Fierce Loyalty Under Fire
Unwavering allegiance defines the Bartlet orbit, with Josh's anxious interventions pressuring the FBI to fabricate arson leads shielding Leo, Jordan's exasperated objections blocking irrelevant historical distractions like Edith Wilson during testimony, staff's resolute roll-call affirmations before Hoynes' MS revelation, and Cliff Calley's indignant confrontation halting Gibson's sobriety smear—transforming frustration, protective schemes, and partisan tensions into a bulwark that reinforces team cohesion amid hearings, arsons, and flashbacks to humble campaign pitches.
Events Exemplifying This Theme
In a tense hearing break, FBI Agent Mike Casper briefs Leo on seven new arson threats against black churches in Tennessee, with 25 agents and ATF en route; Leo assigns …
Congressman Rathburn relentlessly questions Leo McGarry under the glare of the congressional hearing, pressing whether President Bartlet mentioned his health at all, specifically during their first office meeting or second …
In a tense small room off the hallway outside the Capitol Hill hearing room, as participants await reconvening, Majority Counsel Cliff Calley challenges Congressman Gibson—before Chairman Bruno—on his plan to …
In a brief moment of levity under crisis, FBI Agent Mike Casper flirts with Donna Moss, acknowledging burning churches delay his advances. Josh Lyman brusquely confronts Mike on the FBI's …
In the Oval Office, Bartlet watches the hearing on TV with pained regret over the scrutiny on his wife, muttering about the injustices done to women like his scientist wife …
In the Democratic National Convention suite (flashback), amid TV cheers and milling aides, President Bartlet conducts a swift roll call of his senior staff—Toby, Josh, Sam, C.J., and Leo—drawing brief …