Fabula
S2E19 · Bad Moon Rising
S2E19
· Bad Moon Rising

Babish Probes Bartlet's MS Knowledge

In the White House Counsel's Office, with Leo present at the conference table, Oliver Babish initiates his ruthless internal investigation by confronting President Bartlet on his understanding of multiple sclerosis. Babish sharply asks what Bartlet can reveal about the disease beyond his own knowledge, testing the President's candor. Bartlet deflects evasively, admitting he knows less than a doctor and suggesting Babish consult one. This tense opener escalates the perjury probe, exposing Bartlet's deflection and straining their alliance amid looming conspiracy charges and national crises—a pivotal setup for unraveling loyalties.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Oliver Babish confronts President Bartlet with a direct question about his MS, cutting through formalities to the heart of the legal jeopardy.

formality to confrontation ['conference table']

Bartlet deflects with a non-answer, attempting to redirect the inquiry away from his personal knowledge of the disease.

confrontation to evasion

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Abigail Bartlet
primary

Intense and unyielding, probing for cracks in denial

Oliver Babish, seated at the conference table, initiates the interrogation by directly confronting President Bartlet with a pointed question about his unique knowledge of multiple sclerosis, setting a ruthless tone for the internal probe into perjury and cover-up.

Goals in this moment
  • • Test Bartlet's candor on MS to uncover perjury risks
  • • Establish dominance in the legal interrogation
Active beliefs
  • • Bartlet's evasion signals deeper concealment
  • • Only brutal honesty can shield the presidency from conspiracy charges
Character traits
methodical relentless sarcastic undertone
Follow Abigail Bartlet's journey
Oliver Babish
primary

intense

confronts Bartlet at the conference table, asking what he can tell about the disease beyond Oliver's own knowledge

Goals in this moment
  • • probe Bartlet's knowledge of multiple sclerosis to test his candor and expose concealment
Character traits
methodical relentless incisive professional unflappable
Follow Oliver Babish's journey
Josiah Bartlet
primary

evasive

sits at the conference table and deflects Oliver's question by saying he knows not as much as a doctor and suggesting consulting one

Goals in this moment
  • • deflect Oliver's probe into his understanding of multiple sclerosis
Character traits
protective resolute self-aware principled
Follow Josiah Bartlet's journey

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 3
Symbolic Parallel medium

"The malfunctioning Dictaphone symbolizes uncontrollable recording and compromised secrets, mirroring Oliver Babish's confrontation with President Bartlet about his MS concealment, which is also about uncontrolled truth and secrecy."

Babish Erupts Over Staff's Legal Blunders, Defies Vacation Push
S2E19 · Bad Moon Rising
Symbolic Parallel medium

"The malfunctioning Dictaphone symbolizes uncontrollable recording and compromised secrets, mirroring Oliver Babish's confrontation with President Bartlet about his MS concealment, which is also about uncontrolled truth and secrecy."

Dictaphone Stuck on Record Exposes Counsel's Office Vulnerabilities
S2E19 · Bad Moon Rising
Symbolic Parallel medium

"The malfunctioning Dictaphone symbolizes uncontrollable recording and compromised secrets, mirroring Oliver Babish's confrontation with President Bartlet about his MS concealment, which is also about uncontrolled truth and secrecy."

Babish's Reluctant Departure Interrupted by Presidential Visit
S2E19 · Bad Moon Rising

Key Dialogue

"OLIVER: "What can you tell me about this disease that I don't already know?""
"BARTLET: "Not as much as a doctor. You should""