Madam Secretary (2014–…): Season 3, Episode 1 - Sea Change - full transcript

It's 10:27 and President Dalton
is still trailing.

Now, were you expecting it

to be this close?
No one was.

Santa Fe
results are coming in fast.

Projections still have him
down by three points.

Well, forget the projection.

Our ground game was
better in Santa Fe.

We can still close this gap.

I think it's safe to say
the Dalton campaign

took New Mexico for granted.

He had a ground operation



twice the size of Evans,
didn't matter.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are
ready to make a projection.

What? This is wrong.

New Mexico will not
go to Dalton.

That makes it official,
he has lost the race.

President Conrad Dalton
will be a one-term president.

Can't make a projection
when-when it's this tight.

20% of the vote
is still uncounted.

AP just made the same call.

What the hell
happened to margin of error?

It's over, Russell.

If it's all the same
to everyone,

I'd prefer to do
the postmortem tomorrow.

It was a good fight.



This is all your fault.

♪ ♪

Starboard engine is down.

Let's jump for it.

Evacuate the crew.

Yes, sir.

Throw!

Move back now!

Everybody off.

Evacuate!

Evacuate the area!

Man overboard!

Kelley! Kelley!

Madam Secretary, you'll open

with some general remarks.

Then you'll head over
to the pig-judging contest.

You won't be
required to handle the pigs.

Which is excellent news.

Yeah, just comment on
their general appearance.

And I'd advise avoiding words
like "fat" or "tasty"

because people don't really want
to think about that.

Couldn't you have gotten me
the zucchini-judging contest?

- A lot fewer pitfalls.
- Nominally,

you'll be promoting
American agricultural exports.

Without saying "tasty."
Mm-hmm.

Or "fat."

Or "food."

Or "pork."
Yes.

But, as Jessica explained to me,

albeit in language

more befitting
a political strategist,

it's an opportunity
to do some

glad-handing
with the Virginia locals.

Yeah, just to kick things off

in a fun way.

Of course, we have a number

of savvy public profile boosts

coming up for you
and your family.

Right, tonight
you have your dinner

with the president's
big-ticket donors.

And tomorrow you have a segment
on Jane Pauley's show

to discuss foreign
policy developments.

But not pork.

And definitely no mention of
your accepting the VP position.

President Dalton
will make that announcement

after the convention in July.

But Jane will ask.

Yes, Jane will ask and you'll
say something like...

"I could use a fat and
tasty pulled pork sandwich

right about now."

After the contest,
there will be a photo op

with the mayor and
the county commissioner.

Uh, e-excuse me,
Madam Secretary,

I'm receiving word that

our naval base in Bahrain

has been hit by
a massive tropical cyclone.

No fatalities reported,

but the base has sustained
major damage.

How major?

That base just had an update,
like, two years ago.

I'll get more information.

DoD is monitoring the situation.

All right.

Do you have a list
of acceptable adjectives?

For the pigs.

My research says they're
very intelligent animals.

Really, that doesn't sound
elitist?

Madam Secretary?

Yes.
Hi.

Ooh. Oh, my goodness.
Oh.

Isn't she...

She's so cute.
Oh, my God.

Agriculture has long been

the foundation of this country,
beginning, as it did,

right here in the great
Commonwealth

of Virginia,

a land which has yielded
so many valuable resources.

And nothing
exemplifies that more

than these delicious
fried gelatin balls

that my son just handed me.

I think he tried to

offer 'em to the pigs first,

but no takers 'cause,
as our research tells us,

they are
highly intelligent animals.

Crowd loves her.

Yes, they do.

It turns out

you can fry anything.

You were a huge hit
at the fair, ma'am.

Your pig remark
is trending.

Wow, take that, Lincoln
and your Gettysburg Address.

I am going to be
known for the pig remark.

Yeah, and no fallout
from the gelatin lobby

because they don't recommend
frying their product.

They're right. JAY: And that's
the last of the good news

because we need to brief
you on Bahrain.

Still no fatalities,
last I heard.

37 injured,
36 in good condition.

Hey, any update on Ensign...

Ensign Kelley, yes, ma'am.
Oh.

He remains
in critical condition.

He's in a
medically induced coma

at a hospital in Manama.

