Deposition: Leo's Treatment Exposed — Josh Explodes
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Claypool aggressively questions Josh about the lack of notes from his investigation into White House drug use, setting a confrontational tone.
Sam intervenes as Claypool repeatedly reminds Josh he's under oath, escalating the tension between the parties.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Absent physically but implicitly exposed and endangered — a figure whose private recovery is suddenly public and politically weaponized.
Leo McGarry does not appear in the room but is the subject of Claypool's accusations; his confidential treatment history is exposed on paper and his reputation is immediately threatened by the deposition's turn.
- • Preserve personal privacy and professional reputation (inferred)
- • Remain an effective, trusted leader without private history being used to disqualify him (inferred)
- • Past treatment should not disqualify a person's public service (inferred)
- • Trusted aides will protect him from political exploitation (inferred)
Coldly combative and confident; satisfied at having unearthed damaging material and willing to press despite objections.
Claypool methodically needles Josh with leading questions, produces a physical record alleging Leo's stay at Sierra Tucson, refuses to back down when the deposition is postponed, and pursues Josh and Sam as they stand to leave — escalating the confrontation through provocation.
- • Extract testimony and documents that bolster his FOIA/claim and publicize alleged misconduct
- • Use the revelation to embarrass the White House and gain leverage for his client
- • The public (and his client) has a right to know damaging information about White House officials
- • Aggressive legal pressure is an effective tool to force disclosure regardless of personal cost
Righteous, protective fury masking acute fear and humiliation; anger spikes into impulsive physicality when procedural containment fails.
Joshua Lyman answers questions, refuses to disclose names, stands to exit when deposition is postponed, and then abruptly breaches protocol by physically shoving Claypool against the wall — an impulsive defensive act to stop further embarrassment to Leo.
- • Prevent disclosure of Leo McGarry's treatment and protect his privacy
- • Stop the deposition from continuing and de-escalate legal exposure
- • Signal to Claypool and other litigants that the administration will not let private weakness be exploited
- • Revealing Leo's treatment is a politically malicious move rather than legitimate discovery
- • Some information should remain private and protected from public litigation
- • Physical defense of a friend is justified when legal avenues fail to protect them
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Deposition Room is the contained legal chamber where the confrontation unfolds: cameras, table, and formal seating concentrate antagonism into a claustrophobic exchange that converts legal maneuvering into a physical altercation.
Sierra Tucson is referenced as the treatment center named on the document Claypool produces; it functions as the origin of the sensitive, stigmatizing information that catalyzes the emotional reaction and legal fight.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"The deposition's tension escalates from verbal sparring to physical confrontation as Claypool provokes Josh by exposing Leo's past."
"The deposition's tension escalates from verbal sparring to physical confrontation as Claypool provokes Josh by exposing Leo's past."
Key Dialogue
"CLAYPOOL: "It says Leo McGarry spent twenty-eight days in an alcohol and substance abuse treatment center called Sierra Tucson.""
"JOSH: "This is a piece of paper obtained illegally.""
"SAM: "You're a cheap hack. And if you come after Leo I'm gonna bust you like a piOata.""