The West Wing
S2E15
· Ellie

Senior Staff Panic: Leo Orders Griffith's Resignation

Josh bursts into C.J.'s office clutching Surgeon General Griffith's incendiary online chat transcript defending marijuana decriminalization, sparking collective gasps and Toby's furious demands for damage control. Sam piles on with complicating political updates from conservatives, while the team feverishly calculates time zones ahead of President Bartlet's return from overseas. Josh relays Leo's stark order to secure Griffith's resignation, transforming the revelation into a high-stakes containment crisis that fractures staff unity and foreshadows Bartlet's principled dilemma, serving as a pivotal turning point in the escalating scandal.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

5

Josh bursts into CJ's office with the transcript of Griffith's online chat, his urgency palpable as the political bomb detonates.

urgency to alarm ["CJ's office"]

CJ gasps at Griffith’s incendiary comments about marijuana, recognizing the impending media firestorm.

shock to dread ["CJ's office"]

Toby storms in demanding damage control, while Sam adds chaos with news of Bartlet being falsely credited for denouncing a movie.

frustration to confusion ["CJ's office"]

The staff desperately calculates time zones, hoping Bartlet’s Tokyo return buys them hours before full scandal eruption.

chaos to fragile hope ['West Wing bullpen']

Josh relays Leo’s order: secure Griffith’s resignation despite CJ’s public stance, setting up a collision course with the Surgeon General.

resolve to tension ["CJ's office"]

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

1
C.J. Cregg
primary

Poised readiness masking the storm of incoming press frenzy

Directly invoked by name in Josh's voice-over narration, positioning her as the immediate focal point for the administration's response to the erupting Griffith scandal, her presence felt off-screen amid the nocturnal tension.

Goals in this moment
  • • Gear up for deflecting media barrages on marijuana comments
  • • Shield the President from conservative backlash
Active beliefs
  • • Loyalty demands fierce defense of administration principles
  • • Scandals are managed through wit, precision, and unyielding clarity
Character traits
Composed authority Strategic poise
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
White House Mess

Functions as the opening establishing shot, its exterior captured in enveloping night to evoke a fortress under political siege, visually priming the Griffith scandal's chaos and Bartlet's overseas dilemma while linking to C.J.'s defensive role inside.

Atmosphere Dark and ominous, pierced by glaring lights suggesting vulnerability and relentless pressure
Function establishing shot
Symbolism Enduring symbol of executive power clashing with personal and principled crises
Access Visually impenetrable at night, interiors implied as staff-only crisis hubs
Nighttime darkness dominating Massive facade under siege-like illumination Static hush amplifying impending turmoil

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 1
Causal

"Josh's urgent reaction to Griffith's statements prompts him to burst into CJ's office, escalating the crisis to senior staff."

Josh and Donna Stumble Upon Surgeon General's Memo-Defying Chat
S2E15 · Ellie
What this causes 2
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS medium

"Leo's order creates the political pressure that will eventually reach President Bartlet upon his return, linking to his discussion of steel tariffs."

Bartlet’s Steel Tariff Firebrand Impeded by Leo’s Crisis Reveal
S2E15 · Ellie
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS medium

"Leo's order creates the political pressure that will eventually reach President Bartlet upon his return, linking to his discussion of steel tariffs."

Leo Intercepts Bartlet with Ellie's Defiant Statement
S2E15 · Ellie

Key Dialogue

"Josh: "C.J.!""
"Toby: "What the hell is this?""
"Josh: "Leo says get her resignation. Now.""