But the base itself

has taken billions
of dollars' worth of damage

State will need to consult
with DoD to renegotiate

Bahrain's out-of-date
Defense Cooperation Agreement

before another
reconstruction can start.

By Defense Cooperation Agreement
you mean all those

no-bid contracts
with American companies

left over from
the previous administration?

That's the one.

Why are we renewing
this agreement?

We're less and less reliant

on oil from
the Persian Gulf.

And our peace deal with Iran

makes it strategically
less important.

And Bahrain's human rights'
record has always been bleak.

It's just gotten worse since
Prince Obaid was assassinated.

Why should we spend
billions of dollars

in a country that shares
none of our most basic values?

Well, the primary goal is
to monitor shipping routes.

Once again,

it's a case of supporting
the nations that provide us

with the greatest
economic advantage,

not those who value
democracy and freedom over...

Yes, Matt, my question
was largely rhetorical.

But I appreciate you
being at the ready

with your political ire. Well,
I'm always here for you, ma'am.

All right, Jay, you should
go ahead and liaise with DoD

about the agreement
renegotiation.

But I want to check in
with the president.

Which you can do at the dinner
for his big-ticket donors

in exactly two hours,

leaving you enough time
to go home and change

if you leave right now.
Uh, Madam Secretary,

Zuhair Mossadek, the foreign
minister from Tunisia,

is waiting for you in my office.

You scheduled 15 minutes
with him months ago.

Would you prefer that I take that meeting
without you? No, no, no, no, no.

I-I-- just go get him.

If I skip my updo,
I can give him...

ten minutes stationary,

five on the move.

Come on, guys, get rid of this.

Okay, am I the only one worried
that this primary

is a little too exciting

for an incumbent president?

Dalton's polls aren't great.

Sam Evans' numbers are rising.
Nobody's gonna vote

for the governor
from Pennsylvania.

I mean, what's his platform?

Cheesesteaks?

American-made chocolate?

There's a reason why
there's never been a president

from Pennsylvania.

James Buchanan.
Like I said.

Evans is hammering

on national security,
Dalton's peace treaty with Iran,

the Buckley trade. BLAKE:
He would have to win

landslide victories in
every remaining primary

to get the nomination.

It's practically
impossible.

Yeah.

Practically.

May I remind you
that our country

was the spark that lit
the Arab Spring in 2011,

and years later we're
the only Arab country

that emerged with a
functioning democracy.

We have no
sectarian divisions,

a history of
moderate Islam,

widespread literacy,
and a small army

loyal to a
civilian government.

We're the best hope
in the Muslim world

and you know it,
Madam Secretary.

And I assure you
that everyone

in the president's
administration

is aware of that.

So, I'd like to believe
the only reason

I'm reduced to following
you to the elevator

to achieve a full
15 minutes of your time

is not because we lack
oil or other resources

for the United States
to exploit.

But, well, you can
understand why I might

have that impression.

We appreciate the direction

your country is headed

and we are optimistic that

we can further
our good relations.

And as I said,
I will do everything I can.

I never thought that
the United States

was a country which acted

entirely out of
strategic advantage.

For that, I can depend
on Russia or China.

I thought you represented
something more.

Perhaps I'm just
an idealist.

That's what comes
from being a democracy.

And we'll pick up
tomorrow with Augustine.

Well, well,
look at this.

Did you happen

to catch any philosophy?

Yeah, but I got
a strong immune system.

Uh-huh.

You have time for coffee?

Or better yet,
happy hour?

I can't.

I've got an event
with Elizabeth.

Then I guess I'll do
the quick version.

We're getting the band
back together.

They sent me

to talk you into it.

Murphy Station?
Why?

Black Dog Station.

New mission.
Wow.

Russell has got to stop
with the code names.

What's the objective?

Intel has located
some surviving members

of Hizb al-Shahid
in Libya and Algeria.

Seems that's
where they decamped

after the drone attacks.

They want us
to finish the job.

Well, look, Jose, as much as I
enjoyed almost dying with you...

Stop whining.

You didn't
get a scratch.

Oh, hey, don't forget
who performed

the fake last rites on you.

Yeah, and heaven
spit me back out.

You can thank me for that, too.

Look...

