Madam Secretary (2014–…): Season 2, Episode 23 - Vartius - full transcript
How great is this?
Fresh air and the endorphins.
Ooh, and the cute
little babies and dogs.
This puts everything in perspective.
I ought to do this every day.
I swear, I don't know why I don't.
I need to stop.
We just started.
Gordon hates running.
Then why did Gordon
say "yes" to running?
Because he's insanely competitive?
What are you looking at?
And yet, here you are,
wallowing in defeat.
This is a hard thing for me to watch.
You'll get over it.
And I sense you need to
talk to me about something
that requires a working brain,
so I'd rather not risk a stroke.
Well, at least walk
with me, you big baby.
Strangely turned on by you abusing me.
This is sensitive.
Something I haven't read my staff in on.
Okay.
I'm starting to normalize, go.
Last time I saw Foreign
Minister Avdonin,
he proposed a trade with me.
Do I need context?
No.
Peter Buckley for an American asset
with a great deal of personal
significance to Henry and me.
Previously, they told us he was dead.
Now they're saying he's not,
and we could get him back.
Now, I know the politics of
a trade can be complicated,
so I'm asking if you
could imagine a scenario
where Dalton might agree to that deal.
No. Breakfast?
Come on.
You're really gonna make
me step this out for you?
First, to clarify, Peter Buckley,
the most notorious
American spy in history.
- Responsible for the deaths
- I know that.
of six CIA agents,
Two of whom, Dalton,
former Director of the
CIA, knew personally.
That Peter Buckley? I'm sorry,
I actually do need context
as to why you would ask
me anything so stupid.
Because it is incredibly important,
and there's a clock on it.
You really made me step that out?
Okay. Even if Dalton would consider it,
Russell Jackson would throw
his body in front of that train.
Making a trade like that
with the Russians, in an election year?
Even if you had monkey
pictures on both of them,
- and got them to agree,
- What are monkey pictures?
I highly doubt your prisoner
exchange is even legitimate.
If you think your asset is
dead, he's probably dead.
But by even
considering a trade for Buckley,
you've revealed your
attachment to your asset.
Now, Avdonin's using
that to his advantage,
claiming this dead person is alive
without having to provide any proof.
So brilliant negotiating strategy there.
I he... I hear you,
when you say you think
this is a terrible idea.
But I haven't had a moment's peace
since I realized this was possible.
I have to try.
Can't... can't you just do your thing...
to find out exactly how
suicidal this mission is?
I guess I could talk to some
of my data-wonk pollster friends,
and see what the favorability stats
would be on a Buckley trade.
And it has been almost 20 years
and people are idiots.
Long-term memory is at an all-time low,
so we've got that going for us.
Well, see?
Things are looking up already.
Hey, babe.
Hey.
Hey, Mom. How was your run?
It was great. I feel so clean
and healthy and... Waffles!?
Yeah, Dad fixed the waffle iron.
Yes!
It just needed a new switch.
And he built a firepit in the backyard.
- I dug a hole and put some
bricks around it. - What?
Course, the Secret Service
won't let us use it.
Aw...
And now he's talking mini-golf.
Ho! So this is Henry
McCord on sabbatical, huh?
I'm enjoying the time.
It doesn't happen that often.
And come on, we love mini-golf.
It was a Friday night thing for like...
A summer.
Two summers, at least.
You sure have been jazzed
about all these
life-affirming activities
since your weekend with a think tank
- in San Diego.
- I've got the time off.
I think I should take advantage of it.
So, come on,
who's in? Mini-golf tonight.
Um, I can't.
I have to see Jareth tonight.
'Cause he just accepted a...
two-year fellowship in Oxford,
so we have to talk about
how we're going to do the...
long-distance thing.
Gosh,
honey, that... that's
rough, but you know what?
Your dad and I did it.
A lot of people do it.
Yeah.
You'll-you'll figure it out.
- Hey, uh, you know what would really
clear your minds, - STEVIE: Dad.
- Give you some perspective... Mini-golf.
- Don't... Dad.
I'm serious. Just ask Jareth.
He's British. He's got to like golf.
Mini-golf.
Hey, help me out.
Alison, Jason.
- All right. Fine. I'm in.
- Yeah, me, too.
I'll ask him.
Joe and Mimma's after
- for gooey calzones, yeah?
- They bought.
Stop selling.
Well, they'll get into
it once we're there.
I'm sure.
So aside from fixing the waffle iron,
and building a firepit,
and obsessing about mini-golf,
everything okay post Islamabad?
It's fine.
'Cause, you know, we
could always go back
and see Dr. Sherman.
Honestly, I just want to immerse myself
in mindless activities for a while.
Okay.
Not counting on me
for mini-golf, are you?
Uh, after the last time, I don't
think you're allowed back there,
- 'cause you threw...
- I did not throw that club.
All... all right.
I...I...
- ...was gesturing.
- Yeah, tell that
- and it slipped. My hands were wet.
- to the lady who's...
- We'll miss you.
- I think it was raining.
Our intel is that
all remnants of Hizb Al-Shahid
have gone underground.
Even the remaining stolen uranium
has been found and
seized by American forces.
Yeah, their press releases
are all full of optimism,
and national pride.
Global response has been positive,
with just a handful
of the usual suspects
grumbling about U.S. aggression.
From a polling data and optics
perspective, we're on course.
Okay. Good. Um,
No Matt, today?
Commencement season. He's holed up.
Apparently, he's agreed to
write six speeches this year.
Yeah, including mine.
Oh, who are the lucky graduates?
UMASS Pittsfield.
They have quite a respected
foreign policy program.
And they asked first.
The Secretary's a big
fan of "asked first."
Was that Dr. McCord's strategy, ma'am?
Possibly.
I have an appointment.
It's personal. Spontaneous.
Whimsical, even.
It's fine. I'm reachable.
I know what that is.
Madam Secretary.
Yeah.
Oh, you're leaving?
I'll be back.
I was working on your
commencement speech,
and I was hoping you could give me
some personal anecdote
that-that proffers
some nugget of wisdom
that we could give the kids.
Uh, saving the Pacific Rim
Trade Agreement, for example.
Détente with Russia.
Dropping the embargo with Cuba.
I mean, there's a lot of good options.
Yeah, I-I-I don't know if any of that
really jibes with my overall message.
You have an overall message?
I don't know. Do I?
I'm just data-gathering,
but I'm open to your ideas.
I... let me... let me mull it over.
See if I can come up with a message,
or even a theme.
Ooh, a theme would be awesome.
Oh, what about the chrysalis thing?
A caterpillar into the butterfly...?
Are you messing with me?
Anton, thank you for agreeing
to meet on short notice.
The last time we did
this, it worked out.
It did. Those boys
made it safely home
from Syria. Thank you.
You're still a cultural attaché, huh?
Yes.
The work itself is quite dull,
but the quality of life
makes it all worthwhile.
Katarina got into Harvard, early action.
Congratulations.
I need information
on a Russian army
captain, Dmitri Petrov.
Officially, he died from a fever
he contracted while stationed in Ukraine
during the conflict.
Yes.
Officially, that is how
every Russian soldier
who died at the front met his fate.
