C.J. Gets a Threatening Email | The West Wing
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- čas přidán 21. 05. 2024
- “You take this seriously?”
Season 3 Episode 20: Enemies Foreign and Domestic
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"Because Ron says it is, and around here we do whatever Ron says."
I'd love to have this level of confidence from my boss.
Ron has literally taken a bullet for the President before.
So what you're saying is that Ron is the head of the deep state
I love Donna immediately breaking her word, and the look she gives CJ
Interesting thing is that Donna may have saved CJ's life. Without Donna getting Josh, CJ keeps it a secret. The Secret Service aren't watching her email. Granted that CJ would receive the email of the pictures and that would certainly alarm the hell out of her, but until then she's a target. Come to think of it, she was no more a target then than before. Nevermind. Donna didn't save her.
@@Michael-dy2lb naw, Donna did the right thing. the ball got rolling as CJ was getting at the least, stalked, and at worse, cased. SS wouldn't have known until too late to get pro-active.
@@Michael-dy2lb With her busy schedule, if she had decided the threat wasn't anything to worry about, she might have routed the rest into her junk mail folder and not seen the pictures. For sure Donna may have saved her life.
@@seanmcmurphy4744 That's a solid argument. She hadn't sent it to her junk email yet, but it's possible.
@@Michael-dy2lb The sad thing is, with social media lynch mobs, everyone is now getting rape threats, death threats, doxes and swats. Election workers, court clerks, judges, uni presidents, professors, school board members, teachers.
When Ron Butterfield (perfect name, btw) sits down at CJ’s desk he reaches around and holds the side of his chest. He’s holding onto the gun he’s wearing in a shoulder holster. We never see the gun but that’s an actor who has studied for his role and a brilliant subtle touch.
If you watch In the Shadow of Two Gunmen, Ron checks the president for injuries when they’re in the limo. According to the actor, that’s how the secret service actually do it.
This is all due to Micheal O'Neill doing his research. Unlike some men who always play police or military, O'Neill was never in either. He played basketball in college and went directly into acting. So all of these small touches are due to him going to the right people, asking questions and making absolutely sure he had it all down.
@@Elthenar Absolutely. It’s a clear sign of an actor putting in the work. I’m sure as research he met with the real deal, maybe even was allowed to observe while on duty. And I would bet that he’s actually wearing something under the suit jacket to help feel more in character. No one writes these little character bits into a script and no director suggests it. This all comes from the actor showing up prepared.
He is such an amazing character actor. I see him on the screen and get excited every single time. I know he will be good.
@@MsJaytee1975That is why Reagan survived his assassination attempt. That and a bunch of other “lucky” breaks that was actually someone thinking it out before it could happen.
I love Ron. He virtually never raises his voice or acts threatening but he an air of absolute authority.
The way she closes her suit jacket as she realizes her privacy has been violated by the perp... chef's kiss. AJ deserves her Oscar, all her Emmys and then some
7 Emmys
@@jesusthroughmary she got 4
@@kennethpaulsen5407 4 for TWW, 7 overall
@@kennethpaulsen5407 She got seven Emmy's in total, four were for West Wing.
@@Mybpeterson this was under the post about the west wing so she got 4 for the show. that she got 3 for some other things is not relevant to this.
I love how the head of the Presidential Detail for the Secret Service sits down and begins hacking away at a traceroute.
Likely rose up through the ranks. Did it himself as an assignment before, I'm sure. Good stuff.
I'm reasonably sure that they probably just had a set of tools on a server in the White House that the Secret Service could access for such occasions. Otherwise, fair call.
@@samueljones7571 No. Sophisticated hacking tools, at the time, were kept in a GSA rated classified storage container. They were not kept on the network. Want to know why? Because if you had a reason to need those tools in an instant to look at a credible threat, such as a network intrusion, then the threat actor had access to them, too.
From inside your network.
The reason tracert was used, in this case, is because it's a basic tool that came standard as part of DOS, and continues to be standard on most operating systems.
@@samueljones7571 I mean, it's The West Wing. Who cares, right? It's just shoeleather to do it any other way. Still, love seeing it.
IT here! Running a trace route from that computer would be useless, at best it would just lead back to the mail server of the White House, because that is what distributes the email to computers. You could see where the email came from on the mail server side though.
I love the way the Secret Service guy puts his hand under his armpit as he sits down so his pistol doesn't shift forward. That's attention to detail.