I just started teaching again

and I'm really enjoying having
more time with my family.

Really?

You're gonna sit this out
for Monday night Monopoly?

I didn't get into this
for the adventure.

I know.

You're a great patriot

and the country needs you, pal.

And I don't have time to haze
another religious egghead.

Well, when you put it like that,

I'll think about it.

Okay.

I'll tell them
you're in.

I didn't say that.

This draft looks solid.

Remember, any adjustment
to the rotation schedule

has to meet the definition
of minimum credible deterrence,

so make sure we include
language saying that

the Bahrainis
have to consult

with the Secretary
of the Navy

before closing any facilities.
Got it.

Other than that,
we're good to go.

I guess I'll see you next
storm of the century.

Yeah, which will be in what,
about three years?

Let's hope not.

Sure, let's hope.
That ought to work.

I'm sorry.
It's a bug up my ass.

Just four years ago, the base
in Singapore was hit with

a similar
once in a lifetime storm.

Billions of dollars in damage.

These weather events
are happening every year.

And all our internal reports
are falling on deaf ears.

Sea levels are rising.

And what we should be doing is

raising every single U.S.
naval base around the world.

But we both know
that'll never happen.

How do we know that?

Ask your boss.

I dare you to yell out
"capital gains tax,"

see what happens.

Be safer to
yell "fire."

Okay.

Here we go.
Deep breath.

Be nice.

What? I'm an ethics teacher.

I was talking to myself.

Okay. So,
here's the deal.

You need to charm
the pants off everyone here,

'cause we need their full
support for you as VP.

Okay.
You got it?

Hey.
Hi, Russell.

Try not to talk about religion.

No, I only do that for a salary.
Great. So,

Bess, first things first.

You need to meet Julius Burton.

Lead the way.

Bar.

Yeah.

So, what else do I need to know,
other than billionaire,

multinational conglomerate,
key government contracts,

married for 32 years to Dixie--
if I read that right--

two sons and four grandchildren?

He's a birder.

He watches birds.
You know, with binoculars.

For some reason, people do that.

Julius!

Madam Secretary, a pleasure to
meet you at last.

Even more lovely
in person.

Well, thank you, Mr.
Burton. Julius.

Uh, is Dixie here tonight?

We lost her to the caviar table.

: Oh.

I hope you won't mind
a moment of shop talk.

Oh. Please.

How is the refurbishment
process going,

on the naval base in Bahrain?

I heard that your policy guy
met with somebody in DoD

just this afternoon.
Redrafting

the Defense Cooperation
Agreement, yes.

I hope that you will make this
a priority.

I know the State can get
distracted with other matters,

but it is dangerous to leave
our military needs stranded.

I understand.
W... we actually...

were a military family

for a long time...
The world is safer

when our bases are safer.

Bad weather can become
a matter of national security.

Right.

But when you have a company

with a no-bid contract
for military bases,

you can't exactly consider it
bad weather, right?

Speaking of nature,
I hear you're a birder.

Tell me about that.

Well...

It started in college...

Hello, Henry.

Conrad. Good to see you.

Lydia's hoping to carve out
a moment with you.

First spouse to second
spouse kind of thing.

I'll give you a heads-up

about the relentless
scrutiny headed your way.

Don't let it scare you.

I think I can handle it.

The husband of the
vice president isn't exactly

a high-profile element
of the campaign.

You'd be surprised.
You test pretty well.

I'm afraid they're gonna try
you out in front of the cameras

any chance they get.

I hope you don't have
any pie in the sky plans

for a life of your own.

Made one tiny little joke

which he totally had coming,

and Russell acted
like I barfed on the guy.

He probably would've
preferred that.

What if I can't do this?

You can do it.

You just got to think
of the bigger picture.

Tonight was just not
a fun night. That's all.

What happened?

Just...

Conrad gave me a speech about

when they campaign, we campaign,

and so I should maybe
cut back on my work.

Well, that's crazy.

You... you're not even
teaching that many classes.

He wasn't talking
about teaching.

Jose came to see me today.

They're...

they're putting together another

anti-terror work group.
I didn't commit.

But you wanted to.

And now you feel like you can't.

This is crazy.

We actually have jobs that make
a difference in the world

and we're giving them up?
For what?

