Narrative Web
S2E19
· Bad Moon Rising

Leo Breaks Bartlet's Vicious Circle Obsession, Urges Babish Meeting

As Cal exits the Oval Office following Bartlet's frustrated rant on school funding inequities, Leo enters to find the President trapped in an obsessive loop, repeating 'vicious circle' amid mounting MS cover-up stress. Leo decisively interrupts, redirecting Bartlet with urgent command to meet waiting counsel Oliver Babish. This anchor-like intervention pivots from personal distraction to confronting the criminal peril of perjury and conspiracy, escalating the stakes in Bartlet's unraveling presidency.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Leo enters as Cal leaves, signaling a shift in focus from policy discussion to more pressing matters.

routine to urgency

Bartlet obsessively repeats his 'vicious circle' metaphor to Leo, revealing his underlying stress and distraction.

urgency to fixation

Leo cuts through Bartlet's circular thinking with decisive action, directing them to meet with Oliver Babish immediately.

fixation to resolution

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Josiah Bartlet
primary

frustrated

Discusses school funding inequities with Cal, then obsessively repeats 'vicious circle' to Leo, reluctantly questions meeting timing

Goals in this moment
  • • Express outrage over school funding vicious circle
  • • Resist immediate redirection from obsession
Character traits
protective resolute self-aware principled
Follow Josiah Bartlet's journey
Cal
primary

Calmly neutral, absorbing presidential intensity without disruption

Cal concludes the policy discussion with crisp resolve, politely thanking the President and exiting the Oval Office precisely as Leo enters, serving as a neutral pivot point transitioning from education equity debate to crisis redirection.

Goals in this moment
  • • Gracefully end the school funding consultation
  • • Maintain poised advisory presence amid tension
Active beliefs
  • • Action on inequities is feasible and necessary
  • • Presidential frustration requires steady handling
Character traits
composed professional concise
Follow Cal's journey

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What this causes 2
Thematic Parallel medium

"Bartlet's 'vicious circle' metaphor about property taxes echoes Toby's 'big potatoes' comment, both hinting at larger, unresolved issues (MS scandal) beneath surface conversations."

C.J. Intervenes as Distracted Toby Ignores Oil Spill Briefing
S2E19 · Bad Moon Rising
Thematic Parallel medium

"Bartlet's 'vicious circle' metaphor about property taxes echoes Toby's 'big potatoes' comment, both hinting at larger, unresolved issues (MS scandal) beneath surface conversations."

C.J. Presses Toby on Leak, Elicits Cryptic 'Big Potatoes' Warning
S2E19 · Bad Moon Rising

Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "It's a vicious circle, Leo.""
"BARTLET: "It never stops.""
"LEO: "Let's go see him." / BARTLET: "Now?" / LEO: "He's waiting for us.""