Madam Secretary (2014–…): Season 1, Episode 22 - There But for the Grace of God - full transcript
When Elizabeth confronts her former friend Juliet, she flashes back to when then-CIA Director Dalton offered her a job that would have changed the course of her life. Also, Stevie and ...
I'm here to save your life.
What life?
Letters from your kids.
When they're old enough to write 'em.
We could even put
visitation on the table.
I don't quite know how that would work.
Congratulations.
The architect of peace with Iran.
You've made the world
a more dangerous place.
Now they're free to build
a nuclear arsenal.
I was at Lily's birthday party.
Gosh, she's such a sweet kid.
You know, she still sets a place for you
at the table every day.
I thought you were morally
opposed to torture.
- People change.
- What do you want?
I need to know if there are
any other rogue agents
that we missed.
And I want you to look me in the
eye and tell me about George.
You killed George.
You really want to pull this string?
I can put you at the
center of all of it.
I can give you the
calculus where all roads
lead to you and a single decision.
What decision is that?
You could be sitting
in this chair if you'd
actually lived through the war
instead of retreating into academia.
You turned on everyone
and everything you
claimed to care about.
You put this in action.
You're the traitor.
- What decision?
- You...
quit.
That does not look like
the stride of pride.
More like the long walk to the woodshed.
Conrad wants to see me.
He read my Baghdad station report.
I didn't get to it. What's the story?
Scaling back on enhanced
interrogation tactics.
Basic diatribe against
the efficacy of torture.
Not to mention the morality.
- I'm sure you covered that.
- Oh, well, you know.
The odd bit of harping on
the Geneva convention.
Which'll have to do until I can produce
- the hard science on karma.
- The White House is calling
the Geneva convention quaint.
Their argument is these aren't
your father's prisoners of war.
(laughs)
We didn't change the rules, they did.
But then what's the answer?
Betraying our own standards
of ethical behavior?
I'm just reporting your
commander in chief's position.
In no way am I saying
we back off this fight.
The image of those planes
crashing into the towers
plays on a loop in my head.
But my argument is that
torture is a waste of time.
We are squandering valuable resources
for little or no return on investment.
I get it. It's complicated.
What do you hear from Isabelle?
- Miserable in London.
- What?
She says it never stops
raining, the food is terrible
and the guys in MI6 don't get her jokes.
We don't get her jokes.
I didn't tell her that.
Oh, well.
I'm about to get fired or
put on the Latvia desk.
Al-Qaeda will have to remain
in your capable hands.
Good luck.
(bell dings)
Ah. My staff.
And video footage.
I have a bad feeling.
- No, it could be nothing.
- It's not nothing.
It's not entirely something. Yet.
Okay. Let's see it.
Senator Raymond Caruthers,
staunch opponent of everything
in this administration,
has cottoned on to the
recent events in Iran,
holding himself up
- as the defender of truth.
- CARUTHERS: I have not been placated
by the president's
charade of transparency
regarding the events in Iran.
We're supposed to accept that
the responsible parties have been caught
and are on their way to justice.
I'm not resting easy
with that and neither should
- the American people.
- ELIZABETH: A guy who's making a bid
for president using the coup in
Iran for grandstanding purposes?
There's nothing to be exposed.
It still needs to be handled.
Conspiracies can snowball.
There's no conspiracy
except the one we thwarted.
I'm just saying if that gets traction,
you're gonna be spending
way too much time
talking the people off the ledge.
Well, we'll cross that
ledge when we get to it.
Uh, Madam Secretary... I just
got word that Senator Caruthers
is on his way to your office.
I told him you weren't available.
He doesn't seem to care.
This is not the ledge.
This is a thing before
you get to the ledge,
which is still a long
way from the ground.
I'm officially retiring this metaphor.
Thanks, Blake.
Secretary of State saw this.
Secretary of Defense saw this.
National Security Advisor,
White House Chief of Staff
- and the President saw this.
- I'm so sorry, sir.
I don't know how that happened.
Because I showed it to them.
Why?
I thought you made some valid points.
What did they think?
They remain unpersuaded.
- (sighs)
- I want you to rewrite the report,
putting the focus on increased
human Intel on the ground
and other strategies to replace
enhanced interrogation.
- Okay. - Show them they can
win this war without it.
- (sighing): Okay.
- I'm gonna
use that to explain why
I'm appointing you
station chief in Baghdad.
What?!
I have to replace Mike Hirst.
He's ineffective and controversial...
worst possible combination.
I have to show the White House
that we have a clear directive.
Who better to enforce that
directive than the person who
- authored it?
- I'm not an operative, sir.
Neither is the station chief.
It's an administrative position.
You are the only person I trust
to keep the operation in Iraq
effective and legitimate.
Together we can win this.
And hold our heads high.
I know you won't let me down.
- Madam Secretary.
- Madam Secretary, Senator Caruthers.
Welcome. Can, uh, Blake get you...
Oh. Well...
Blake doesn't seem interested
in getting you anything.
Madam Secretary, I'm sure
you're aware of the confusion
and unease that's been
swirling in the wake
of Director Munsey's acts of treason.
Senator, it's just the two
of us... no cameras in here...
so, short and sweet'll do it.
Fine.
Here's the subpoena.
Subpoena for what?
To appear before a senate
investigation committee looking
into this administration's
involvement in the attempt to overthrow
the government in Iran.
Hm.
Well, you don't often see
a senator hand-delivering
a subpoena. Nice personal touch.
You can be as dismissive as you like now...
Can I take a wild stab at
who's chairing this committee?
...but you will stand
before that committee
- and you will tell the truth.
- Not a problem.
Do it all the time. But senator...
may I ask? You ever get a queasy
3:00 a.m. feeling about wasting
the taxpayers' money on this
kind of public display,
which is really about
promoting your own
political ambitions? Ever?
I'll see you soon, Madam Secretary.
And I'll be the one
asking the questions.
Can I get you anything?
(chuckles) So many ways to go with that.
What do you think he thinks he has?
I have no idea. (wry laugh)
(chuckles)
(door opens, dog barks)
Mike B without an appointment
or heads-up of any...
- kind.
- A subpoena?
Really? I have to find this out
on the elliptical machine at my gym?
I don't get that machine.
I always feel like I'm
falling through space.
Okay, this is serious.
Seriously disruptive.
They can't have anything.
- Would you tell your daddy to calm down?
- Even he knows
if they have a subpoena,
they have something.
They don't give those
away free with purchase.
President went on national
television and came
clean with the world... full transparency.
There's nothing left to know.
Oh, thank God. 'Cause I'm sure
they're actually after the truth.
I'm sure they wouldn't find some
nugget of discrepancy and
firestorm it into grounds
for impeachment. That never happens.
Do you know that Raymond
Caruthers was president
- of the Princeton Debating Society?
- No, tell me more.
- It's on his Facebook page.
- And do you understand
that great debaters win
not because they have
the best argument but because
they are the best arguer?
- He's a dangerous man.
- It's theater.
The administration has a black eye,
he just wants to rub
some salt in the wound.
See? You're mixing metaphors.
He's not gonna do that.
Well, I have been thinking
about it, you know.
In fact, I've been making a list.
And I did slip my detail
in order to interrogate
the fueler who sabotaged Marsh's plane.
And I did jimmy up a
state visit to Venezuela
in order to uncover
a secret bank account.
I did plenty
of unconventional things,
but none of it was illegal.
- You need a lawyer.
- I don't want a lawyer.
It makes me look like I need a lawyer.
At the very least, give me
permission to transgress
some boundaries to find
out what they know.
- Haven't you done that already?
- Of course I have. My feelers are out.
- Then we're up to speed.
- All right. Think about the lawyer.
Gordon, let's go.
BLAKE: Madam Secretary,
Daisy actually called ahead
and asked to see you at this time.
DAISY: Ma'am, a small
but significant matter has come up.
We've received a portrait
of James Madison
to replace the portrait of Vincent Marsh.
Given the revelations about
the late secretary and his connection
to the coup in Iran, and given that
the press comes through
here all the time...
I know, I know... the optics aren't good.
I have my hands full with
the senate investigation,
but with your permission, I'd
like to delegate this to Blake.
I mean, it's mostly making phone calls
to the archives and museums
till we find a good fit.
- Are you good with this?
- Uh, yes, uh, anything to help, ma'am.
So you will make this portrait disappear
and I don't have to think about it?
Yes, ma'am. And then I'd like to perform
a similar magic on Mike B.
I apologize if that was inappropriate.
Thank you both.
Who's winning?
