Madam Secretary (2014–…): Season 3, Episode 16 - Swept Away - full transcript
Elizabeth's landmark global climate treaty with more than 200 countries is jeopardized when China threatens to back out due to her meeting with an ailing Dalai Lama. Also, Henry worries about his undercover operative's safety, and...
- Ten, nine...
- Hold on. Are you crazy?
- Are you crazy?
- It's the Project Runway finale.
- You're crazy.
- So you can DVR it!
Just stop ruining my life.
Oh, my... you know what? You know what?!
You are so dead!
- I-I actually didn't do it.
- You know what, Alison?
- I didn't.
- Then who did?! What are you...?
- Ready for the Runway?
- Of course, of course it was the other one.
Uh, no, the real world, actually.
President Dalton gave
his, uh, State of the
Union, like, an hour ago.
I have to be up
on what the cable-verse
thinks for work tomorrow.
Oh, great. So just
because you're interning
for Russell Jackson,
you have to stay current
on how screwed-up the world is?
Guys, Mom has spent the
last six months negotiating
a global climate deal, and the
president announced it tonight.
It's like the moon
shot of our generation.
More than 200 countries
committed to the Stockholm Protocols'
sweeping carbon emission benchmarks.
But the crown jewel for President Dalton
was getting India and China on board.
The question now:
will the treaty pass the U.S. Senate?
Ah. Hey, look who's civically engaged.
Hey.
Do you guys think that
the Senate's gonna ratify?
You mean act rationally and
sacrifice minor short-term
domestic economic gains
for the greater good?
Oh, yeah, they always
do stuff like that.
I have faith.
In the scorched-earth fight
our president is willing to wage
to bulldoze those who
would deny reality.
Scorched earth over scorched earth?
Appropriate.
I need ice cream.
You were really playing
Titanfall, weren't you?
- I mean, you know...
- Weren't you? Huh?
If the State of the Union had
just a few more explosions...
- Hello. Who?
- I want to watch Project Runway.
Oh, God.
Uh, yeah, let him in.
Who is it? The Grim Reaper?
Pretty much.
You sure you don't want a spoon?
Mm, no, thanks.
So, I hear you are meeting
with the Dalai Lama tomorrow.
Been on my schedule for months.
I doubt you just heard.
But I did just hear from the
Chinese president about it.
I'm sure that you explained
to him that our policy
towards Tibet has not changed,
and we would never
let the Chinese dictate
with whom our secretary of
state can or cannot meet.
President Li and I simply
agreed this is a delicate time.
Often the first step toward appeasement.
The Chinese have had a bug up their ass
about the Dalai Lama since the 1950s,
when they first drove him from
his spiritual seat in Tibet.
To them, he's a font
of separatist rhetoric,
hell-bent on breaking away from China,
so it is indeed delicate.
Are you really mansplaining
Tibetan history to me?
We need China on board
for the president to
deliver on his promise
to fight climate change,
which I know you know.
And you also know
that in just five days,
China's congress decides
whether or not to ratify the treaty.
After that, you can go
on Dancing With the Stars
with the Lama for all I care.
Please, Elizabeth.
Please? Really?
Does Conrad even know you're here?
The president says...
...it's your call.
Look.
I get that the timing
of this isn't great.
But as we know, this meeting has been
on the books for some time.
And caving to Chinese pressure about it
would set a terrible precedent.
That said,
I can pare back the coverage.
Try and keep the visit
under the radar, I guess.
Thank you.
Good morning. Any word from Ian?
Still radio silence.
Dead militia member
and an asset gone quiet.
- Go, team.
- Yeah.
Good morning.
Good morning.
DOJ ruled that Ian's kill was justified.
Wayne O'Connell's wounds were consistent
with Ian's account of the attack.
Okay. And what about the
disposition of the body?
Office of Legal Counsel
wants it released
to the family immediately.
And say what?
That he was killed during an
FBI sting into his death cult?
We can't risk word that the
investigation will get back
- to the VFF.
- That's right.
You want to pull Ian out.
I don't see how we
have any other choice,
unless you expect the Federal Bureau
- to disappear a body.
- Okay, look.
I have a meeting scheduled
with Ian tomorrow.
Assuming he shows,
I'll give him a camera.
As far as the militia's concerned,
Wayne O'Connell is just missing.
Let's give Ian more
time to gather evidence,
then we can pull him out,
grab the drone and the bomb,
and then release O'Connell's body.
The most I can get the
DOJ to hold is four days.
That's how long you have
to me something actionable.
Preparations for the sand mandala
- are going well.
- I don't get it.
These monks spent all week
painstakingly arranging colored sand
to fit this blueprint,
and when, whoosh, they
just sweep it away.
Wh-What's the point?
That is the point.
Everything's transitory.
Everything ends.
That's very sad.
