Bartlet's Raw Confession and Desperate Plea to Keep C.J.
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Bartlet dismissively addresses C.J. about her role in his marital affairs, setting a tense tone.
C.J. attempts to clarify her intentions regarding the press event, but Bartlet cuts her off.
C.J. announces her intention to resign, catching Bartlet off guard.
Bartlet erupts about societal issues, and C.J. defiantly challenges him.
Bartlet reveals his vulnerability, admitting he was never supposed to win the presidency.
Bartlet admits his mistake and expresses his need for C.J., softening the tension.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Calm professionalism amid charged atmosphere
Knocks on barn door interrupting tension, politely summons C.J. stating 'they need you,' escorts her out as she departs reconciled, enabling pivot back to speech work.
- • Retrieve C.J. for immediate staff needs
- • Facilitate smooth transition without escalating conflict
- • Duty prioritizes operational urgency over personal drama
- • President's inner circle functions through reliable intermediaries
Frustrated defensiveness exploding into righteous anger, swiftly yielding to exposed vulnerability and tender remorse
Stands resolute at lectern scribbling speech notes, sharply dismisses C.J.'s counsel with waves and glares, erupts into yelling lecture on social ills gesturing emphatically, freezes mid-air with glasses upon her defiance, then approaches vulnerably confessing unexpected win and benching error before softly pleading her return.
- • Reassert boundaries over personal life
- • Retain C.J.'s loyalty and prevent resignation
- • Reconcile to unify campaign team
- • Personal marriage is off-limits to staff
- • Presidency was unforeseen fluke demanding total commitment from inner circle
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Bartlet scribbles furious notes on the speech draft at lectern before and after clash, waving dismissively over it; embodies contested re-election heart, focal point of his distraction and return to work, underscoring campaign's pull against personal rift resolution.
C.J.'s car crunches gravel pulling up to barn entrance, door slams as she exits and enters confrontation space; serves as narrative bridge from external arrival to intimate clash, symbolizing her urgent intrusion into Bartlet's private rehearsal isolation amid re-election pressures.
Bartlet grips lectern edge standing resolute scribbling speech, using it as dismissive barrier during early snaps and steadfast anchor returning to work after C.J. exits; functions as rehearsal workstation and emotional bulwark, heightening isolation-to-vulnerability arc in barn's raw space.
Bartlet holds glasses mid-air frozen upon C.J.'s defiance, rubs them nervously during vulnerable confession approach; acts as prop stripping authoritative facade, signaling raw candor and emotional disarming central to reconciliation pivot from fury.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Weathered barn hosts private clash from C.J.'s gravel-crunching arrival through escalating voices, frozen stares, hesitant turns, door knock, and exit; its rustic isolation amplifies emotional rawness, hay-scented shadows framing presidential vulnerability away from Oval scrutiny.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
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Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"C.J. Sir, I think if you get a bump in the polls after today's speech, as we expect you will, I think it'd be a good time for me to resign."
"BARTLET ((gently)) I was never supposed to win. C.J. turns around to look at him. He's holding his glasses and rubbing them nervously. BARTLET I got in it polling in the single digits. Hoynes had it locked up. I got in it to give some speeches and keep him honest..."
"BARTLET ((softly)) I need you, too."