Our young men are impervious to bullets,
but, sadly, suffer from weak lungs.
I have reason to
believe he's still alive,
but I need hard evidence.
Incontrovertible.
And why do you care so much
about this particular
Russian army captain?
I know you do realize that I'm friends
with the dean of admission at Harvard.
I'm sure Katarina got
in on her own merits,
but you did list me as a reference,
and I had some free
time, and I made a call.
I will do my best, Madam Secretary.
Thank you.
Have anything like
this in the UK, Jareth?
No, sir.
Golf's quite a serious
pursuit over there.
It's fine to think it's goofy.
Part of its charm.
Your turn, dingus. Go.
Um, I'll pass on this one.
I know those guys from school.
But what about your score?
What was...?
It's already the size
of the national debt.
Let her go.
Hello, hole-in-one.
Oh, sorry.
You know what? This is ridiculous.
The clowns and the windmills
and the jumping dolphins
are supposed to convey an atmosphere
of family fun, while the game itself
is just designed to infuriate you.
Okay, look, just take a
deep breath. It's okay.
It's all right.
I'm getting a snow cone.
I counsel we skip this one.
Just give ourselves twos and move on.
Sorry, this isn't exactly the
kind of outing I'd planned.
No, it's fine. I'm having a lovely time.
Um, wh-while... while
I've got you a moment,
- there's something I wanted to ask you.
- Sure.
Um, I know Stevie's already told you
that I accepted a fellowship at Oxford.
Yes. Oh, wow, I-I know
you're going to work
- the relationship part out.
- Yeah.
Elizabeth and I did it
when I was in the Marines,
and that was before Skype
and JetBlue and all that.
Yeah. Oh, oh, see, uh,
uh, about that, um...
see, the thing is, Dr. McCord, um...
The thing is, I'm hopelessly
in love with your daughter.
And I don't... I don't want to imagine
my life without her. I...
I don't want to go off to
Oxford without this settled,
um, and so, I suppose,
I'm rather awkwardly, uh,
asking your blessing to propose to her.
Propose...
Marriage?
That's what I said.
I mean, don't these kids
have other steps, first?
The way we did.
I know.
Like... living together.
Breaking up,
and living together.
We didn't break up.
I-I just needed a
little time to freak out.
It was the worst
- five days of my life.
- Three.
Followed by the greatest proposal ever.
Yes, the discount skywriter.
"Mar Me Elibet."
Hey, it worked.
It did. But wait...
So what did you say?
I said yes.
Without talking to me?
Wow!
Did you guys just
full-on Edith Wharton this
and act like my voice
wasn't going to matter?
Did you negotiate a dowry?
I-I... honestly,
babe, I was so stunned,
I might have actually
turned into an idiot.
- Huh.
- It was really more E.M. Forster
'cause of the whole English thing.
Look, it was just...
It's just a formality, anyway.
He's going to do what he wants.
Well, what do we say if she says yes?
I don't know.
He's such a great guy,
but they're so young.
That's what we say.
We love Jareth,
but we will love him
even more in two years.
Okay, let's just see what happens.
It's just getting engaged.
Exactly, exactly.
And they can take their
time getting married.
I mean, some-some...
engagements go on forever.
My brother and Sophie?
Oh, yeah, like, 15 years, right?
- Yeah.
- Did they ever get married?
I don't know. I think so.
You know what,
this... is kind of a champagne problem.
I mean, this terrific guy with
a fellowship to Oxford in physics
wants to marry our daughter.
I think we'll survive.
Yeah.
Oh, Henry.
Our baby.
I know.
After your commencement address,
you'll be joining the school's president
for a luncheon in his home.
Gordon, come here, good buddy.
Come here, come on, Gordon.
There's a good boy.
Mike B., you can come in.
Hi.
Are we doing this
here, in front of them?
Always a pleasure to see you too, Mike.
I'm ready to read them in. Here,
you go walk with Uncle Mike.
Oh, come here. All
right. Who raised you?
So, uh,
had Mike B. running
some favorability numbers
on the idea of trading Peter
Buckley to the Russians.
Obviously, that does
not leave this room.
Well, it ain't pretty.
48% say they'd view
the trade unfavorably.
Well, that's less than 50.
With 32% saying they'd view
it "extremely unfavorably."
Oh.
And how would they view President Dalton
for making such a trade?
Ah, that came in at 78%:
"What are you, nuts?"
Figured as much.
That's why you're here.
Wha...?
I have no idea what's going on.
It's Washington. Who does?
I want you to put together a package
of inducements of equal or greater value
to the Russians as Peter Buckley.
Can you do that?
I can try, but it'll have
to be pretty damn enticing.
He's kind of a white whale for them.
And who or what would we be
getting in return?
Let's just say another white whale.
Understood, ma'am.
Great, now that we're done
speaking in Melville code,
can we have the room?
You and I have other
problems to discuss.
Really?
Really.
Really.
Fine.
My friend also told me that
his company was commissioned
by an unnamed entity...
read: the White House...
to do a poll on three
people: Albert Kopp,
Lloyd Frost and Calvin Hastings.
So?
They're all heavy-hitters
with foreign policy credentials.
In fact, they were on the short list
after Secretary Marsh died.
The White House is looking to dump you.
Oh, come on.
What...?
First of all, Conrad is a friend.
Uh-huh.
And secondly,
I-I-I've had a few successes.
Listen, you could be Thomas Jefferson,
but I'm telling you, it looks
like you're about to get canned.
Why?
It's an election year.
There... there could
be a million reasons.
Well, thank you for the
heads up, Mike, but...
I'm not worried.
And now that that's settled,
let's let the secretary
get back to work.
Sure. Why not?
Mom? Dad?
Hey.
Hi.
Hey.
So... we're engaged.
You're kidding.
Wow!
Hey, that's great.
I asked and she said yes.
- Oh!
- Ah!
Well, he didn't just ask me.
- He put this ring in the parfait,
- Ring?
and I almost choked on it.
- Ring?
- Let me see.
Yeah, I forgot.
Um, yeah, and he got down
on one knee and-and...
the whole restaurant was watching.
- Oh!
- They all applauded when I said yes.
Wow, because you said yes.
Of course you did, with that ring.
Oh, it's a family heirloom.
Yeah.
Oh. Mm!
Well, congratulations.
Uh, that...
We-we couldn't be
happier for you, really.
And we're sure the date is way off.
'Cause you got to finish
college and law school.
Oh, why are we...? We don't
need to think about that now.
Let's not.
Let's... let's have that champagne.
Well, actually, it's not that far.
We were thinking we-we might
have it in DC at the courthouse.
Yeah, we-we already have a date.
It's, uh, this weekend.
Wow!
Yeah.
Uh, sorry, that's, um, it's my parents.
- We haven't told them yet. I...
- Oh yeah, um...
- Oh, yeah, go, go, go.
- We'll be back in one...
- We'll... One sec.
- Hi, Mum.
Um, just a minute.
Are we united that this is too fast?
Way too fast.
Okay, I've done my homework,
and here's where we are.
First up, Albert Kopp,
deputy secretary under Marsh,
now works in the private
sector consulting for an NGO.
I knew him well.