It's too close to call.
I hate to sound like the
tech-spoiled millennial,
but couldn't we get a copier from
this century that actually works?
According to our budget, no.
We're one step up
from scrolling monks.
It's kind of ironic that we send money
to people in developing nations
- and yet... - This is the tip of
the irony iceberg around here.
The glamorous world of public service.
Kind of sexy... a guy
in stained work clothes.
- Very DH Lawrence.
- Okay,
don't flirt with me.
I'm not.
You are.
It's cruel to flirt with
someone you just dumped.
I did not dump you. I...
made the responsible choice
and chose not to continue
the relationship.
Okay.
Well, it's cruel to flirt
with someone after that.
Look, I'm just asking, just,
could you hide behind a
mask of professionalism?
Like I'm doing.
It's all yours.
HENRY: Okay, listen, guys,
this Senate investigation
is gonna be a big deal.
Now, there's nothing there,
so we have nothing to worry about.
But it's gonna be noisy, and
it's gonna be in your face,
and it could go on for quite a while.
Bigger than the Microloans thing?
- Well, afraid so, Noodle.
- JASON: Okay.
Is there some sort of silver
lining we're not seeing here?
Conflict builds character?
ALISON: It's not funny, Mom.
Look, the president and I came
out on top after the coup.
There's a small but
loud faction of people
who want to tear us down.
That's all it is.
We'll get through it.
Okay, since this is a family
meeting, don't we get to take
- a vote?
- Uh...
Okay, who's officially over Mom's job?
- Guys.
- I am.
Cut it out.
- What?
- We got a vote on her taking the job.
- Yeah, we all made a commitment.
- ALISON: That was before we knew
how much it would suck. Now we know.
We made a commitment as a family.
(overlapping argument)
- (whistles)
- ELIZABETH: Guys...
quitting the job is not on the table.
We just wanted to give you a
heads-up on how much it's going
to suck, and to reassure
you that it's gonna be okay.
I have nothing to hide.
Questions?
Yeah. When can you quit the job?
Are you kidding?
Come on, solidarity, guys.
What happened to "Go team McCord"?
(ding)
Do we really need to care
what our teenagers think about my job?
(Henry laughs)
Well, I was the son of a union leader.
I got rocks thrown at me
because of my dad's job.
You know what? This week, they hate us.
Next week, if we could get box seats
to a Nationals game,
they'd be over the moon.
We never go full bore on the perks.
We should absolutely get
box seats to the Nationals.
Well, I-I've been saying since day one.
How nice was it to hear Stevie
be supportive of her mother?
Whom she no longer hates, apparently.
As predicted by someone on Team McCord.
Okay, reel it in, Captain.
You were right.
She also seems to like you
okay, so, we both win.
- Now the other two are mad at us.
- It doesn't matter.
Those two we can still
threaten with military school.
(laughs) - I love you and your
sensible parenting style.
HENRY: Station Chief?
Babe, that's an enormous job.
ELIZABETH: Yeah.
I know.
Living in Baghdad?
Wow. For how long?
Well, I mean,
I'd probably have to put in
at least a year to be effective.
A year away from us?
Conrad is putting a lot of
responsibility on my shoulders.
I would be running the
interrogation operations.
Making sure they're done effectively
without crossing any lines,
which will keep us far and
away from the slippery slope.
Yeah, I understand the job.
I... Why does it have to be you?
Because I wrote the proposal
asking the White House
to reconsider their policy.
Yeah, you're also the person
who insisted on having
a desk job at Langley
so you could be with your family.
Yeah, well, then the world changed.
Four years.
9/11 was just a bad day,
and already, we're starting to forget?
I served in combat in Iraq.
I'm not forgetting anything.
And, yeah,
people are recovering.
There's nothing wrong with that.
Let tell you something, Henry.
There are a lot of people
doing what I do, so
that they can recover.
They have the luxury of forgetting
- because we refuse to.
- No one is forgetting.
- That's not what it feels like.
- I am talking about...
- Shh!
- ...our marriage and our children.
And I am talking about a higher
purpose which serves them.
You went off to war
when we were newlyweds.
You married a Marine.
- You married a spy.
- With a desk job.
- I'll have a desk in Baghdad.
- Don't do that. Don't...
No, I'm saying, it's not like
I'm going into the field.
I will go to great lengths
to explain that to Stevie and Alison.
Jason won't even remember
you if you go...
We have to stop.
(sighs)
Uh, excuse me.
A moment to discuss the
Vincent Marsh of it all?
Sure.
- All right.
- Thank you.
Okay, this is a very hard
thing for me to say.
I've hit a wall.
Can we hang the portrait on it?
A wall that has obliterated
my sense of humor.
What-What's the status?
I've tried everything.
- DAISY: National Portrait Gallery?
- MATT: The Library of Congress?
- The Frick?
- MATT: How about the State House
in Illinois? He served there once.
In the General Assembly.
"I've tried everything,"
is not a sentence I use lightly.
Lest you intend to keep
saying names of museums.
Isn't there a Benedict Arnold
Hall of Traitors somewhere?
(laughing): If there's not, why not?
See me not laughing?
Okay, maybe it's time to go to Nadine.
Every time I look at my
watch, it's not that time.
She makes fun of him in staff meetings.
I mean, I don't think she's
that sensitive about it anymore.
Well, I would prefer not to
find out in exactly this way.
Or perhaps you would like to ask her?
You?
Uh, just keep digging.
You'll find something.
- Yeah.
- MIKE: So, what do you think it means
that Russell Jackson is
coming to your office?
I think it means it's a weekday
during business hours.
He said it was about
the Senate investigation.
Where's Gordon?
He's with my ex-wife.
We share custody.
It's actually a painful subject.
I'm sorry.
I didn't know you felt pain.
Ma'am, Mr. Jackson is
uncharacteristically here
at an appointed time.
Oh, thank you, Blake.
Russell, you know Mike B?
Only by reputation.
I'll try not to gush. I'm a
big admirer of your work.
Oh, I keep track of you, as well.
That Canuck letter you
laid on Senator Demunzio?
- That was inspired.
- That means a lot coming from you.
And I never get credit for that.
Well, Demunzio never ran
for another term after that.
It's the little victories
that keep you going.
That was not so little.
You're right. I'm being
falsely modest, yeah.
You guys need some time alone, or...?
I'm good.
Down to business.
First an update on Juliet.
She's refusing to
cooperate with the FBI,
so, DOJ is definitely
seeking the death penalty,
- and they're gonna fast-track it.
- Yes.
Regarding your situation,
good news.
White House Counsel has
made a legal determination,
and they're going to
invoke executive privilege
in response to the subpoena, so,
you're off the hook... for now.
Fantastic.
This is the part where you
say, "Thank you, Russell,
for your topnotch voodoo."
Of course I mean prowess.
I hate the way this looks.
It looks like Christmas morning.
It looks like I'm hiding
behind some vague assertion
of executive power
because I have something to fear
- from the truth.
- She has a quirk about principles.
Oh, we appreciate that about her.
As do I, but moderation in all things.
I understand how hard
you must have worked to
make this happen, Russell,
but I can't fall in line.
I can't take the easy way out.
I don't need to invoke
anything but the truth.
Facing the music is the right call,
and the administration
will be stronger for it.
(sighs)
Mr. President?
I'm here with Elizabeth.
She's declining executive privilege.
Sure. Hang on.
Hello, Mr. President.
Elizabeth, I am strongly advising you
to take executive privilege.
- (continues indistinctly)
- Yes, sir. I... Yes, sir.
DALTON: Do we understand each other?
- Yes, sir.
- DALTON: Good.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Good-bye.
So, it looks like I'm gonna
take that executive privilege.
I love it when it all works out.
(sighs)
- (microwave beeps twice) - ELIZABETH: Oh,
there's going to be a huge backlash, but...
the mathematicians tell me it is going
to be a shorter backlash
than actually appearing
before the committee.
So, that's good horse trade, right?
Who are you trying to convince, Mom?
You guys, obviously.
ALISON: Okay, yeah, but,
being complained about
by pundits is marginally better
- than being giffed a hundred times a day.
- See?
Just like that, we're
in the plus column.
Feel free to jump in here any
time you want and cheerlead.
It's so obviously all good.
Okay, I look like this.
- Oh!
- Wow.
Everyone, just get it
out of your system now.
I am... I am speechless.
I'm the plus one for a formal
event at the White House.
With Harrison Dalton.
It's his first formal appearance
post rehab stint hitting the news.
