As if it's not enough that the Kazakhstan elections are about to start -- bringing the threat of a Chinese-Russian altercation, depending on the outcome -- the White House must deal with a possible nuclear meltdown at San Andreo. Vinick feels the heat because he helped open the plant 25 years earlier, and his family is also located in the area. Santos's camp, meanwhile, has decided to not take the high road and not politicize the issue by pointing out Vinick's responsibility, but Josh grown increasingly unsure of this tactic as the night wears on and finally breaks down. Before his decision can blacken the campaign, Donna learns that the cat is already out of the bag, and states begin jumping from Vinick's ship. Still in office and having to therefore actually solve the problem at hand, Bartlet makes a decision that involves venting unsafe levels radiation into the air, and announces it -- even though this would help stall an actual nuclear meltdown, it causes a panicked evacuation of Southern California. Eventually he sends civilian engineers into the building to secure some valves that will solve the problem. On a second try the problem is fixed, but not before one dies of radiation poisoning. Unfortunately, international tensions don't take time off for U.S. disasters, and violence begins to break out in Kazakhstan due to the election outcomes as we fade to black.
9:19 PM. Bartlet walks outside, where C.J. has been waiting, but the camera angle is so funky that I don't realize she's there for the first half of the scene. She's a disembodied voice! She's briefing him on what is happening. Seventeen minutes have passed since sirens went off at San Andreo. The main feed water pump failed. Everything proceeded as expected, but C.J. reports, "Now a valve has stopped functioning and coolant is no longer going into the reactor's core." Kate is following them down the hall, and having seen an old episode two nights ago, can I say how much better she looks with her bangs grown out? She and Bartlet are doing a finishing-each-other's sentences thing. Now that the uranium rods are exposed, they could become combustible, which can cause an entire nuclear meltdown if they get too hot. If that happens, it would affect the entire population of San Andreo, which is 2,000 people. They don't know why it happened, but Kate finally pipes up to say that it's not likely terrorists, since jamming a valve isn't sexy enough for that. The public hasn't been notified, but the reactor shutting down caused a sound "something like the Concorde landing." Wow, C.J., could you have picked a more obscure reference, especially for the people in fictional tiny San Andreo, CA? Regardless, a loud sound near a nuclear facility already has people wondering, and the press has helpfully jumped in with rumors of an explosion. Bartlet immediately calls for the FEMA director and the chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and orders C.J. to stop CNN spreading rumors. He lets them know he will be making a statement. Kate points out that he doesn't want to notify the public until they have a plan, since it would only cause widespread panic. "Then we better get moving on a plan, because I'm making a statement in 15 minutes."
9:21 PM, Tampa. Mr. and Mrs. Santos are perched on stools at the very edge of a swimming pool, which just screams imminent shenanigans. The banners tell us they're at a Rock the Vote function, speaking in front of a rapt crowd of…maybe twenty people? He gets the crowd smiling with talk of steak and babies. Aside, Donna observes, "He's good tonight." Josh replies, "As long as he keeps pivoting to the issues I'm fine." A schlumpy college student gets the chance to ask Santos what his favorite Bob Dylan album is. "I guess I should say 'Highway 61 Revisited' and then we can just ease into transportation policy?" Okay, he's actually coming off as very charming and likable right now, despite my heart of coal. "But really, it's 'Blonde on Blonde.'" Helen gives him a fantastic skeptical eyebrow raise, causing the crowd to laugh, as he defends, "Really, there's no policy implications to that!" Donna and Josh are both a bit aghast at the dirty joke: "Jay Leno's going to have a field day with that." Josh is handed a note, and with the way he immediately wraps it up, we know the call probably had something to do with the pesky nuclear accident that's come up. He sends Donna to the closest computer or TV to get him any details at all.
Bruno and Vinick are having some Reading Glasses Bonding Time in the car, Bruno mentioning the Rock the Vote function and degrading Santos, when Vinick points out that Bruno is sending him there the very week. "I'm sending you because you talk like a President, not some latter-day Mick Jagger-in-Chief." If ever I were to compare Santos to anyone, I have to say it would be a long way down the list before I got to Mick Jagger. As Bruno's phone rings, Vinick prattles on about his "psychedelic phase, when [he] wore brown socks on the Senate floor." Bruno listens and orders the person on the other end of the phone to, "call me as soon as you have confirmation." Vinick asks and Bruno tells him there's been an accident at San Andreo, and begins to explain where it's located (outside of San Diego). Vinick knows where it is, telling Bruno that he "pushed the licensing commission" to get the plant open 25 years previously. Bruno asks, "Pushed?" Vinick: "I helped get that plant online." And…credits.
