Sam Seaborn - I'm Gonna Bust You Like a Pinata

[@SonicandTheTailsbrothers]

Sam Seaborn my favorite character in West Wing.

[@rgwak]

You would be beyond lucky if you had a friend HALF as loyal and compassionate as Sam Seaborn is to Josh.

[@devilpistons1269]

Or Josh and Sam are to Leo

[@JodyFrancisWall]

That loyalty is earned. Long and hard.

[@canucanoe2861]

@@devilpistons1269 And THAT is what the scene was actually about; the loyalty that Leo engendered.

[@dirdib69]

It's the visible fury of the nice guy that is really intimating. It isn't a man defending his boss, but a son defending his father.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

Beautifully put. One of the many great moments.

[@airdriver]

I like how you phrased that. If you aren’t a writer the. You should be.

[@charleskunz3063]

As a lawyer I really appreciate this. Sam protects his client, makes sure he doesn’t get in trouble, and then aggressively advocates for him. It’s perfect representation.

[@yarrrthekraken]

Not really. You can't refuse to answer questions like that, or walk out

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

@@yarrrthekraken jeepers, bother to know the terms of the formal body your in. Eejit.

[@savramescu]

@@yarrrthekraken It's a deposition. Sam says correctly that the other guy can try to cite them for contempt, but even with that there's nothing that stops them from walking out.

[@stevepwood]

@@yarrrthekraken You have a problem with it? Cite him for contempt...

[@dz_ca]

Other than he let him commit assault with plenty of witnesses first

[@googoo-gjoob]

the *GREATEST* show in the _HISTORY_ of television

[@Tazdingo01]

By far.

[@samb8996]

Umm … not even close

[@jeanpreston4142]

Throwing a folder onto the table and claiming it's something important is an old trick. You can't react because you don't know what you're reacting to. Sam is waiting for him to show his cards not just claim them. Good writing.

[@ha222ha222]

Yes. And Sorkin wrote the use of that trick into a Newsroom episode. They know that Leona's son has hacked Will's phone. Bluff they have the proof in a folder on the table. Then record his admission. Now they have proof.

[@partyguy101ify]

In real life, Claypool would have gone to jail for a few weeks or months for illegally obtaining medical records according to HIPAA regulations. The staffer who leaked the information should have served the maximum sentence of one year in federal prison. Leo hiring her back was a sentimental touch, but she should have suffered the consequences for leaking classified information especially since she was stone cold sober.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

But it happens a lot and no one damn well gets consequences.

[@yarrrthekraken]

lmao that is absolutely not how HIPAA works.

[@recalef]

Obtained illegal information is not criminal for the lawyer so long as they don’t solicit or drive the illegal activity

[@partyguy101ify]

@@recalef Right, but it's Claypool. I wouldn't be surprised if he charmed Karen into getting him dirt.

[@yarrrthekraken]

This is...patently false.

[@ufotofu9]

Tell him that he is is violation of HIPPA, and tell him you'll answer the question after he is charged with illegally obtaining private medical records.

[@UNrendan]

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree.

[@B2Roland]

That... or he's bluffing.

[@realekedolphin]

Exactly.

[@MtotheFourthPower]

That's not how HIPAA works...

[@KiplingKat7]

@@MtotheFourthPower Actually, that is exactly how it works. Unless Leo signed a document stating that law firm had access to his medical information, they have no right to it. Pay and compensation, yes. That's public information, but not his personal medical records. Hell, even within an organization, medical information is strictly controlled. For instance if you have a medical issue that you have to take time off work for, but do NOT want the entire company to know about? It stays in HR. If it does not, they can fire whomever in HR leaked it because they broke the law.

[@skybuilding5182]

He looks so much like a cool Clark Kent or Atticus Finch!

[@jacquiepittet1757]

So very well said, bravo!!!

[@ZATennisFan]

Sam Seaborn is a very controlled but extremely passionate and incredibly skilled person. You don't want to make an enemy of him and have him come after you with all the legal tools at his disposal especially in defense of those he considers family. He will go scorched earth on your ass...

[@jesusthroughmary]

Most intelligent person in whatever room he's in

[@jonnnyren6245]

Woah looks like Malory's got a badass big brother and one hell of a boyfriend in Josh and Sam.