Some kind of dinner
for governors. Anyway,
he needs a date, and I
make a better picture
than his grizzled, welder-biker sponsor.
So, you're flying fully into
the storm of Starrison?
Diversion tactic.
Better the journalists speculate
about us than his sobriety.
They can pick at it all day.
We are still just friends.
Hmm. Truth as an offensive.
Wherever did you learn that?
But seriously, you'd
give us little heads-up
if it were something, right?
Believe me.
If wanted to be with someone
who was gonna complicate
your life, I'd be with Arthur.
(doorbell rings)
Sorry, ma'am. His credentials check out.
I have a subpoena to appear
before the Senate
Investigation Committee.
- No, no, that's been settled.
- For Dr. Henry McCord.
You've been served.
I have to give you a legal disclaimer.
- I am not your lawyer.
- Noted.
And in my capacity
as not-your-lawyer,
I cannot be privy to any information
which might incriminate you or your wife
without implicating myself.
I'm here as
non-legally-binding sage counsel.
- Mike, got it.
- Okay.
I called around the agencies,
cashed in a few chits.
Someone connected a few dots,
and then, tipped the senator
that during Elizabeth's inquiry
into Marsh's death,
she shared classified
information with you.
If this is proven to be true,
Elizabeth
may be in violation
of the Espionage Act,
among other federal statutes
involving the improper handling
of classified material.
Espionage. That's ridiculous.
What information?
Something about a plane crash in Dubai.
I know you're not about
to say something.
Look, I've been called to testify
before a Senate Investigation Committee.
It's not a court of law.
True. It's a kangaroo court.
Caruthers just...
Good night.
Good night, Noodle.
- Night. Bye.
- Mm-hmm.
I'll take you to school
in the morning, okay?
Okay, sounds good.
Love you.
All Caruthers wants is
to bring down your wife.
With her safely shrouded
behind executive privilege, he's
going after the next best thing.
A leaker case is very hard to prove.
Won't matter.
The damage will be done.
If people think that I shared secrets,
I'll lose the trust of the nation
and the international community.
Which makes it hard to be
America's next top diplomat.
Thank you for your
non-legally-binding counsel,
but... I've got to go with the truth.
We were operating under
extreme circumstances...
Stop making sounds with
consonants and vowels.
I don't know how else to say it.
First move is take the Fifth.
- Absolutely not.
- I-I know. I know.
It reeks of guilt...
which is a bean scratcher,
given it's meant to protect
you from self-incrimination.
I'll work
on finding you a lawyer.
In the meantime,
get some sleep.
Thanks, Mike.
Listen...
we didn't do anything wrong.
That doesn't matter.
(door opens)
I thought the investigation
into the Dubai crash
had been declassified
once the White House
ruled it an accident.
Turns out not to be the case.
They're on solid footing.
George said that someone in the
CIA was behind Marsh's murder,
and you suspected the president himself.
Well, you can't say that.
I can't say any of it.
I know what I have to do.
What do you mean?
There's only one thing to do.
- I'm not gonna let you take the fall.
- You can't lie.
It's not lying.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
will back me up on that.
You're basing your defense
on one of the guys who
tried to kill Hitler?
Technically, he was
convicted of draft evasion.
Was he technically hanged, too?
He taught that there are
some truths more fundamental
than a... an immediate lie.
Henry, you can't perjure yourself.
Are you really... Are you serious?
Taking the Fifth only covers me.
They can still get me
to incriminate you.
He just wants to take you down,
by any means necessary.
This whole thing just... lacks integrity.
I feel no ethical obligation
to play by their rules.
You could go to prison.
No one's going to prison.
STEVIE: Okay. Here's my takeaway.
Governor's Association Dinner
equals old people prom.
Oh, my God. That is totally right.
Right down to the, uh,
chaperone checking my breath
for booze every five seconds.
Yeah, except this time
they didn't smell any.
And thus I am able to
remember this night
- in its entirety.
- (chuckles) Come on.
It was nice.
It was nice getting to be with you.
Yeah. It was fun to hang out.
What?
Why are you looking at me all...
weird and s-smoldery?
Um, I'm about to kiss you.
No, you're not. Don't.
No, I'm not.
I'm so not.
Why not?
Come on.
We're friends.
Wow.
This really is like prom.
I think we had this exact conversation.
- (chuckles)
- At our last prom.
- We... (laughs)
- (laughs)
We totally did. Um...
I-I'm, for one...
I'm glad that we got to
relive the awkwardness.
- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah.
This was so awesome.
(chuckles)
Good night, Blake.
I see you there.
I, uh... I-I hate to ask...
Apparently.
(sighs)
It's about Secretary Marsh's portrait.
It's being removed to make room
for James Madison's, but, uh,
no one seems to...
- Want it?
- They don't.
And we can't just...
- Throw it away.
- Yeah.
Use your words, Blake.
No. We can't throw it away
because that's in violation of the 1912
- War Department ruling.
- I don't know which is more ironic,
that or the fact that we can't give away
- such a vain man's picture.
- Ms. Tolliver,
I truly didn't want to
dump this in your lap.
Don't worry about it.
I'll think of something.
Thank you.
(grunts with effort)
Come on. Come to bed.
- Hi.
- Hey.
- I can't let you do this. I can't.
- It's gonna be okay. I...
It's my decision.
It'll change you.
It'll change us.
(sighs)
We've been through worse.
Okay.
CORRESPONDENT: Offensive sweeps
continued in northwestern Iraq today,
as United States Marines
attempt to cut off the flow
of foreign fighters
crossing the Syrian border.
The advance began with a
series of predawn air strikes
and continued with...
- I'm listening to that.
- You want some help?
- I don't want to fight about this.
- Well, great.
We'll just skip right
to resentful silence.
If you feel you have to
go to Baghdad, then go,
but I can't pretend it's
not going to affect me.
It's definitely gonna affect the kids.
The one thing it's not going
to do is take back 9/11.
(sighs) This isn't about atonement.
Then what is it about?
The world has fallen apart.
Do you know how many of our
troops were killed today? 37.
We just broke 1,400 in a
war that was supposed
to be over two years ago.
And that's not even counting the civilians.
It's like some monster
has been unleashed.
- I don't even recognize what our
government is doing anymore. - I know.
- How can I just sit by?
- The world has collapsed.
But that doesn't mean ours
has to, to make up for it.
When everything seems to
be lacking in integrity,
you know what you do?
You find it in yourself.
You change the world
right from where you're standing.
Conrad is depending on me.
It's-it's either take the position or quit.
I can't go backwards.
It's a year. I'll be back.
If you...
go to Baghdad, I...
I don't know what it's gonna
look like when you come back.
(ringtone plays)
(phone buzzing)
Sorry to wake you up.
Oh. You have to be kidding. (chuckles)
We can keep this brief.
Tell me there's no way you
shared classified information
with Henry.
We have to stay ahead of this.
You know that.
Cut to the chase, Russell.
We have a second term to win.
I'll have to keep the president
at a safe distance.
Are-are we talking...
resignation or...
(sighs)
We can get around contempt
of Congress but not this.
Not violating the Espionage Act.
- I just...
- (Henry and Alison speaking indistinctly)
I just wanted to give you a
heads-up, but I-I don't know
what Henry's gonna say before
the committee tomorrow.
I don't know... I don't know
how this is gonna go.
But if it goes badly...
You and the president won't protect me.
Sorry. I'm sorry.
Thank you. And, finally,
these are the appointments
for our CVE Summit at the White House.
What time does Dr. McCord testify?
2:00.
Walk with me, Blake.
Yes, ma'am.
Where are we going?
We're taking a lap.
How many steps we got so far?
Uh, 156.
Let's pick up the pace.
I didn't realize you
were Fitbitting, ma'am.
I could work that into your schedule.
No. I don't want to make it a thing.
- Just working off the donut
I had this morning. - Ma'am.
Well, maybe two. Okay, two.
No. No way.
- Uh, I'm sorry. I-I meant for
this to happen sooner. - No way.
I ran into some roadblocks...
This isn't right. Have
my motorcade brought up.
I'm going out.
Yes, ma'am.
CARUTHERS: The purpose of this hearing
is to seek the truth
on behalf of the American
people, so it stands
to reason that we should receive
access to all decisions,
all relevant documents,
and all witnesses.
One moment. Mr. Chairman.
What's going on?
No idea.
Whew.
- (indistinct chatter)
- CARUTHERS: Oh, Secretary McCord.
We didn't expect you.
Yet here I am.
Ready to testify.
What are you doing?
You know what you do
when there's no integrity
in a situation, Henry?