The plagiarism scandal from years ago
is probably behind him,
but the "everyone in
bureaucracy hated him" scandal
most likely is not.
I doubt Dalton would hoist
him on the rank and file.
Lloyd Frost.
Former high-ranking military officer,
two-term congressman and
ex-ambassador to Indonesia.
Frost would never relocate to DC...
Because his mistress lives in San Diego.
Yes, I know.
Okay.
Calvin Hastings, former
ambassador to the UN.
Plenty of foreign policy experience.
And he's from a purple state,
so his constituency
would be useful to Dalton.
Uh-huh.
His wife is a veteran.
They have three beautiful children.
And he has a history of
outside-the-box thinking.
If anything, he's a
Secretary McCord 2.0.
And he's clean.
Well...
if you can't find dirt
on him, nobody can.
Thank you.
Frankly, I think he'd make
a more useful secretary than Elizabeth.
Because he's from a swing state.
Relax.
I miss my shoes.
Well, that was brutal.
All that champagne and terrible ideas.
My face hurts from fake smiling.
How do you think my tongue
feels from me biting it?
She's going to put school
on hold and maybe
find work in a pub... she did say pub.
For the experience of immersing herself
in the culture?
Oh, yeah, we are gonna
have to say something.
Oh, you are definitely
gonna have to say something.
Really?
You're going to have to make her
understand about concrete plans,
and-and contingency
plans, and future PLA...
you're just gonna have to explain plans.
Look, I know you're upset
you weren't consulted
about the proposal,
- Yeah! - but now I'm the
one that has to tell her
she's about to screw up her life?
Yes, and now is not a good time
for me to confront my contradictions.
I just need you to stop
this from happening.
Okay, okay, I'll do my best.
I-It is like my entire
history of parental guidance
is-is being erased.
There's no bank.
Nothing that I have done
up to this point matters.
Is this all about Stevie?
Yes! Maybe.
I don't know.
What's going on?
Conrad's looking to replace me.
What?! Says who?
Mike B.
Mike B., come on, that guy
dines out on controversy and bad news.
Yes, and as a result, he
has a jump on everything.
That's got to be some
kind of crazy rumor.
Conrad would never do that to you.
You've been so loyal.
I find it inconceivable
that he would turn on you
like this.
Well, it is Washington
and there is an election coming up,
and the crazy thing is...
...until now, I didn't even realize
how much I've come to love the job.
That's the first time I've
ever heard you say that.
I know.
Uh, good morning, ma'am.
Uh, you received a call
from an Anton Durchenko
from the Russian Embassy.
- Yeah.
- Uh...
He's a cultural attaché.
He-he-he says that you know him.
Yeah, from my CIA days.
Oh, well, uh, he called to
invite you to a concert today
at the Russian Embassy.
I told him you were very
busy but he insisted that
you would be interested.
It's, uh, Rachmaninoff's
String Quartet Number 1.
Okay, clear my afternoon.
R-Really?
Yeah, I could use a little break.
Tell Anton I'm coming.
Uh, yes, ma'am.
Bring you back some caviar and vodka.
Oh, please, don't.
I'm cleansing.
That's all the
documentation I could find.
Minister Avdonin,
where did you think this road would lead
when you decided to manipulate me
and the United States Government?
It took exactly one move from me
to find the proof that Captain Dmitri
Petrov is dead.
Madam Secretary, forgive me,
but I have to call into
question this so-called proof
that you claim to have.
Oh, it was-it was pretty convincing.
Dmitri Petrov's treachery
had to remain secret to the public
at large, but in order
to maintain the appearance
of strength among the
military's officer class,
President Salnikov falsified
the captain's execution.
I saw a photo of him
with a bullet in his head.
What can I say?
We're very good at what we do.
I want proof of life
before we can proceed.
No.
President Salnikov wants to maintain
the pretense of Dmitri's death.
He will not risk exposing this operation
for anything short of
Peter Buckley's freedom.
It's the reason why he
kept the traitor alive.
Now he sees that the time is right,
given such high-level interest.
I would only consider
moving forward with the trade
if there was a good faith gesture.
Dmitri Petrov's sister Talia released
from prison in advance.
That can be arranged.
I will process the orders right away.
But as for Dmitri,
it's Buckley or nothing.
And I'm running out of patience.
Good-bye, Madam Secretary.
Ma'am, a word?
We have proof.
You're on your way out.
We have some rather unsettling news,
but I wouldn't call it proof.
They're gonna be moving the
furniture out while you're
- protecting her feelings.
- Just tell me.
Calvin Hastings' wife
moved heaven and earth
to get their child put on a wait list
for the Circle of Friends preschool,
which is the finger paint feeder
for all the best prep schools in DC.
Hastings doesn't even have
a preschool-aged child.
He will soon enough.
His wife is six months pregnant.
Damn it.
Hey. I was just coming to find you.
I have a draft. It's rough,
- but I think it's pretty good.
- The commencement speech.
I-I can't.
You can't what?
I-I can't do it.
There's a lot going on.
It's complicated.
Bailing on them at this
point, all due respect,
- is pretty rude.
- I'm not bailing on them.
I'm sending you.
Wait, wait, what?!
Look, you wrote the
speech. It's all you.
And, besides, the kids will
relate to you more. Thank you.
I'll coordinate it. Just trust me.
Madam Secretary, they're
really expecting you.
I'm-I'm gonna be a big disappointment.
Look, I'll make a
contribution to the school.
I'll take individual
meetings with the graduates.
- How many?
- 400.
We'll figure it out. And, Matt,
you're not gonna be a disappointment.
You're gonna crush it.
Elise.
Russell...
Now that I'm on the other side of this,
it is pretty rude.
We need to talk.
Yes, we do.
You need to drop the
Peter Buckley thing.
Look, I have no idea why you'd want
to give up a traitor to the Russians.
All I know is that you have no
business even discussing this
in the middle of an election.
And why should I listen to
this when I'm losing my job?
Yeah.
Two can play at the omniscience game.
I know that you are planning on offering
my position to Calvin Hastings.
Look...
I can't talk about this.
You're not even denying it?
You need to talk to the president, soon.
He's in Chicago at a fund-raiser.
He'll be back tomorrow.
I'll get you a face-to-face with him.
Don't bring up Buckley.
We'll see about that.
We love Jareth.
We think he's a great guy.
But you're rushing into
this marriage too quickly.
No, just "rushing."
"Rushing" is "quickly."
You don't need both.
You're rushing into
this marriage. And why?
Marriage is forever,
and forever is a lot
longer than you think it is.
This is stupid.
Okay.
Just go out there and start talking.
It can't be that hard.
Yeah, but isn't an up-do,
like, too much going on?
Not if it's casual,
- like a modified ballerina bun
- Yeah.
or a messy French twist.
Oh, you mean the ones that
messy, like, have to look messy
but you can't actually
have them be mess...
That's the magic.
- Thank God you're here.
- Hey, Dad.
Hey. It's just a dry run.
Um, the big day is still on Saturday.
You look beautiful.
Noodle, could we have a minute?
Of course.
Thank you.
You look so beautiful. Seriously.
Thanks, Ali.
So...
is this the big sentimental dad talk
about sending me off into the world?
Not exactly.
