C.J.'s Phobia-Inducing Garter Snake

C.J. locks rigid, eyes bulging as the garter snake coils into lamplight amid hay-strewn shadows of the Bartlet Farm barn, her phobia exploding in gasps that halt Toby's venom mid-rant; Sam crouches close, fingers probing its sleek, harmless scales while Bartlet pauses idealism, Doug's critiques dissolving in serpentine farce—distraction lashes thrice, splintering staff unity in rustic frenzy.

3 appearances

Significance

Shatters rehearsal gravity with phobia-fueled absurdity, exposing staff vulnerabilities as Toby's ideological blade dulls—pivotal comic fracture priming Bruno and Leo's intervention, underscoring campaign's fragile cohesion amid heartland grit.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments

S3E2 · Manchester Part II

Toby's Scathing Dismantling of Patriotic Speech Rehearsal

C.J. spots the garter snake three times in hay-strewn shadows, triggering phobia shrieks that repeatedly halt speech critiques; Sam approaches to identify it harmlessly, Bartlet reassures—serving as comic relief fracturing rehearsal tension amid ideological clashes.

Before: Coiled innocently in barn shadows

After: Observed and dismissed as harmless, still present

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S3E2 · Manchester Part II

Doug Slams 'Challenges' as Defeatist, Sparking Idealist-Pragmatist Firefight

C.J.'s phobia-inducing garter snake slithers in hay-strewn shadows, repeatedly spotted and commented on, diverting attention thrice from speech debate—Sam identifies it harmlessly, Bartlet dismisses, Josh notes size—symbolizing chaotic distractions fracturing focus amid high-stakes unity push.

Before: Unnoticed, coiled in barn corner

After: Identified but undisturbed, still present

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S3E2 · Manchester Part II

Bruno's Savage Pitchfork Threat Silences Chaos; Bartlet Launches Candidacy

The garter snake persists as a lingering distraction, spotlighted by Josh's alarmed comment on its size amid MS jokes, underscoring the petty chaos Bruno's ultimatum obliterates, symbolizing trivial derailments amid high-stakes rehearsal.

Before: Coiled in lamplight shadows, observed repeatedly by C.J. and others

After: Unmoved in barn corner, ignored post-announcement

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