The West Wing
S2E15
· Ellie

Bartlet's Tense Formal Greeting to Dr. Griffith

In the Oval Office at night, Dr. Millicent Griffith waits anxiously in formal attire as President Bartlet enters, his presence commanding immediate gravity. Their clipped exchange of 'Good evening' pleasantries masks profound subtextual tension—her pro-marijuana stance has ignited political firestorms, forcing a confrontation over her resignation amid conservative backlash and Ellie's defiance. This restrained opener, a setup beat rich with unspoken stakes, excavates the rift between principle and expediency, priming the explosive dialogue to follow.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Bartlet and Griffith exchange formal greetings in the Oval Office, setting a tense yet respectful tone for their upcoming confrontation.

neutral to tension ['Oval Office, formal atmosphere']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Josiah Edward 'Jed' Bartlet (President of the United States)
President of the United States
 primary

serious

walks in and greets Dr. Griffith with 'Good evening.'

Goals in this moment
  • • initiate formal tension leading causally to confrontation over resignation
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
Millicent Griffith
Surgeon General
 primary

Anxiously composed, politeness veiling apprehension about her job and principles

Dr. Griffith waits poised yet anxiously in formal attire as Bartlet enters the Oval Office at night; she responds deferentially to his greeting with 'Good evening, Mr. President,' establishing a veneer of formality over the brewing confrontation.

Goals in this moment
  • • Initiate the meeting with decorum to humanize the confrontation
  • • Gauge Bartlet's tone for clues to his intentions regarding her position
Active beliefs
  • • Scientific truth on marijuana outweighs political backlash
  • • Bartlet respects candid expertise despite external pressures
Character traits
formal respectful anxious composed
Follow Millicent Griffith's journey

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 1
Thematic Parallel

"Ellie's defiance mirrors Griffith's own resistance to political pressure, both standing on principle against Bartlet's authority."

Bartlet's Cautious Paternal Probe Meets Ellie's Curt Distance
S2E15 · Ellie
What this causes 4
Causal

"The formal tension between Bartlet and Griffith leads to her attempting to resign, which he ultimately rejects, resolving their conflict."

Bartlet's Chaotic Return to White House Turmoil
S2E15 · Ellie
Causal

"The formal tension between Bartlet and Griffith leads to her attempting to resign, which he ultimately rejects, resolving their conflict."

Bartlet’s Agonizing Clash with Defiant Ellie
S2E15 · Ellie
Causal

"The formal tension between Bartlet and Griffith leads to her attempting to resign, which he ultimately rejects, resolving their conflict."

Leo's Brutal Resignation Ultimatum to Griffith
S2E15 · Ellie
Causal

"The formal tension between Bartlet and Griffith leads to her attempting to resign, which he ultimately rejects, resolving their conflict."

Bartlet Rejects Griffith's Resignation, Reigniting Their Alliance
S2E15 · Ellie

Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "Good evening.""
"DR. GRIFFITH: "Good evening, Mr. President.""