God I will always love that subtle and unspoken shift in Butterfield's eyes from CJ to Bartlet going from listening to asking in a moment
It was perfectly eerie
I didn't see it the first time I watched.....I'll never miss it again, it was profound.
So well done and an amazing actor!
I love Ron. He's the consummate military/civil servant. His dedication is his signature.
I always remember the time that Ron got shot in the hand and didn't even mention it until Bartlet noticed that he was bleeding and then refused to let the President take him to the hospital, because his job was to get the President to safety.
His own health could wait until that objective has been achieved. Ron is absolutely a professional, he is good at his job and takes it very seriously.
There is so much subtlety in these scenes, C.J. shrugging the threat off, Donna & Josh taking the threat seriously, Ron's professionalism, touching the spot where his gun is, Bartlett showing his love & respect for the people who "serve at the pleasure of the president," the look that passes between Ron & Bartlet when CJ asks for proof, CJ's sense of violation as she buttons her jacket on seeing the photos. Each actor brings their A game to these scenes.
The writing was exquisite [certainly the Sorkin episodes] and the acting was stellar. A fantastic show.
Every scene. Every episode. I miss this show so much
CJ's wariness was hardly subtle.
I love the character of Ron Butterfield. He’s a stone cold professional who has obviously seen and done some dark sh1t, but underneath that armor there’s obviously someone who cares deeply for the people he protects.
My father was in the US Secret Service, from Kennedy to Bush 41. At one point he was the SAIC of the entire White House complex. Essentially, Ron Butterfield’s character. And yes, my father did see and do some wild and dark stuff in his time.
which is why they walk the dark places
Agreed
@@ericsteel173i probably met your father a time or two. I worked in the WH for Bush 41.
@@ericsteel173 Tell your dad we appreciate him and his service
The Look that the President and Butterfield gave each other when C.J asked if there was anything was intense.
The way she closes her jacket when she sees the pictures tells you everything she's feeling in that moment.
When you realize Ron already briefed Bartlet on the pictures and they didn't want CJ to know about them knowing how they would make her feel and just wanted her to sign the approval for secret service protection.
The fact that they take this seriously shows how much they value CJ
Not saying you're wrong or anything, but that last scene made me feel almost the exact opposite. Bartlet and Ron try to strong-arm her and Bartlet mocks her before they even bother to explain how severe the situation actually is.
The person threatening her life has literally been photo-scouting her home, and then emailed it to her (an email that she didn't get the chance to look at before they shoved the secret service agreement in her face), but apparently it's more important for her boss and the head of the Secret Service to make fun of her for not wanting a detail, than it is to actually explain to her WHY she needs one.
If I'm CJ in that moment, I'm feeling a lot of things. Valued by my boss and the people in that room is NOT what one of them 😂
@@noahbrown6970 This is honestly something that TWW did well. Bartlet is strong-arming her. But it's not because he thinks he can. It's because he's afraid for his family and he has every right to be considering what happened with Charlie. Ron is just doing his job and in some respect can't become an empathic persuader so much as a rational member of security. And CJ is used to hate mail but doesn't know threat assessment so she doesn't take the threat as seriously as she should.
As for Bartlet's mockery, it's literally the thing he does when he's angry. And there's a whole track record through the show pointing out how that helps and hurts and Tobey mentions he does that because of his father. And he's right to be angry. At least, in his mind. CJ isn't taking a legitimate threat seriously from the jump (it took 3 emails for it to get to him about her need for security) and the last time someone got death threats he and Josh got shot for it.
Ultimately, TWW did well writing characters with flaws that popped at bad times. Bartlet was the first to start the shouting match and to put down others when he got angry even when a cool head matters. CJ was used to taking so much flak that she had bad threat assessment (seen here and with both shootings). And many more that aren't relevant to this scene.
Look, I’m a huge, huge, HUGE fan of TWW. Even 25 years later, it’s still, to me, by far the best tv show ever ever ever.
That being said, having established my admiration for the show as well as for Aaron Sorkin, I’ve often disliked the way they wrote the interactions featuring C.J. It’s often somewhat dismissive of her. I still can’t fathom why they would write her character that way.
they kept their eye on the prize--they needed that paper signed. CJ got strong-armed because she got in the way of that. They didn't want to alarm her in order to get their job done if they could get her to just sign the paperwork. that decision is debatable. but what CJ thought was important was the sign of weakness--what they thought was important was keeping her alive.