9:26 PM. By all of the TVs in the room, it appears that getting CNN et al. to stop spreading rumors has been really successful. Not. All are reporting an explosion at the plant. One goes on to talk about "Arab tourists" that had been seen in the area. Kate is appalled at how they can spread those rumors, but C.J. quietly points out that generally, this close to something happening, everything is rumor. They enter the Oval Office. "How we handle this in the 90 minutes will determine whether there's panic within 100 miles of every nuclear plant in this country. We don't get a second chance to make a first impression." Oh, there's nothing I enjoy more than some good dandruff-nuclear-fallout humor! Jed turns to Harry. (Hi, Harry, who are you? I suspect the chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission?) The coolant level is down a foot, which is exposing an eighth of the rods. Bartlet just wants to know how to get coolant back in, and…okay, I've rewound this scene about five times now, and it's not getting any easier, so here's the "Sure, so I dropped physics and replaced it with art, what of it?" description. It's hot, a valve is broken, they've got an emergency heat removal pump (I didn't make that part up, and clearly I need one of these for my non-air-conditioned apartment in the summer) at work; however, their measures aren't working well enough because a valve is still stuck open, so radioactive steam is billowing into a containment building. Phew! The worry isn't a radiation leak, as C.J. suggests, but that they'll have to pump this steam into another building not meant to hold it. This building could possibly leak, and although Harry and his sidekick are reporting that this might happen, Cal Vista Gas and Electric (who run the plant, thanks, Kate) believe this wouldn't endanger the public. Bartlet points out that they don't even know how big the leak would actually be. He announces that he wants the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to take control of the plant, and to evacuate the area. C.J. points out that it's a local matter, to which Bartlet announces that he needs the Governor on the phone. Kate, Harry, and the others tag-team to give the Governor's reasons why he would argue against an evacuation just yet. Bartlet merely launches into a phone conversation convincing him otherwise, assuring him, "…We would rather have a few fender benders on the I-5 than a generation of babies with thyroid cancer." He tells "Gabe" (ah, nuclear disaster makes us so chummy) that the FEMA director is in his office. A-ha! Harry's sidekick is FEMA! So I guessed right about Harry's position. Gabe is assured that he'll have all the resources he needs, as Bartlet is going to declare this a major federal disaster. After gamely assuring him that "we're going to get through this," C.J. suggests that Bartlet might want to appoint a czar to oversee this, but he interrupts, "You're looking at him."
Vinick is trying to call a number that is busy from his campaign headquarters. Bob and Bruno enter and argue over what to do, while Vinick just says that he wants to issue a statement supporting the plan to evacuate as a result of Bob's reporting "hundreds of press requests." Bob wants to also call for an investigation, but Bruno wants to tread more carefully because of Vinick's pro-nuclear stance. Bruno and Bob continue to bicker as Vinick tries the number again and hears another busy signal. Bruno asks, "Jamie and your grandkids are in, uh, San Diego?" Vinick just says the phone lines are all jammed. Bob is quieted, just saying he'll put out that support statement, and leaves the room. Vinick dials once more.
Will walks into the office clumsily trying to answer his cell phone which lands, ringing, at C.J.'s feet. She picks it up while telling him that "the President wants to make a statement in the few minutes." "Saying what?" "Whatever we can figure out in the few minutes." Will recounts all of the latest rumors about fires and other plant shutdowns, but C.J. just warns him that the press will be speaking to everyone and that Will's in charge of the information flow. He dryly points out, "I have no information." "Welcome to the club," she replies. "Let's start with that statement." I believe she means "the statement she referred to earlier in this conversation," and not "I have no information," though I'd kind of like to see if that stunned the crowd into silence for a moment.
Bartlet wants to know what the chances are of a nuclear meltdown. "A meltdown isn't when one thing goes wrong -- it's when 12 things go wrong," Harry points out. Based on the winds, FEMA is recommending that they evacuate "15 down, six and nine around." Who in the what now? Will asks C.J. for me, who explains, "15 miles between six and nine, like a clock." State Emergency Services apparently only wants ten miles, the legal minimum. Jed responds, "Tell them if they want ten miles, the Governor and I will be setting up a command post at 10.1 miles and we'd like them to join us there." He asks if the press is ready, and Will and C.J. point out that they really don't have much to give them. Mr. FEMA comes back cupping the phone: "It sounds like they're more comfortable with fifteen."
9:34 PM, and Bartlet enters to make his statement. It's very brief -- stops the explosion and terrorism rumors, and announces the Governor's evacuation and the declaration of federal emergency.