For county fairs and
billionaire dinners?

That's just the campaign.

The job is still
kind of important.

Do you remember
what Conrad said

when he first talked to you
about secretary of state?

That we could effect
real change in the world.

Exactly. This is an even bigger
opportunity to do that.

You got to take it.

Good morning.

Hi, Mom. Morning. Hi.

Sorry, my hair staged
a rebellion.

You look great.

Totally vice
presidential.

Jason. Jason. I told you,

that information is on
complete lockdown until July.

We're in our house.
Still,

you have to pretend like you
don't know anything. Seriously.

Ignorance as a plus?
This is your moment.

Really, pal. You got
to toe the line on this one.

- Okay, I got it.
- Guys,

look at the flat Jareth
found for us in Oxford

on Airbnb.
Isn't it amazing?

You're inviting us over, right?
Summer in England?

That would be so cool.

Okay. My computer
is officially possessed.

- It keeps crashing.
- Maybe

it's embarrassed
you're still playing Minecraft.

I'm trying to upload my homework
assignment. It's been

acting like this
for a couple of days.

Here, give it to me.

I'll take it to the White House,
see if Oliver Shaw can fix it.

Isn't that overkill?
Well, I've got to go there anyway.

Check in with Jose, officially
turn down the consulting gig.

Figure I might as well enjoy
the last of the perks.

I think there might be
some perks

to being Mr. Vice President.

Jason!
I'm sorry!

♪ ♪

The guy at DoD gave me
a not-so-subtle prompt

to go digging
for internal reports.

Turns out there were several
over the last decade

about rising sea levels
and extreme weather patterns.

That's not exactly breaking news, Jay.
As well as

several proposals to raise
all naval bases to prepare,

something Burton Standard
Enterprises knew

when they refurbished
the Bahraini base two years ago.

Okay, that's different.

They ignored the proposal.
Why?

Because according to Congress,
sea levels aren't rising.

And if we did raise the bases,

that would trigger an entirely
new agreement negotiation.

And guys like Julius Burton

would probably lose
their no-bid contracts.

All along DoD has been clear
that climate change

is one of the biggest looming
threats to forces overseas

because they actually
have to prepare for reality.

But the party's deluded stance
on the issue has prevented them

from doing anything about it.

Just... I'm sorry.
Just venting.

I know there's nothing
we can do.

That's what they always say.

Until somebody does.

What day is it?

Wednesday?

Let's change the world.

Oh, this is not good.

What? Someone's hacked
into the webcam.

Looks like they've
been turning it on and watching

every time he's connected
to the Internet.

How... can that happen?
It could be a

piece of Trojan software
buried in a game he downloaded.

Some computer-savvy
creep at school

could have uploaded it
without his knowing. Or...

it could be
something else.

And given who Jason's
parents are,

the security implications
could be larger.

Right.

You should take this to the FBI
for further examination.

Just to be safe.

Okay. Yeah.

Uh... Thanks, Oliver.

Did you know

that sugar subsidies totaled

over $258 million
in the last year?

Imagine how many soldiers

we can put in body armor
with that money.

If we want to unleash the free
market and keep America safe,

we can't afford four more years
of frivolous handouts. Frivolous?

Governor, I'll tell you
what's frivolous: a politician

who talks a big game
about supporting the military

and then criticizes the very policies that
keep us safe. JESSICA: I wouldn't jump

on the word "frivolous."

It makes you sound...

Frivolous?

But he started it.

Sorry to interrupt.

Sir, we need to talk.
How are you, Russell?

I am very Sam Evans.
That can't be fun.

Take a seat. I could use a break.
I need to know why,

when every respected
climate scientist

in the country had warned
that the Bahraini base

was subject to damage
from cyclones,

Burton Standard Enterprises did
nothing to address the problem

when it refurbished the base
just two years ago?

Okay.

Can we have the room?

I'm s... sorry. I thought...
Ah.

I thought that
they should hear it.

You thought the campaign team

should hear you lighting
into the business practices

of one of the president's
biggest donors?

Much bigger than that.

What?

It's not just
the denial

of climate change
that's holding us back,

even the location of the base
is further evidence that

we're stuck
in old thinking.

Why are we still
in Bahrain at all?

