Fabula
S3E20 · We Killed Yamamoto

Bartlet Bursts In with Crisis-Breaking Intel

As Leo fondly reminisces about Sam's fiery outburst amid Josh and Toby's domestic strategizing, President Bartlet abruptly storms into the office, declaring 'They've got something for us'—a terse signal of critical new intelligence on the Shareef terror threat. Leo instantly excuses himself, severing the light political banter and catapulting the narrative from tactical maneuvering to imminent national security peril. This intrusion serves as a pivotal turning point, amplifying urgency and forcing an immediate pivot to life-or-death decisions.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Bartlet interrupts with urgent news, abruptly shifting the scene's focus to higher stakes.

focused to urgent

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

6
Josh Lyman
primary

Reassuring yet cautious, maintaining composure amid strategizing interrupted by crisis

Present in Leo's office after pitching welfare acceleration tactics, stands silently as Toby and Leo debate Sam's mindset, absorbs Leo's fond Sam anecdote before Bartlet's intrusion redirects the room's focus.

Goals in this moment
  • Support welfare bill momentum against opposition
  • Facilitate seamless pivot to presidential directive
Active beliefs
  • Proactive scheduling neutralizes activist threats effectively
  • Senior staff unity essential for crisis transitions
Character traits
pragmatic team-oriented adaptable
Follow Josh Lyman's journey

Mad and fiercely driven, as weaponized by colleagues for maximum impact

Absent but vividly invoked by Leo's fond reminiscence of his recent screw-up turned legend—a 'full speed, bam' wall punch leaving a 'Sam Seaborn-shaped hole,' celebrated as raw, peerless intensity amid Toby's strategy to keep him enraged.

Goals in this moment
  • Channel personal setback into aggressive political output
  • Prove value through unrelenting commitment
Active beliefs
  • Full-throttle action defines effective advocacy
  • Anger fuels unbeatable enmity against adversaries
Character traits
passionate intense unyielding
Follow Sam Seaborn's journey

Determined and tactical, embracing weaponized anger over sentiment

In Leo's office, staunchly advocates keeping Sam 'mad' as a potent political weapon rather than comforting him, listens intently as Leo counters with affectionate recall of Sam's outburst, yielding to Bartlet's sudden entry.

Goals in this moment
  • Harness Sam's fury as inimitable enmity against rivals
  • Align team on crisis response without emotional dilution
Active beliefs
  • Sustained anger outperforms placation in political warfare
  • Unexpected crises sharpen tactical realignments
Character traits
strategic ruthless motivational
Follow Toby Ziegler's journey

Urgent and resolute, channeling crisis momentum with no room for delay

Bursts into Leo's office mid-conversation, delivers clipped declaration 'They've got something for us' to signal arrival of critical intelligence, stands as commanding presence that halts all else and demands immediate obedience.

Goals in this moment
  • Alert Leo to new terror-related intelligence
  • Force immediate shift from domestic strategy to national security response
Active beliefs
  • Imminent threats demand instantaneous prioritization over all else
  • Fresh intel on Shareef represents pivotal decision point
Character traits
decisive authoritative relentlessly urgent
Follow Abigail Bartlet's journey

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph


Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "They've got something for us.""
"LEO: "Excuse me.""