The West Wing
S3E14
· Hartsfield's Landing

C.J.'s Chess Quip Deflects Press from Crisis

At Andrews Air Force Base under night skies, Press Secretary C.J. Cregg stands vigilant with her cell phone, eyes locked on President Bartlet as he fields aggressive questions from the swarming press corps amid the Taiwan Strait crisis. In a flash of razor-sharp wit, she quips about 'The history of chess by Dr. Josiah Bartlet,' masterfully redirecting media frenzy from geopolitical spectacle to the President's intellectual gravitas. This beat showcases C.J.'s crisis-management prowess, ties into the episode's chess motif symbolizing strategic diplomacy, and subtly builds tension by humanizing Bartlet while shielding his image during high-stakes arrival.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

C.J. stands poised with her cell phone, monitoring President Bartlet as he engages with the press in the background, shifting media focus from spectacle to substance.

frenzy to control ['Andrews Air Force Base - Night']

C.J. quips 'The history of chess by Dr. Josiah Bartlet,' weaponizing wit to deflect press scrutiny as geopolitical stakes escalate.

tension to deflection

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
C.J. Cregg
primary

composed

standing with her cell phone as Bartlet speaks to the press in the background; quips 'The history of chess by Dr. Josiah Bartlet.'

Goals in this moment
  • • redirect media frenzy from the Taiwan Strait crisis to President Bartlet's intellectual gravitas via witty quip about his chess history book
Character traits
resilient strategic poised terse dutiful
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Abigail Bartlet
primary

Composed authority veiling high-stakes tension

President Bartlet speaks directly to the aggressive press corps in the background tarmac scrum, fielding probing questions on the Taiwan crisis under night lights and Secret Service watch, his presence catalyzing C.J.'s protective wit.

Goals in this moment
  • • Deflect sensitive geopolitical queries without disclosure
  • • Project steady leadership amid invasion threats
Active beliefs
  • • Intellectual depth disarms scrutiny better than evasion
  • • Chess mastery mirrors realpolitik command
Character traits
erudite presidential poise strategically guarded
Follow Abigail Bartlet's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Donna's Cell Phone

C.J. grips the cell phone firmly while standing vigilant, its presence underscoring her dual role as press handler and crisis liaison—poised for imminent White House summons like Leo's 'China' alert, it symbolizes tether to command center amid chaotic press gauntlet, heightening anticipation of escalation.

Before: Held idly in C.J.'s hand during press interaction
After: Still held by C.J., primed for incoming call
Before: Held idly in C.J.'s hand during press interaction
After: Still held by C.J., primed for incoming call

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Andrews Air Force Base

Andrews Air Force Base's exterior tarmac at night frames Air Force One's arrival as flashbulb frenzy erupts; here, Bartlet confronts reporters post-flight while C.J. deploys wit nearby, transforming transit hub into high-tension media battleground that accelerates from travel levity to geopolitical urgency.

Atmosphere Electrified chaos of shouts, flashing cameras, and pulsing lights under enveloping night
Function Press gaggle site post-presidential arrival
Symbolism Gateway thrusting Bartlet from aerial detachment into crisis immersion
Access Heavily secured by Secret Service phalanx corralling press scrum
Dark night skies amplifying light strobes Distant echoes of motorcade engines revving Vast open tarmac echoing shouted questions

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph

Key Dialogue

"C.J.: "The history of chess by Dr. Josiah Bartlet.""