Santos, Helen, Donna, and Bram watch the news coverage, and Josh walks in as Donna wonders why they put a nuclear power plant so near a big population. Santos, chin in his hand with an exhausted look, explains how the power is lost as it is transmitted, so they need to be close. Helen points out that he should put out a whole new energy plan based on how ludicrous the current one seems, and Bram adds, "And how Vinick's [plan] almost glows in the dark." Everyone starts to jump on this idea, including holding a press conference for environmental groups and handing out water to evacuees. Josh, quiet this whole time, pulls Santos aside. "Where's Leo?" (That question got me more than the episodes we've seen him in since John Spencer's death, since all I then noticed was his absence.) Josh answers that he's headed to Ohio. Santos is nervously pacing, declaring that he doesn't want to comment on this and make it political. Josh wholeheartedly agrees, and then goes so far as to suggest that they "go dark" the day. He also shrewdly points out that the public already knows that Santos is anti-nuclear, while Vinick is the exact opposite. "Let the press go after Vinick on their own, so they can't accuse us of playing politics." Santos is fine with that idea, and Josh clarifies that he means they "go completely dark," including no statements, releases, or any word to the press on any issue for the day. Santos seems to agree. "See which way the wind blows," he muses. "And what's blowing in it," Josh adds.
10:28 PM. As Bartlet walks into the sit room, C.J. updates him that the heat removal pump isn't doing much good (20 degrees in a 700-degree space). On the phone, Harry gives them an update that they have a temporary coolant line now running into the core. Bartlet just stares. "I don't see anyone popping champagne corks -- I thought if we got a line in there, we'd avoid a meltdown." The problem seems to be this pesky extra building where the radioactive steam is being pumped. It can only handle 50 pounds of pressure and is already at 32, and the coolant line won't work well enough to stop the steam. The steam is unstable, and though they knew this when building the facility and designed the containment building to handle that, the dilapidated farmhouse or wherever its being pumped cannot. The solution is letting some of the steam into the air to release the pressure. Ah, a little radioactive steam bath to get the local flora growing! There are still 30,000 people in the area, and Bartlet, perfecting his furrowed brow, wants to find out what the alternative option is. "An explosion that spreads radiation across Southern California, maybe parts of Arizona and Nevada…sir." Well, Harry, I suppose when you put it that way… The gas that is let out would most likely be within EPA standards (great odds) and "it's Santa Ana season in Southern California." C.J. adds, "Which could be good, if the winds stay consistent, the radiation could drift out over the ocean. "How do we speed up the evacuation?" Bartlet asks. "Tell people we're about to spill radiation into the air," is the response, accompanied by a little shrug, "Good chance that'll speed them up." They'll have an hour to decide, and since they have taken over running the plant, it will be Bartlet's call when the time comes. Nothing like ending the Presidency with a bang! Ba-dum-bum. Well, except that this would hopefully NOT cause the bang, but you see, I was playing…oh, never mind. The scientific discussion is frying my brain, and I don't even live near a leaking nuclear plant.
10:41. Will gathers all of the various agency spokespeople together to let them know he'll be the point person for information. I only know that from watching this scene a few times, because he's interrupted immediately and asked if he has an update. Thank goodness -- we get a concise description. "Radioactive steam's been spilling into the containment building, so much of it they've had to pump it into another building. The other building can only hold 50 pounds of pressure per inch; it's now at 38. We may have to vent radiation into the atmosphere to avoid the big bang." He's bombarded with questions, but interrupts to tell them that though each of their agencies is involved, none of them is to go to the press -- he will be the only contact. Everyone is sort of annoyed and baffled, but Will assures them that everyone calling them is calling the White House too, and he'll handle it. One representative, Bleiden, looking for a way around this, asks what they will do if it turns out to be the administration's fault. "We can't withhold information from the public," he says in a suave, condescending tone. Will assures them that they won't withhold anything, but they need to do this to keep the public calm. "So there will be one voice, the dulcet tones of Will Bailey, get your souvenir programs in the lobby." At this point, someone brings up Vinick's pro-nuclear stance, but Will interrupts and lays the smack DOWN. I mean, he politely but firmly states, "There will be one briefer, and I won't be answering political questions."
Kate, meanwhile, briefs Bartlet on the Kazakhstan situation. The polls are opening soon, and the U.S. has election monitors in the country, to help show the Chinese that it's a true democracy, and not that the Russians are controlling the government. They have lined up troops on the border, and if they think that the election is set by the Russians, they'll attack. Which -- the Russians aren't known for just sitting back and welcoming an attack. She'll keep him posted.
