Peter Hans' Letter of Credence from King Karl Gustav

Tom thrusts the crisp diplomatic parchment across the Oval Office desk, King Karl Gustav's regal seal gleaming under lamplight as formal accreditation for Peter Hans. Bartlet seizes it, eyes devouring clauses before pen carves his signature and seal slams authority in ritual precision—voice thunders 'ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary'—then returns it to Hans amid family handshakes, photo flashes, and gifts, forging instant alliance in post-ceremony pivot to missile crises.

1 appearances

Purpose

Official diplomatic accreditation verifying Peter Hans' authority as Swedish ambassador

Significance

Seals formal U.S.-Sweden ties right before Bartlet dives into missile defense clashes and eco-terrorism rebukes, embodying presidential ratification power amid Oval tensions and underscoring protocol's role in channeling diplomacy through chaos.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

1 moments

S2E12 · The Drop-In

Bartlet's Witty Blame of Sweden for Rome's Fall in Ambassadorial Welcome

Tom formally thrusts Peter Hans' Letter of Credence from King Karl Gustav across the desk; Bartlet scrutinizes it through eyeglasses, signs and seals it with authoritative declaration, then returns it to Hans post-handshake—transforming foreign mandate into U.S.-recognized accreditation, pivotal symbol sealing bilateral ties amid levity.

Before: Held by Tom, pristine and sealed by King Karl Gustav, presented ceremonially.

After: Signed and sealed by Bartlet, returned to Ambassador Hans, now validated U.S. diplomatic instrument.

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