Why should the U.S.

spend its blood and treasure
in the Persian Gulf,

aiding and defending states with
atrocious human rights records,

while countries like Tunisia--
who actually share our values--

go unaided?

As poetic as that sounds, Bess,

that's a
pretty simplified take on

one of the world's most
complicated regions.

There's this new thing
called terrorism.

It's really catching on.

Bahrain has nothing to do with
our strategy to fight terrorism.

And we need to be honest
with ourselves

about the real challenges
we face,

or we are going to face a future

with more and more American
lives sacrificed, and for what?

Preserving the power of people
like Julius Burton?

I mean, exactly when
did the United States

start making every
decision based on

strategic and politically
expedient reasons?

If we partner with nations

just to remain dominant
on the world stage,

how are we
any less imperialistic

than Russia or China?

I think we are at a

critical juncture
in human history

and the U.S. needs
to completely overhaul

its relationship with
the international community.

How could you seriously suggest
a complete change

of U.S. foreign policy
during an election

which I am barely winning?

I'm already backed
against the wall

for allowing a dirty bomb attack
on my watch,

not to mention trading a
treacherous spy to the Russians

for reasons that
I can't disclose.

And now you expect me to
explain to the American people

that I'm going
to pull stakes on

a major strategic position
in the Middle East?

And totally alienate my
biggest donor in the process?

What good is bold idealism

if it all but guarantees
the loss of a second term?

I'm talking about
doing what's right.

And I'm talking about winning.

You're not gonna get fired.

Because that would be a crazy
thing to do during an election,

because you're too valuable.

Should've said that one first.

I'm sure he's rethinking
the VP position.

And I can't really blame him.

Don't worry about it.
I'm sure that

Conrad appreciates
your passion.

Okay, let's go with that one.

How's your day?
Did you get

Jason's computer fixed?

Well, I'm afraid
that's more bad news.

It got hacked somehow.

It's probably just
some kids fooling around,

but I'm taking it to the FBI

to make sure it's
not a more serious breach.

Really? Yeah, it's probably that kid
George from his chemistry class.

You know, the troll?

That's not nice.
No, no. He's a troller.

He trolls.

Uh, he hacked
a cheerleader's Tumblr account.

Well...

Henry, are you there?

Henry?

Guys, we're home.
Hey.

Are you okay?
Yes, please, no fussing.

Dad!
I'm fine, I'm fine.

Dad, you were mugged.
It's a big deal.

Oh, come on,
he was in Desert Storm.

He's probably fine.

Plenty of people survive war
and then get killed

in stupid acts
of gun violence.

There was no gun.
This was bat violence.

Did you break anything?

I cracked two ribs,
but they're two

I don't use very often,
so I'm fine.

Okay, grab a seat,
Captain Stoical.

Jace, I'm sorry,
but they got your computer.

It's jacked-up anyway.

I'm psyched for the upgrade.

Okay, look, why
don't you guys go in

and make some dinner and Dad
will limp in in a few minutes.

Yeah, okay,
come on, guys.

Operation Tacos?

No, grilled cheese.

No, ramen.
It never lets you down.

So, no other news
from the FBI?

No, the plates were untraceable.

They said we shouldn't
jump to conclusions.

Like it was
a concerted,

organized effort
to get the computer?

Yeah, like that.

Anyway,

they're handling it now.
We shouldn't worry about it.

Great, I feel
completely relaxed.

And I've got this
Jane Pauley interview.

Do you want me
to cancel?

No, of course not.

We've got plenty of time
to stress about this.

Plus, if you stay here,

you'll have to eat
grilled cheese ramen tacos.

Go, save yourself.
: Okay.

Bye.
Bye.

So, Madam Secretary,

with the presidential primary
debate only moments away,

it's a good time to address
the elephant in the room.

If President Dalton
secures the nomination,

do you expect to be offered
the position of vice president?

And will you accept?

Well, I am unfamiliar

with that elephant.

Well, you can't be unfamiliar,
with the speculation

that Vice President Delgado
having health problems, that

you are the most
obvious replacement.

Look, uh, the president
still has the nomination to win

and I, I am, well, I have
my hands full with my day job.

Speaking of that,

the recent superstorm
that severely damaged

a U.S. naval base
in Bahrain

could bring up
the ongoing question

of climate change.

