The West Wing
S3E21
· Posse Comitatus

Bartlet Probes Therapist on Moral Crimes, Hints at Assassination

In a tense therapy session, President Bartlet casually discusses a Shakespearean musical and a nostalgic song before pivoting to a probing hypothetical: crimes one might commit if legal, citing Connecticut's outdated contraceptive ban as civil disobedience for the greater good. When Stanley presses, Bartlet cryptically refuses to disclose his intentions, citing national security and mandatory reporting laws, then abruptly exits ahead of a 'strange meeting.' This intimate beat excavates Bartlet's profound moral torment over Shareef's assassination, serving as a pivotal revelation of his internal conflict and setup for the episode's climactic decision.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Bartlet discusses Shakespeare's 'The War of the Roses' with Stanley, hinting at his internal conflict through the mention of a song about war and peace.

casual to contemplative

Bartlet shifts the conversation to a hypothetical crime, probing Stanley about moral and legal boundaries, revealing his torment over an impending decision.

contemplative to tense

Bartlet cryptically admits he can't disclose his intentions due to security and legal implications, leaving Stanley with unspoken concerns as he exits.

tense to unresolved

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Josiah Edward 'Jed' Bartlet (President of the United States)
President of the United States
 primary

Intellectually feigned casualness veiling profound moral torment and anticipatory dread

Reclined in session, Bartlet nostalgically recounts Shakespearean musical and Edwardian song, pivots to hypothetical on justifiable crimes via Connecticut contraceptive law example, pauses reflectively, sighs heavily while deflecting probes, stands abruptly, grabs jacket, and exits the study, signaling inner rupture.

Goals in this moment
  • • Gauge therapist's tolerance for moral relativism to rationalize assassination
  • • Vent torment indirectly without breaching security or triggering reporting
Active beliefs
  • • Greater good justifies civil disobedience against unjust laws
  • • Presidential burdens demand secrecy even from confidants like therapists
Character traits
intellectual evasive reflective commanding
Follow Josiah Edward …'s journey
Stanley Keyworth
Doctor
 primary

Professionally curious with underlying concern for patient's veiled distress

Conducting session from couch, Stanley inquires on sleep, responds to musical reverie, offers parking quip to crime hypothetical, expresses genuine surprise at Connecticut law, persistently questions Bartlet's mind, absorbs deflections calmly as president exits abruptly.

Goals in this moment
  • • Uncover root of president's insomnia and distraction through open dialogue
  • • Build trust to elicit honest revelation of underlying psychological burden
Active beliefs
  • • Therapeutic candor heals even elite vulnerabilities
  • • Hypotheticals reveal true preoccupations worth pursuing
Character traits
empathetic persistent professional inquisitive
Follow Stanley Keyworth's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
President's Private Study (Executive Residence)

The private study hosts the confidential therapy duel, its heavy doors sealing Bartlet and Stanley in daylight-lit intimacy where nostalgic diversions yield to moral hypotheticals, culminating in presidential flight—amplifying isolation of command's ethical weight amid White House frenzy.

Atmosphere Intimate tension laced with poignant silence and mounting unease
Function Sanctuary for unguarded psychological probing
Symbolism Emblem of fractured presidential psyche, private refuge against public duty's lash
Access Exclusively limited to President and invited psychiatrist, sealed from staff intrusion
Daylight sharpening couch-bound exchanges Heavy thudding doors ensuring absolute privacy Quiet residence sanctum evoking confessional enclosure

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What this causes 3
Thematic Parallel

"Bartlet's therapy session about a hypothetical crime thematically parallels his real-world decision to authorize Shareef's assassination."

Bartlet's Moral Capitulation: Authorizes Shareef Assassination
S3E21 · Posse Comitatus
Thematic Parallel medium

"Bartlet's internal conflict about crime and morality is mirrored in his confrontation with Ritchie over the dismissive comment about Simon's death."

Bartlet Declares War on Ritchie Over Simon's Death
S3E21 · Posse Comitatus
Thematic Parallel medium

"Bartlet's internal conflict about crime and morality is mirrored in his confrontation with Ritchie over the dismissive comment about Simon's death."

Bartlet Caught Smoking, Exposing Vulnerability
S3E21 · Posse Comitatus

Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "Let me ask you something. Is there a crime, which if it wasn't illegal, you would do?""
"STANLEY: "I'd park anywhere I want." BARTLET: "Right, but you wouldn't rob a bank?""
"BARTLET: "If I tell you I intend to commit a crime, you're required by law to report it. [beat] I have a strange meeting coming up.""