The West Wing
S2E15
· Ellie

Margaret's Rat Study Zinger, Leo's Crisis Summons

In Leo's outer office, Margaret skewers Dr. Griffith's reliance on white rat cancer studies with razor-sharp wit, prompting a self-deprecating laugh from the Surgeon General that humanizes her amid the storm. The levity shatters as Leo formally summons 'Dr. Griffith' into his office, signaling the political backlash from her marijuana interview. This pivot from humor to urgency underscores the administration's mounting scandal, transforming a principled stand into a fundraising boon for opponents and heightening tension before the private confrontation.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Margaret challenges the scientific validity of cancer studies on white rats with sharp wit, provoking Dr. Griffith to humorously concede the point.

levity to conspiratorial humor

Leo interrupts with ominous formality, summoning Dr. Griffith to face the political consequences of her interview.

relaxed banter to tension ["LEO'S OUTER OFFICE"]

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Leo Thomas McGarry (Chief of Staff)
White House Chief of Staff
 primary

sarcastic

walking through to his office, summoning Dr. Griffith, closing the door, and sarcastically congratulating her on the political fallout from her interview

Goals in this moment
  • • to summon Dr. Griffith for a private confrontation about her marijuana interview
Character traits
partisan reserved creative sardonic dismissive decisive pragmatic resolute optimistic engaged informed impatient bewildered controversial disputed authoritative professional incisive loyal blunt attentive protective inquisitive skeptical historical
Follow Leo Thomas …'s journey
Millicent Griffith
Surgeon General
 primary

Light-hearted amusement during banter, shifting to attentive resolve upon summons

Dr. Griffith shares a witty, self-deprecating exchange with Margaret in the outer office, chuckling at the rat cancer jab, then promptly acknowledges Leo's summons with 'I'm on,' enters his office, and stands as the target of his biting sarcasm on her interview's fallout.

Goals in this moment
  • • Defuse tension through humor with colleagues
  • • Respond professionally to Leo's call without hesitation
Active beliefs
  • • Scientific skepticism warrants humorous concession
  • • Political summons demand immediate compliance amid principled stand
Character traits
witty self-deprecating fearless composed
Follow Millicent Griffith's journey

Narrative Connections

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Key Dialogue

"MARGARET: "Red meat has been found to cause cancer in white rats. Maraschino cherries have been found to cause cancer in white rats. Cellular phones have been found to cause cancer in white rats. Has anyone examined the possibility that cancer might be hereditary in white rats?""
"DR. GRIFFITH: "Let me tell you something, I'm not 100% sure we've ruled that out.""
"LEO: "Dr. Griffith." / DR. GRIFFITH: "([to Margaret]) I'm on.""