You find it in yourself.
You change the world
right where we're standing.
Senator, I'm waiving
executive privilege,
and I'm prepared to take the oath.
(gallery murmuring)
If Vincent Marsh was murdered,
it was probably an inside job.
I could only work with someone I trusted,
and that meant my husband,
a man I have ruthlessly
vetted for over 25 years.
Man...
I have never heard such
an eloquent defense
for violating the Espionage Act.
Do you think she could go to prison?
Listen,
half the guys I knew on Wall Street
should be there, but aren't.
If they try to take
your mother for this...
hell, I'll be the first one
to man the barricades.
...in Iran, which, in turn,
uncovered treason...
So that's a maybe.
...at the highest levels
of American government.
Yeah.
I guess it is.
Forces have been
unleashed to destabilize
the security of our country.
I put myself in harm's way
to ensure the safety of our country.
I... (wry chuckle)
I would do it again, sir.
So, Mr. Chairman, I'd say
the only reason that we're
here today, luxuriating
in the smug banality of a
Senate hearing instead
of ducking for cover in all-out war,
is because I had the decency
to violate Section 793
of Title 18.
Whew.
Thank you.
No, let me rephrase that.
You're welcome.
(energetic chatter,
cameras clicking rapidly)
Secretary McCord,
you are not dismissed.
HENRY: "The truth is like a lion.
"You don't need to defend it.
Let it loose, and it'll defend itself."
See? I listen to you.
- Mmm, Augustine.
- And Augustine.
And Aquinas. And the Beatles.
And all the other guys you live by.
Well, go big or go home, I guess.
It was the right thing to do.
Totally. But if I can
escort us back to Earth,
I just got confirmation that the
committee is officially seeking
to file charges against you for
violating the Espionage Act.
ANCHORMAN: In the wake of the Secretary
of State's fiery appearance,
Senator Caruthers has referred
the secretary's testimony
to the Justice Department,
which will be filing criminal charges...
Wait, what are you doing?
Ugh, that stuff is just
gonna stress us out.
Come on.
Who wants to settle Catan with me?
Hey, guys.
How's everybody doing?
So...
so is Mom getting arrested?
I just talked to her. She had
a few things to finish at work.
She'll be back any minute.
You didn't answer the question.
Okay, listen.
Your mom spoke truth to power today,
and that is a brave and rare thing.
No matter what happens,
we're all gonna be okay.
- (phone buzzes)
- So I want you
to remember this day
with great pride. You got it?
These guys were champs, by the way.
You, too, kid.
- What is that?
- ALISON: Corn.
- HENRY: Corn? I want it. No, no.
I want... Give it. - ALISON: No.
NADINE: Thank you so
much for doing this.
I would've reached out
to the family myself,
but it was awkward.
I mean, with us not being
able to find a home for it.
This is what lawyers do.
We're lubricants
for complicated social intercourse.
That's... appetizingly put.
You know, I represented
Vincent for 30 years.
I knew him since college.
He was like a brother.
And here...
he has this whole
traitorous thing going on.
I thought he was a true patriot.
Well, I guess
- in his eyes, he was.
- You know,
I come to bury Caesar,
not to praise him, but, uh...
you shouldn't beat yourself up.
He was a very charismatic enigma.
- (elevator bell dings)
- I don't understand.
He told me everything.
Well, not everything
but, uh, you know...
I honestly always thought
you could do better.
Now you got something
going with the NASA guy.
Good. Good for you. You deserve it.
Come on. It's Washington.
Hey.
Hey.
(chuckles)
I got to say, I was
surprised to get your text.
Well...
...surprise.
Uh...
Do you have something
you want to talk about
or are you just...
wanting to do this?
Yeah. Um...
I had to end my relationship
because of my mom's job,
and now she's probably
gonna go to prison, anyway.
I don't know how I'm supposed
to live a normal life. It's...
it's just... (sighs)
You're the only one
who gets it, you know?
I'm really sick of worrying
about where everything is going,
and tonight I just don't want to.
Well, hey...
then... don't worry about it.
(moaning)
(passionate moaning, breathing)
Thanks for coming, Bess.
A lot to talk about.
I didn't want to get
into it on the phone.
I'm just hoping you're not
escorting me to my new quarters.
Are you?
Just got word DOJ is not
pressing charges against you.
(sighing with relief): Oh, thank God!
Willing to go to prison and
being sanguine about it
are two entirely different camps.
They're citing
extraordinary circumstances
and the contribution
to national security.
It doesn't hurt
that your testimony strongly
swayed public opinion.
Russell took a snap poll.
82% think you were
justified in your actions.
If I were Raymond Caruthers,
I would be running for the hills.
JULIET (over speaker):
Marsh was confronted
by Russell Jackson about his intentions
to run for president himself.
At that time, Marsh lost his
nerve about the coup in Iran...
She agreed to the deal this morning.
Anything we want to know
in exchange for her life.
...he wanted the coup attempt
to end, but Andrew and I...
Late CIA Director Andrew Munsey.
Yes.
We weren't about to pull the plug
on an operation we'd planned for so long
It was decided that
Marsh was now a threat
to the operation, which
had to be eliminated...
She's using a passive voice.
Distancing herself from it.
JULIET: Yes.
HENDRICKS: Using information
you acquired...
He's a "threat."
Not a person.
Her time in Baghdad changed her.
It might have changed me.
No.
You're made from different stuff.
JULIET: We studied the crash in Dubai...
and figured out how to
facilitate a similar incident.
Obviously, we were successful.
George Peters.
Tell us about the death
of CIA Operative George Peters.
George...
When Marshall's plane
went down, George...
he recognized the similarities.
He connected the dots.
We became aware that he confided
his suspicions in our...
former colleague turned
Secretary of State,
Elizabeth McCord.
Back to her.
DALTON: You okay?
So I tampered with
the microchip controlling
the acceleration system of his car.
It just looked like a
single-car collision.
He was becoming unstable.
We didn't think anyone would question it.
Remind her they were friends.
Wasn't George Peters
a good friend of yours?
JULIET: I guess there was a time
when we were all friends.
(indistinct chatter)
(woman laughing)
DALTON: A horse farm? Really?
Uh, it's how I was raised.
- I'm recreating my childhood.
- Henry's not from Virginia, is he?
No, he's from rural Pennsylvania.
It's the same difference.
He's outdoorsy.
He's got that whole chopping
and digging thing...
- "Chopping and digging."
- But the horses are all me.
Well, it sounds stultifying.
And you have an open
invitation anytime you want.
You don't even have to call.
- All you guys.
- Okay.
- We'll keep that in mind.
- Well...
- Here's to Elizabeth's new life.
- Mm.
And to our new Baghdad Station Chief.
- (chuckles)
- ELIZABETH: Yes!
Happy trails all around.
- Happy trails!
- Thank you.
I'm completely unfazed by
being the second choice.
Just amazed I was a choice at all.
MUNSEY: Are you kidding?
I've been on the receiving end
of your friendly interrogations.
There will be no need for enhancement.
- Thank you for your faith in my iciness.
- It's true.
You have that whole stern
mother thing down pat.
In fact, you're gonna be way
ahead of the game
when you have kids.
Which, by the way,
you should really do.
Top of the list when I
get back from Baghdad.
Conrad, I am gonna be shorthanded.
I hope you have some
rabbits in your hat.
I'm bringing Isabelle back from London.
And, uh, then I have some ideas.
- Mostly about overworking the two of you.
- Hey, pile it on.
My wife will be thrilled
to have me home even less.
- And I am not kidding.
- Oh, stop.
- I'm not kidding!
- He's not!
- There he is!
- (all clamoring)
Sorry I'm late. The beltway.
(laughter, chatter)
Baghdad's got nothing to compare.
Hey, I love his cool perspective.
Never a hyperbole in sight.
I don't think anyone here
values me for my low volume.
So, where is my drink
and who is my new boss?
- Ta-da!
- Whoa! - (whoops)
Elizabeth is running
away to a horse farm!
Really? What, I don't check my e-mail
for an hour and this is what happens?
Gee, thanks for your vote of confidence.
I'm just surprised.
It's gonna be great.
- No, I mean, I love all my girls.
- (laughter)
I do, really!
But sitting at a desk and-and...
trying to decide which font to use.
I'm surprised the
dropout rate isn't higher.
All that saving your ass
when you don't listen to us
and go rogue.
That happened once, young lady!
Oh, come on!
- I-I got six cities!
- I-I got three.
- Peshawar, Kandahar...
