The West Wing
S3E14
· Hartsfield's Landing

Bartlet Mentors Sam: 'See the Whole Board'

In the quiet intensity of Sam's office at night, President Bartlet observes Sam Seaborn deliberating over a chessboard, his hesitation mirroring broader strategic pressures from the Taiwan crisis. Bartlet offers laconic wisdom—urging patience, holistic vision, and levity—reinforcing his mentorship role. Sam's interrupted 'Sir...' and Bartlet's affirming 'Sure' deepen their bond, symbolizing Sam's growth toward presidential foresight amid high-stakes diplomacy. This pivotal beat humanizes the crisis, advancing character arcs and thematic emphasis on calculated leadership.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Bartlet observes Sam strategizing over the chessboard, urging patience and tactical foresight with deliberate pacing.

contemplation to anticipation ["Sam's office at night"]

Sam hesitates, his unspoken calculation hinting at deeper strategic concerns beyond the game.

certainty to doubt

Bartlet cuts in with laconic encouragement—one word masking layers of unspoken challenge.

patience to provocation

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Sam Seaborn
primary

Hesitant focus blending awe and uncertainty under scrutiny

Hunched in deep concentration over the chessboard pondering his next move under Bartlet's gaze, Sam hesitates and interjects deferentially with 'Sir...', absorbing the unsolicited presidential counsel in quiet loyalty.

Goals in this moment
  • • Determine the optimal chess response mirroring real crises
  • • Acknowledge and integrate Bartlet's guidance respectfully
Active beliefs
  • • Bartlet's wisdom applies equally to games and national stakes
  • • Hesitation signals depth, not weakness, in complex dilemmas
Character traits
thoughtful hesitant deferential receptive to mentorship
Follow Sam Seaborn's journey
Abigail Bartlet
primary

Calmly authoritative with underlying paternal encouragement

Positioned observantly as the camera pans to him, Bartlet watches Sam's chess deliberation intently, then delivers rhythmic, sage advice on patience, holistic vision, and positive mindset, culminating in an affirming response to Sam's hesitation.

Goals in this moment
  • • Guide Sam toward broader strategic thinking amid crisis
  • • Instill resilience and levity in high-pressure decision-making
Active beliefs
  • • True mastery requires seeing the entire board, not isolated moves
  • • Patience and optimism unlock victory in chess and geopolitics alike
Character traits
patient mentoring wryly supportive strategically insightful
Follow Abigail Bartlet's journey

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 2
Character Continuity medium

"Bartlet's mention of chess sets from India links to his later strategic teaching moment with Sam, reinforcing his role as a mentor."

Bartlet References Indian Chess Sets, Orders Seventh Fleet into Strait
S3E14 · Hartsfield's Landing
Character Continuity medium

"Bartlet's mention of chess sets from India links to his later strategic teaching moment with Sam, reinforcing his role as a mentor."

Bartlet Decisively Orders Seventh Fleet into Taiwan Strait
S3E14 · Hartsfield's Landing

Part of Larger Arcs

Bartlet mentors Sam Seaborn and Toby Ziegler through chess analogies to instill 'whole board' strategic thinking, mirroring Taiwan crisis decisions and personal leadership growth under duress.

Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "Take your time. [beat] See the whole board. [beat] Think happy thoughts...""
"SAM: "Sir...""
"BARTLET: "Sure.""