[@joemckim1183]

John Diehl playing the investigator in this scene also played Ben Gilroy on The Shield.

[@brontewcat]

What is the problem with someone going to rehab. It simply means they had a problem and they sought professional help. That by anyone’s standard is someone you trust. The ones you do not trust are the ones who do not admit their problem and the ones who do not seek help.

[@glenndallas7171]

The problem wasn't that Leo went to rehab. It's that the Republicans wanted to use the stigma against addiction/going to rehab to ruin Leo's career.

[@seanwebb605]

Glenn Dallas It was addressing the fact that the creator of the show was doing hard drugs.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

America never lets anyone off the hook.

[@brontewcat]

@@lizziebkennedy7505 Yes - that is the problem isn’t it - that drug addiction is seen as a stigma even if you are a recovering addict

[@brontewcat]

@@glenndallas7171 Only just saw this. That is the question I was raising. I am fully aware the Republicans wanted to use it politically. The question is why it is seen as a stigma that Leo previously had a prescription drug addiction. If it was not seen as a stigma the Republicans could not have used it. BTW this question is largely rhetorical- because to me the answer is Leo’s past addiction to prescription drugs and the fact he is a recovering alcoholic is not an issue. After all one of my country’s most popular Prime Ministers (Bob Hawke) was a probably a recovering alcoholic. He had given up the grog by the time he became PM. But prior to that he was well known as a heavy drinker, and at one time he was in the Guinness Book of Records for a beer drinking feat. Edit Just checked- while he was at Oxford he drank a yard of beer in 11 seconds ( which was the record fastest at the time)

[@titusgilner]

i was sam for halloween my senior year

[@finnmcool2]

You know, I'm pretty sure he believed Sam down to his toes.

[@josephmassaro]

That's Cruiser from the movie Stripes.

[@tomace4898]

This is supposed to be Tom Fitton from Judicial Watch. He's not a lawyer.

[@BlackDiamond2718]

Reminds me of house of cards when he talks about their investigation stalling his presidency. Got the same feeling. Just bureaucratic witch hunting.

[@pauldockree9915]

What phishing means? Definitions: A technique for attempting to acquire sensitive data, such as bank account numbers, through a fraudulent solicitation in email or on a web site, in which the perpetrator masquerades as a legitimate business or reputable person.

[@jesusthroughmary]

Sam really was the best character in the show, Rob Lowe was correct that he got shafted

[@pauldockree9915]

Look where we are? Down that hole. I would claim years looking for the least cause. What did the delay achieve?

[@seanpeterson4834]

Crockett and Tubbs would be disappointed in Zito’s interrogation here

[@fsusarge]

Season and Episode number please?

[@SanskarWagley]

Season 1 episode 9

[@nemo227]

Of course we know how irrelevant the rehab information can be; the past is not the present nor is it a reliable predictor of the future.

[@vectorm4]

If a document was obtained illegally you are not obligated to address that document.

[@darrylarrington8323]

I've always preferred "I'm gonna beat you till CANDY comes out!!!"

[@willieboy8798]

good acting ....question is not answerable under same set of laws. It can be argued that he invalidated or weakened his own inquiry by asking that question, knowing that it was illegally obtained. David he is good at it, huh!!!

[@TheStuport]

GAME....SET....MATCH

[@JerryGriffin-d7o]

Sam and Charlie are the only two characters I'd want with me in a fight.

[@ugp301]

Great simile

[@DaveTingwaldd]

That actor conducting the deposition always plays low-life characters in all his roles.

[@ericyoung7803]

David Tingwald except when he was a regular on the west wing

[@ericyoung7803]

Sorry, not west wing but Miami vice

[@chriscoates1406]

Gilroy in The Shield.

[@thfpt]

He was also a good guy on the military team in the Stargate movie

[@elaithcraulnober3081]

Stripes- he joined the Army so he wouldn't be drafted. D.I. replies " Son, there ain't no draft anymore."

[@andygrilz8497]

If the information was obtained illegally, wouldn't Josh answering any questions about such information either confirming or denying it construe aiding and abetting?