He enters the sit room to meet with FEMA and C.J. They don't have much time left to keep pumping steam into the auxiliary building, and only a third of the people are evacuated. It seems that being upfront about the situation caused the very panic they were trying to avoid. (Come ON, folks, it's just a little radioactive steam. And it's windy!) The highways are all jammed with at least 700,000 vehicles, and there also seem to be not enough buses and vans to get out the elderly and the disabled. I've got to say, I'm starting to see why bomb shelters were all the rage a few decades earlier. The governor asked for military support, which Bartlet immediately grants. C.J. reports how they are going to fly a helicopter over to test releasing the steam to make sure it's within the EPA standards -- 500 millirems. Bartlet is looking sick with worry, and quietly asks if there is any way to wait until the military can arrive to help evacuate. "I don't like the idea of the elderly and disabled taking the brunt of this." While you're noble, Jed, that apparently just ups the chance of an explosion. Harry adds, "and God knows how much radiation shooting into the atmosphere," with some special emphasis on "shooting." Jed replies, "Vent it now." After giving the order, he paces in silence. What do we mean by "acceptable dosage," anyway? Harry answers, "It's the amount the body can safely absorb through direct exposure. But radiation also enters the surface layers of the soil, where it's absorbed by plants and insects, and enters the food supply. It seeps into water sources. When it does enter the body, sometimes it kills cells instantly. Sometimes it forms damaged cells." "Cancer," Bartlet concludes. "Yes, sir." A report comes over the speaker that the level is at 1200. Bartlet exclaims, but C.J. jumps in quickly to say that's inside the building, and it will disperse once it's out. Everyone waits in silence, until they get the report of 569 millirems. After a beat, Bartlet says they must announce it. Harry jumps in to warn him that it will complicate the evacuation even more, but Bartlet holds firm -- because it's above their safe level, they have to let the public know. Ideas are thrown around -- one being to make the freeways one-way. However, the winds could shift, meaning everyone could suddenly be driving into the problem instead of away from it. Understandably, Bartlet is getting frustrated. "We're spilling radiation into the sky, people are jamming the freeways, and we don't know what direction they should drive? Tell Will to announce the number."
Will. Yelling. The usual. 11:47 PM, and he is playing the game, trying to announce that the level was higher than is "safe" without saying the White House just endangered lives. "So you're saying that the radiation release was at a dangerously unsafe level." "No, I'm saying that it was slightly above EPA standards for an acceptable dosage." They then try to trap him into saying they believe it's safe. He walks the line like an expert. Everyone wants more information, but Will continues telling them he'll be the only spokesperson and will get them everything they need. He's asked to verify something that Bleiden reported about a possible wind shift. After confirming Bleiden's name, Will closes shop and heads out. Ah, Bleiden, everyone figured you'd come back into play.
Josh approaches Bram, who's watching a TV showing Vinick's argument for nuclear power from the debate. The media is apparently starting to show this a lot. Bram's asking about anything they might do, including just one statement, but Josh assures him that they and no one they control will be saying anything. "The Congressman doesn't want to politicize a tragedy." Bram continues, knowing it could be good for them since Vinick is pro-nuclear, but Josh isn't having any of it. Donna, however, comes and delivers some papers to possibly change his mind.
Santos hangs up the phone in his room when Helen walks in. "How is the Governor?" "Nervous," he answers. "I don't see why…" she replies. "Any angry constituents will just be vaporized anyway, right?" She pours tea from a hideously ugly pot that looks like a relic from the 1980s geometric pizzazz collection. "Or am I the only one left in the family with a sense of humor." Josh delivers the paperwork; unsurprisingly, it's about Vinick's lobbying for the very same plant years before. However, he doesn't know when the press will get the info. "Don't we want to nudge them along?" Helen snots. For someone who isn't sure if she even wants her husband to win the election, she's got a fresh lot of attitude. Josh points out that they could, but that would give Vinick the opportunity to fire back at them for politicizing a tragic event. He's sure that they'll find it and that it will have more impact if it isn't leaked by Santos, but Helen keeps sniping at him and adding how unsafe these plants are. Everyone stops to watch the news coverage of traffic jams, and Santos tells Josh to "hide these under your mattress," handing the papers back, and he gives Helen a look as she glares at him.
12:21 AM. Bartlet is saying, "I don't like hearing the word 'meltdown' on cable news. Twelve things have not gone wrong yet." See, Helen? You're not the only one with your sense of humor left. C.J. tells him that boatloads of engineers are working on fixing the valve, as they walk into a crowd in the Oval Office. Will reports the media craze about the evacuations, including a family in Michigan leaving the country. Way to help out, American Public. Jed asks when he would be able to visit without diverting resources from the evacuation, and FEMA says they can plan to have him travel the day. Despite the risks, he wants to do it. C.J. brings up inviting Vinick, since he normally would be invited as a California senator. Although it's a first that he's also a presidential nominee, Bartlet wants to stick to procedure. He has C.J. set up a call for him with Santos.
