The West Wing
S2E2
· In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part 2

C.J.'s Morning Show Refusal Sparks Toby's Pursuit

In a tense walk-and-talk, Leo informs Toby that C.J. refuses the morning shows, underscoring her reluctance to front the administration amid intensifying media scrutiny over the assassination attempt. Toby reveals press questions about the President's unprotected open-air exit—hinting at his own guilt over a procedural memo—and insists on confronting Secret Service head Ron Butterfield for answers, despite Leo's caution that they'll stonewall. This pivotal exchange exposes fracturing internal unity, escalates Toby's personal quest for accountability, and sets up his imminent clash, heightening the White House's coordinated response under strain.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Leo informs Toby that C.J. is reluctant to appear on morning shows, hinting at the growing pressure from media scrutiny.

concern to urgency ['White House corridors']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

5
C.J. Cregg
White House Press Secretary
 primary

reluctant

refuses to do the morning shows amid receiving press questions about the President's open-air exit

Goals in this moment
  • • avoid appearing on morning shows
Character traits
insightful assertive playful terse strategic poised decisive pragmatic dutiful quick-thinking tenacious authoritative wry measured protective charismatic committed resilient witty
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Leo Thomas McGarry (Chief of Staff)
White House Chief of Staff
 primary

Concerned restraint masking deeper worry for Toby's self-flagellation

Leo propels the walk-and-talk down the corridor, delivering C.J.'s refusal news, preempting Secret Service reticence on procedures, gently advising Toby against confrontation, and decisively exits through the front door, severing the exchange.

Goals in this moment
  • • Prevent Toby from a fruitless clash that could exacerbate internal rifts
  • • Shield the team from unnecessary procedural scrutiny during crisis
Active beliefs
  • • Secret Service protocols are ironclad and non-negotiable
  • • Toby bears no obligation to pursue personal guilt in public
Character traits
pragmatic paternal authoritative
Follow Leo Thomas …'s journey
Toby Ziegler
White House Communications Director
 primary

Determined resolve veiling gnawing self-reproach over the memo

Toby matches Leo's urgent stride through the hallway, revealing press scrutiny on the canopy lapse, announcing his intent to confront Ron Butterfield, rebuffing cautions with dogged rationale, and lingering to watch Leo's exit with steely focus.

Goals in this moment
  • • Extract accountability from Secret Service on protective failures
  • • Alleviate personal culpability by forcing transparency
Active beliefs
  • • Pursuing answers honors Josh's wounding and agents' sacrifices
  • • Stonewalling perpetuates the procedural lapses that enabled peril
Character traits
relentless guilt-driven principled
Follow Toby Ziegler's journey
Josiah Edward 'Jed' Bartlet (President of the United States)
President of the United States
 primary

subject of press questions about exiting in the open air without a Secret Service tent or canopy

Character traits
politically pragmatic jocular policy‑driven paternal commands institutional authority relational — centers staff and family centralizing (commands staff attention and schedules) centralized authority figure strategically vital intelligent politically consequential (actions and associations create immediate risk) protocol-driven calculating principled in public rhetoric vulnerable emotionally forceful institutionally minded performative control of public optics candid principled politically vulnerable (per party strategists and press) strategic witty/jocular under pressure vulnerable-to-proxy-actions collegial poised decisive principled but electorally mindful resolute constitutional protective (paternal focus on family safety) deliberative ruthless burdened decisive when confronted with moral stakes authoritative/managerial paternal/protective regionally grounded politically strategic supportive traditional weary/resolute authoritative public-facing decisive in crisis loyal blunt protective politically consequential measured committed politically shrewd risk‑aware consequential self-aware witty institutional (symbolic center of staff effort) ceremonial
Follow Josiah Edward …'s journey
Ron Butterfield (Secret Service Special Agent)
Secret Service Special Agent (Head of Presidential Protective Detail)
 primary

target of Toby's intended confrontation regarding Secret Service procedures on President's exits; expected by Leo to refuse commenting

Character traits
loyal empathetic protective urgent under pressure dutiful guardedly tender precise disciplined methodical professional decisive defensive pragmatic resolute stoic authoritative
Follow Ron Butterfield …'s journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
White House Entrance

The West Wing front door frames Leo's abrupt exit, swallowing his silhouette and punctuating Toby's isolation at conversation's end; it marks the threshold from internal debate to external resolve, heightening Toby's solitary commitment to his quest amid the building's sealed chaos.

Atmosphere Abruptly isolating with heavy finality
Function Exit point severing dialogue and propelling solo action
Symbolism Portal dividing deliberation from defiant pursuit
Access Secure, staff-only amid heightened security
Heavy wooden panels thudding shut Framed threshold casting long shadows

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"LEO: "She doesn't want to do the morning shows.""
"TOBY: "She says she's been getting a couple of questions about why the President exited in the open air. You remember the Secret Service usually constructs a tent or a canopy. I'm going to talk to Ron Butterfield.""
"LEO: "He's going to say the Secret Service doesn't comment on procedure." / TOBY: "I know. But maybe I can talk him out of it. I should try, anyway.""