Fabula
S3E17 · Stirred
S3E17
· Stirred

Hoynes Arrives Late and Defends Leo in AA Meeting

In a dimly lit room, seven men begin an AA meeting with the chair solemnly reading the Twelfth Step, emphasizing spiritual awakening and amends. Leo sips coffee quietly as VP Hoynes enters late, nods, and sits. Light banter about an 'unflyable' plane eases tension before Man 2nd challenges Leo's presence, arguing his public profile breaches anonymity crucial for high-stakes alcoholics. Hoynes asserts authority—'my meeting. Leo stays'—reaffirming confidentiality. He shares first, revealing his own alcoholism, modeling vulnerability and loyalty. This setup excavates conflicts between personal recovery bonds and public exposure, foreshadowing political tensions.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

The AA meeting begins with the chair reading the Twelfth Step, establishing the group's solemn commitment to sobriety.

neutral to solemn ['Dimly lit room with seven middle-aged …

Leo McGarry sips coffee as Vice President John Hoynes enters late, nodding acknowledgment before taking his seat.

solemn to attentive

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

4
John Hoynes
primary

Commanding resolve laced with raw personal exposure

Enters late with purposeful stride, pours coffee, takes seat amid ongoing reading, halts challenge decisively with 'my meeting. Leo stays,' then volunteers first share, boldly admitting 'I'm John. I'm an alcoholic' to model vulnerability.

Goals in this moment
  • • Protect Leo's attendance and group inclusion
  • • Lead by example to deepen sobriety bonds
Active beliefs
  • • His authority stems from ownership of the meeting
  • • Sharing alcoholism publicly strengthens mutual trust
Character traits
authoritative loyal courageous
Follow John Hoynes's journey
Man 1st
primary

Composed authority masking subtle tension from brewing conflict

Chairs the meeting with steady poise, reading the Twelfth Step aloud in ritual cadence, deflects with plane banter, pauses thoughtfully before reaffirming confidentiality oath after Hoynes' intervention, guiding the circle back to shares.

Goals in this moment
  • • Facilitate orderly progression of AA rituals
  • • Uphold and reinforce group confidentiality norms
Active beliefs
  • • Anonymity is sacred cornerstone of recovery
  • • Ritual recitation grounds vulnerability in structure
Character traits
composed ritualistic mediative
Follow Man 1st's journey
Leo McGarry
primary

Feigned nonchalance veiling stake in belonging

Sits attentively next to chair, reaches for and sips coffee amid reading, nods greeting to entering Hoynes, interjects wryly with plane funding joke to deflect anonymity challenge, embodying quiet resilience.

Goals in this moment
  • • Maintain his place in the recovery circle
  • • Diffuse confrontation through humor
Active beliefs
  • • He deserves this anonymous refuge despite fame
  • • Humor preserves group harmony
Character traits
calm witty defiant
Follow Leo McGarry's journey
Man 3rd
primary

Playfully irreverent to counter solemn tension

Cracks ironic joke about drinking post-Step reading to lighten mood, later endorses rough handling of photographers with sardonic affirmation, bolstering group camaraderie amid anonymity debate.

Goals in this moment
  • • Ease post-ritual heaviness with levity
  • • Reinforce protective group instincts
Active beliefs
  • • Humor disarms threats to recovery space
  • • Violence against intruders upholds anonymity
Character traits
humorous ironic supportive
Follow Man 3rd's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Dimly Lit AA Meeting Table

Scarred wooden surface hosts the tight circle of seven men, elbows jostling as banter erupts and Hoynes' palm slams authority during defense; coffee rings mark confessions, embodying battered intimacy where recovery conflicts play out tactilely.

Before: Set in room center with scattered coffees, awaiting …
After: Unchanged, bearing fresh tension imprints from gestures
Before: Set in room center with scattered coffees, awaiting group
After: Unchanged, bearing fresh tension imprints from gestures
Leo's Coffee Mug (AA Meeting Room)

Leo's fingers grasp the worn mug during the chair's solemn Twelfth Step recitation, sipping steam-laced coffee as Hoynes enters; it anchors his calm physical presence, symbolizing mundane ritual amid vulnerability's edge and high-profile tensions.

Before: Positioned on table near Leo, steaming and full
After: Held or returned to table by Leo, partially …
Before: Positioned on table near Leo, steaming and full
After: Held or returned to table by Leo, partially consumed

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Dimly Lit AA Meeting Room

Dim night light shrouds the cramped space, amplifying whispers of Step recitation, entry creak, and charged debate; it cradles anonymity's breach threat, transforming sanctuary into pressure cooker where political shadows invade personal redemption.

Atmosphere Intimate hush pierced by tension and wry levity
Function Confidential venue for AA ritual and confrontation
Symbolism Fragile bubble shielding elite alcoholics from public glare
Access Open entry but policed by group norms and implied violence against intruders
Dim lighting casting long shadows Nighttime seclusion amplifying echoes Battered table strewn with coffee cups Stifling closeness of chairs

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

1
Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.)

AA manifests through chair-led Step recitation, banter ritual, confidentiality chant, and voluntary shares, clashing with Leo's exposure; Hoynes' intervention and admission exemplify peer-enforced principles, highlighting tension between universal access and elite anonymity needs.

Representation Via chair's protocol guidance and collective 'Here, here' affirmation
Power Dynamics Exercising ritual authority challenged by member's concern, reaffirmed by leader
Impact Underscores AA's lifeline for power players amid scandal risks
Internal Dynamics Debate over accommodating public figures tests inclusivity boundaries
Practice Twelve Steps for spiritual growth Safeguard anonymity to protect high-risk members Ironclad confidentiality oath Group consensus and peer pressure

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What this causes 2
Character Continuity

"Hoynes' entrance at the AA meeting and his later revelation of 22 years of sobriety in Leo's office both highlight his personal struggle with alcoholism and his leadership in maintaining AA's principles."

C.J.'s Stunned Confirmation of Hoynes' 22-Year Sobriety
S3E17 · Stirred
Thematic Parallel medium

"Hoynes' assertion 'My meeting. Leo stays' at the AA meeting and his later sobriety revelation both emphasize the theme of solidarity and the fragility of anonymity in personal and political spheres."

C.J.'s Stunned Confirmation of Hoynes' 22-Year Sobriety
S3E17 · Stirred

Themes This Exemplifies

Thematic resonance and meaning

Sanctity of Sobriety
4
In the smoke-hazed AA circle scarred by confessions, Hoynes strides late to fiercely protect Leo's fellowship spot, sharing first to foster trust, while Leo later …

Part of Larger Arcs

AA group's brewing tension over Leo McGarry's high-profile public role risking the violation of sacred anonymity traditions, culminating in VP Hoynes' commanding defense that solidifies Leo's belonging amid raw vulnerability.

Key Dialogue

"MAN 2ND: "Well, I've been wondering for a while if it's a good idea that Leo keeps coming to these meetings.""
"HOYNES: "Guys... my meeting. Leo stays.""
"HOYNES: "I will. I'm John. I'm an alcoholic." ALL: "Hi, John.""