The West Wing
S2E9
· Galileo

Bartlet Sparks C.J.'s Childlike Awe for Galileo V

As they stroll the White House colonnade, President Bartlet contagiously shares his boyish wonder at the Galileo V Mars probe's evocative name, likening it to his generation's thrill for 'Yellow Submarine.' Through playful banter and gentle prodding, he overcomes C.J.'s wry skepticism, igniting her enthusiasm to rehearse the briefing with genuine excitement. This intimate rally underscores Bartlet's visionary passion for exploration, humanizing him amid encroaching crises and priming the team's inspirational tone.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

6

Bartlet introduces the 'Galileo V' Mars probe with childlike wonder, igniting C.J.'s imagination with its mythic potential.

neutral to excitement ['White House colonnade']

Bartlet reflects on NASA's naming prowess, listing iconic space program names that stir the imagination.

excitement to nostalgia

Bartlet compares the wonder of 'Galileo V' to his generation's reaction to 'Yellow Submarine', revealing his poetic side.

nostalgia to humor

C.J. teases Bartlet about his generation's quirks, lightening the mood with banter.

humor to playful

Bartlet refocuses on the Mars briefing rehearsal, pressing C.J. to recapture the wonder of 'Galileo V'.

playful to earnest

Bartlet insists C.J. say 'Galileo V' with more enthusiasm, revealing his passion for inspiring wonder.

earnest to insistence

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
C.J. Cregg
White House Press Secretary
 primary

Initial wry skepticism thawing into contagious, genuine enthusiasm

Walking briskly down the colonnade with Bartlet and trailing aides, C.J. starts with clipped affirmatives and skeptical jabs but yields to his prodding, delivering 'Galileo V' with theatrical gusto while bantering lightly about his generation's quirks.

Goals in this moment
  • • Align with Bartlet's energy to energize the briefing rehearsal
  • • Maintain professional poise while indulging the President's whimsy
Active beliefs
  • • NASA's mission names inherently evoke adventure and imagination
  • • Bartlet's passion deserves amplification for inspirational impact
Character traits
wry skeptical adaptable playfully compliant
Follow C.J. Cregg's journey
Josiah Edward 'Jed' Bartlet (President of the United States)
President of the United States
 primary

playful, joyful awe

walking down the White House colonnade with C.J. and aides, enthusiastically sharing childlike wonder about the Galileo V Mars probe name, comparing it to 'Yellow Submarine,' and prodding C.J. to recite it with imaginative gusto to prepare for the Mars briefing rehearsal

Goals in this moment
  • • ignite C.J.'s childlike enthusiasm and imagination for the Galileo V Mars probe
  • • instill a mythic sense of adventure in the team's Mars briefing preparation
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

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Galileo V

Galileo V is not physically present but passionately invoked by name as the centerpiece of Bartlet's rapture, symbolizing boundless exploration; its mythic resonance transforms a simple probe into a vessel for igniting C.J.'s imagination, priming the team's inspirational narrative for schoolchildren amid the episode's thematic push for wonder.

Before: Unnamed probe in transit to Mars, signal active …
After: Elevated as cultural icon of adventure through verbal …
Before: Unnamed probe in transit to Mars, signal active per broader context
After: Elevated as cultural icon of adventure through verbal exaltation

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
East Colonnade

The East Colonnade provides a breezy, transitional outdoor path where Bartlet and C.J. walk freely with aides, fostering an unscripted, intimate banter that strips away protocol, allowing presidential vulnerability and team rapport to bloom en route to the formal rehearsal.

Atmosphere Bright daylight openness infused with playful levity and forward momentum
Function Casual walkway facilitating en-route inspirational exchange
Symbolism Embodies rare pockets of unburdened wonder within the pressured White House
Access Exclusive to President, senior aides; secure presidential grounds
Sunlit colonnade exterior Flagstone path under lofty pillars Daytime natural light and open air

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

1
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

NASA manifests as the exalted architect of legendary names like Mercury, Apollo, Atlantis, and Galileo V, which Bartlet lauds to evoke generational awe; this praise underscores the agency's narrative role in fueling White House inspiration for the probe's school outreach amid signal threats.

Representation Via iconic mission names and historical probes referenced in dialogue
Power Dynamics Revered source of inspirational authority, subtly shaping presidential rhetoric
Impact Reinforces federal space program's role in national morale-boosting amid political scandals
Cultivate public imagination through evocative mission branding Enable successful Galileo V Mars probe broadcast and landing Mythic nomenclature sparking emotional resonance Technological feats symbolizing human adventure

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What this causes 1
Character Continuity

"Bartlet's initial vision for the 'Galileo V' Mars probe as a mythic symbol of exploration is realized in Sam's revised, mythic intro script, capturing Bartlet's vision."

Bartlet Champions Sam's Mythic Mars Intro Rewrite
S2E9 · Galileo

Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "First time I heard 'Galileo V,' the way the imagination immediately... It reminded me of the way folks in my generation felt when we heard 'Yellow Submarine.'""
"C.J.: "I can't believe they gave you people drivers' licenses.""
"BARTLET: "Say it again. Your imagination, like a child, will explode with unrestrained possibilities for adventure." C.J.: "Galileo V!""