This is the third

or fourth storm of the century

in the last decade.

So it's beginning to look
less like a freak of nature

than maybe a pattern of nature.

It's very difficult to say

that one storm
is irrefutable evidence

of changing weather patterns...

I understand that,
but do you, Madam Secretary,

believe that
climate change is real?

It's not a matter of belief.

Based on the consensus
in the scientific community,

I am convinced
it's a significant issue

that needs to be addressed.

Are you breaking rank
with the president

and the party on this?

Well, I-I've never

been an official member
of any political party.

I'm not a partisan politician.

I'm a public servant.

That is an excellent
clarification.

Madam Secretary?

Hey, Jay.

You're starting to look
at home in the White House.

You ready for some
varsity debate analysis?

Yes, ma'am,
but first I have to say

I'm pleasantly taken
aback and full of awe

and admiration

and that I have your back
no matter how this turns out.

Great.

What are we talking about?

Your performance
on the show just now.

Oh, the VP thing?

I felt I skirted that.

No, no, climate change.

Oh, come on,
that was just chatter.

Bono was on afterwards
to discuss his endorsement.

People were just...

Are you completely insane?!

Well, the test results
aren't back yet,

but...
You think this is funny?

You have created a firestorm
inside the party.

Social media's blowing up.

It's gonna lead every news...

It was a personal question.

And I'm not gonna lie
on national television.

The president
understands

the difference between personal
honesty and party politics.

The president understands
there's an election to win.

And if you care
at all about him,

or advancing your own agenda,

you'll keep your mouth shut
about climate change

till the end of time.

Which may come sooner
than you think.

You'd better hope it does.
Where are you going?

I've changed my mind.

I'm gonna watch
the debate at home.

He's in V-fib.

Start compressions.

Epinephrine, one milligram.

Get me the AED.

Clear.
Clear.

Recharge?

Stand back.

Clear!

You're ready, Mr. President.

Hello.

We just got word.

Ensign Kelley didn't make it.

News is gonna break shortly.

It could come up in the debate.

I understand.

I'd like you to connect me
to the family.

Right now, sir?

Yes, now.

I'd like a moment,
please.

It's fine.

I'll see you out there.

Mr. and Mrs. Kelley?

I want to tell you how sorry
I am for your loss

and to thank you
for the enormous sacrifice

that Sean made for his country
and his fellow crewmen.

I understand
he held onto that cable

until every sailor
had made it to safety.

All of those men and their
families are in his debt.

God be with you.

Every moment

of this presidency
has been a failure

born of incompetency
and cowardice.

A dirty bomb attack
on American soil.

A gutless, lenient
peace deal with Iran.

Appeasement of Russia
with the shameful trade

of the notorious spy
Peter Buckley.

It reveals a president
catastrophically soft on defense

and unsupportive of
the American military.

Now...

now we hear a base in Bahrain

has been destroyed by cyclone
winds, and just moments ago,

we learned
that Ensign Sean Kelley,

after remaining in a coma
for several days, has died.

Ladies and gentlemen,
even in peacetime,

Dalton cannot
seem to protect

our men and women
in uniform.

President Dalton,
your response?

Ensign Sean Kelley's death

was not caused by so-called
"soft support of the military,"

but because of a willful
denial of reality

by many in Washington

and in my own party,

including Governor Evans.

And that reality
is climate change.

The extreme weather patterns

and rising sea levels
around the world.

Because we remain
in denial about that,

our naval bases
around the globe remain unsafe,

and our military
men and women

who occupy them
remain at unnecessary risk.

This scientifically
proven reality

will continue
to be a grave threat

to both military and civilian
populations everywhere

until we take serious and
specific action to address it.

And why don't we?

Because this reality
doesn't serve us.

It doesn't serve the false
construct of foreign policy.

It keeps us beholden
to nations who have resources

we think we need.

Instead of committing
ourselves to nations

who espouse and live
and breathe the values we share.

The values of freedom
and democracy

and basic human rights.

Economic and political
gamesmanship

makes us no better than the
imperial countries we censure.

We need to lead by example.

If elected to a second term,

I vow to prepare the United
States for a changing world.

Changing rapidly
due to a warming climate

and shifting global allegiances.

