The West Wing
S3E20
· We Killed Yamamoto

Mutual Frustrations on the Walk Home

Under the Washington, D.C. night sky, C.J. and Simon walk to her house after the party. C.J. wistfully regrets Simon's absence inside, revealing her yearning for intimacy and shared experiences beyond his protective role. Simon retorts by wishing she'd let him use the car, exposing his chafing at restrictions and the power imbalances in their flirtatious dynamic. This terse exchange amplifies relational tensions, serving as a quiet counterpoint to the White House's political tempests while deepening C.J.'s vulnerability amid her high-stakes professional life.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

C.J. and Simon walk home from the party, with C.J. expressing regret over Simon not joining inside, while Simon counters with his own wish to have been allowed to use the car, setting a tinge of mutual frustration.

light regret to mild frustration ["outside C.J.'s house"]

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
C.J. Cregg
primary

wistful

walking to her house with Simon and wistfully wishing he'd come inside after the party

Goals in this moment
  • • express regret over Simon's absence from the party
  • • invite Simon inside her house to deepen intimacy
Character traits
resilient strategic poised terse dutiful
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Simon
primary

Frustrated restraint masking deeper vulnerability, chafing against duty's unyielding boundaries

Simon walks alongside C.J. toward her house in the night, delivering a pointed retort to her invitation by wishing aloud she'd let him use the car, his words laced with frustration over withheld autonomy.

Goals in this moment
  • • Deflect C.J.'s intimate invitation to preserve professional distance
  • • Voice irritation over restrictions symbolizing his curtailed freedom
Active beliefs
  • • His Secret Service role demands constant vigilance over personal indulgence
  • • C.J.'s control over the car keys exemplifies broader power imbalances in their dynamic
Character traits
frustrated witty restrained protective
Follow Simon's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
C.J. Cregg's Washington, D.C. House

C.J.'s Washington D.C. house looms as the magnetic destination of their nighttime walk, embodying the fragile sanctuary of personal intimacy C.J. wistfully offers Simon—a threshold pregnant with relational tension, contrasting the party's social whirl and White House tempests.

Atmosphere Hushed and shadowy, cool night air sharpening barbed vulnerability on silent sidewalks
Function Destination pulling them forward, site of proposed private refuge
Symbolism Sanctuary for shedding professional armor, razor-edge between yearning and restraint
Access Implied boundary tied to Simon's duty-bound hesitation
Cool night air Shadowed sidewalks Capital's unyielding nocturnal pulse

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph

Key Dialogue

"C.J.: That was a fun party. I'd wish you'd come inside."
"SIMON: I'd wish you'd let me use the car."