Fabula
S2E8 · Shibboleth
S2E8
· Shibboleth

Bartlet Pardons Troy and Lectures Morton on Public Education

Outside the White House on Thanksgiving morning, C.J. charmingly badgers President Bartlet into pardoning the second turkey, Troy, after Eric is selected, injecting absurd humor into the ritual. Bartlet then pivots to young farmhand Morton Horn, delivering an impassioned, impromptu lecture on public education's cornerstone role in democracy. This buoyant interlude offers comic relief from the refugee crisis, humanizes Bartlet's fervent idealism, and foreshadows thematic concerns with societal values amid political turmoil.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

C.J. Cregg frantically secures a second turkey pardon for Troy, culminating in a humorous yet poignant exchange with Bartlet.

chaos to levity

Bartlet delivers an impromptu lecture to farmboy Morton on the critical importance of public education during the turkey pardon.

levity to earnestness

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

5
C.J. Cregg
primary

charming

charmingly badgers President Bartlet into pardoning the second turkey Troy

Goals in this moment
  • • secure a second pardon for Troy
Character traits
resilient strategic poised terse dutiful
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Josiah Bartlet
primary

impassioned

pardons the turkey Troy after being persuaded by C.J. and delivers an impromptu lecture to Morton Horn on the importance of public education

Goals in this moment
  • • participate in the Thanksgiving turkey pardon ritual
  • • emphasize public education's role in democracy through lecture
Character traits
protective resolute self-aware principled
Follow Josiah Bartlet's journey
Morton Horn
primary

receives impassioned lecture from President Bartlet on public education after delivering the turkeys

Goals in this moment
  • • deliver the presidential turkeys
Character traits
stoic persistent resigned dutiful
Follow Morton Horn's journey
Eric
primary

previously selected as the first turkey prior to Troy's pardon

Follow Eric's journey
Troy
primary

is pardoned by President Bartlet as the second turkey

Follow Troy's journey

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 6
Causal

"Jhin-Wei's genuine faith confirmation directly influences Bartlet's decision to orchestrate the refugees' escape."

Bartlet Bestows Paul Revere Knife on Charlie
S2E8 · Shibboleth
Causal

"Jhin-Wei's genuine faith confirmation directly influences Bartlet's decision to orchestrate the refugees' escape."

Bartlet's Thanksgiving Proclamation and Refugees' Sanctuary
S2E8 · Shibboleth
Character Continuity medium

"C.J.'s involvement in the turkey pardon ceremony continues through her efforts to secure a second pardon for Troy."

C.J. Interrupts Bartlet's Crisis Focus for Turkey Pardon
S2E8 · Shibboleth
Character Continuity medium

"C.J.'s involvement in the turkey pardon ceremony continues through her efforts to secure a second pardon for Troy."

Charlie Presents Heirloom Carving Knife to Bartlet
S2E8 · Shibboleth
Character Continuity medium

"C.J.'s involvement in the turkey pardon ceremony continues through her efforts to secure a second pardon for Troy."

Bartlet Devises 'Shibboleth' Test to Probe Refugee Faith
S2E8 · Shibboleth
Character Continuity medium

"C.J.'s involvement in the turkey pardon ceremony continues through her efforts to secure a second pardon for Troy."

C.J. Bursts In with Urgent Turkey Pardon Plea
S2E8 · Shibboleth
What this causes 2
Causal

"Jhin-Wei's genuine faith confirmation directly influences Bartlet's decision to orchestrate the refugees' escape."

Bartlet Bestows Paul Revere Knife on Charlie
S2E8 · Shibboleth
Causal

"Jhin-Wei's genuine faith confirmation directly influences Bartlet's decision to orchestrate the refugees' escape."

Bartlet's Thanksgiving Proclamation and Refugees' Sanctuary
S2E8 · Shibboleth

Key Dialogue

"C.J.: "Mr. President, what about Troy? He deserves a pardon too!""
"President Bartlet: "Troy lives. Troy gets to see another Thanksgiving.""
"President Bartlet: "Public education isn't a luxury, son—it's the foundation of this republic. Without it, we're lost.""