Okay.
Look...
Mom and I are concerned that...
It's too soon, isn't it?
Yes.
Oh, God.
I was wondering when one
of you was gonna stop me
from doing something incredibly...
impulsive and stupid,
which this does feel like it is.
But at the same time...
I love him, and...
I don't want to lose him.
And I know that he's the forever guy.
I just don't know that I want
to start forever right now.
Right. Because forever is a
lot longer than you think it is.
I just didn't know what
to say when he proposed.
I mean, people were watching.
And it was so romantic!
And he's the greatest guy... ever.
Being willing to take
that risk, you know?
Commitment is really hard to find in...
people my age.
Or anybody.
How can I just throw all of that away?
You don't have to.
And you shouldn't.
We love Jareth.
Uh...
We just think that...
if you're willing to
commit to a life together,
then that's not going anywhere.
It'll stand the test of time.
I'm speaking in clichés now,
exclusively. I just can't...
That's okay.
- Dad, you're a little freaked out.
- I am.
So am I.
Okay.
Tell me what you know, Bess.
That you made an unofficial
offer to Calvin Hastings
to replace me as secretary of state.
Hastings hasn't unofficially accepted.
I was hoping to bring
you into the circle
- when the situation...
- I've been told by
Foreign Minister Avdonin
that Dmitri Petrov is alive.
They'll give him his freedom
in exchange for Peter Buckley.
Here we go.
Give us a moment.
You need to let this go.
Not a chance.
After everything that I have done
in service to you and
this administration,
only to find myself turned out
at the first glimmer
of political expediency?
Bess...
Not to mention the sacrifices
my whole family made,
especially Henry, who did
his best to put it behind him
and support you after his own asset
was surrendered to the greater good.
Do you have any idea the
stress that put on us?
We survived it because we did
have a bigger picture in mind,
because we did serve
at the pleasure of a man
we both respected
and admired and trusted.
And now this? You're firing me?
Bess, I'm not firing you.
I'm trying to ask you
to be my vice president.
Oh.
What?!
Mark Delgado has serious health issues.
It's just not a viable
job for him anymore.
It was a very short list
when it came to his replacement.
Only one name on it.
I'm going to need your
help on the campaign trail.
But more importantly, I'm
going to need your wise counsel
on all matters, foreign and domestic.
I didn't want to bring you into this
until I had a solid choice
for secretary of state.
That person has some
pretty big shoes to fill.
Uh...
Mr. President...
I don't know what to say.
First of all, thank you.
Um...
And I'm sorry for the misunderstanding.
It's quite all right.
And then, um,
I suppose I'll need some time to think.
Of course.
Sir, I-I'm not... I'm
not bargaining here.
It's a separate issue, this
matter of Dmitri Petrov.
It's out of the question.
American assets were
sent to their deaths
when Buckley burned them.
Two of them were friends.
I know.
As the former CIA director,
you know I can't begin
to consider giving this
traitor his freedom.
You also know that
Dmitri is probably dead.
But while there's a
chance, we have to try.
He was one of the most
effective assets we've ever had.
His intel may have
prevented a world war.
Meanwhile,
Buckley is no longer a
threat to American security.
But besides all that,
you know in your heart of hearts
that giving up Dmitri
to make that deal with Russia was wrong.
It was a necessary wrong.
But it was wrong.
Here we have a chance to make it right.
How often do we get that?
Here I am, offering you
the second most important
job in the country,
and you're poking at my conscience.
Any wonder why I want
you to take the job?
Well, it looks like we both
have a lot to think about.
So, for the wedding reception,
plenty of room for mingling
but not too cavernous.
Got craft beers on tap,
nice wine selection,
all the small batch liquors.
Walks right up to precious,
and then says, no, wait,
sophisticated.
Yeah.
It's nice.
Okay, so...
why does it look like you're being
led to your execution?
It's, uh, it's too soon.
What?
For getting married.
- Yes, no, I put that together.
- Jareth...
I love you so much.
And I love the idea of
marrying you, it's...
...just every time I th... I think about
actually doing it, I...
I kind of feel like...
throwing up or-or passing out,
and-and that's not how I really
want to feel.
No, that's not ideal.
So why can't we wait?
Of course we can.
It's just when I think of
being separated from you
for that long without
some kind of plan...
I don't want to risk it.
So...
let's make a plan.
I will finish out my semester here
and then I'll jo...
I'll join you in Oxford
for the summer.
We can, we can live in a...
...charming little cottage and...
go punting...
Probably more like a sad little flat.
But I do know how to punt.
Well, I didn't actually
know that was a real thing,
it just sounded good, so...
And after our idyllic summer?
We... we figure it out. Together.
I like the together bit.
Me, too.
Babe?
Text from Stevie.
"Wedding off, engagement
on, explain later."
Oh, thank God.
"P.S. summer in Oxford."
Sounds expensive.
Still, nice save, Professor.
Well, believe me, she was
ready for the intervention.
I need to tell you something.
Couple of things, actually.
Yeah?
There's a chance Dmitri's still alive.
What?
How?
I'm told the Russians preserved him
in the event of a chance
for a prisoner exchange,
and now that chance is here.
Avdonin wants to swap
him for Peter Buckley.
Took some convincing,
but Conrad's agreed to the trade.
He's alive.
The whole thing could be a ploy.
I mean, all accessible proof,
everything except Avdonin's word,
speaks to the contrary,
and the Russians could just
be playing us to get Buckley.
We wouldn't know for certain
until the actual exchange.
When is it?
Tomorrow night.
Where?
Vartius, Finland.
Border checkpoint with Russia.
We need someone there
who can identify him.
It has to be me.
Do you really want to
put yourself through that?
If it isn't real, what's
that gonna do to you?
Y-you have to consider that, Henry.
In your best ex-CIA estimation,
what are the odds he's alive?
Forty-five percent.
I have to go.
Okay.
Then we need to pack.
What was the other thing?
Oh...
Conrad asked me to
be his Vice President.
Oh... what?
Yeah, big day.
Uh, good morning.
- Good morning.
- I'd like to, uh...
uh, begin by stating the obvious.
I am not Elizabeth McCord.
I'm her speechwriter.
Believe me, uh, no one
is more disappointed that
the secretary won't
be giving the address
that I wrote for her.
You know, now that I know
that it'll never see the light of day,
I think it's safe to say that
it was the greatest speech ever written.
I mean, honestly, uh,
this is probably the first
moment in my adult life
that I've stood in the spotlight.
Truth be told, it's
probably gonna be the last.
Why?
Because I'm one of those
people who works in the dark.
I know what you're thinking.
As soon as my Etsy
page is discovered, uh,
I'll invent my own job title
on Buzzfeed and livestream
my Christopher Walken
impression as I hoverboard
to the Soylent dispenser
in the playroom...
...and I don't blame you.
In this world of
relentless self-promotion,
we've all been raised to
think that the limelight
is the only light worth seeking.
But that isn't the case.
And if I can impart one thing today,
a small, simple truth to carry with you
as you walk through
those gates, it's this:
Achievement is often anonymous.
Some of the greatest things
have been done by people
you have never heard of...
...quietly dedicating their
lives to improving your own.
It's him.
