Character

Nolan

Robert Nolan grips authority as President of the New Hampshire State Medical Board, looming as the swing vote in First Lady Abbey Bartlet's licensure hearing. Personal ties as a family friend propel rumors of his recusal—confirmed via Union-Leader leaks—forcing him to step aside and tilt scales toward suspension. His shadow decision ignites White House frenzy: Leo dispatches C.J. on clandestine probes through taxicab switches, Bartlet absorbs the blow outside glittering receptions, raw vulnerability cracking presidential armor as regulatory impartiality clashes with intimate loyalties in the administration's besieged orbit.

5 appearances

Also known as: Dr. Nolan

Nolan's Journey

A timeline through the narrative

5 moments

S3E15 · Dead Irish Writers

Leo Tasks C.J. with Discreet Nolan Recusal Probe Amid Abbey's Birthday Shadow

Unknown (off-screen)

Invoked by name as chairman of New Hampshire State Medical Board whose rumored recusal as swing vote triggers Leo's investigative directive to C.J.

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S3E15 · Dead Irish Writers

Leo Tasks C.J. on Nolan Recusal; Sam and Leo Spar Over Supercollider and Abbey Intervention

Neutral off-screen ethical quandary

Robert Nolan referenced repeatedly as the pivotal swing vote on Abbey's medical board, with Leo tasking verification of his rumored recusal sourced from Union Leader, heightening stakes as family friend …

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S3E15 · Dead Irish Writers

Bartlet Processes Nolan's Recusal with CJ and Leo's Banter Amid Crises

Principled detachment (inferred)

Invoked via C.J.'s Union-Leader note as Medical Board president predicted to recuse from Abbey's case due to longstanding personal and professional ties, tipping decisive vote against her.

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S3E15 · Dead Irish Writers

CJ Delivers Crushing News of Dr. Nolan's Recusal to Abbey

Detached ethical resolve amid implied external pressures

Dr. Nolan, president of the New Hampshire Medical Board, is invoked by C.J. as the key figure whose reported recusal—leaked via Union-Leader sources—devastates Abbey's license defense, injecting ethical conflict into …

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S3E15 · Dead Irish Writers

Abbey's License Sacrifice Shocks Jed, Forging Deeper Bond

Neutral (off-screen, invoked)

Referenced by Bartlet as the swing-vote recipient of his illicit call to reconsider recusal from Abbey's medical board hearing, catalyzing her forfeit decision without physical presence.

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Affiliation

New Hampshire State Medical Board