Protocol (1984) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Sunny became a national hero after stopping an assassination attempt on the visiting Emir. Her bravery and widespread public appeal caught the attention of government officials, who saw an opportunity to use her newfound popularity as a diplomatic asset. The State Department believed her charm could help navigate sensitive international situations.

• state department
• recruitment
• sunny
• hero
• assassination attempt

The Emir offered to allow the U.S. to build a military base in his strategically located country in exchange for Sunny as his wife. To him, Sunny represented an attractive addition to his household, and he was willing to leverage this desire as diplomatic bargaining power with the American government.

• emir
• wife
• military base
• deal
• diplomatic

When Sunny returned the luxury car gifted by the Emir through an Arab official, she inadvertently disrupted a delicate diplomatic relationship. The State Department was trying to maintain goodwill with the Emir as part of their negotiations for the military base. Her act of refusing the gift, while ethically motivated, threatened to unravel their carefully constructed political deal.

• car
• gift
• emir
• state department
• diplomacy
• anger

While Sunny was meeting with the Emir, a violent overthrow of power erupted in his country. The coup was driven by internal political unrest and dissatisfaction with the Emir's rule. This sudden event forced Sunny and the Emir to flee together, disrupting all the diplomatic machinations and the planned arrangement between the U.S. and the Emir.

• coup
• emir
• country
• overthrow
• violence
• political

During the Congressional inquiry, Sunny chose to accept responsibility for her naive involvement in the political scheme. While acknowledging her own actions, she used the opportunity to confront the political leaders about their manipulation of her and their obligations to the public. Her strategy was to take ownership while simultaneously holding the government accountable.

• congressional inquiry
• blame
• sunny
• government
• accountability
• politicians

After her tumultuous experience in Washington D.C. and international intrigue, Sunny gained firsthand knowledge of political manipulation and governmental responsibility. Two years later, living in her hometown of Diamond Junction, Oregon, she felt compelled to make a difference. Encouraged by her community, she ran for Congress to represent her state and advocate for ordinary people.

• congress
• election
• sunny
• run
• campaign
• politics

The Protocol Department is a division of the U.S. State Department responsible for diplomatic etiquette and ceremony. They handle matters such as diplomatic immunity, official ceremonies, and interactions between foreign dignitaries and U.S. officials. Sunny was initially confused by the term and had to look it up in a dictionary before accepting the position.

• protocol
• department
• state
• diplomatic
• etiquette
• job

Sunny's old car breaking down inadvertently blocked a diplomatic convoy heading to the White House. This seemingly unlucky event actually placed her at the exact location where she later witnessed the assassination attempt. Without this coincidence, she would never have been in position to stop the shooter and become a hero.

• car
• breakdown
• convoy
• white house
• coincidence
• assassination

When the political scheme unraveled and became public, the U.S. government distanced itself from the arrangement. This was a typical political move to avoid accountability for the controversial diplomatic deal. Sunny was left to face the consequences alone, though she ultimately confronted the leaders about their deception.

• government
• denial
• scheme
• cover-up
• political
• accountability

The State Department and political leaders kept the Emir's proposal hidden from Sunny because they knew she would never voluntarily agree to such an arrangement. They treated her as a diplomatic pawn, hoping to secure the military base deal while managing her involvement discreetly. Sunny only discovered the truth when she saw murals advertising her as a bride-to-be in the Emir's country.

• secret
• proposal
• emir
• sunny
• deception
• political scheme