That's a positive identification, sir?
Yes, it's him.
Fresh air and the endorphins.
Ooh, and the cute
little babies and dogs.
This puts everything in perspective.
I ought to do this every day.
I swear, I don't know why I don't.
I need to stop.
We just started.
Gordon hates running.
Then why did Gordon
say "yes" to running?
Because he's insanely competitive?
What are you looking at?
And yet, here you are,
wallowing in defeat.
This is a hard thing for me to watch.
You'll get over it.
And I sense you need to
talk to me about something
that requires a working brain,
so I'd rather not risk a stroke.
Well, at least walk
with me, you big baby.
Strangely turned on by you abusing me.
This is sensitive.
Something I haven't read my staff in on.
Okay.
I'm starting to normalize, go.
Last time I saw Foreign
Minister Avdonin,
he proposed a trade with me.
Do I need context?
No.
Peter Buckley for an American asset
with a great deal of personal
significance to Henry and me.
Previously, they told us he was dead.
Now they're saying he's not,
and we could get him back.
Now, I know the politics of
a trade can be complicated,
so I'm asking if you
could imagine a scenario
where Dalton might agree to that deal.
No. Breakfast?
Come on.
You're really gonna make
me step this out for you?
First, to clarify, Peter Buckley,
the most notorious
American spy in history.
- Responsible for the deaths
- I know that.
of six CIA agents,
Two of whom, Dalton,
former Director of the
CIA, knew personally.
That Peter Buckley? I'm sorry,
I actually do need context
as to why you would ask
me anything so stupid.
Because it is incredibly important,
and there's a clock on it.
You really made me step that out?
Okay. Even if Dalton would consider it,
Russell Jackson would throw
his body in front of that train.
Making a trade like that
with the Russians, in an election year?
Even if you had monkey
pictures on both of them,
- and got them to agree,
- What are monkey pictures?
I highly doubt your prisoner
exchange is even legitimate.
If you think your asset is
dead, he's probably dead.
But by even
considering a trade for Buckley,
you've revealed your
attachment to your asset.
Now, Avdonin's using
that to his advantage,
claiming this dead person is alive
without having to provide any proof.
So brilliant negotiating strategy there.
I he... I hear you,
when you say you think
this is a terrible idea.
But I haven't had a moment's peace
since I realized this was possible.
I have to try.
Can't... can't you just do your thing...
to find out exactly how
suicidal this mission is?
I guess I could talk to some
of my data-wonk pollster friends,
and see what the favorability stats
would be on a Buckley trade.
And it has been almost 20 years
and people are idiots.
Long-term memory is at an all-time low,
so we've got that going for us.
Well, see?
Things are looking up already.
Hey, babe.
Hey.
Hey, Mom. How was your run?
It was great. I feel so clean
and healthy and... Waffles!?
Yeah, Dad fixed the waffle iron.
Yes!
It just needed a new switch.
And he built a firepit in the backyard.
- I dug a hole and put some
bricks around it. - What?
Course, the Secret Service
won't let us use it.
Aw...
And now he's talking mini-golf.
Ho! So this is Henry
McCord on sabbatical, huh?
I'm enjoying the time.
It doesn't happen that often.
And come on, we love mini-golf.
It was a Friday night thing for like...
A summer.
Two summers, at least.
You sure have been jazzed
about all these
life-affirming activities
since your weekend with a think tank
- in San Diego.
- I've got the time off.
I think I should take advantage of it.
So, come on,
who's in? Mini-golf tonight.
Um, I can't.
I have to see Jareth tonight.
'Cause he just accepted a...
two-year fellowship in Oxford,
so we have to talk about
how we're going to do the...
long-distance thing.
Gosh,
honey, that... that's
rough, but you know what?
Your dad and I did it.
A lot of people do it.
Yeah.
You'll-you'll figure it out.
- Hey, uh, you know what would really
clear your minds, - STEVIE: Dad.
- Give you some perspective... Mini-golf.
- Don't... Dad.
I'm serious. Just ask Jareth.
He's British. He's got to like golf.
Mini-golf.
Hey, help me out.
Alison, Jason.
- All right. Fine. I'm in.
- Yeah, me, too.
I'll ask him.
Joe and Mimma's after
- for gooey calzones, yeah?
- They bought.
Stop selling.
Well, they'll get into
it once we're there.
I'm sure.
So aside from fixing the waffle iron,
and building a firepit,
and obsessing about mini-golf,
everything okay post Islamabad?
It's fine.
'Cause, you know, we
could always go back
and see Dr. Sherman.
Honestly, I just want to immerse myself
in mindless activities for a while.
Okay.
Not counting on me
for mini-golf, are you?
Uh, after the last time, I don't
think you're allowed back there,
- 'cause you threw...
- I did not throw that club.
All... all right.
I...I...
- ...was gesturing.
- Yeah, tell that
- and it slipped. My hands were wet.
- to the lady who's...
- We'll miss you.
- I think it was raining.
Our intel is that
all remnants of Hizb Al-Shahid
have gone underground.
Even the remaining stolen uranium
has been found and
seized by American forces.
Yeah, their press releases
are all full of optimism,
and national pride.
Global response has been positive,
with just a handful
of the usual suspects
grumbling about U.S. aggression.
From a polling data and optics
perspective, we're on course.
Okay. Good. Um,
No Matt, today?
Commencement season. He's holed up.
Apparently, he's agreed to
write six speeches this year.
Yeah, including mine.
Oh, who are the lucky graduates?
UMASS Pittsfield.
They have quite a respected
foreign policy program.
And they asked first.
The Secretary's a big
fan of "asked first."
Was that Dr. McCord's strategy, ma'am?
Possibly.
I have an appointment.
It's personal. Spontaneous.
Whimsical, even.
It's fine. I'm reachable.
I know what that is.
Madam Secretary.
Yeah.
Oh, you're leaving?
I'll be back.
I was working on your
commencement speech,
and I was hoping you could give me
some personal anecdote
that-that proffers
some nugget of wisdom
that we could give the kids.
Uh, saving the Pacific Rim
Trade Agreement, for example.
Détente with Russia.
Dropping the embargo with Cuba.
I mean, there's a lot of good options.
Yeah, I-I-I don't know if any of that
really jibes with my overall message.
You have an overall message?
I don't know. Do I?
I'm just data-gathering,
but I'm open to your ideas.
I... let me... let me mull it over.
See if I can come up with a message,
or even a theme.
Ooh, a theme would be awesome.
Oh, what about the chrysalis thing?
A caterpillar into the butterfly...?
Are you messing with me?
Anton, thank you for agreeing
to meet on short notice.
The last time we did
this, it worked out.
It did. Those boys
made it safely home
from Syria. Thank you.
You're still a cultural attaché, huh?
Yes.
The work itself is quite dull,
but the quality of life
makes it all worthwhile.
Katarina got into Harvard, early action.
Congratulations.
I need information
on a Russian army
captain, Dmitri Petrov.
Officially, he died from a fever
he contracted while stationed in Ukraine
during the conflict.
Yes.
Officially, that is how
every Russian soldier
who died at the front met his fate.
Our young men are impervious to bullets,
but, sadly, suffer from weak lungs.