- (dinging on glass)
One more time.
(shushes)
To the inner sanctum.
Colleagues,
friends,
noble warriors.
(all agreeing) Hear, hear!
What life?
Letters from your kids.
When they're old enough to write 'em.
We could even put
visitation on the table.
I don't quite know how that would work.
Congratulations.
The architect of peace with Iran.
You've made the world
a more dangerous place.
Now they're free to build
a nuclear arsenal.
I was at Lily's birthday party.
Gosh, she's such a sweet kid.
You know, she still sets a place for you
at the table every day.
I thought you were morally
opposed to torture.
- People change.
- What do you want?
I need to know if there are
any other rogue agents
that we missed.
And I want you to look me in the
eye and tell me about George.
You killed George.
You really want to pull this string?
I can put you at the
center of all of it.
I can give you the
calculus where all roads
lead to you and a single decision.
What decision is that?
You could be sitting
in this chair if you'd
actually lived through the war
instead of retreating into academia.
You turned on everyone
and everything you
claimed to care about.
You put this in action.
You're the traitor.
- What decision?
- You...
quit.
That does not look like
the stride of pride.
More like the long walk to the woodshed.
Conrad wants to see me.
He read my Baghdad station report.
I didn't get to it. What's the story?
Scaling back on enhanced
interrogation tactics.
Basic diatribe against
the efficacy of torture.
Not to mention the morality.
- I'm sure you covered that.
- Oh, well, you know.
The odd bit of harping on
the Geneva convention.
Which'll have to do until I can produce
- the hard science on karma.
- The White House is calling
the Geneva convention quaint.
Their argument is these aren't
your father's prisoners of war.
(laughs)
We didn't change the rules, they did.
But then what's the answer?
Betraying our own standards
of ethical behavior?
I'm just reporting your
commander in chief's position.
In no way am I saying
we back off this fight.
The image of those planes
crashing into the towers
plays on a loop in my head.
But my argument is that
torture is a waste of time.
We are squandering valuable resources
for little or no return on investment.
I get it. It's complicated.
What do you hear from Isabelle?
- Miserable in London.
- What?
She says it never stops
raining, the food is terrible
and the guys in MI6 don't get her jokes.
We don't get her jokes.
I didn't tell her that.
Oh, well.
I'm about to get fired or
put on the Latvia desk.
Al-Qaeda will have to remain
in your capable hands.
Good luck.
(bell dings)
Ah. My staff.
And video footage.
I have a bad feeling.
- No, it could be nothing.
- It's not nothing.
It's not entirely something. Yet.
Okay. Let's see it.
Senator Raymond Caruthers,
staunch opponent of everything
in this administration,
has cottoned on to the
recent events in Iran,
holding himself up
- as the defender of truth.
- CARUTHERS: I have not been placated
by the president's
charade of transparency
regarding the events in Iran.
We're supposed to accept that
the responsible parties have been caught
and are on their way to justice.
I'm not resting easy
with that and neither should
- the American people.
- ELIZABETH: A guy who's making a bid
for president using the coup in
Iran for grandstanding purposes?
There's nothing to be exposed.
It still needs to be handled.
Conspiracies can snowball.
There's no conspiracy
except the one we thwarted.
I'm just saying if that gets traction,
you're gonna be spending
way too much time
talking the people off the ledge.
Well, we'll cross that
ledge when we get to it.
Uh, Madam Secretary... I just
got word that Senator Caruthers
is on his way to your office.
I told him you weren't available.
He doesn't seem to care.
This is not the ledge.
This is a thing before
you get to the ledge,
which is still a long
way from the ground.
I'm officially retiring this metaphor.
Thanks, Blake.
Secretary of State saw this.
Secretary of Defense saw this.
National Security Advisor,
White House Chief of Staff
- and the President saw this.
- I'm so sorry, sir.
I don't know how that happened.
Because I showed it to them.
Why?
I thought you made some valid points.
What did they think?
They remain unpersuaded.
- (sighs)
- I want you to rewrite the report,
putting the focus on increased
human Intel on the ground
and other strategies to replace
enhanced interrogation.
- Okay. - Show them they can
win this war without it.
- (sighing): Okay.
- I'm gonna
use that to explain why
I'm appointing you
station chief in Baghdad.
What?!
I have to replace Mike Hirst.
He's ineffective and controversial...
worst possible combination.
I have to show the White House
that we have a clear directive.
Who better to enforce that
directive than the person who
- authored it?
- I'm not an operative, sir.
Neither is the station chief.
It's an administrative position.
You are the only person I trust
to keep the operation in Iraq
effective and legitimate.
Together we can win this.
And hold our heads high.
I know you won't let me down.
- Madam Secretary.
- Madam Secretary, Senator Caruthers.
Welcome. Can, uh, Blake get you...
Oh. Well...
Blake doesn't seem interested
in getting you anything.
Madam Secretary, I'm sure
you're aware of the confusion
and unease that's been
swirling in the wake
of Director Munsey's acts of treason.
Senator, it's just the two
of us... no cameras in here...
so, short and sweet'll do it.
Fine.
Here's the subpoena.
Subpoena for what?
To appear before a senate
investigation committee looking
into this administration's
involvement in the attempt to overthrow
the government in Iran.
Hm.
Well, you don't often see
a senator hand-delivering
a subpoena. Nice personal touch.
You can be as dismissive as you like now...
Can I take a wild stab at
who's chairing this committee?
...but you will stand
before that committee
- and you will tell the truth.
- Not a problem.
Do it all the time. But senator...
may I ask? You ever get a queasy
3:00 a.m. feeling about wasting
the taxpayers' money on this
kind of public display,
which is really about
promoting your own
political ambitions? Ever?
I'll see you soon, Madam Secretary.
And I'll be the one
asking the questions.
Can I get you anything?
(chuckles) So many ways to go with that.
What do you think he thinks he has?
I have no idea. (wry laugh)
(chuckles)
(door opens, dog barks)
Mike B without an appointment
or heads-up of any...
- kind.
- A subpoena?
Really? I have to find this out
on the elliptical machine at my gym?
I don't get that machine.
I always feel like I'm
falling through space.
Okay, this is serious.
Seriously disruptive.
They can't have anything.
- Would you tell your daddy to calm down?
- Even he knows
if they have a subpoena,
they have something.
They don't give those
away free with purchase.
President went on national
television and came
clean with the world... full transparency.
There's nothing left to know.
Oh, thank God. 'Cause I'm sure
they're actually after the truth.
I'm sure they wouldn't find some
nugget of discrepancy and
firestorm it into grounds
for impeachment. That never happens.
Do you know that Raymond
Caruthers was president
- of the Princeton Debating Society?
- No, tell me more.
- It's on his Facebook page.
- And do you understand
that great debaters win
not because they have
the best argument but because
they are the best arguer?
- He's a dangerous man.
- It's theater.
The administration has a black eye,
he just wants to rub
some salt in the wound.
See? You're mixing metaphors.
He's not gonna do that.
Well, I have been thinking
about it, you know.
In fact, I've been making a list.
And I did slip my detail
in order to interrogate
the fueler who sabotaged Marsh's plane.
And I did jimmy up a
state visit to Venezuela
in order to uncover
a secret bank account.
I did plenty
of unconventional things,
but none of it was illegal.
- You need a lawyer.
- I don't want a lawyer.
It makes me look like I need a lawyer.
At the very least, give me
permission to transgress
some boundaries to find
out what they know.
- Haven't you done that already?
- Of course I have. My feelers are out.
- Then we're up to speed.
- All right. Think about the lawyer.
Gordon, let's go.
BLAKE: Madam Secretary,
Daisy actually called ahead
and asked to see you at this time.
DAISY: Ma'am, a small
but significant matter has come up.
We've received a portrait
of James Madison
to replace the portrait of Vincent Marsh.
Given the revelations about
the late secretary and his connection
to the coup in Iran, and given that
the press comes through
here all the time...
I know, I know... the optics aren't good.
I have my hands full with
the senate investigation,
but with your permission, I'd
like to delegate this to Blake.
I mean, it's mostly making phone calls
to the archives and museums
till we find a good fit.
- Are you good with this?
- Uh, yes, uh, anything to help, ma'am.
So you will make this portrait disappear
and I don't have to think about it?
Yes, ma'am. And then I'd like to perform
a similar magic on Mike B.
I apologize if that was inappropriate.
Thank you both.
Who's winning?
It's too close to call.
I hate to sound like the
tech-spoiled millennial,
but couldn't we get a copier from
this century that actually works?
According to our budget, no.
