Fabula
S2E1 · In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part I
S2E1
· In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part I

Bartlet's Reassuring Kiss to Leo Before Surgery

In the trauma room, after Zoey's tearful exit and issuing orders for government continuity, a gravely wounded President Bartlet turns to Leo McGarry for a private moment. Confirming the shooters' identities remain unknown and noting his impending anesthesia, Bartlet motions Leo close, tenderly kisses his cheek, and murmurs, 'It's okay,' affirming their unbreakable bond. Leo responds with quiet resolve. This poignant gesture—rare vulnerability from the principled leader—humanizes Bartlet, echoes their foundational trust, and heightens life-or-death stakes as Dr. Keller calls time for surgery.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Bartlet shares a tender moment with Leo, kissing his cheek before being taken into surgery, symbolizing their deep bond.

determination to vulnerability ['G.W. Trauma Room']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

6
Josiah Edward 'Jed' Bartlet (President of the United States)
President of the United States
 primary

Pain-wracked composure veiling deep affection and quiet fear for his team's burden

mentioned by Zoey as on her way to the hospital; Leo confirms he will talk to her about implied constitutional matters

Goals in this moment
  • • Affirm unbreakable bond with Leo to ease his worry
  • • Ensure Leo grasps the gravity of constitutional continuity needs
Character traits
politically pragmatic jocular policy‑driven paternal commands institutional authority relational — centers staff and family centralizing (commands staff attention and schedules) centralized authority figure strategically vital intelligent politically consequential (actions and associations create immediate risk) protocol-driven calculating principled in public rhetoric vulnerable emotionally forceful institutionally minded performative control of public optics candid principled politically vulnerable (per party strategists and press) strategic witty/jocular under pressure vulnerable-to-proxy-actions collegial poised decisive principled but electorally mindful resolute constitutional protective (paternal focus on family safety) deliberative ruthless burdened decisive when confronted with moral stakes authoritative/managerial paternal/protective regionally grounded politically strategic supportive traditional weary/resolute authoritative public-facing decisive in crisis loyal blunt protective politically consequential measured committed politically shrewd risk‑aware consequential self-aware witty institutional (symbolic center of staff effort) ceremonial
Follow Josiah Edward …'s journey
Keller
Trauma Surgeon
 primary

Focused clinical urgency overriding personal sentiment

Interrupts the private moment with clinical authority, announcing 'Sir, it's time' to halt proceedings and initiate surgery, enforcing medical protocol amid the emotional exchange.

Goals in this moment
  • • Advance to life-saving surgery without delay
  • • Maintain strict medical timeline despite high-profile patient
Active beliefs
  • • Protocol ensures survival in trauma crises
  • • Presidential status yields to medical necessity
Character traits
Authoritative Precise Urgent Professionally detached
Follow Keller's journey
Leo Thomas McGarry (Chief of Staff)
White House Chief of Staff
 primary

Troubled determination pierced by moved tenderness from the intimate gesture

Approaches bedside with troubled resolve, reports no shooter IDs, assures 'It'll be fine' on succession, commits to Abbey discussion, leans in vulnerably for Bartlet's cheek kiss and reassurance, responds with steady promise 'I'll see you in a few hours,' then exits purposefully.

Goals in this moment
  • • Reassure President while absorbing crisis command
  • • Prepare for 25th Amendment talks with Abbey to maintain government stability
Active beliefs
  • • Bartlet's resilience will prevail through surgery
  • • Unspoken bonds like theirs are the true backbone of power
Character traits
Stoic Loyal Resolved Emotionally contained
Follow Leo Thomas …'s journey
Zoey Patricia Bartlet (First Daughter, youngest daughter)
First Daughter
 primary

fearful

walks into the trauma room, shows fear upon seeing her wounded father, engages in concerned dialogue reassuring and expressing love to him, then exits at his request to wait for her mother

Goals in this moment
  • • assess and comfort her father's condition
Character traits
cherished attentive protective impulsive affectionate playful/teasing maternal communicative resolute witty maturing resilient vulnerable graduating
Follow Zoey Patricia …'s journey
C.J. Cregg
White House Press Secretary
 primary

mentioned by Leo as having hit her head on the ground during the attack but otherwise okay

Character traits
insightful assertive playful terse strategic poised decisive pragmatic dutiful quick-thinking tenacious authoritative wry measured protective charismatic committed resilient witty
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Jerome
primary

mentioned by Bartlet as the person Leo should tell to suspend trading on the stock exchange

Follow Jerome's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
G.W. Trauma Room

The trauma room cradles this pivotal intimate farewell, its clinical sterility contrasting the raw emotional peak as monitors beep relentlessly, nurses hover in subdued frenzy, and the gurney becomes altar for Bartlet-Leo bond; it symbolizes the razor-edge handover from conscious command to surgical uncertainty.

Atmosphere Intensely hushed tension amid fading medical bustle, heavy with unspoken farewell
Function Staging ground for private leadership transition and pre-op vulnerability
Symbolism Threshold of mortality where power yields to fragility
Access Heavily secured for President, limited to key staff, family, and advisors
Harsh fluorescent lighting casting stark shadows Persistent beeping of vital monitors Blood-stained gurney sheets Subdued nurse activity in periphery

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 3
Emotional Echo

"Leo's declaration that Bartlet is 'a good man' (past) resonates in their cheek kiss before surgery — a private affirmation of their foundational trust."

Leo Defends Ruthless Staff Purge, Ignites Bartlet's Presidential Ambition
S2E1 · In the Shadow of Two …
Thematic Parallel

"Bartlet's principled leadership in the VFW flashback ('screwed dairy farmers for impoverished children') mirrors his insistence on governmental continuity ('convene the cabinet') while wounded — both prioritize moral duty over immediate consequences."

Bartlet Bonds Vulnerably on Economics Amid Cal's Dairy Pressure on Toby
S2E1 · In the Shadow of Two …
Thematic Parallel

"Bartlet's principled leadership in the VFW flashback ('screwed dairy farmers for impoverished children') mirrors his insistence on governmental continuity ('convene the cabinet') while wounded — both prioritize moral duty over immediate consequences."

Bartlet Owns Dairy Betrayal, Prioritizes Starving Children
S2E1 · In the Shadow of Two …

Part of Larger Arcs

President Bartlet's moral confrontation with the Christian leaders: an institutional and moral showdown where Bartlet reclaims moral authority and repudiates coded bigotry.

Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "Do we know who the shooters were?""
"BARTLET: "Hey. Come here.""
"BARTLET: "It's okay.""
"LEO: "I'll see you in a few hours, Mr. President.""