Fabula
S2E13 · Bartlet's Third State of the Union
S2E13
· Bartlet's Third State of the Union

Margaret Abruptly Summons Leo to the Situation Room

In the bustling post-State of the Union reception hall, amid applause and lighthearted banter, Margaret interrupts Leo's tense conversation with Sam about containing the police officer's scandal. She urgently calls 'Leo' and declares they need him in the Situation Room, walking away with him. This pivotal pull-away beat yanks Leo from domestic political triage into an unforeseen international crisis, shattering the evening's fragile triumph and escalating narrative tension toward the Colombian hostage emergency.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Margaret interrupts to summon Leo to the Situation Room, signaling an urgent matter.

routine to urgency

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

7
Margaret Hooper
primary

Urgent professionalism veiling crisis gravity

Walks up purposefully to interrupt Leo and Sam's huddle, calls 'Leo' sharply, then declares 'They need you in the Situation Room' before walking away with him, bridging revelry to emergency.

Goals in this moment
  • • Extract Leo from reception for Sit Room crisis
  • • Maintain operational discretion amid festivities
Active beliefs
  • • Chief of Staff's presence critical to crisis response
  • • Interruption must be swift to preserve post-SOTU momentum
Character traits
decisive discreet loyal
Follow Margaret Hooper's journey
Sam Seaborn
primary

Competent and briefed

Referenced by Leo as having spoken to C.J. about scandal handling; Sam affirms her involvement just before Margaret's summons.

Goals in this moment
  • • Coordinate press strategy on scandal
Active beliefs
  • • Effective at deflection and control
Character traits
fiercely loyal emotionally perceptive decisive principled resolute amid grief
Follow Sam Seaborn's journey
Joey Lucas
primary

Reliable data anchor

Referenced by Leo as polling partner with Josh, promising early numbers amid scandal talk.

Goals in this moment
  • • Deliver timely polling insights
Active beliefs
  • • Numbers guide political adjustments
Character traits
blunt discreet composed precise
Follow Joey Lucas's journey
Party Guest
primary

excited

announces and cheers for Sam Seaborn upon his entrance

Goals in this moment
  • • welcome and celebrate Sam at the reception
Character traits
exuberant jubilant vocally supportive convivial
Follow Party Guest's journey
C.J. Cregg
primary

referenced by Sam as having been talked to and suggested to handle the police officer

Goals in this moment
  • • talk to the police officer (inferred)
Character traits
resilient strategic poised terse dutiful
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Josiah Bartlet
primary

referenced as having pointed to and asked the police officer to stand during speech

Character traits
protective resolute self-aware principled
Follow Josiah Bartlet's journey
Unnamed Capitol Beat Congressman
primary

discussed as the individual lauded by President who was pointed to and asked to stand, checked if present, flagged for no photos near President due to scandal risk

Follow Unnamed Capitol …'s journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
White House Situation Room

Invoked as urgent destination by Margaret's summons, the Situation Room pulls Leo from reception frivolity, signaling the hostage crisis' escalation and narrative shift to high-stakes geopolitics, its mere mention injecting dread into the festive air.

Atmosphere Implied fluorescent intensity and crisis hum
Function Crisis command nexus demanding immediate attendance
Symbolism Portal from politics to peril
Access Top security clearance, senior staff only
Off-screen but evoked as secure warren Site of classified intel and decisions
Reception Hall

Bustling post-SOTU reception hall hosts the interruption, its bright lights, music, circulating waiters, and guest chatter providing euphoric backdrop that amplifies the summons' jarring pivot from triumph to peril, underscoring White House's fragile high amid coiling crises.

Atmosphere Jubilant yet brittle, laced with underlying tension
Function Social gauntlet turned crisis extraction point
Symbolism Ephemeral victory space fracturing under duty's weight
Access White House elite and invitees only
Bright lighting and swelling music Waiters with drinks and noshes amid applause echoes

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"MARGARET: Leo."
"MARGARET: They need you in the Situation Room."