The West Wing
S2E13
· Bartlet's Third State of the Union

Josh Hangs Up Assuredly as Sam Emerges Confused

In the frenetic National Strategies Group at night, Josh decisively ends his phone call with Sam—assuring 'I'll be right there'—and pivots back to Donna, momentarily shifting from his polling anxieties. Simultaneously, Sam steps out of his office, confusion clouding his face, signaling emergent complications amid the hostage crisis and team disarray. This beat bridges Josh's external distractions to internal dynamics, ratcheting tension and propelling the narrative toward revelations about Ainsley and broader chaos.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Josh concludes a phone call with assurance, immediately shifting focus back to Donna.

urgency to focus

Sam exits his office with visible confusion as Josh disengages from the call.

certainty to confusion ['office']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Sam Seaborn
primary

Momentarily confused, signaling disorientation amid emergent crises

Sam looks momentarily confused upon hearing or sensing the exchange, then steps out of his office into the polling war room, physically entering the fray of unfolding complications.

Goals in this moment
  • • Assess and respond to the immediate team dynamics
  • • Integrate into the polling and crisis coordination efforts
Active beliefs
  • • Sudden shifts demand quick adaptation in high-stakes environments
  • • White House team unity overrides personal confusion
Character traits
confused alert responsive
Follow Sam Seaborn's journey
Donna Moss
primary

Calmly anticipatory amid surrounding frenzy

Donna stands ready as Josh hangs up and walks back to her, serving as the anchor point for his return and poised to absorb the next layer of instructions or updates.

Goals in this moment
  • • Reconnect with Josh for operational continuity
  • • Facilitate smooth transition back to polling tasks
Active beliefs
  • • Josh's reliability ensures forward momentum
  • • Her steadiness stabilizes team volatility
Character traits
patient supportive attentive
Follow Donna Moss's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
National Strategies Group

The night-shrouded polling hub frames Josh's call conclusion and return to Donna, while Sam's confused exit from his adjacent office injects White House urgency into the space, heightening the collision of external crises with internal data grind.

Atmosphere Frenetic and shadowy, pulsing with implied phone rings and screen glows under night pressure
Function Central operational base for crisis-bridging interactions
Symbolism Microcosm of fraying control where polling precision meets presidential chaos
Dim nighttime lighting Proximity to Sam's office for fluid entry

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

1
National Strategies Group

As the high-octane polling outfit, it hosts Josh's decisive hang-up and pivot to Donna, with Sam's emergence underscoring its conduit role for White House directives amid SOTU polling frenzy and scandal bleed.

Representation Via physical war room operations and staff presence
Power Dynamics Serves as data nerve center yielding to White House urgency
Maintain polling momentum despite interruptions Facilitate real-time integration of external team members Provision of operational space and resources Staff coordination under client pressure

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"JOSH: "I'll be right there.""