1:02 AM, Vinick headquarters. We hear the debate clip yet again, as Bob announces, "Fifth time this hour." I can't help but ask -- do you mean the 12:00 hour, or the hour that's two minutes old? Hmm, he seems to be ignoring me. He rattles off that every press outlet possible is making requests of his office, saying they have to make a statement. Bruno, hair a-flouncing as he stomps down the hall, pours some coffee and reiterates that the only statement is, "We support the governor's evacuation." Bob's argument, reasonably, is that the media needs another clip to show besides just him arguing for nuclear power. Bruno's not having it. Glass houses, stones, you know. Bob keeps firing ideas, but Bruno doesn't want Vinick angling away from what he said in the debate, knowing how much worse that would eventually be for Vinick's image. Bob is yelling at him now, that the press hasn't even realized Vinick's role in the plant. Bruno shuts him down by telling him how well he knows Josh and why he and Santos's staff are remaining in Florida, "the swingingest of swing states." "Santos is going to whack us. Then we hit him back for politicizing a national disaster." It's a political game of chicken. Bob mumbles angrily, "That's a big roll of the dice on one weak pair of knees." Bruno: "Trust me. Josh has the political equivalent of Tourette's Syndrome. He can't help himself. We wait for his spasm, then we strike back." And now I'm looking for any way possible I can use this line for myself in everyday conversation. That is one of the most brilliantly snarky insults I've heard in a long time. Unfortunately, Bruno, maybe you should have listened to Bob. But I'd say you've got a good 20 minutes of righteous indignation remaining in this episode before it blows up in your face. He answers his ringing cell phone; it's C.J. calling about the trip the day to San Andreo. He reports this -- not smugly, but extra pointedly -- to Bob.
Bartlet wraps up a phone conversation and declares, "I thought a degree in economics was plenty for this job. My kingdom for a plumbing license." He gets on the phone with Santos to let him know he's taking Vinick on his trip, and tells him outright that he knows this could help Vinick. "He's the senior Senator from California. If I do anything else I'm playing games with a national emergency." Santos is clearly disappointed. It's getting a bit harder to keep being the bigger person.
Bob and Bruno fight like children in front of Vinick as Bruno tells Vinick about the trip. Bruno thinks it's a blessing, while Bob thinks it's a potential disaster if something bad happens while he is there with the President. They bicker spitefully back and forth until Vinick interrupts to tell them he's going. "I represent the state. I'm taking that seat on Air Force One."
C.J. enters to deliver thing number seven…or is it eight?...that is now going wrong. "The temporary pipeline that runs cool water to the core? It usually carries hot water, not cold…" With that economics degree, Bartlet doesn't catch on right away. C.J. continues. "Imagine heating a glass to 700 degrees, then pouring ice water in it." "It's cracking," Jed concludes. C.J. tells him that this means the water level around the rods is dropping again, and that nothing more can be done to try and fix the valves from outside. They need to send someone in. "I'm guessing the radiation in there is above the acceptable dosage." C.J.: "Five times more, even with the anti-contamination gear." Worse still, the two engineers for the job are civilians, and there aren't any military engineers that could do the job in their place. He's quiet. "You think when they started engineering school, they imagined the President would ask them to risk their lives by prying open a piece of pipe?" He pauses, but concludes, "Let's send them in." He slumps back into his chair as C.J. leaves.
1:15 AM, Will is giving new announcements. He tells them about the cracking pipe, and that they are trying to lay new pipe while the two NRC engineers try to fix the valve from the inside. After questioning, he admits that it's dangerous, but something they are trained to do. The idea is that hopefully this is fixed before the gas builds up once again and has to be released. Reporters are asking questions about media reports, and Will again shuts down the rumors. "There're lots of people who think they know what's going on. Let me tell you who does: he briefs from this podium." Will, getting strong! I'm getting a little bit warm over here. And a spectacular frustrated response comes from one of the gallery: "This isn't the Kremlin, Will." (But if you could incorporate a furry hat, it would be entertaining.) "How do we know you're not covering something?" Wisely, Will uses this time to move on to his second announcement, that Bartlet and a delegation will be traveling to San Andreo the day.
Will comes back and has found Bleiden, and asks about him telling Time that they were worried about the wind shifting. Bleiden merely tells Will that he got that from Will's office. Will calmly tells him that this is why he's being taken off of the distribution list for information, and also, "You're being transferred. You no longer speak for this government." Bleiden, stupid, smug being that he is, argues, "For telling the truth?!" Will stops walking and whips around, and really does lay the smack down this time. "For telling people something which can only cause further panic. It doesn't matter if it's true, it doesn't matter if I've already said it. We're trying to prevent mass hysteria in a climate in which even the truth can be misinterpreted, so we speak with one voice. You're lucky you still have a job."
