The West Wing
S3E9
ยท Bartlet for America (Restructured)

Hearing Adjourned: Josh's Sigh of Relief

In the tense confines of Josh's office, Cliff Calley on television announces the congressional hearing's temporary adjournment, promising to resume when Chairman Bruno gavels it back into session. Josh, buried under the dual pressures of Leo's scrutiny over the MS cover-up and the escalating church arson crisis, exhales a profound sigh of relief. This interlude serves as a crucial narrative breather, diffusing immediate tension, allowing staff to pivot to urgent threats while foreshadowing the hearing's inevitable resumption and deeper revelations.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Cliff Calley announces the temporary adjournment of the congressional hearings, indicating they will resume when the Chairman reconvenes.

tension to relief ["Josh's office"]

Josh sighs with relief as the hearing is adjourned, signaling a temporary reprieve from the intense questioning.

relief to exhaustion

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Cliff Calley
primary

Calm professionalism veiling investigative determination

Cliff Calley, broadcast live on television from the hearing room as Majority Counsel, delivers a procedural announcement of temporary adjournment, his composed delivery underscoring the formal mechanics of the inquiry's interruption.

Goals in this moment
  • • Formally suspend proceedings to maintain legal order
  • • Signal to all parties the hearing's imminent resumption
Active beliefs
  • • Procedural pauses preserve the inquiry's integrity
  • • Truth about the MS cover-up demands thorough reconvening
Character traits
methodical professional procedurally precise authoritative under scrutiny
Follow Cliff Calley's journey
Joshua Lyman
primary

Overwhelmed relief piercing layers of exhaustion and dread

Josh, alone in his office amid mounting crises, watches the television intently as Cliff announces the hearing's pause, then exhales a profound sigh of relief, his body visibly relaxing in a rare moment of unguarded vulnerability.

Goals in this moment
  • • Seize the brief delay to regroup and address church arsons
  • • Protect Leo and the administration from immediate revelation
Active beliefs
  • • This pause buys critical time for strategic pivots
  • • Endurance through loyalty will outlast political inquisitions
Character traits
resilient under pressure loyal crisis manager emotionally raw
Follow Joshua Lyman's journey

Narrative Connections

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Key Dialogue

"CLIFF ([on TV]): We'll pick it up here when the Chairman gavels these hearings back to order."