I have reason to
believe he's still alive,
but I need hard evidence.
Incontrovertible.
And why do you care so much
about this particular
Russian army captain?
I know you do realize that I'm friends
with the dean of admission at Harvard.
I'm sure Katarina got
in on her own merits,
but you did list me as a reference,
and I had some free
time, and I made a call.
I will do my best, Madam Secretary.
Thank you.
Have anything like
this in the UK, Jareth?
No, sir.
Golf's quite a serious
pursuit over there.
It's fine to think it's goofy.
Part of its charm.
Your turn, dingus. Go.
Um, I'll pass on this one.
I know those guys from school.
But what about your score?
What was...?
It's already the size
of the national debt.
Let her go.
Hello, hole-in-one.
Oh, sorry.
You know what? This is ridiculous.
The clowns and the windmills
and the jumping dolphins
are supposed to convey an atmosphere
of family fun, while the game itself
is just designed to infuriate you.
Okay, look, just take a
deep breath. It's okay.
It's all right.
I'm getting a snow cone.
I counsel we skip this one.
Just give ourselves twos and move on.
Sorry, this isn't exactly the
kind of outing I'd planned.
No, it's fine. I'm having a lovely time.
Um, wh-while... while
I've got you a moment,
- there's something I wanted to ask you.
- Sure.
Um, I know Stevie's already told you
that I accepted a fellowship at Oxford.
Yes. Oh, wow, I-I know
you're going to work
- the relationship part out.
- Yeah.
Elizabeth and I did it
when I was in the Marines,
and that was before Skype
and JetBlue and all that.
Yeah. Oh, oh, see, uh,
uh, about that, um...
see, the thing is, Dr. McCord, um...
The thing is, I'm hopelessly
in love with your daughter.
And I don't... I don't want to imagine
my life without her. I...
I don't want to go off to
Oxford without this settled,
um, and so, I suppose,
I'm rather awkwardly, uh,
asking your blessing to propose to her.
Propose...
Marriage?
That's what I said.
I mean, don't these kids
have other steps, first?
The way we did.
I know.
Like... living together.
Breaking up,
and living together.
We didn't break up.
I-I just needed a
little time to freak out.
It was the worst
- five days of my life.
- Three.
Followed by the greatest proposal ever.
Yes, the discount skywriter.
"Mar Me Elibet."
Hey, it worked.
It did. But wait...
So what did you say?
I said yes.
Without talking to me?
Wow!
Did you guys just
full-on Edith Wharton this
and act like my voice
wasn't going to matter?
Did you negotiate a dowry?
I-I... honestly,
babe, I was so stunned,
I might have actually
turned into an idiot.
- Huh.
- It was really more E.M. Forster
'cause of the whole English thing.
Look, it was just...
It's just a formality, anyway.
He's going to do what he wants.
Well, what do we say if she says yes?
I don't know.
He's such a great guy,
but they're so young.
That's what we say.
We love Jareth,
but we will love him
even more in two years.
Okay, let's just see what happens.
It's just getting engaged.
Exactly, exactly.
And they can take their
time getting married.
I mean, some-some...
engagements go on forever.
My brother and Sophie?
Oh, yeah, like, 15 years, right?
- Yeah.
- Did they ever get married?
I don't know. I think so.
You know what,
this... is kind of a champagne problem.
I mean, this terrific guy with
a fellowship to Oxford in physics
wants to marry our daughter.
I think we'll survive.
Yeah.
Oh, Henry.
Our baby.
I know.
After your commencement address,
you'll be joining the school's president
for a luncheon in his home.
Gordon, come here, good buddy.
Come here, come on, Gordon.
There's a good boy.
Mike B., you can come in.
Hi.
Are we doing this
here, in front of them?
Always a pleasure to see you too, Mike.
I'm ready to read them in. Here,
you go walk with Uncle Mike.
Oh, come here. All
right. Who raised you?
So, uh,
had Mike B. running
some favorability numbers
on the idea of trading Peter
Buckley to the Russians.
Obviously, that does
not leave this room.
Well, it ain't pretty.
48% say they'd view
the trade unfavorably.
Well, that's less than 50.
With 32% saying they'd view
it "extremely unfavorably."
Oh.
And how would they view President Dalton
for making such a trade?
Ah, that came in at 78%:
"What are you, nuts?"
Figured as much.
That's why you're here.
Wha...?
I have no idea what's going on.
It's Washington. Who does?
I want you to put together a package
of inducements of equal or greater value
to the Russians as Peter Buckley.
Can you do that?
I can try, but it'll have
to be pretty damn enticing.
He's kind of a white whale for them.
And who or what would we be
getting in return?
Let's just say another white whale.
Understood, ma'am.
Great, now that we're done
speaking in Melville code,
can we have the room?
You and I have other
problems to discuss.
Really?
Really.
Really.
Fine.
My friend also told me that
his company was commissioned
by an unnamed entity...
read: the White House...
to do a poll on three
people: Albert Kopp,
Lloyd Frost and Calvin Hastings.
So?
They're all heavy-hitters
with foreign policy credentials.
In fact, they were on the short list
after Secretary Marsh died.
The White House is looking to dump you.
Oh, come on.
What...?
First of all, Conrad is a friend.
Uh-huh.
And secondly,
I-I-I've had a few successes.
Listen, you could be Thomas Jefferson,
but I'm telling you, it looks
like you're about to get canned.
Why?
It's an election year.
There... there could
be a million reasons.
Well, thank you for the
heads up, Mike, but...
I'm not worried.
And now that that's settled,
let's let the secretary
get back to work.
Sure. Why not?
Mom? Dad?
Hey.
Hi.
Hey.
So... we're engaged.
You're kidding.
Wow!
Hey, that's great.
I asked and she said yes.
- Oh!
- Ah!
Well, he didn't just ask me.
- He put this ring in the parfait,
- Ring?
and I almost choked on it.
- Ring?
- Let me see.
Yeah, I forgot.
Um, yeah, and he got down
on one knee and-and...
the whole restaurant was watching.
- Oh!
- They all applauded when I said yes.
Wow, because you said yes.
Of course you did, with that ring.
Oh, it's a family heirloom.
Yeah.
Oh. Mm!
Well, congratulations.
Uh, that...
We-we couldn't be
happier for you, really.
And we're sure the date is way off.
'Cause you got to finish
college and law school.
Oh, why are we...? We don't
need to think about that now.
Let's not.
Let's... let's have that champagne.
Well, actually, it's not that far.
We were thinking we-we might
have it in DC at the courthouse.
Yeah, we-we already have a date.
It's, uh, this weekend.
Wow!
Yeah.
Uh, sorry, that's, um, it's my parents.
- We haven't told them yet. I...
- Oh yeah, um...
- Oh, yeah, go, go, go.
- We'll be back in one...
- We'll... One sec.
- Hi, Mum.
Um, just a minute.
Are we united that this is too fast?
Way too fast.
Okay, I've done my homework,
and here's where we are.
First up, Albert Kopp,
deputy secretary under Marsh,
now works in the private
sector consulting for an NGO.
I knew him well.
The plagiarism scandal from years ago
is probably behind him,
but the "everyone in
bureaucracy hated him" scandal
most likely is not.