I will do this
against all opposition,

including inside my own party.

Because as President
Lyndon Johnson said

when he signed
the Civil Rights Act of 1964,

risking his party's political
future to do the right thing,

"What the hell's
the presidency for?"

Looks like he forgives you.

What the hell has he done?

I think this is premature.
Let us sit down with you.

I'm-I'm with the president now.

We could be there
in half an hour.

I think you're making
a serious mistake.

And I think you need to...

Well, that didn't take long.

Julius Burton
is officially throwing

all his financial support
to Sam Evans.

I'm tired of worrying
about what men

like Burton do with their money.

I'm not going to renew

the Defense Cooperation
Agreement with Bahrain.

Instead, we're going
to move toward

building a new base in Tunisia.

We're going to bring our
military and economic support

to a country that
has earned it.

What about
the next administration?

What happens when all this

executive action
is rolled back in January?

Already writing
a presidential obituary?

No, sir.

You did that yourself.

So it's official,
President Conrad Dalton

will be a one-term president.

Governor Sam Evans
just won the primary

and will head
to the general election.

So, is this the first time
that an incumbent president

has failed to get
his party's nomination?

Actually, no, in 1856,
Franklin Pierce failed to secure

his party's support,
but it is only the second time,

which makes it pretty historic.

We'll be right back
with more election coverage.

Sorry, Mr. President.

Uh, there are some things
that we have to address.

You, uh, you need to

concede the
nomination to Evans

and assure him that you'll
toe the party line,

endorse his candidacy,
and help him out

on the campaign trail

as much as you can, though...

Though right now

I'm such a liability
that my services

might not be
very much in demand.

You could look at that
as an upside.

Yes, I think I will.

Mr. President, I'm so sorry.
No, Bess.

We're not going to assign
any blame here.

We all made our choices,

we did our best.

Although I do wish I'd been able

to announce your candidacy
for vice president.

I appreciate your faith in me.

Sir, you still have
seven months in office

and there's work
to be done.

I suggest we
all just...

focus on that.

That's right.

A great team.

I've been privileged
to have you.

I'm sorry.
It's just wrong.

Well, the good news is...

that you can go back
to your intelligence work.

Maybe I'll go visit Stevie
in Oxford this summer.

Go back to teaching.

We don't have to figure
this all out tonight.

I really wanted a shot at that
vice presidency, I'll admit it.

But mainly
I just wanted Conrad

to have another term.
He deserved it.

You both did.

Excuse me.

You guys want a cup of water?

Madam Secretary.

Chief Justice, hi.

Tough loss.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

And you would have made a great

vice president, too.

I would have voted
for that ticket.

And it's not even my party.

Thank you, sir.

Don... Don't tell anyone.

According to the new
Defense Cooperation Agreement,

the construction
on the naval base

will employ Tunisian
contractors and workers,

which will bring a
boost to your economy.

We look forward

to establishing a strong
partnership with your country.

As do we, I assure you.

And I do appreciate,
Mr. President, Madam Secretary,

the sacrifices you made
on our behalf.

It may be a dark moment
now, but you have

moved your country
toward greatness.

People don't always

thank you for that,
but your legacy

will reflect it.

Thank you,
Foreign Minister.

I'm proud that we could
accomplish this together.

Believe me,
I know only too well

the perils of leading a country
into a new direction.

Have a good trip back.

Well, that's ironic.

Being given advice
on the pitfalls of democracy

by one of the most
nascent in the world.

Russell and I'll be
working on strategies

to ensure against
the next administration

being able to undo
this negotiation.

Yes. Fred Reynolds'
plan is to slash defense

back to bows and arrows.

Either way...

this agreement is at risk.

Sam Evans is on his way over
to talk about my endorsement.

Turns out that while I'm
kryptonite to much of the base,

among moderates and
independent swing voters,

and, his words--

"other coveted demographics"--

I'm still popular.
Well, I guess that's

the domestic politics version

of "you're big in Japan."

Better to be a lame duck

than a dead duck, I suppose.

Thanks, Bess.

Madam Secretary,
good to see you.

Governor Evans.
I just ran into

Foreign Minister Mossadek
on the way out.

