Bartlet Clashes with Governor Over Arsons, Reprimands Josh for Shielding Leo
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Josh, Mike, and Charlie move to the Oval Office for a briefing on the church arsons.
Bartlet and Governor Edward argue over federalizing the National Guard in response to the church arsons.
Bartlet confronts Josh about his plans to protect Leo during the hearing, showing his awareness and concern.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Assertive command laced with frustrated betrayal over staff secrets
Presses Governor Edward on phone to federalize Guard citing historical precedents, interrogates Mike on arsons, commands Josh stay for sharp confrontation revealing Leo's disclosure of Josh's Gibson scheme, watches TV hearing with pained commentary on Abbey.
- • Force Guard federalization for Christmas Eve safety
- • Hold Josh accountable for disloyal scheming
- • Federal intervention mirrors past crises
- • Internal honesty vital amid external threats
Irritated protectiveness
Objects sharply on TV hearing feed: 'Excuse me, but with the Wilsons being dead for 80 years I don't believe it falls within the scope of this hearing,' shielding Leo from historical tangent.
- • Block irrelevant precedents
- • Keep focus off Abbey's role
- • Past history doesn't bind current testimony
- • Objections maintain procedural integrity
Serene confidence under fire
Testifies calmly on TV feed during hearing, deftly parries Dearborn's Edith Wilson precedent probe and Abbey's MS knowledge questions, smilingly notes early campaign's storefront informality lacked high command.
- • Deflect personal secrecy inquiries
- • Minimize campaign structure revelations
- • Historical analogies irrelevant to modern hearing
- • Truth protects without full disclosure
Focused attentiveness in crisis hub
Enters Oval Office at Josh's urging during phone call, provides concise hearing update 'Dearborn will be next' when Bartlet asks amid TV feed.
- • Keep President updated on hearing timeline
- • Facilitate smooth staff coordination
- • Timely intel sustains operational rhythm
- • President needs all fronts monitored
Calm professionalism amid high-stakes briefing
Enters Oval Office reluctantly with Josh and Charlie during Bartlet-Governor call, introduced as FBI liaison, crisply reports 'No, sir' when pressed on arson situation understanding, then exits to bullpen.
- • Deliver honest FBI assessment to President
- • Maintain liaison role without overstepping
- • No conspiracy evidence exists despite pattern
- • FBI integrity prevents fabricating links
Lightly flirtatious yet crisis-aware
Greets Mike flirtatiously in White House hallway pre-entry, appreciates his deferral 'I appreciate that' amid crisis.
- • Acknowledge Mike warmly
- • Escort to Oval Office smoothly
- • Human connection persists in chaos
- • Timing defers romance appropriately
Defensive evasion masking fierce loyalty and cornered anxiety
Hurries Mike and Charlie into Oval Office amid arson debate, introduces Mike as FBI liaison, stays post-call to face Bartlet's direct confrontation over covert Gibson sabotage scheme, responding evasively with 'I don't think you and I should discuss it, sir.'
- • Brief President on FBI arson intel via Mike
- • Defend scheme to protect Leo without admitting fault
- • Loyalty to Leo justifies bending rules
- • Gibson must be neutralized to safeguard administration
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Encompasses hallway transition where Donna greets Mike and Josh herds group to Oval, framing the rush from bullpen bustle to Oval intensity as crises demand convergence.
Referenced by Mike as his post-briefing wait spot, underscoring ongoing operational hum outside Oval while crises unfold within.
Serves as nerve center for Bartlet's high-stakes phone clash with Governor, Mike's briefing, Josh confrontation, and TV monitoring of Leo's hearing, amplifying executive isolation amid parallel crises of arson threats and internal fractures.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Defended by Governor as sufficient responders obviating Guard need, countering Bartlet's intervention rationale in arson context.
Manifests via liaison Mike Casper briefing President on 17-month arson probe yielding no conspiracy evidence, fueling Bartlet's frustration and Guard push amid jurisdictional limits.
Conducts Leo's hearing on TV feed, with Chairman allocating time to Dearborn's Wilson/Abbey probes, paralleling Oval tensions and exposing MS secrecy fractures.
Central to Bartlet's phone demand for federalization against Governor's state's rights resistance, positioned as Christmas Eve safeguard amid empty church arsons escalating.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Leo assigning Mike to assist Josh directly leads to Josh pressuring Mike about the church arson investigations."
"Leo assigning Mike to assist Josh directly leads to Josh pressuring Mike about the church arson investigations."
"Josh's 'compulsive fixing' behavior is acknowledged by both Leo and Bartlet, highlighting Josh's consistent character trait."
"Josh's 'compulsive fixing' behavior is acknowledged by both Leo and Bartlet, highlighting Josh's consistent character trait."
Key Dialogue
"BARTLET: "We don't know what the situation is, do we, Josh?""
"BARTLET: "Yes, you do. I know what happened at the third debate. He told me. I know what's going to happen this afternoon. What are you going to do? Are you going to try and get Gibson out of the room when it's his turn to question?" JOSH: "I don't think you and I should discuss it, sir.""
"LEO: "Because at this point there wasn't much of a high command. All we'd done is show a strong third in Iowa. We were working out of storefront.""