We're one step up
from scrolling monks.
It's kind of ironic that we send money
to people in developing nations
- and yet... - This is the tip of
the irony iceberg around here.
The glamorous world of public service.
Kind of sexy... a guy
in stained work clothes.
- Very DH Lawrence.
- Okay,
don't flirt with me.
I'm not.
You are.
It's cruel to flirt with
someone you just dumped.
I did not dump you. I...
made the responsible choice
and chose not to continue
the relationship.
Okay.
Well, it's cruel to flirt
with someone after that.
Look, I'm just asking, just,
could you hide behind a
mask of professionalism?
Like I'm doing.
It's all yours.
HENRY: Okay, listen, guys,
this Senate investigation
is gonna be a big deal.
Now, there's nothing there,
so we have nothing to worry about.
But it's gonna be noisy, and
it's gonna be in your face,
and it could go on for quite a while.
Bigger than the Microloans thing?
- Well, afraid so, Noodle.
- JASON: Okay.
Is there some sort of silver
lining we're not seeing here?
Conflict builds character?
ALISON: It's not funny, Mom.
Look, the president and I came
out on top after the coup.
There's a small but
loud faction of people
who want to tear us down.
That's all it is.
We'll get through it.
Okay, since this is a family
meeting, don't we get to take
- a vote?
- Uh...
Okay, who's officially over Mom's job?
- Guys.
- I am.
Cut it out.
- What?
- We got a vote on her taking the job.
- Yeah, we all made a commitment.
- ALISON: That was before we knew
how much it would suck. Now we know.
We made a commitment as a family.
(overlapping argument)
- (whistles)
- ELIZABETH: Guys...
quitting the job is not on the table.
We just wanted to give you a
heads-up on how much it's going
to suck, and to reassure
you that it's gonna be okay.
I have nothing to hide.
Questions?
Yeah. When can you quit the job?
Are you kidding?
Come on, solidarity, guys.
What happened to "Go team McCord"?
(ding)
Do we really need to care
what our teenagers think about my job?
(Henry laughs)
Well, I was the son of a union leader.
I got rocks thrown at me
because of my dad's job.
You know what? This week, they hate us.
Next week, if we could get box seats
to a Nationals game,
they'd be over the moon.
We never go full bore on the perks.
We should absolutely get
box seats to the Nationals.
Well, I-I've been saying since day one.
How nice was it to hear Stevie
be supportive of her mother?
Whom she no longer hates, apparently.
As predicted by someone on Team McCord.
Okay, reel it in, Captain.
You were right.
She also seems to like you
okay, so, we both win.
- Now the other two are mad at us.
- It doesn't matter.
Those two we can still
threaten with military school.
(laughs) - I love you and your
sensible parenting style.
HENRY: Station Chief?
Babe, that's an enormous job.
ELIZABETH: Yeah.
I know.
Living in Baghdad?
Wow. For how long?
Well, I mean,
I'd probably have to put in
at least a year to be effective.
A year away from us?
Conrad is putting a lot of
responsibility on my shoulders.
I would be running the
interrogation operations.
Making sure they're done effectively
without crossing any lines,
which will keep us far and
away from the slippery slope.
Yeah, I understand the job.
I... Why does it have to be you?
Because I wrote the proposal
asking the White House
to reconsider their policy.
Yeah, you're also the person
who insisted on having
a desk job at Langley
so you could be with your family.
Yeah, well, then the world changed.
Four years.
9/11 was just a bad day,
and already, we're starting to forget?
I served in combat in Iraq.
I'm not forgetting anything.
And, yeah,
people are recovering.
There's nothing wrong with that.
Let tell you something, Henry.
There are a lot of people
doing what I do, so
that they can recover.
They have the luxury of forgetting
- because we refuse to.
- No one is forgetting.
- That's not what it feels like.
- I am talking about...
- Shh!
- ...our marriage and our children.
And I am talking about a higher
purpose which serves them.
You went off to war
when we were newlyweds.
You married a Marine.
- You married a spy.
- With a desk job.
- I'll have a desk in Baghdad.
- Don't do that. Don't...
No, I'm saying, it's not like
I'm going into the field.
I will go to great lengths
to explain that to Stevie and Alison.
Jason won't even remember
you if you go...
We have to stop.
(sighs)
Uh, excuse me.
A moment to discuss the
Vincent Marsh of it all?
Sure.
- All right.
- Thank you.
Okay, this is a very hard
thing for me to say.
I've hit a wall.
Can we hang the portrait on it?
A wall that has obliterated
my sense of humor.
What-What's the status?
I've tried everything.
- DAISY: National Portrait Gallery?
- MATT: The Library of Congress?
- The Frick?
- MATT: How about the State House
in Illinois? He served there once.
In the General Assembly.
"I've tried everything,"
is not a sentence I use lightly.
Lest you intend to keep
saying names of museums.
Isn't there a Benedict Arnold
Hall of Traitors somewhere?
(laughing): If there's not, why not?
See me not laughing?
Okay, maybe it's time to go to Nadine.
Every time I look at my
watch, it's not that time.
She makes fun of him in staff meetings.
I mean, I don't think she's
that sensitive about it anymore.
Well, I would prefer not to
find out in exactly this way.
Or perhaps you would like to ask her?
You?
Uh, just keep digging.
You'll find something.
- Yeah.
- MIKE: So, what do you think it means
that Russell Jackson is
coming to your office?
I think it means it's a weekday
during business hours.
He said it was about
the Senate investigation.
Where's Gordon?
He's with my ex-wife.
We share custody.
It's actually a painful subject.
I'm sorry.
I didn't know you felt pain.
Ma'am, Mr. Jackson is
uncharacteristically here
at an appointed time.
Oh, thank you, Blake.
Russell, you know Mike B?
Only by reputation.
I'll try not to gush. I'm a
big admirer of your work.
Oh, I keep track of you, as well.
That Canuck letter you
laid on Senator Demunzio?
- That was inspired.
- That means a lot coming from you.
And I never get credit for that.
Well, Demunzio never ran
for another term after that.
It's the little victories
that keep you going.
That was not so little.
You're right. I'm being
falsely modest, yeah.
You guys need some time alone, or...?
I'm good.
Down to business.
First an update on Juliet.
She's refusing to
cooperate with the FBI,
so, DOJ is definitely
seeking the death penalty,
- and they're gonna fast-track it.
- Yes.
Regarding your situation,
good news.
White House Counsel has
made a legal determination,
and they're going to
invoke executive privilege
in response to the subpoena, so,
you're off the hook... for now.
Fantastic.
This is the part where you
say, "Thank you, Russell,
for your topnotch voodoo."
Of course I mean prowess.
I hate the way this looks.
It looks like Christmas morning.
It looks like I'm hiding
behind some vague assertion
of executive power
because I have something to fear
- from the truth.
- She has a quirk about principles.
Oh, we appreciate that about her.
As do I, but moderation in all things.
I understand how hard
you must have worked to
make this happen, Russell,
but I can't fall in line.
I can't take the easy way out.
I don't need to invoke
anything but the truth.
Facing the music is the right call,
and the administration
will be stronger for it.
(sighs)
Mr. President?
I'm here with Elizabeth.
She's declining executive privilege.
Sure. Hang on.
Hello, Mr. President.
Elizabeth, I am strongly advising you
to take executive privilege.
- (continues indistinctly)
- Yes, sir. I... Yes, sir.
DALTON: Do we understand each other?
- Yes, sir.
- DALTON: Good.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Good-bye.
So, it looks like I'm gonna
take that executive privilege.
I love it when it all works out.
(sighs)
- (microwave beeps twice) - ELIZABETH: Oh,
there's going to be a huge backlash, but...
the mathematicians tell me it is going
to be a shorter backlash
than actually appearing
before the committee.
So, that's good horse trade, right?
Who are you trying to convince, Mom?
You guys, obviously.
ALISON: Okay, yeah, but,
being complained about
by pundits is marginally better
- than being giffed a hundred times a day.
- See?
Just like that, we're
in the plus column.
Feel free to jump in here any
time you want and cheerlead.
It's so obviously all good.
Okay, I look like this.
- Oh!
- Wow.
Everyone, just get it
out of your system now.
I am... I am speechless.
I'm the plus one for a formal
event at the White House.
With Harrison Dalton.
It's his first formal appearance
post rehab stint hitting the news.
Some kind of dinner
for governors. Anyway,
he needs a date, and I
make a better picture
than his grizzled, welder-biker sponsor.
So, you're flying fully into
the storm of Starrison?
