S2E15
· Ellie

Sam Presses Charlie on Rejected 'Prince of New York' Screening

Aboard Air Force One, Charlie lounges with a book, answering Sam's urgent call in casual Japanese. Sam, voice-over tense amid White House chaos, interrogates him about a call from producer Morgan Ross pitching 'Prince of New York' for White House screening. Charlie confirms viewing and rejecting it independently, deeming it unsuitable for the President and selecting 'Dial M for Murder' instead. Politely ending with 'Domo arigato,' he hangs up, equipping Sam with crucial details to dismantle Ross's cynical PR stunt exploiting political turmoil, revealing Charlie's intuitive loyalty and Sam's precision under pressure.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

6

Charlie answers Sam's call with a casual greeting in Japanese, setting a relaxed tone.

neutral to casual

Sam urgently questions Charlie about a past phone conversation with movie producer Morgan Ross, shifting the tone to investigative.

casual to urgent

Charlie confirms the conversation and reveals the movie 'Prince of New York' was involved, adding context to Sam's inquiry.

urgent to informative

Sam presses Charlie for details about the President's involvement, escalating the tension.

informative to tense

Charlie clarifies that the President was not involved and that he chose 'Dial M for Murder' instead, defusing some tension.

tense to relieved

The call ends with Charlie hanging up after a polite farewell in Japanese, returning the scene to a neutral close.

relieved to neutral

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

4

Tense urgency driving precise fact-gathering

Sam appears as urgent voice-over from the White House, methodically interrogating Charlie on the specifics of Morgan Ross's call, the 'Prince of New York' pitch, viewing of the print, rejection decision, and confirming President's complete non-involvement before acknowledging the intel.

Goals in this moment
  • Extract verifiable details to confront and neutralize Morgan Ross's PR maneuver
  • Confirm President's insulation from the controversial movie decision
Active beliefs
  • The pitch exploits political turmoil for Hollywood gain
  • Charlie's independent action protects the administration's image
Character traits
tense precise strategic investigative
Follow Sam Seaborn's journey

Relaxed confidence underscoring steadfast loyalty

Charlie lounges in a chair holding a book, answers Sam's incoming call in casual Japanese transitioning to English, recounts his conversation with Morgan Ross, details independent viewing and rejection of the movie print, affirms President's non-involvement and his selection of alternative film, then hangs up politely.

Goals in this moment
  • Accurately inform Sam of the movie pitch details and rejection
  • Reaffirm his autonomous authority in presidential movie selections
Active beliefs
  • The President trusts his personal judgment on entertainment choices
  • 'Prince of New York' is tonally unsuitable for White House screening amid crises
Character traits
casual loyal independent efficient discreet
Follow Charlie Young's journey

Ambitious cynicism implied through referenced actions

Morgan Ross is invoked by name and detailed in dialogue as the movie producer who contacted Charlie last week, pitching 'Prince of New York' for White House screening, with his overture rejected outright.

Goals in this moment
  • Secure prestigious White House screening for promotional leverage
  • Capitalize on current political controversies for film buzz
Active beliefs
  • White House endorsement elevates film visibility amid boycotts
  • Administration vulnerability allows bold Hollywood intrusions
Character traits
opportunistic persistent
Follow Morgan Ross's journey

not involved in movie decision; delegates choices to Charlie who selected 'Dial M for Murder' deeming it preferable

Character traits
protective resolute self-aware principled
Follow Josiah Bartlet's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

3
Charlie's Book

Charlie holds the book while seated in the chair during the call, functioning as a prop that visually conveys his relaxed composure and casual downtime aboard the flight, contrasting sharply with Sam's high-stakes interrogation and underscoring his unflappable efficiency amid crisis.

Before: Splayed open across Charlie's lap in the staff …
After: Remains in Charlie's possession, unchanged post-call
Before: Splayed open across Charlie's lap in the staff cabin chair
After: Remains in Charlie's possession, unchanged post-call
'Prince of New York' Movie Print

The 'Prince of New York' movie print is centrally referenced in Charlie's recounting: sent to him the prior week for review, personally screened, and rejected independently as unsuitable, providing key evidentiary context that validates his decision and fuels Sam's counter-strategy against Ross.

Before: Previously delivered to and viewed by Charlie at …
After: Remains rejected and archived, status affirmed verbally
Before: Previously delivered to and viewed by Charlie at White House
After: Remains rejected and archived, status affirmed verbally
Charlie's 'Dial M for Murder' for the President

'Dial M for Murder' is cited by Charlie as his proactive substitute selection for the President, chosen based on presumed taste alignment after rejecting 'Prince of New York,' narratively highlighting his discretionary role and supplying Sam with proof of principled curation over controversy.

Before: Selected and presumably screened by Charlie as presidential …
After: Status as approved choice reaffirmed in conversation
Before: Selected and presumably screened by Charlie as presidential alternative
After: Status as approved choice reaffirmed in conversation

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Air Force One, Staff Cabin

The Air Force One staff cabin at night hosts Charlie's solitary phone exchange, its confined, humming isolation amplifying the transatlantic tension between casual loyalty aloft and White House frenzy below, framing the call as a pivotal relay in crisis management.

Atmosphere Shadowed solitude pierced by jet hum and urgent telephony
Function Remote communication outpost linking airborne aide to ground command
Symbolism Embodies physical distance bridged by unyielding staff allegiance
Access Restricted to staff and traveling personnel
Harsh overhead lighting carving shadows Nighttime hush with engine drone Single chair setup for repose
White House Mess

The White House is referenced as the targeted venue for the proposed 'Prince of New York' screening, invoked to contextualize Ross's pitch and Charlie's gatekeeping rejection, contrasting its current political maelstrom with the protective decision made remotely.

Atmosphere Implied chaos of scandal and staff urgency
Function Prestige endorsement site central to the disputed pitch
Symbolism Represents institutional vulnerability to external cultural pressures
Access Highly secured, decisions vetted by inner staff
Site of ongoing Griffith/Ellie crises Origin of Sam's voice-over call

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

"CHARLIE: "Moshimoshi. Konichiwa, Sam. Ikaga dess ka.""
"SAM: "Charlie, was the President involved in that decision at all?" CHARLIE: "No, he lets me choose the movies. I just didn't think he'd like it so I got him Dial M for murder instead.""
"CHARLIE: "Domo arigato." [hangs up]"