The West Wing
S2E13
· Bartlet's Third State of the Union

Motorcade Charges to State of the Union with Leo's Foreshadowing Voiceover

Under the cover of night, the presidential motorcade surges through Washington D.C. streets, flanked by a formidable police escort that amplifies its aura of unyielding authority and urgency. Leo McGarry's voiceover intones a pivotal fragment from Bartlet's State of the Union address—'Therefore I am asking the leaders of Congress...'—bridging the West Wing's frantic preparations to the impending political spectacle. This kinetic transition sequence heightens anticipation, symbolizes the administration's high-stakes momentum, and foreshadows compromises, scandals, and crises converging on the Capitol.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

The presidential motorcade speeds through Washington DC streets, flanked by police escorts with flashing lights, conveying urgency and presidential power.

calm to urgency ['Washington DC street at night']

Leo McGarry's voiceover delivers a fragment of the State of the Union address, foreshadowing the political stakes of the night.

neutral to anticipation

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

1
Leo Thomas McGarry (Chief of Staff)
White House Chief of Staff
 primary

Resolute determination underscoring urgent political imperative

Leo McGarry delivers a pivotal voiceover fragment from President Bartlet's State of the Union address, his voice thundering over the motorcade's rush, bridging West Wing preparations to the Capitol confrontation without physical on-screen presence.

Goals in this moment
  • • Rally congressional leaders through rhetorical appeal
  • • Heighten anticipation for the State of the Union spectacle
Active beliefs
  • • Congressional cooperation is essential for presidential agenda
  • • Bold leadership demands direct challenges to legislative power
Character traits
Commanding Authoritative Pragmatic
Follow Leo Thomas …'s journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Presidential Armored Motorcade (Limousines)

The presidential motorcade limousines surge dynamically down the night-shrouded streets, embodying the administration's high-stakes authority and momentum as they transition from White House to Capitol, their formation amplifying the scene's kinetic urgency and foreshadowing political battles ahead.

Before: Assembled and departing from White House North Entrance
After: Rushing toward Capitol under police escort
Before: Assembled and departing from White House North Entrance
After: Rushing toward Capitol under police escort

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Washington, D.C. Streets

Washington D.C. streets serve as the nocturnal pathway for the motorcade's high-velocity advance, their rain-slicked expanse and monumental shadows framing the procession's power while Leo's voiceover pierces the night, building suspense toward the congressional showdown.

Atmosphere Tense and shadowy, charged with nocturnal urgency and restrained power
Function Kinetic transition corridor heightening narrative momentum
Symbolism Embodies the bridge between executive resolve and legislative confrontation
Access Heavily secured by police escort, inaccessible to public
Nighttime darkness pierced by vehicle lights Urban streets evoking capital's pulsing tension

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

2
United States Congress

Congress looms as the invoked target of Leo's voiceover plea from Bartlet's address, positioning the legislative body as the destination and antagonist in the unfolding political drama, foreshadowing procedural clashes and vote-trading frenzies.

Representation Through direct rhetorical address in presidential voiceover
Power Dynamics Positioned as gatekeeper being challenged by executive momentum
Impact Highlights brewing executive-legislative power tensions
Internal Dynamics Foreshadowed senatorial ire and Blue Ribbon negotiations
Maintain procedural sovereignty over policy arenas Respond to presidential appeals with calculated leverage Institutional protocol and permission gates Anticipated senatorial oversight and deal-making
D.C. Police

Police provide a formidable flanking escort to the motorcade, their presence enforcing a cordon of unyielding security that underscores the procession's authority and vulnerability amid national spectacle, syncing with federal protocols for presidential transit.

Representation Via escort vehicles and personnel forming protective phalanx
Power Dynamics Exercising immediate tactical authority over transit security
Impact Reinforces fusion of local and federal security in presidential operations
Ensure safe and unimpeded passage to Capitol Project impenetrable security amid high-profile movement Physical cordon and vehicular blockade Coordinated law enforcement presence

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

"LEO ([VO]): "Therefore I am asking the leaders of Congress...""