Diversion tactic.
Better the journalists speculate
about us than his sobriety.
They can pick at it all day.
We are still just friends.
Hmm. Truth as an offensive.
Wherever did you learn that?
But seriously, you'd
give us little heads-up
if it were something, right?
Believe me.
If wanted to be with someone
who was gonna complicate
your life, I'd be with Arthur.
(doorbell rings)
Sorry, ma'am. His credentials check out.
I have a subpoena to appear
before the Senate
Investigation Committee.
- No, no, that's been settled.
- For Dr. Henry McCord.
You've been served.
I have to give you a legal disclaimer.
- I am not your lawyer.
- Noted.
And in my capacity
as not-your-lawyer,
I cannot be privy to any information
which might incriminate you or your wife
without implicating myself.
I'm here as
non-legally-binding sage counsel.
- Mike, got it.
- Okay.
I called around the agencies,
cashed in a few chits.
Someone connected a few dots,
and then, tipped the senator
that during Elizabeth's inquiry
into Marsh's death,
she shared classified
information with you.
If this is proven to be true,
Elizabeth
may be in violation
of the Espionage Act,
among other federal statutes
involving the improper handling
of classified material.
Espionage. That's ridiculous.
What information?
Something about a plane crash in Dubai.
I know you're not about
to say something.
Look, I've been called to testify
before a Senate Investigation Committee.
It's not a court of law.
True. It's a kangaroo court.
Caruthers just...
Good night.
Good night, Noodle.
- Night. Bye.
- Mm-hmm.
I'll take you to school
in the morning, okay?
Okay, sounds good.
Love you.
All Caruthers wants is
to bring down your wife.
With her safely shrouded
behind executive privilege, he's
going after the next best thing.
A leaker case is very hard to prove.
Won't matter.
The damage will be done.
If people think that I shared secrets,
I'll lose the trust of the nation
and the international community.
Which makes it hard to be
America's next top diplomat.
Thank you for your
non-legally-binding counsel,
but... I've got to go with the truth.
We were operating under
extreme circumstances...
Stop making sounds with
consonants and vowels.
I don't know how else to say it.
First move is take the Fifth.
- Absolutely not.
- I-I know. I know.
It reeks of guilt...
which is a bean scratcher,
given it's meant to protect
you from self-incrimination.
I'll work
on finding you a lawyer.
In the meantime,
get some sleep.
Thanks, Mike.
Listen...
we didn't do anything wrong.
That doesn't matter.
(door opens)
I thought the investigation
into the Dubai crash
had been declassified
once the White House
ruled it an accident.
Turns out not to be the case.
They're on solid footing.
George said that someone in the
CIA was behind Marsh's murder,
and you suspected the president himself.
Well, you can't say that.
I can't say any of it.
I know what I have to do.
What do you mean?
There's only one thing to do.
- I'm not gonna let you take the fall.
- You can't lie.
It's not lying.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
will back me up on that.
You're basing your defense
on one of the guys who
tried to kill Hitler?
Technically, he was
convicted of draft evasion.
Was he technically hanged, too?
He taught that there are
some truths more fundamental
than a... an immediate lie.
Henry, you can't perjure yourself.
Are you really... Are you serious?
Taking the Fifth only covers me.
They can still get me
to incriminate you.
He just wants to take you down,
by any means necessary.
This whole thing just... lacks integrity.
I feel no ethical obligation
to play by their rules.
You could go to prison.
No one's going to prison.
STEVIE: Okay. Here's my takeaway.
Governor's Association Dinner
equals old people prom.
Oh, my God. That is totally right.
Right down to the, uh,
chaperone checking my breath
for booze every five seconds.
Yeah, except this time
they didn't smell any.
And thus I am able to
remember this night
- in its entirety.
- (chuckles) Come on.
It was nice.
It was nice getting to be with you.
Yeah. It was fun to hang out.
What?
Why are you looking at me all...
weird and s-smoldery?
Um, I'm about to kiss you.
No, you're not. Don't.
No, I'm not.
I'm so not.
Why not?
Come on.
We're friends.
Wow.
This really is like prom.
I think we had this exact conversation.
- (chuckles)
- At our last prom.
- We... (laughs)
- (laughs)
We totally did. Um...
I-I'm, for one...
I'm glad that we got to
relive the awkwardness.
- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah.
This was so awesome.
(chuckles)
Good night, Blake.
I see you there.
I, uh... I-I hate to ask...
Apparently.
(sighs)
It's about Secretary Marsh's portrait.
It's being removed to make room
for James Madison's, but, uh,
no one seems to...
- Want it?
- They don't.
And we can't just...
- Throw it away.
- Yeah.
Use your words, Blake.
No. We can't throw it away
because that's in violation of the 1912
- War Department ruling.
- I don't know which is more ironic,
that or the fact that we can't give away
- such a vain man's picture.
- Ms. Tolliver,
I truly didn't want to
dump this in your lap.
Don't worry about it.
I'll think of something.
Thank you.
(grunts with effort)
Come on. Come to bed.
- Hi.
- Hey.
- I can't let you do this. I can't.
- It's gonna be okay. I...
It's my decision.
It'll change you.
It'll change us.
(sighs)
We've been through worse.
Okay.
CORRESPONDENT: Offensive sweeps
continued in northwestern Iraq today,
as United States Marines
attempt to cut off the flow
of foreign fighters
crossing the Syrian border.
The advance began with a
series of predawn air strikes
and continued with...
- I'm listening to that.
- You want some help?
- I don't want to fight about this.
- Well, great.
We'll just skip right
to resentful silence.
If you feel you have to
go to Baghdad, then go,
but I can't pretend it's
not going to affect me.
It's definitely gonna affect the kids.
The one thing it's not going
to do is take back 9/11.
(sighs) This isn't about atonement.
Then what is it about?
The world has fallen apart.
Do you know how many of our
troops were killed today? 37.
We just broke 1,400 in a
war that was supposed
to be over two years ago.
And that's not even counting the civilians.
It's like some monster
has been unleashed.
- I don't even recognize what our
government is doing anymore. - I know.
- How can I just sit by?
- The world has collapsed.
But that doesn't mean ours
has to, to make up for it.
When everything seems to
be lacking in integrity,
you know what you do?
You find it in yourself.
You change the world
right from where you're standing.
Conrad is depending on me.
It's-it's either take the position or quit.
I can't go backwards.
It's a year. I'll be back.
If you...
go to Baghdad, I...
I don't know what it's gonna
look like when you come back.
(ringtone plays)
(phone buzzing)
Sorry to wake you up.
Oh. You have to be kidding. (chuckles)
We can keep this brief.
Tell me there's no way you
shared classified information
with Henry.
We have to stay ahead of this.
You know that.
Cut to the chase, Russell.
We have a second term to win.
I'll have to keep the president
at a safe distance.
Are-are we talking...
resignation or...
(sighs)
We can get around contempt
of Congress but not this.
Not violating the Espionage Act.
- I just...
- (Henry and Alison speaking indistinctly)
I just wanted to give you a
heads-up, but I-I don't know
what Henry's gonna say before
the committee tomorrow.
I don't know... I don't know
how this is gonna go.
But if it goes badly...
You and the president won't protect me.
Sorry. I'm sorry.
Thank you. And, finally,
these are the appointments
for our CVE Summit at the White House.
What time does Dr. McCord testify?
2:00.
Walk with me, Blake.
Yes, ma'am.
Where are we going?
We're taking a lap.
How many steps we got so far?
Uh, 156.
Let's pick up the pace.
I didn't realize you
were Fitbitting, ma'am.
I could work that into your schedule.
No. I don't want to make it a thing.
- Just working off the donut
I had this morning. - Ma'am.
Well, maybe two. Okay, two.
No. No way.
- Uh, I'm sorry. I-I meant for
this to happen sooner. - No way.
I ran into some roadblocks...
This isn't right. Have
my motorcade brought up.
I'm going out.
Yes, ma'am.
CARUTHERS: The purpose of this hearing
is to seek the truth
on behalf of the American
people, so it stands
to reason that we should receive
access to all decisions,
all relevant documents,
and all witnesses.
One moment. Mr. Chairman.
What's going on?
No idea.
Whew.
- (indistinct chatter)
- CARUTHERS: Oh, Secretary McCord.
We didn't expect you.
Yet here I am.
Ready to testify.
What are you doing?
You know what you do
when there's no integrity
in a situation, Henry?
You find it in yourself.
You change the world
right where we're standing.
Senator, I'm waiving
executive privilege,
and I'm prepared to take the oath.