Guiding Olive does raise a salient point about Bartlett repeating his father's way of communicating. As president, he does have to worry about being a liberal weak on crime, but as a man he doesn't have to worry about looking weak in the face of violence.
I love how cj buttons her jacket up like it's a bulletproof vest. It's her way of protecting herself after the realization of how vulnerable she is.
That is a well know body language cue. Some thing a person will do if they feel threatened or attacked, just be aware that people also button their jackets when they feel cold.
"i've changed my mind.. i will take protection.. but i want a platoon, not one man... this freak has been to my house"
Call Seal 6!
Josh went into BIG BROTHER mode.
Michael O’Neill is such a wonderful character actor. Loved his appearances on WW.
Ron Butterfield is just such a badass, man. I loved every scene he was in.
its one of the reasons i watched the clip, seen he was in it
Him and fitzwallace, and fbi agent caspar. Just three consumate professionals who are never flustered by anything.
Very quiet moves slowly. But you know he could F up someone’s day real quick lol
Considering that Ron had the President's bloody head on his hands and he's still alive, there was no hesitation when Jed insisted on the protection detail.
"Yea this isn't hate mail, this is a death threat" opened my eyes a little
C.J. Gregg gets l̶e̶s̶s̶ fewer work emails in a day than I do in half an hour.
Ahh but look at the time. The last one was 602 and so we can presume its a little after 6am.
We last saw her check then after 10pm the night before.
I mean, this was 20 years ago. Emails simply weren't as common.
@@Afalstein yes, yes of course
It was 2000, not as may people were on the internet
Fewer.
They didn't show the actual pictures, just her and the others expressions that convey how serious they are taking it.
How she stopped talking when Ron looked at the President. And the regretful nod the President gave.
@@chewy739 That was subtle look by Ron, something I missed the first time. Beautifull acting.
If you actually watch the episode you can see through the back of one of them.
I love Ron. He takes no shit, is utterly brilliant and stone cold.
The most terrifying thing about Ron Butterfield is how calm Ron Butterfield is. President's been attacked? Calm. Shot in the hand? Calm. Someone firing on the WH? Calm. CJ getting threatened? Calming looking out her window when she arrives for work. Calm.
Notice when Butterfield sits at CJ's computer he makes sure his sidearn is in place?
For a second, I only vaguely remembered this. Then, I realized Mark Harmon dies.
This role as the secret service agent essentially gets Harmon the role on NCIS.
Nothing can kill Mark Harmon. He’s just taking a nap.
And then cue Jeff Buckley…Sorkin sure did know how to set a mood with music
@@joemckim1183In a season 8 episode there’s flashbacks to the mid 90s where Gibbs’ boss is played by Michael O’Neill aka Ron Butterfield
"I have some experience with this you know."
"That's where I had dinner with my niece."
West Wing CZcams channel: "I know! I'll finish the video off with some upbeat flute music!"
No reason it shouldn't be exactly like the show in that regard. It used to bug me, but now I look at it as Puck's "If we have offended..." speech from Midsummer.
Enter Mark Harmon as Agent Simon Donovan. The precursor to Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
I love how the Secret Service guy has a mustache. Such attention to detail!
When he opened that folder it got real real quick.
Donna, seconds after promising CJ not to say anything, "Josh!". Heh.
The music when he lays out the pictures is awesome, it adds allot to the scene and is why they do not have to show the pictures IMO.
same as the shower scene in Psycho--your mind can do more than Hitchcock could perform with special effects
@@alertgasper It's something a lot of current-day directors and writers haven't learned: The power of suggestion can sometimes be more effective than simply showing everything. A lot of what is shown so graphically nowadays wouldn't need to be graphic if the director understood the power of suggestion and letting the viewer's imagination do the rest.
@@rowanaforrest9792 true--just because someone has the tech and budget for CGI or FX, doesn't mean they can't let a little good "suggestion" go on. Let the audience get involved in a scene by imagining themselves, rather than having the material spoon-fed to them.
This is why Josh hired Donna... She's spot on with the big stuff everytime. And she's fit!
So engaging in each storyline and presentation. Sorkin really had the pulse of USA, with proper interests addressed
Ron was perfect as head of the secret service. I wish he was in more episodes.
Agreed, he steals every scene he is in
Nice touch Ron breasting his weapon before sitting
Same with CJ buttoning her jacket when seeing the pictures. She feels violated and even something as simple as buttoning a jacket can be psychologically soothing because it puts another layer between them and the threat.