I doubt Dalton would hoist
him on the rank and file.
Lloyd Frost.
Former high-ranking military officer,
two-term congressman and
ex-ambassador to Indonesia.
Frost would never relocate to DC...
Because his mistress lives in San Diego.
Yes, I know.
Okay.
Calvin Hastings, former
ambassador to the UN.
Plenty of foreign policy experience.
And he's from a purple state,
so his constituency
would be useful to Dalton.
Uh-huh.
His wife is a veteran.
They have three beautiful children.
And he has a history of
outside-the-box thinking.
If anything, he's a
Secretary McCord 2.0.
And he's clean.
Well...
if you can't find dirt
on him, nobody can.
Thank you.
Frankly, I think he'd make
a more useful secretary than Elizabeth.
Because he's from a swing state.
Relax.
I miss my shoes.
Well, that was brutal.
All that champagne and terrible ideas.
My face hurts from fake smiling.
How do you think my tongue
feels from me biting it?
She's going to put school
on hold and maybe
find work in a pub... she did say pub.
For the experience of immersing herself
in the culture?
Oh, yeah, we are gonna
have to say something.
Oh, you are definitely
gonna have to say something.
Really?
You're going to have to make her
understand about concrete plans,
and-and contingency
plans, and future PLA...
you're just gonna have to explain plans.
Look, I know you're upset
you weren't consulted
about the proposal,
- Yeah! - but now I'm the
one that has to tell her
she's about to screw up her life?
Yes, and now is not a good time
for me to confront my contradictions.
I just need you to stop
this from happening.
Okay, okay, I'll do my best.
I-It is like my entire
history of parental guidance
is-is being erased.
There's no bank.
Nothing that I have done
up to this point matters.
Is this all about Stevie?
Yes! Maybe.
I don't know.
What's going on?
Conrad's looking to replace me.
What?! Says who?
Mike B.
Mike B., come on, that guy
dines out on controversy and bad news.
Yes, and as a result, he
has a jump on everything.
That's got to be some
kind of crazy rumor.
Conrad would never do that to you.
You've been so loyal.
I find it inconceivable
that he would turn on you
like this.
Well, it is Washington
and there is an election coming up,
and the crazy thing is...
...until now, I didn't even realize
how much I've come to love the job.
That's the first time I've
ever heard you say that.
I know.
Uh, good morning, ma'am.
Uh, you received a call
from an Anton Durchenko
from the Russian Embassy.
- Yeah.
- Uh...
He's a cultural attaché.
He-he-he says that you know him.
Yeah, from my CIA days.
Oh, well, uh, he called to
invite you to a concert today
at the Russian Embassy.
I told him you were very
busy but he insisted that
you would be interested.
It's, uh, Rachmaninoff's
String Quartet Number 1.
Okay, clear my afternoon.
R-Really?
Yeah, I could use a little break.
Tell Anton I'm coming.
Uh, yes, ma'am.
Bring you back some caviar and vodka.
Oh, please, don't.
I'm cleansing.
That's all the
documentation I could find.
Minister Avdonin,
where did you think this road would lead
when you decided to manipulate me
and the United States Government?
It took exactly one move from me
to find the proof that Captain Dmitri
Petrov is dead.
Madam Secretary, forgive me,
but I have to call into
question this so-called proof
that you claim to have.
Oh, it was-it was pretty convincing.
Dmitri Petrov's treachery
had to remain secret to the public
at large, but in order
to maintain the appearance
of strength among the
military's officer class,
President Salnikov falsified
the captain's execution.
I saw a photo of him
with a bullet in his head.
What can I say?
We're very good at what we do.
I want proof of life
before we can proceed.
No.
President Salnikov wants to maintain
the pretense of Dmitri's death.
He will not risk exposing this operation
for anything short of
Peter Buckley's freedom.
It's the reason why he
kept the traitor alive.
Now he sees that the time is right,
given such high-level interest.
I would only consider
moving forward with the trade
if there was a good faith gesture.
Dmitri Petrov's sister Talia released
from prison in advance.
That can be arranged.
I will process the orders right away.
But as for Dmitri,
it's Buckley or nothing.
And I'm running out of patience.
Good-bye, Madam Secretary.
Ma'am, a word?
We have proof.
You're on your way out.
We have some rather unsettling news,
but I wouldn't call it proof.
They're gonna be moving the
furniture out while you're
- protecting her feelings.
- Just tell me.
Calvin Hastings' wife
moved heaven and earth
to get their child put on a wait list
for the Circle of Friends preschool,
which is the finger paint feeder
for all the best prep schools in DC.
Hastings doesn't even have
a preschool-aged child.
He will soon enough.
His wife is six months pregnant.
Damn it.
Hey. I was just coming to find you.
I have a draft. It's rough,
- but I think it's pretty good.
- The commencement speech.
I-I can't.
You can't what?
I-I can't do it.
There's a lot going on.
It's complicated.
Bailing on them at this
point, all due respect,
- is pretty rude.
- I'm not bailing on them.
I'm sending you.
Wait, wait, what?!
Look, you wrote the
speech. It's all you.
And, besides, the kids will
relate to you more. Thank you.
I'll coordinate it. Just trust me.
Madam Secretary, they're
really expecting you.
I'm-I'm gonna be a big disappointment.
Look, I'll make a
contribution to the school.
I'll take individual
meetings with the graduates.
- How many?
- 400.
We'll figure it out. And, Matt,
you're not gonna be a disappointment.
You're gonna crush it.
Elise.
Russell...
Now that I'm on the other side of this,
it is pretty rude.
We need to talk.
Yes, we do.
You need to drop the
Peter Buckley thing.
Look, I have no idea why you'd want
to give up a traitor to the Russians.
All I know is that you have no
business even discussing this
in the middle of an election.
And why should I listen to
this when I'm losing my job?
Yeah.
Two can play at the omniscience game.
I know that you are planning on offering
my position to Calvin Hastings.
Look...
I can't talk about this.
You're not even denying it?
You need to talk to the president, soon.
He's in Chicago at a fund-raiser.
He'll be back tomorrow.
I'll get you a face-to-face with him.
Don't bring up Buckley.
We'll see about that.
We love Jareth.
We think he's a great guy.
But you're rushing into
this marriage too quickly.
No, just "rushing."
"Rushing" is "quickly."
You don't need both.
You're rushing into
this marriage. And why?
Marriage is forever,
and forever is a lot
longer than you think it is.
This is stupid.
Okay.
Just go out there and start talking.
It can't be that hard.
Yeah, but isn't an up-do,
like, too much going on?
Not if it's casual,
- like a modified ballerina bun
- Yeah.
or a messy French twist.
Oh, you mean the ones that
messy, like, have to look messy
but you can't actually
have them be mess...
That's the magic.
- Thank God you're here.
- Hey, Dad.
Hey. It's just a dry run.
Um, the big day is still on Saturday.
You look beautiful.
Noodle, could we have a minute?
Of course.
Thank you.
You look so beautiful. Seriously.
Thanks, Ali.
So...
is this the big sentimental dad talk
about sending me off into the world?
Not exactly.
Okay.
Look...
Mom and I are concerned that...