Donna is walking down a hall past the questions of reporters. Inside one of the rooms, a frustrated Josh takes a basketball to a whiteboard set up on a tripod with week's travel schedule on it. Donna enters as it crashes to the ground, making some sweet love to a palm as it goes. She observes, "Guess you heard the President's taking Vinick to California." "Yeah." "It's his home state -- there's a protocol with these things, right?" "Well, let's hope everyone uses the correct FORK." There's some special emphasis on that last word. Donna argues that it could hurt him, but Josh is just focused on how it will look like he's helping; he can't believe the press hasn't found the information about him helping open the plant. Bram comes in with messages, all for Josh, all wondering why they aren't working to slam Vinick. "Prevailing winds," Josh spits. Hee, see what he did there? Clever, Josh, clever. Bram adds to the urgency of needing Vinick to not look chummy with the President, and Josh just grabs his things and leaves.
More news coverage; this time it's Santos and Santos watching the report about the engineers going in. Helen comments, "Like putting them in a microwave set on high." Josh tells Matt that every media outlet in the world is requesting an interview with him. Santos asks him how many, and Josh replies, "A million kajillion." Santos goes, "Okay, that's not a real number." Although apparently it should be to describe how many requests they've gotten. Santos asks Josh if he's waffling on his decision to stay silent, and points out, "One day with the President isn't going to erase three decades of pushing plutonium." Helen agrees with Josh, but Santos is sticking to his guns. It appears Bruno knows Josh, but underestimates Santos himself at keeping Josh quiet. And underestimates the passive-aggressive persuasion tactics by Helen. Bram comes in and delivers requests directly from some network presidents to do their morning shows, but although Santos seems interested, he doesn't seem swayed. He looks at Josh. "You were right four hours ago; you're still right now. Tell them thanks but no thanks." I think Josh might start to display symptoms of actual Tourette's if this keeps up, but he bites his lip and leaves.
Bruno still can't find any mention of the damning Vinick connection, and is starting to seem baffled by Josh. Bob is relentless, wanting Vinick to make a statement in order to get the debate coverage off the news. Bruno is still holding out for Josh to blow his proverbial wad, so that they can condemn an attack. He also thinks that the president will say, "Accidents happen." His reasoning is that since this happened during his term, he'll feel like he needs to say that, which will then protect Vinick's views.
1:28AM, and Bartlet is sitting with his head in his hands. He asks C.J. if she's spoken to the Red Cross, which she did 20 minutes ago. He tells her that they need more potassium iodine for the shelters, and she assures him it's already done. He's clearly feeling guilty for sending in the engineers, and grasping at anything else he can come up with that will be helpful. It turns out he's at the table in the sit room, and they get an announcement about the valve. The engineers have opened the valve; however, the other valve is still stuck and continuing to send steam into the auxiliary building. Harry points out he didn't ask them to fix that since they'd been in there 17 minutes, two longer than originally planned. Unfortunately, C.J. and the FEMA head point out that the danger of explosion is still too high, and that it's better to go with the guys who are in there than expose two more engineers. It's another five to ten minutes. After much worried staring around the room, Bartlet tells Harry to ask them to try and open the other valve. Just then, Kate enters and asks for the President. He and C.J. follow her out of the room.
The polls have apparently just closed in Kazakhstan. Hold on a second -- at 10:28 they were under two hours from opening. And now, at 1:28, they're closed? Do people only get to vote in a neat, hour-long window in Kazakhstan? I know this timeline makes it all the more dramatic, what with the nuclear accident, but I'm still confused. ANY-way, the Russian incumbent, Tarimov, has been declared the winner. Bartlet sighs, muttering, "Please tell me they counted the votes first." A weary-looking Kate reports that there's already harassment and beatings taking place, and Bartlet notes that since the election barely held the Chinese off from attacking, these results could cause an outright attack. At the same moment, C.J. is handed a note and says, "We've already got 'em. A pro-democracy riot's broken out in the Kazakh capital." At that moment, the voice on the radio in the sit room says that the engineers cannot get the second valve open.