Re-watching clips like these show me just how detail oriented they were. Ron has a gun, how would he sit? CJ is shown invasive photos, how would she react? Master class.
I loved Michael O'Neill as Ron Butterfield. Always so calm and in charge - was so good when the President go shot. Michael O'Neill was excellent in all the scenes he had......
I love this show!!!
Honestly one of the best shows ever produced!
Loved the character of Ron Butterfield 😁 Wish he’d have had more scenes.
Perfect use of spooky music when they lay out the photos, really lends a edge 🫣
It’s wild how you can see Josh activate !
Ron was such a gem in this show.
I was never a big fan of Bartlett’s politics but STILL love the show.
Because it's not about politics, it's about people and their integrity. May our government be peopled with civil servants and politicians with HALF the integrity as these.
CJ????
He didn't get where he is today by getting threatening emails!
Is this show trying to convince me that CJ received only FOUR EMAILS since the day before? My dog gets that many in an hour and a half.
Butterfield was the BOMB!!
It genuinely annoys me that they portray an incredibly smart person like CJ as someone who would blithely refuse Secret Service protection, and even more so that she would push back this hard against the President's wishes. The writers did her dirty in this episode.
Everyone was great in each scene. But when Ron showed CJ the pictures, Alison sort of turns into herself. And the buttoning the jacket, showing how exposed she feels.
If i remember right this is a long unbroken scene in the Oval that involve 3 or 4 plots going on in this episode.
You just described every episode of this show.
the video ends too soon. the last shot of her was from that morning leaving her house. there's still some meat on the bone from that scene.
It often surprises me in what I generally consider high quality shows when competent, intelligent characters suddenly become dumb. House MD, The West Wing, etc. when characters won’t follow advice or instructions from people of knowledge, experience, and expertise. I get that it’s for drama, but at the same time…”c’mon CJ. Listen to the Secret Service. Sign the paper.”
CJ wasn't a character who suddenly became dumb in this moment. She was absolutely right when she said it would make her appear fragile. Very easy for her critics to say "oh look, the little girl needs protection." She didn't know how serious the threat was. President Bartlett was trying to protect her by trying not to tell her just how serious the threat was, but even he knew she wasn't going to just do what he told her to do. That's why they had the pictures ready. Had CJ walked into that office and just willingly accepted she needed protection, it actually would have lessened her character.
@@jasonkoch3182 Agree to disagree. There have been plenty of moments within the series where she expected, if not demanded, that others defer to her expertise in specific matters.
That said, her portrayal (IMHO) would have honored character continuity if she were to acknowledge Ron’s input while also stating her concerns about appearances. Instead she outright dismisses his concerns and recommendations knowing full well that he isn’t just pulling that out of his butt. That’s an inconsistency that I find annoying in shows like this.
Which episode is this?
I know this led to Mark Harmon's character coming in as her guard. But did they end up catching who was doing it?
Its season 3 episode 18, not 20
Michael O'Neill was great as Ron Butterfield. It always disappointed me he was so under used.
ah the west wing! a glance of the presidency of a more civilized age.
She is really unbelievable some times. Not taking a death threat seriously. Your not stupid. What's going on with you?
Next time complete the clip. Show her signing the paper.
"You're not a woman in a man's job"-she's right
Not enough way too short and we did not meet agent gibbs before ncis
He was in JAG which was the precursor to NCIS. So technically we do.
N n
You clipped the scene before it ends and she turns and signs the authrorisation. You clipped the scene early - and this isn't the first time this account has done it. Please stop doing that, thanks in advance.
Probably automated 5min cuts
@@DoctorWhom Which now explains the careless and nondescript posts: hit 'in', drag to around the five minute mark, regardless of context, and post. I'm starting to go off this channel, very, very quickly - the person behind it couldn't care less.
@@DoctorWhom Its not like they are going to get copyright striked for it.
The OP is correct. If you are going to do a job do it like you care.
don't worry the MEN will look after you
Because there was anything in this video that a woman couldn’t do?
It's not about being looked after by the men, it's about her not taking the threat seriously until they are forced to show her how close the threat is.
Oh, I guess you forgot Gina Toscano, the character that Jorja Fox played on "The West Wing". The Secret Service has WOMEN, too.
There is literally a female Secret Service agent in the Oval Office with CJ, Butterfield and the President during the scene you perpetual victim. Stop being pathetic.
Maybe Ron Butterfield who is the head of the Secret Service a male agent would do a better job protecting CJ and that CJ would listen to a male agent more than a female agent.
Great show