Fabula
Object
Object

Northwest Lobby Television

The television in the Northwest Lobby screens a late-night panel where Julie steers discussion from quirky races to the presidential debate's decisive impact. Martin cites data showing undecided voters breaking heavily for President Bartlet. George, Chuck Webb, and Horton Wilde contribute as the broadcast frames debate performance as the election's turning point. White House staff monitor it closely amid building pressures.
4 appearances

Purpose

Displays live news broadcasts from reporters Bernie and Julie

Significance

Transforms Sam's private promise into public pressure, crystallizing expectations for presidential endorsement and forcing senior staff into an immediate decision amid political risk

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

4 moments
S4E8 · Process Stories
Lazarus Race: The Dead Man Who Changed the Map

The Northwest Lobby Television carries the late‑night panel into the West Wing; its live images and audio make the remote pundits' analysis immediate to staff, turning a studio conversation into an actionable alert for White House personnel.

Before: Tuned to live election coverage and displaying the panel discussion in the Lobby.
After: Continues to broadcast the segment, having broadcast the decisive lines that reframe the 47th race and escalate the lobby's sense of urgency.
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S4E8 · Process Stories
Debate as Deciding Moment — Media Frames the Win

The Northwest Lobby television carries the live panel into the West Wing, broadcasting Julie, George, and Martin's exchange so White House staff can witness the framing; it is the medium that converts broadcast framing into immediate administrative anxiety.

Before: Switched on and tuned to the late-night coverage, visible to staff in the Northwest Lobby.
After: Continues broadcasting the panel and its causal framing, keeping the White House physically and emotionally linked to the media narrative.
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S4E8 · Process Stories
Sam Confronts a Media-Made Candidacy

The Northwest Lobby television broadcasts anchors and pundits who profile Sam and parse the improbable 47th result; the image on the screen is the narrative engine that turns a private promise into public expectation and political pressure.

Before: Tuned to live election coverage, displaying punditry and background pieces about the 47th and Sam Seaborn.
After: Continuing broadcast; its coverage persists in influencing staff urgency and press inquiries.
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S4E8 · Process Stories
Sam Stops the Exodus

The Northwest Lobby television broadcasts pundits and a profile of Sam, supplying the narrative pressure that triggers questions from producers and reporters; its live coverage frames Sam as a possible candidate and thereby creates the urgent media query about an endorsement.

Before: Aired live coverage of election returns and pundit commentary, visible in the lobby and bullpen.
After: Continues broadcasting, sustaining the external pressure and ensuring the scene's crisis remains publicly visible.
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