Instinct Over Caution in Perilous Decisions
Albie's earnest recitations of submarine catastrophes like Glomar Explorer instill dread, urging ten-minute waits, yet Bartlet overrides amid Leo's ticking 'fifty-five minutes' countdowns and restored Portland contact evading destroyers, channeling Leo's steady command and the Situation Room pivot to affirm decisive action's triumph over paralyzing historical precedent in the White House's crisis mythology.
Events Exemplifying This Theme
Albie recounts harrowing historical submarine disasters—USS Glomar's failed recovery, Gudgeon's Soviet entrapment, and others—to caution Bartlet against aggressive action near North Korea, risking alliances. Frustrated, Bartlet bangs his head on …
In the tense aftermath of Josh's campaign interruption and Bartlet's raw admission of presidential exhaustion, the President utters a single word: 'Leo.' His Chief of Staff responds with unflinching precision: …
In the Oval Office, veteran diplomat Albie Duncan recounts harrowing histories of submarine disasters near North Korea to urge caution against hasty action, but an impatient President Bartlet interrupts abruptly, …
As Bartlet overrides Albie's cautions and mobilizes rescue efforts en route to the Situation Room, satellite communication suddenly restores contact with the U.S.S. Portland (Whiskey Three). The crew reports their …