I guess he was here
to discuss a naval base

you promised him over... We've
already secured the agreement.

Which I will do everything
in my power to undo.

I'll let you go.
The president's waiting.

Elizabeth.

We're under a
lot of pressure

from a number of
different organizations

and constituencies,
and though I'm proud

of achieving the nomination,
I'm sure you're aware

that some damage has been
done to party unity.

Conrad's endorsement will
go a long way to fix that,

but administrative continuity
from one term to the next

will help even more.

So I hope that
you will consider

maintaining your role
as secretary of state

in my cabinet.

I'm asking Russell
Jackson to stay, too.

I know you can't
answer now.

But think about it and call me
back when you come round, okay?

I-I just realized that I...

I left my pen, and I'm...

It's a sentimental thing,
my husband gave it to me.

I'm just gonna run back
and get it. You don't mind,

do you?

Bess?

Don't endorse Evans.

Run as an independent.

What?
You just said

that you are an asset
in the general election

with broad popular support.

And it must be even broader
than we think,

or Evans wouldn't be
hitting it so hard.

What if you have a shot,
even without

your party's support?

The move would be
historically unprecedented,

but given the coup
that they just pulled on you,

one unprecedented event
deserves another.

Well, it's either that
or leave the country

in the hands of Evans,
a spineless puppet

for special interests,
or to Fred Reynolds

in the other party--
a clueless isolationist.

I realize this is
a reckless play,

given that no independent
has ever won the presidency,

although Teddy Roosevelt
came close,

but that was...

With the right support

and an aggressive enough
ground game,

we have a fighting chance,

and wouldn't you rather

go out fighting?

If we're gonna make history,

let's make the good kind.

You're killing me.
You know that, right?

Can I get you
a drink?

No, thanks.
I pre-drank.

So, I-I take it you've

spoken with Conrad.

Oh, what the hell?
I'm not driving.

Conrad running as an independent

is an insane idea.

Primarily 'cause he can't win.

Also...

because it puts me
in an impossible position.

Choosing between this president

and the party I have supported
since middle school.

I would counter
it's not the same party

you've supported
since middle school.

Its nominee
represents nothing

of what you
stand for,

and Conrad's
chances of winning

are... narrow

but not impossible. What do
you think I've been doing

all night?
I've run the numbers, Elizabeth.

He loses handily
in nine out of ten scenarios.

So what's the tenth?

Let's concentrate on that.

The winning scenario...

depends on one big concession.

That's why I'm here.

With your popularity

among independents
and moderates,

you're likely to
carry swing states

like Florida, Ohio, Virginia.

The bad news is...

that's not enough
to win the election.

But you don't need to win.

You just need not to lose.

The goal is to keep
any candidate

from getting to the requisite
270 electoral votes.

If that were to happen,

the election gets thrown
to the House of Representatives.

And there,
you would have

a very good chance
of winning.

The biggest barrier to stopping
Evans from getting to 270

is his home state
of Pennsylvania

and its 20 electoral votes.

And how do we pull that off?

Well, sir,

there's really
only one way.

You need a popular Pennsylvanian
on the ticket.

Senator Teresa Hurst pulls

big numbers there.
She's fiercely independent,

she's a shameless supporter
of yours.

You need to choose her

to be your vice presidential
candidate.

No.

I chose you

as a trusted confidant

and the exact right person
for the job.

Not another
ticket-balancing politician.

Teresa Hurst
is a rising star.

She's on the practical side
of all the issues...

And don't forget
you're running

on the "dismantling the world
as we know it" platform.

I'm sorry--
change foreign policy,

change the world. And if
we're gonna go with that,

you're gonna need me

as your secretary of state, sir.

Not your vice president.

Right now, you need
to do what you can to win.

Now she gets it.

Remind me what was so bad

about the campaign circuit?

Besides everything?

I am so far behind
on these term papers.

I'm gonna be up all night.
Maybe I should go downstairs.

Why? I'm gonna
be up all night

with restructuring
American foreign policy.

It'll be fun,
be like college.

We can order out
some bad food.

Cheeseburger pizza
is on the way.

You are so handsome.

I'm gonna make sure
we have Tums. Tums!

What's that?

Henry...

where'd these come from?

I have no idea.

Someone is stalking
our kids.

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