In Vinick's office, he finishes that story by telling Bruno that they pulled the engineers out after 32 minutes, but still didn't stop the leak. Vinick and Bruno begin to argue about making a statement. Vinick understands that Bruno wants him to get Bartlet to say the magic words, "accidents happen," but he insists that he cannot wait until then to make any sort of statement. Vinick agrees with Bob that he needs to speak before he gets on the plane. "This wasn't a failure of nuclear technology. This was a regulatory screw-up." Bruno, speaking menacingly through his teeth, shoots back, "You point fingers now, and it will look like you are trying to avoid taking any responsibility for this." Vinick shoots back his arguments for nuclear power, and his frustration that "Every time they show that debate clip, it looks like I ran into that plant myself and spilled uranium on the floor!" Bruno, yelling now: "Santos is gonna hit us! You have to wait! That. Is how. We change. The story." Game of chicken, indeed. Vinick is still big-picture, that there are 31 states with nuclear plants, and depending on this evacuation, California might not even be an issue any more. (That calls for a "heh.") He knows that his voting for the plant "is out there, like a ticking time bomb. We can't control the politics of this. Not even close." He concedes that he'll talk to Bartlet about what he's saying, but as the California Senator, he's also going to make his own statement. You know what I've liked about this episode? Just seeing the candidates stick to their guns about what they want to do. Whether I agree or disagree, it's been nice to see actual conviction.
4:25 AM. Bartlet reads The Washington Post with a front-page article about the accident. C.J. comes in and quietly lets him know that both of the engineers that went in are now down with radiation sickness, one in a coma. She immediately goes on to tell him that they knew what the danger was, but Bartlet interrupts with, "No one even told me their names." C.J. looks beaten down -- not even tired, just wrecked. "James Cooke is the one in…" She takes a breath, consults a note in her hand. "James Cooke and Mark Laroche." She's going to get him the information so he can call their families, but first, the issue is that the pressure in the auxiliary building is back up to 28 pounds, and a second team may be needed to go back in and attempt to get at the second valve. He approves it, but only with, "15 minutes and out." She begins a "but," and he, louder, repeats, "15 minutes and out." She goes on again, pointing out that if this team does not succeed as well, they might have to vent the steam again. He orders a contingency evacuation plan in case of shifting wind, and updated weather models, when she reads between the lines and interrupts: "You weren't wrong to keep them in there, Mr. President." She leaves him, with his tie undone and eyes racing back and forth as he sits with his hands folded.
Vinick enters a press conference at 6:49 AM. Bruno has his eyes closed dramatically, not believing this is happening, but Bob tells him that there's nothing from Santos, and they haven't made any moves that look like they're planning a press conference. "Josh must be strapped to a gurney with a gag in his mouth." He adds, "This is a mistake." Vinick begins his statement, supporting the evacuation and hoping for the best. A reporter jumps in and asks if he still supports nuclear power, and he goes silent. "Finish the statement," Bruno orders under his breath. Vinick continues, but someone else mentions his family in the area of San Andreo, and ask if he questions his debate statements. He quietly replies, "My family's not the issue." This opens the conversation, and someone else jumps in to say he never answered the question. "Are you still pro-nuclear?" Uh oh -- the glasses come off, this is going to be bad. Frustrated, he spits out that nuclear power isn't the problem, that it was federal regulators whose mistake caused the accident. From a view of the debate in a television screen, a reporter asks if he's saying this is the Bartlet Administration's fault. "He just did," said Josh, shocked, as he, Santos, Helen, and the team watch the conference. "And strapped himself to that reactor," Helen and her ugly, ugly mug (for tea, people) replies. Vinick tries to save himself by saying this is a time for unity, which is why he and the President are going to San Andreo later. Santos sinks back in the couch.
Josh bustles into the room and announces to Donna, "The President's wheels up in an hour." "Tray tables and all," she adds, unfazed, reading something. Josh tells her to go out and lead some reporters towards the reports about Vinick and San Andreo. Oh, Josh, Bruno's not wrong about you. Vinick just dug his own grave, and that's the moment where you can't contain yourself any longer? She reminds him that he didn't want to do this, but he insists that she do it off the record, and just ask leading questions. "Once the President bear-hugs Vinick, the game is over." I'm still not so sure, since Vinick just blamed this entire mess on him, but then again, I'm the recapper and not the politician. She tells him that it will get out anyway, and asks if Santos knows what he's doing. "Just go." He insists it's the only way, and she walks out looking terribly unsure.
At the White House, Will is being asked all sorts of questions but pushes them off to head to the plane. C.J. is outside on the phone: "I can't talk about the Armenian genocide. I know it's important, but it's non-binding. Right now I only have time for things that might spontaneously combust." She hangs up and asks Will if he's ready. Will: "To fly into a massive field of radiation while the rest of the country's making hats out of tin foil?" "Yeah, that was more of a rhetorical question. You think we're flying into a massive cloud of radiation?" He responds, "I was dramatizing a point. [Wait for it…] Maybe." And with that they get into separate Suburbans.