It's too soon, isn't it?
Yes.
Oh, God.
I was wondering when one
of you was gonna stop me
from doing something incredibly...
impulsive and stupid,
which this does feel like it is.
But at the same time...
I love him, and...
I don't want to lose him.
And I know that he's the forever guy.
I just don't know that I want
to start forever right now.
Right. Because forever is a
lot longer than you think it is.
I just didn't know what
to say when he proposed.
I mean, people were watching.
And it was so romantic!
And he's the greatest guy... ever.
Being willing to take
that risk, you know?
Commitment is really hard to find in...
people my age.
Or anybody.
How can I just throw all of that away?
You don't have to.
And you shouldn't.
We love Jareth.
Uh...
We just think that...
if you're willing to
commit to a life together,
then that's not going anywhere.
It'll stand the test of time.
I'm speaking in clichés now,
exclusively. I just can't...
That's okay.
- Dad, you're a little freaked out.
- I am.
So am I.
Okay.
Tell me what you know, Bess.
That you made an unofficial
offer to Calvin Hastings
to replace me as secretary of state.
Hastings hasn't unofficially accepted.
I was hoping to bring
you into the circle
- when the situation...
- I've been told by
Foreign Minister Avdonin
that Dmitri Petrov is alive.
They'll give him his freedom
in exchange for Peter Buckley.
Here we go.
Give us a moment.
You need to let this go.
Not a chance.
After everything that I have done
in service to you and
this administration,
only to find myself turned out
at the first glimmer
of political expediency?
Bess...
Not to mention the sacrifices
my whole family made,
especially Henry, who did
his best to put it behind him
and support you after his own asset
was surrendered to the greater good.
Do you have any idea the
stress that put on us?
We survived it because we did
have a bigger picture in mind,
because we did serve
at the pleasure of a man
we both respected
and admired and trusted.
And now this? You're firing me?
Bess, I'm not firing you.
I'm trying to ask you
to be my vice president.
Oh.
What?!
Mark Delgado has serious health issues.
It's just not a viable
job for him anymore.
It was a very short list
when it came to his replacement.
Only one name on it.
I'm going to need your
help on the campaign trail.
But more importantly, I'm
going to need your wise counsel
on all matters, foreign and domestic.
I didn't want to bring you into this
until I had a solid choice
for secretary of state.
That person has some
pretty big shoes to fill.
Uh...
Mr. President...
I don't know what to say.
First of all, thank you.
Um...
And I'm sorry for the misunderstanding.
It's quite all right.
And then, um,
I suppose I'll need some time to think.
Of course.
Sir, I-I'm not... I'm
not bargaining here.
It's a separate issue, this
matter of Dmitri Petrov.
It's out of the question.
American assets were
sent to their deaths
when Buckley burned them.
Two of them were friends.
I know.
As the former CIA director,
you know I can't begin
to consider giving this
traitor his freedom.
You also know that
Dmitri is probably dead.
But while there's a
chance, we have to try.
He was one of the most
effective assets we've ever had.
His intel may have
prevented a world war.
Meanwhile,
Buckley is no longer a
threat to American security.
But besides all that,
you know in your heart of hearts
that giving up Dmitri
to make that deal with Russia was wrong.
It was a necessary wrong.
But it was wrong.
Here we have a chance to make it right.
How often do we get that?
Here I am, offering you
the second most important
job in the country,
and you're poking at my conscience.
Any wonder why I want
you to take the job?
Well, it looks like we both
have a lot to think about.
So, for the wedding reception,
plenty of room for mingling
but not too cavernous.
Got craft beers on tap,
nice wine selection,
all the small batch liquors.
Walks right up to precious,
and then says, no, wait,
sophisticated.
Yeah.
It's nice.
Okay, so...
why does it look like you're being
led to your execution?
It's, uh, it's too soon.
What?
For getting married.
- Yes, no, I put that together.
- Jareth...
I love you so much.
And I love the idea of
marrying you, it's...
...just every time I th... I think about
actually doing it, I...
I kind of feel like...
throwing up or-or passing out,
and-and that's not how I really
want to feel.
No, that's not ideal.
So why can't we wait?
Of course we can.
It's just when I think of
being separated from you
for that long without
some kind of plan...
I don't want to risk it.
So...
let's make a plan.
I will finish out my semester here
and then I'll jo...
I'll join you in Oxford
for the summer.
We can, we can live in a...
...charming little cottage and...
go punting...
Probably more like a sad little flat.
But I do know how to punt.
Well, I didn't actually
know that was a real thing,
it just sounded good, so...
And after our idyllic summer?
We... we figure it out. Together.
I like the together bit.
Me, too.
Babe?
Text from Stevie.
"Wedding off, engagement
on, explain later."
Oh, thank God.
"P.S. summer in Oxford."
Sounds expensive.
Still, nice save, Professor.
Well, believe me, she was
ready for the intervention.
I need to tell you something.
Couple of things, actually.
Yeah?
There's a chance Dmitri's still alive.
What?
How?
I'm told the Russians preserved him
in the event of a chance
for a prisoner exchange,
and now that chance is here.
Avdonin wants to swap
him for Peter Buckley.
Took some convincing,
but Conrad's agreed to the trade.
He's alive.
The whole thing could be a ploy.
I mean, all accessible proof,
everything except Avdonin's word,
speaks to the contrary,
and the Russians could just
be playing us to get Buckley.
We wouldn't know for certain
until the actual exchange.
When is it?
Tomorrow night.
Where?
Vartius, Finland.
Border checkpoint with Russia.
We need someone there
who can identify him.
It has to be me.
Do you really want to
put yourself through that?
If it isn't real, what's
that gonna do to you?
Y-you have to consider that, Henry.
In your best ex-CIA estimation,
what are the odds he's alive?
Forty-five percent.
I have to go.
Okay.
Then we need to pack.
What was the other thing?
Oh...
Conrad asked me to
be his Vice President.
Oh... what?
Yeah, big day.
Uh, good morning.
- Good morning.
- I'd like to, uh...
uh, begin by stating the obvious.
I am not Elizabeth McCord.
I'm her speechwriter.
Believe me, uh, no one
is more disappointed that
the secretary won't
be giving the address
that I wrote for her.
You know, now that I know
that it'll never see the light of day,
I think it's safe to say that
it was the greatest speech ever written.
I mean, honestly, uh,
this is probably the first
moment in my adult life
that I've stood in the spotlight.
Truth be told, it's
probably gonna be the last.
Why?
Because I'm one of those
people who works in the dark.
I know what you're thinking.
As soon as my Etsy
page is discovered, uh,
I'll invent my own job title
on Buzzfeed and livestream
my Christopher Walken
impression as I hoverboard
to the Soylent dispenser
in the playroom...
...and I don't blame you.
In this world of
relentless self-promotion,
we've all been raised to
think that the limelight
is the only light worth seeking.
But that isn't the case.
And if I can impart one thing today,
a small, simple truth to carry with you
as you walk through
those gates, it's this:
Achievement is often anonymous.
Some of the greatest things
have been done by people
you have never heard of...
...quietly dedicating their
lives to improving your own.
It's him.
That's a positive identification, sir?
Yes, it's him.