the press conference tomorrow night to four.""
"TOBY: "Sightseeing." C.J.: "Really?" TOBY: "Tabitha's never been to Washington.""
"C.J.: "You going to get that thing done, or you want me to talk to her?" TOBY: "It's going to be fine.""
"C.J.: "Listen, I have a crazy thought. Is it possible...?" TOBY: "What?" C.J.: "Hmm, never mind. I'll see you later.""