When Donna enters the room where the press is, a reporter says without looking up from her computer, "I thought you weren't talking to the press today." Donna wonders if she could interest her in some rumblings, but the woman doesn't really care, since this is "the biggest political story in six months." Donna's confused, and the reporter clarifies that she's talking about Vinick's history with the San Andreo plant. I can almost see the light go on over Donna's head. "Make your quote good, and it will be front page, column six." Donna nods slowly and drawls, "Yeeeah. Not talking to the press today," and leaves. To me this seems completely obvious, like she was about to spill the very same thing herself, but a lot of this hour has confused me.
Air Force One, 8:15 AM. C.J. announces that Vinick would like a moment with Bartlet. They politely say hello, and Vinick thanks him for bringing him along on the trip. "Standard protocol," Bartlet says without looking up from his papers. Vinick thanks him anyway, doing almost the little kid shuffle of I-know-I'm-in-trouble-will-you-just-say-it? He says he thought they should coordinate their press statements. "You're expecting me to bash myself too?" Vinick goes on the defensive: "That wasn't aimed at you." "'Federal regulators?' Bartlet asks. "I think a few of them work for me." Vinick defends his statement with, "With all due respect, two broken valves and a radiation leak say some of them should look for other work." Bartlet, having gotten up from his seat, turns on Vinick. "Where's your bill to improve federal oversight?" Leading the Senate committee, why hasn't he worked on this himself? Vinick charges that Bartlet had eight years to work on this, Bartlet shoots back that Vinick had 25. In Glark's words, BOO-URN. They argue, Bartlet that there's a huge risk, Vinick that there's risk in everything, citing the fact that people get into car accidents every day. Bartlet retorts, "And when they do, they don't tell you to stop eating produce three states away!" Vinick wants to know an alternative. Solar power is a fraction of the power at a much higher cost. OPEC costs are already too high. Bartlet's point, after staying up all night trying to avert a colossal disaster, is that he knows the regulation is a problem, but he believes nuclear power is not an alternative, and is not safe, no matter what. "We could barely evacuate a town…" at which point C.J. enters. The second team was able to close the valve. "The crisis is over for now." However, the engineer who had fallen into the coma has died. She'll prepare a new call sheet for Bartlet to contact the family. "Two copies of that call sheet," he says, looking pointedly at Vinick, who just looks…a little bit lost.
A television screen shows a reporter talking about Vinick's association with the plant. Bob and Bruno watch silently. In another room in another state, so do Josh and Donna.
Aboard Air Force One, through a doorway at the end of a hall, we see C.J. having a conversation with herself. Whoops, no, eventually Bartlet enters the scene. She tells him that he might have questions after they deplane about this story of Vinick helping open San Andreo. Bartlet asks if it's safe to take everyone outside. She tells him that the remaining radiation "is within the acceptable dosage." As she helps him into his coat, he tells her, "You're too young to remember duck and cover." Really? Because I'm 28 and I remember it, but I maybe that's also from growing up in earthquake country. It was the same drill -- they sound the alarm and the kids hide under the desks. He tells C.J. that eventually they stopped the drills, even though it wasn't as if the threat was gone. "I guess they realized a piece of plywood wasn't going to protect us against an atomic blast." When he reaches the end of the hallway, Kate is there to give him a Kazakhstan report. The new government has killed 114 protestors. China is entering the country, and Russia is right behind them. Bartlet hangs his head. "We can't have China and Russia blowing each other to bits over election fraud." C.J. replies, "Well, oil. Fraud's just the kicker." Will enters to tell them the Governor is waiting, so the three pick up and begin walking again. Kate has floated the idea of an international police force with NATO, who have said that they're fine with that but it would have to be a majority American. Isn't that always the way. Ninety thousand troops to start, minimum.
Santos, Helen, and Josh are watching Bartlet's press conference. Vinick is positioned behind him. Bartlet walks to a podium to make his own statement. After the normal relief and condolences to the family of the engineer who died, he's asked if he thinks Vinick should question his energy plans. "I can't speak for anyone else. It makes me question a lot of our energy plans."
8:24 PM. Bob removes a number of red states from their map as Bruno watches, while a damning news report about Vinick plays behind them.
Meanwhile, Team Santos is looking at their own map, and Josh tells him they're taking the day off too, since there's already "wall-to-wall" press coverage in their favor. Helen observes, "Best day of campaigning and we didn't do a thing." Donna adds, "Maybe we should take the rest of the month off, too." Josh doesn't reply, only goes to the whiteboard and scrawls "too close to call" above the map. And can we take one second to ask, where the heck has Lou been?