Bartlet Fury-Fueled Summons Ellie
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Bartlet orders Charlie to summon Ellie immediately, dropping all pretense of politeness.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Calmly professional, masking any relief at conclusion of tense exchange
C.J. offers a polite 'Thank you, Mr. President' alongside Josh before exiting the Oval Office, punctuating the end of the staff briefing and yielding to the President's private directive to Charlie.
- • Acknowledge dismissal gracefully
- • Facilitate transition to President's next priority
- • Protocol demands respect in exit
- • President's authority is absolute in Oval
Steadfastly neutral and professional amid President's emotional volatility
Charlie stands ready in the Oval, affirmatively acknowledging Bartlet's initial polite request for Ellie before witnessing and absorbing the explosive escalation to urgent command, then exits promptly to fulfill it.
- • Execute summons order without delay
- • Preserve decorum in high-tension moment
- • Personal aide's role is unquestioning obedience
- • Urgency in family crises demands speed
Not present; prior context implies persistent journalistic aggressiveness
Danny is indirectly invoked through the context of Ellie's defiant call to him, fueling Bartlet's rage that erupts in the summons, though not named in this beat.
- • Pursue explosive stories on White House family
- • Extract quotes amplifying scandals
- • Press freedom justifies aggressive sourcing
- • Family ties don't shield public figures
Not present; inferred tense anticipation of paternal confrontation
Ellie is directly named as 'my middle daughter,' targeted for immediate summons due to her public defense of the Surgeon General via call to Danny, crystallizing the personal stakes.
- • Stand by her policy convictions
- • Navigate family-political rift
- • Personal ethics outweigh political loyalty
- • Surgeon General's views merit defense
angry
returns angry, rants about Danny Concannon contacting his daughter, demands suspension of credentials, learns she called Danny, sits at desk, discusses political opponents and supporters, dismisses staff, politely then furiously orders Charlie to summon his middle daughter Ellie
- • summon Ellie Bartlet immediately to set up a pivotal father-daughter confrontation
Not present; implied eager for policy discussion
Sam is referenced by Charlie as waiting outside to see the President, underscoring ongoing staff demands amid the unfolding crisis but sidelined as Bartlet prioritizes family summons.
- • Gain President's input on pending matters
- • Advance administration strategies
- • Timely access to President drives agenda
- • Loyalty positions him for key insights
enters and greets President, lists opposing congressional committees and pro-cannabis groups defending Surgeon General, notes Leo seeing her tomorrow, thanks President and exits
- • brief President on current political opposition and support regarding the Surgeon General crisis
mentioned by Josh as seeing the Surgeon General tomorrow
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Oval Office desk anchors Bartlet as he delivers clipped dismissals and the dual-toned summons to Charlie, functioning as a fortress of presidential command that contrasts his unraveling paternal control, swallowing his stunned pivot into familial fury.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Judiciary Committee cited by Josh as spearheading opposition to Surgeon General Griffith, fueling the Oval's sarcasm-laced tension that precedes staff dismissal and Bartlet's familial pivot.
Senate Appropriations Committee highlighted for controlling Griffith's budget, Josh's warning intensifying Oval stakes as Bartlet processes fallout before dismissing staff.
Government Reform and Oversight named alongside foes attacking Griffith, amplifying bipartisan backlash in Josh's Oval litany that sets stage for Bartlet's rage-filled summons.
Cannabis Coalition listed by Josh as defender of Griffith, part of absurd support coalition provoking Bartlet's sarcasm prior to staff exit and daughter summons.
E Cannabis Unum rattled off by Josh among pro-Griffith groups, underscoring political absurdity in Oval briefing leading to Bartlet's emotional rupture.
American Hemp League included in Josh's defender catalog, contributing to Bartlet's wry disdain over stoner alliances before clearing the room.
Friends of Mary Jane capped Josh's pro-Griffith list, emblemizing bizarre bedfellows in the Oval chaos preceding personal command.
Cheech and Chong Fan Club invoked by Bartlet in sardonic nod to staff's 'political first,' pairing with Christian Right to mock alliances before summoning Ellie.
Christian Right hailed sarcastically by Bartlet as improbable backer alongside stoners, capping the political miracle briefing that segues to staff dismissal.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Leo's revelation about Ellie's defiance leads directly to Bartlet's outburst in the Oval Office, escalating the personal stakes."
"Leo's revelation about Ellie's defiance leads directly to Bartlet's outburst in the Oval Office, escalating the personal stakes."
"CJ's revelation prompts Bartlet to summon Ellie, setting up their pivotal confrontation."
"CJ's revelation prompts Bartlet to summon Ellie, setting up their pivotal confrontation."
"Bartlet's initial anger at Danny Concannon intensifies upon learning Ellie initiated the call, deepening the family rift."
"Bartlet's initial anger at Danny Concannon intensifies upon learning Ellie initiated the call, deepening the family rift."
"CJ's revelation prompts Bartlet to summon Ellie, setting up their pivotal confrontation."
"CJ's revelation prompts Bartlet to summon Ellie, setting up their pivotal confrontation."
"Bartlet's initial anger at Danny Concannon intensifies upon learning Ellie initiated the call, deepening the family rift."
"Bartlet's initial anger at Danny Concannon intensifies upon learning Ellie initiated the call, deepening the family rift."
"Bartlet's order to summon Ellie leads directly to their tense reunion in the Oval Office."
Themes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Key Dialogue
"BARTLET: Charlie? Would you arrange for my middle daughter to come see me at her earliest possible convenience?"
"CHARLIE: Yes sir."
"BARTLET: Ah, screw her convenience. Get her ass down here."