The West Wing
S3E14
· Hartsfield's Landing

Bartlet Abruptly Concludes Oval Office Crisis Meeting

In the tense confines of the Oval Office, President Bartlet delivers a single, commanding 'Okay,' decisively ending the high-level meeting on the escalating Taiwan Strait crisis. Surrounded by key advisors like Leo McGarry and Nancy McNally, the group responds in ritual unison, 'Thank you, Mr. President,' before dispersing. This minimalist closure exemplifies Bartlet's authoritative command—transforming deliberation into urgent action—and propels the narrative forward, launching staff into parallel diplomatic maneuvers while underscoring the weight of executive finality amid geopolitical peril.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

President Bartlet formally concludes the meeting with a brief acknowledgment.

formal to relieved ['Oval Office']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Abigail Bartlet
primary

Resolute command masking the gravity of geopolitical peril

President Josiah Bartlet, central in the Oval Office amid assembled advisors, utters a commanding 'Okay' that decisively ends the high-level crisis meeting, his voice slicing through tension to mandate action.

Goals in this moment
  • • Conclude deliberation and authorize crisis response
  • • Reaffirm executive finality to unify advisors
Active beliefs
  • • Swift decision-making averts escalation in Taiwan Strait
  • • Presidential authority demands unquestioned adherence
Character traits
authoritative decisive concise
Follow Abigail Bartlet's journey
Nancy McNally
primary

Deferential respect laced with focused urgency for impending maneuvers

National Security Advisor Nancy McNally, present among the 'various people' in the Oval Office meeting, joins the collective ritual response of 'Thank you, Mr. President' before dispersing to implement directives.

Goals in this moment
  • • Acknowledge Bartlet's closure to maintain protocol
  • • Transition swiftly to executing Taiwan crisis orders
Active beliefs
  • • Bartlet's judgment aligns with strategic imperatives
  • • Ritual responses reinforce chain of command in crisis
Character traits
professional respectful poised
Follow Nancy McNally's journey

Narrative Connections

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Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "Okay.""
"ALL: "Thank you, Mr. President.""