[@goreoproductions6955]

I believe the answers would be stricken/ignored, because the evidence was obtained illegally, similar to a coerced confession

[@fayesouthall6604]

Illegally obtained nope he can say nada

[@gothcat54]

Does anyone happen to know which season and episode this is from?

[@jgarrison1309]

Larry Zito! John Diehl should have been around longer on Miami Vice.

[@Serai3]

He got bored with always being a minor character. Can't blame him.

[@jimandreen278]

Wait, he said there was no investigation. Then he says he looked at files. Wouldn't he just repeat "There was no investigation." But I guess the plot needs to move forward.

[@prideaviles5867]

1:31

[@michaelmuldowney8]

This is what happens when you hire Paris Geller.

[@2020sII]

HOLLUP WHAT HE SAY

[@scouttroop291]

nope stop walk out call a judge report it as a crime .............................!

[@MtotheFourthPower]

No one in the room committed a crime.

[@Panwere36]

Hands down, This series is THE most misunderstood. Too many people from one side of bipartisan politics only see what they want. This is an idealized concept of "the perfect moderate leaning left" Administration, with a POTUS (Bartlet) embodying a marriage of the best aspects of Carter, Reagan, FDR, and Teddy Roosevelt with a smattering of Lincoln. Bartlet was written to be more subtle with it, but he was as "scorched earth" with those that were too left as he was with those too right on the spectrum.. and too many miss it because they only want to see and hear what they want. For example... it goes over everyone's heads that this "investigation" is going the same route as one against the POTUS right now. I didn't vote for him.. but I don't have partisan blinders on either so I can see it.

[@bluekitty3731]

Well this didn't age well.

[@Panwere36]

@@bluekitty3731 Please... what is happening is not going to be what you "true Blue Democrats" pretend it is. The Dossier.. the Jan. 6th "insurrection" myth.. the "rape allegations"... Stormy's Big Surprise that also never happened... none of it is going to happen. No.. what hasn't aged well is every time "we've got Trump".. when you voted for (historically proven with video footage even...) THE man who is the lying racist predator you project onto Trump. P.S. _ the reason Maxwell's List has never been released is either Joe, Hunter, or both of them are on it!!

Trump is a grifter criminal you delusional fascist clod.

[@yasielpuig9991]

But he's not even Mexican

[@Slopmaster]

true, but I believe he met his fate in Mexico via “The Shield”

[@ered203]

A cheap hack.

[@letsdiscussitoversometea8479]

I love Sam's square shaped face after he says "I'm gonna bust you like a pinata." 😂 He's clearly thinking humorous thoughts at that moment! 🤭

[@unclematt3]

Sorry, but Rob Lowe can't play tough. Just can't. Neither can the guy who is Josh Lyman. I remember the one episode where he tried to tough talk some senator from Wisconsin while he was wearing Ferris Bueller glasses. Just can't pull it off.

[@richarddarlington1139]

Josh Lyman was played by Bradley Whitford.

[@jeanpreston4142]

He's extremely tough in HIS environment. LAW.

[@charlie7mason]

Yeah, sounds like unclematt3 thinks physical is the only way to be tough.

[@aspirestudios8167]

that's like, your opinion, man. you don't get it.

[@rgwak]

He may not be who you want in a dark alley fight, but if the world of politics, you'd want no one else in your corner than Sam the Man and J. Their loyalty to each other is what makes them such great characters.

[@Mark-xh8md]

Should have charged Josh with assault right there

[@Penguin_of_Death]

You need to toughen up

[@KiplingKat7]

Yeah, but then they have to explain how they got Leo's medical records in violation of HIPAA.

[@downunderrob]

Rob Lowe acting tough? Naahh. Doesn't work.

[@javimiami92]

Why would they be? They’re lawyers dude not exactly MMA fighters.

[@trythinkingforachange4201]

What bullshit.

[@LeaveChildrenAlone]

The friendship between Sam and Josh is really shown near the end of the series when Josh is the CoS to the incoming President and sees how stressed out he is. Only a best friend would be that rash to someone and not lose their friend over it. Josh and Sam defending each other throughout the series was awesome. Too bad the show was supposed to be about Sam and not have alot of interaction with the President. This is why Rob Lowe left the series for awhile after the midterms. It was written so he could take time off.