(gallery murmuring)
If Vincent Marsh was murdered,
it was probably an inside job.
I could only work with someone I trusted,
and that meant my husband,
a man I have ruthlessly
vetted for over 25 years.
Man...
I have never heard such
an eloquent defense
for violating the Espionage Act.
Do you think she could go to prison?
Listen,
half the guys I knew on Wall Street
should be there, but aren't.
If they try to take
your mother for this...
hell, I'll be the first one
to man the barricades.
...in Iran, which, in turn,
uncovered treason...
So that's a maybe.
...at the highest levels
of American government.
Yeah.
I guess it is.
Forces have been
unleashed to destabilize
the security of our country.
I put myself in harm's way
to ensure the safety of our country.
I... (wry chuckle)
I would do it again, sir.
So, Mr. Chairman, I'd say
the only reason that we're
here today, luxuriating
in the smug banality of a
Senate hearing instead
of ducking for cover in all-out war,
is because I had the decency
to violate Section 793
of Title 18.
Whew.
Thank you.
No, let me rephrase that.
You're welcome.
(energetic chatter,
cameras clicking rapidly)
Secretary McCord,
you are not dismissed.
HENRY: "The truth is like a lion.
"You don't need to defend it.
Let it loose, and it'll defend itself."
See? I listen to you.
- Mmm, Augustine.
- And Augustine.
And Aquinas. And the Beatles.
And all the other guys you live by.
Well, go big or go home, I guess.
It was the right thing to do.
Totally. But if I can
escort us back to Earth,
I just got confirmation that the
committee is officially seeking
to file charges against you for
violating the Espionage Act.
ANCHORMAN: In the wake of the Secretary
of State's fiery appearance,
Senator Caruthers has referred
the secretary's testimony
to the Justice Department,
which will be filing criminal charges...
Wait, what are you doing?
Ugh, that stuff is just
gonna stress us out.
Come on.
Who wants to settle Catan with me?
Hey, guys.
How's everybody doing?
So...
so is Mom getting arrested?
I just talked to her. She had
a few things to finish at work.
She'll be back any minute.
You didn't answer the question.
Okay, listen.
Your mom spoke truth to power today,
and that is a brave and rare thing.
No matter what happens,
we're all gonna be okay.
- (phone buzzes)
- So I want you
to remember this day
with great pride. You got it?
These guys were champs, by the way.
You, too, kid.
- What is that?
- ALISON: Corn.
- HENRY: Corn? I want it. No, no.
I want... Give it. - ALISON: No.
NADINE: Thank you so
much for doing this.
I would've reached out
to the family myself,
but it was awkward.
I mean, with us not being
able to find a home for it.
This is what lawyers do.
We're lubricants
for complicated social intercourse.
That's... appetizingly put.
You know, I represented
Vincent for 30 years.
I knew him since college.
He was like a brother.
And here...
he has this whole
traitorous thing going on.
I thought he was a true patriot.
Well, I guess
- in his eyes, he was.
- You know,
I come to bury Caesar,
not to praise him, but, uh...
you shouldn't beat yourself up.
He was a very charismatic enigma.
- (elevator bell dings)
- I don't understand.
He told me everything.
Well, not everything
but, uh, you know...
I honestly always thought
you could do better.
Now you got something
going with the NASA guy.
Good. Good for you. You deserve it.
Come on. It's Washington.
Hey.
Hey.
(chuckles)
I got to say, I was
surprised to get your text.
Well...
...surprise.
Uh...
Do you have something
you want to talk about
or are you just...
wanting to do this?
Yeah. Um...
I had to end my relationship
because of my mom's job,
and now she's probably
gonna go to prison, anyway.
I don't know how I'm supposed
to live a normal life. It's...
it's just... (sighs)
You're the only one
who gets it, you know?
I'm really sick of worrying
about where everything is going,
and tonight I just don't want to.
Well, hey...
then... don't worry about it.
(moaning)
(passionate moaning, breathing)
Thanks for coming, Bess.
A lot to talk about.
I didn't want to get
into it on the phone.
I'm just hoping you're not
escorting me to my new quarters.
Are you?
Just got word DOJ is not
pressing charges against you.
(sighing with relief): Oh, thank God!
Willing to go to prison and
being sanguine about it
are two entirely different camps.
They're citing
extraordinary circumstances
and the contribution
to national security.
It doesn't hurt
that your testimony strongly
swayed public opinion.
Russell took a snap poll.
82% think you were
justified in your actions.
If I were Raymond Caruthers,
I would be running for the hills.
JULIET (over speaker):
Marsh was confronted
by Russell Jackson about his intentions
to run for president himself.
At that time, Marsh lost his
nerve about the coup in Iran...
She agreed to the deal this morning.
Anything we want to know
in exchange for her life.
...he wanted the coup attempt
to end, but Andrew and I...
Late CIA Director Andrew Munsey.
Yes.
We weren't about to pull the plug
on an operation we'd planned for so long
It was decided that
Marsh was now a threat
to the operation, which
had to be eliminated...
She's using a passive voice.
Distancing herself from it.
JULIET: Yes.
HENDRICKS: Using information
you acquired...
He's a "threat."
Not a person.
Her time in Baghdad changed her.
It might have changed me.
No.
You're made from different stuff.
JULIET: We studied the crash in Dubai...
and figured out how to
facilitate a similar incident.
Obviously, we were successful.
George Peters.
Tell us about the death
of CIA Operative George Peters.
George...
When Marshall's plane
went down, George...
he recognized the similarities.
He connected the dots.
We became aware that he confided
his suspicions in our...
former colleague turned
Secretary of State,
Elizabeth McCord.
Back to her.
DALTON: You okay?
So I tampered with
the microchip controlling
the acceleration system of his car.
It just looked like a
single-car collision.
He was becoming unstable.
We didn't think anyone would question it.
Remind her they were friends.
Wasn't George Peters
a good friend of yours?
JULIET: I guess there was a time
when we were all friends.
(indistinct chatter)
(woman laughing)
DALTON: A horse farm? Really?
Uh, it's how I was raised.
- I'm recreating my childhood.
- Henry's not from Virginia, is he?
No, he's from rural Pennsylvania.
It's the same difference.
He's outdoorsy.
He's got that whole chopping
and digging thing...
- "Chopping and digging."
- But the horses are all me.
Well, it sounds stultifying.
And you have an open
invitation anytime you want.
You don't even have to call.
- All you guys.
- Okay.
- We'll keep that in mind.
- Well...
- Here's to Elizabeth's new life.
- Mm.
And to our new Baghdad Station Chief.
- (chuckles)
- ELIZABETH: Yes!
Happy trails all around.
- Happy trails!
- Thank you.
I'm completely unfazed by
being the second choice.
Just amazed I was a choice at all.
MUNSEY: Are you kidding?
I've been on the receiving end
of your friendly interrogations.
There will be no need for enhancement.
- Thank you for your faith in my iciness.
- It's true.
You have that whole stern
mother thing down pat.
In fact, you're gonna be way
ahead of the game
when you have kids.
Which, by the way,
you should really do.
Top of the list when I
get back from Baghdad.
Conrad, I am gonna be shorthanded.
I hope you have some
rabbits in your hat.
I'm bringing Isabelle back from London.
And, uh, then I have some ideas.
- Mostly about overworking the two of you.
- Hey, pile it on.
My wife will be thrilled
to have me home even less.
- And I am not kidding.
- Oh, stop.
- I'm not kidding!
- He's not!
- There he is!
- (all clamoring)
Sorry I'm late. The beltway.
(laughter, chatter)
Baghdad's got nothing to compare.
Hey, I love his cool perspective.
Never a hyperbole in sight.
I don't think anyone here
values me for my low volume.
So, where is my drink
and who is my new boss?
- Ta-da!
- Whoa! - (whoops)
Elizabeth is running
away to a horse farm!
Really? What, I don't check my e-mail
for an hour and this is what happens?
Gee, thanks for your vote of confidence.
I'm just surprised.
It's gonna be great.
- No, I mean, I love all my girls.
- (laughter)
I do, really!
But sitting at a desk and-and...
trying to decide which font to use.
I'm surprised the
dropout rate isn't higher.
All that saving your ass
when you don't listen to us
and go rogue.
That happened once, young lady!
Oh, come on!
- I-I got six cities!
- I-I got three.
- Peshawar, Kandahar...
- (dinging on glass)
One more time.
(shushes)
To the inner sanctum.
Colleagues,
friends,
noble warriors.
(all agreeing) Hear, hear!