The West Wing
S3E15
· Dead Irish Writers

Leo Pushes Aggressive License Defense; Abbey Prioritizes Party, Defers Strategy

Leo pulls Abbey into his office during her birthday gala to urgently strategize her medical board hearing defense: scheduling bold public events to project confidence, scripting body language to avoid weakness, and limiting her campaign to friendly Democratic strongholds. Abbey resists his aggressive tactics, insisting on waiting until morning and valuing the night's celebration over immediate crisis planning. Her forced exit underscores a deepening rift—Leo's political pragmatism clashing with Abbey's emotional need for respite—heightening marital and administrative tensions as the crisis looms unresolved.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

5

Leo attempts to strategize Abbey's response to her impending medical board hearing, emphasizing the importance of public appearance and body language.

concern to resistance ["Leo's office"]

Abbey resists Leo's planning, indicating she prefers to wait for concrete news before proceeding, showing her emotional distance from the situation.

resistance to frustration ["Leo's office"]

Leo outlines campaign strategies for Abbey, suggesting targeted appearances but avoiding the South, hinting at political fallout.

strategic to evasive ["Leo's office"]

Abbey firmly insists on delaying further discussion until tomorrow, asserting control over the timing of her involvement.

frustration to dismissal ["Leo's office"]

Abbey exits the conversation with a forced smile, returning to the party and leaving Leo with unaddressed concerns.

dismissal to façade ["Leo's office"]

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Abigail "Abbey" Bartlet (First Lady — The West Wing)
primary

resistant and prioritizing respite

enters Leo's office reluctantly, resists immediate planning by suggesting to wait until facts are confirmed or tomorrow, questions campaign implications, stands up to leave, and smiles before exiting to return to the party

Goals in this moment
  • • defer strategy discussion until morning to enjoy her birthday party
Character traits
politically engaged socially influential privately opinionated protective of presidential reputation assertive media-savvy maternal-authoritative pragmatic confrontational attentive professional discreet supportive logistically competent intellectual influential private
Follow Abigail "Abbey" …'s journey
Leo McGarry
primary

Urgently insistent with professional resolve, tempered by reluctant deference to her personal boundaries

Leo decisively leads Abbey into his office, secures privacy by closing the door, sits to engage her directly, and methodically pitches an aggressive crisis management plan—public events for bravado, scripted smirks over hangdog looks, and segregated campaign swings in safe Democratic bastions—yielding only with an apology as she departs.

Goals in this moment
  • • Forge an immediate, proactive defense strategy for Abbey's medical board hearing
  • • Minimize political damage by controlling narrative from day one
Active beliefs
  • • The opening response to scandal dictates public perception and outcome
  • • Targeted political maneuvers can salvage reputation without full retreat
Character traits
pragmatic insistent strategic dutiful accommodating under pressure
Follow Leo McGarry's journey

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

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Key Dialogue

"LEO: Yeah. The thing is though, the first day's important. What I like to do, for instance, is schedule a public event, show we're not scared."
"ABBEY: Can we talk about this tomorrow? LEO: We just need to... ABBEY: How about tomorrow?"
"LEO: I'm sorry. Enjoy the party. ABBEY: Thanks you."