Grief and Forgiveness in Leadership
Bartlet's somber vulnerability on Erev Yom Kippur eve drives authentic, unflinching condolences to the Levy family, rejecting optimistic illusions for raw acknowledgment of irreplaceable human loss as staff—tiredly huddled—weary idealism tempers phrasing with diplomatic hope and faith, while Leo urges Arafat accountability and de-escalation, weaving personal atonement, presidential empathy, and geopolitical restraint against bombing's tragedy.
Events Exemplifying This Theme
Leo pulls C.J. into his office for a terse strategy session on the Jerusalem suicide bombing, now breaking news. He reveals the victims were American brothers from the Levy family, …
On the moonlit portico at night, Chief of Staff Leo briefs President Bartlet that the Palestine Freedom Front—a Palestinian splinter group—carried out the Jerusalem suicide bombing killing two American brothers, …
In the weary predawn Oval Office, an exhausted senior staff—Bartlet, Leo, Toby, Sam, Josh, and C.J.—debates phrasing a condolence for the slain Levy brothers, grappling with whether their deaths advance …
Charlie interrupts the late-night Oval Office gathering, signaling the moment for Bartlet to make a personal call. He dismisses his exhausted senior staff with quiet authority, steeling himself alone at …