Symbolic Acts of Mercy
Turkey pardon devolves into farce paralleling refugee plight—Morton Horn delivers squawking birds disrupting briefings, C.J. auditions photogenic Troy amid flashes and song confessions, negotiates petting zoo sanctuary overriding farm protocols, Bartlet 'reverses' pardon into educational sermon—infusing bureaucratic holiday ritual with absurd compassion, mirroring ethical deliberations on asylum and evoking Thanksgiving themes of gratitude and unmerited grace.
Events Exemplifying This Theme
In the shadowed bullpen, Josh breaks the late-night tension with boastful levity, flawlessly flipping his nickel sixteen times in a row—a fleeting display of dexterity that underscores his cocky charm …
In Josh's bullpen, CJ urgently borrows Donna from her desk, brushing past Josh amid banter over the turkey pardoning schedule and CJ's looming children's song lead—revealing her flustered vulnerability. As …
C.J. drags Donna aside, confessing her ignorance of the traditional Thanksgiving song 'We Gather Together' despite her credentials, revealing a rare vulnerability amid press secretary pressures. Inside her office, amid …
Entering her office post-Toby flirtation, C.J. catches farmhand Morton attempting to reclaim Troy, the unpardoned turkey, for Jasper Farms. Revealing her unexpected attachment to the 'less photogenic' bird, she insists …
Emerging into the Outer Oval Office, President Bartlet meets farmhand Morton and the homely turkey Troy, flanked by C.J. and Donna. He impulsively pardons the bird before revoking it with …