Even that feeling, that'll pass, too.
Okay, now you're just piling on.
Just keep at it.
- Good morning, ma'am.
- Morning, ma'am.
Great morning.
Is the sand mandala
- ready to rock?
- Yes, ma'am.
Uh, I still don't get the point.
That is the point.
No. Due respect, ma'am,
not getting the point
can't possibly be the point.
You can say that about anything.
Exactly.
Give over, Blake.
Okay, you know,
Buddhism clearly isn't for neurotics.
Or maybe just the opposite.
Look who that is! Come here!
Who is this? Who is this?
Oh, my goodness. This is my girl.
I tell ya, staffers just keep
getting younger and younger,
- don't they?
- Sorry, ma'am.
- The sitter canceled on us last minute.
- Oh, are you kidding?
She keeps me on my toes,
just like her daddy.
Right, little varmint?
Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness.
Secretary Elizabeth McCord.
Ah, so good to see you.
- It's so good to see you.
- You are the kindest of world leaders.
Tall bird lady with lion's heart.
Thank you, Your Holiness.
You remember my assistants,
Lama Samten, Lama Dote
and Geshe Tashi.
You can tell them apart by their auras.
Oh.
- Buddhist humor.
- Oh!
That's... He's... That's...
- He's funny.
- Yeah.
Oh, now, who are you, little sister?
This is Chloe.
- Hello.
- Chloe.
Your Holiness, this...
Whoa!
She is the wisest of us all.
Yes.
Now, where is the sand mandala?
Members of the National Buddhist Center
here in D.C. anticipated your arrival.
Ah.
May you be at peace.
May you be well.
May you find loving kindness.
Let this cosmic Buddha palace
heal and energize the world.
May I have some tea?
Of course.
We have a masala chai
that the tea snobs around
here just rave about.
- Hi.
- Sorry about this.
No, it's fine. My mom's coming for her.
- Hi, baby.
- You got her?
I really am trying my best here.
Um, listen, I was gonna give
this to you a little later,
but, uh, it seems appropriate.
It's an informal custody
settlement agreement.
Are you serious?
You... you want sole
physical custody of our child?
I want a routine for Chloe.
Yeah, but what's-what's this?
Can't we just talk about it?
Every time we set a
schedule, something comes up,
and she and I end up ping-ponging
between offices and departments,
and we cannot keep doing that.
And my lawyer friend says
it's a, uh, it's a standard arrangement.
One day a week, every other weekend,
and-and then we can discuss holidays.
What happened to
working on the marriage?
My lawyer friend.
And we still need a custody agreement
- while we're working on the marriage.
- No.
I do not accept this. You don't
get to dictate the terms here.
Shh. Okay.
Okay.
We should just talk about this later.
I'm sorry.
I thought you would understand.
Say good-bye to Daddy.
Good girl.
I'll see you soon, okay, honey?
See you later.
Come on.
I must request your help
with a rather serious matter.
Your Holiness, you know I...
I can't discuss statecraft with you.
I'm terminal.
Pancreatic cancer.
I'm so sorry.
Everyone must die.
I have aligned my life to my purpose:
to fight for the autonomy
of the Tibetan people.
And as for them,
I ask that you endorse my choice
for my successor over China's.
Well, as always...
the United States encourages
you to achieve your goal
through direct dialogue with China.
When I die, the Tibetans will lose
their loudest voice in this world.
China will be emboldened
to trample even more of our rights.
U.S. policy is clear.
We are officially neutral on this issue.
I die knowing that I've done
everything I can for my people.
I have no regrets, Elizabeth.
Do you?
Of course I have regrets.
How could I not?
It was a rhetorical question, babe.
And now he's dying.
And I feel terrible about that.
And I feel guilty about Tibet.
Like, now it's all on me, but I...
we're too... enmeshed with China,
especially with this climate deal,
to offend them over a battle
they've-they've mostly won, right?
I mean...
Thoughts from the world
renowned religious scholar?
I guess I'm preoccupied
with my own regrets.
Uh, not just that the office shut down.
The bomb's still out there,
to say nothing of the drone.
Oh, gosh, I'm sorry. I...
It's okay.
Just... stop hogging all
the self-flagellation.
Hello.
Sorry to bother you, ma'am,
but are you watching the news?
I'll turn it on.
...announcement.
Breaking with hundreds
of years of tradition,
the Dalai Lama named his
successor while still alive.
Gaden Bhuti, a two-year-old
Tibetan-American boy
from Delaware, son to immigrants
Yonten and Sonam Bhuti...
Didn't see that coming.
Please tell me this boy isn't
an American citizen, Jay.
Wish I could,
but if we let him keep his citizenship
or leave the country to
take his new position,
the Chinese will accuse us
of backing the Tibetan cause.
Well, you got to hand it to the Lama.
He figured out a way to force our hand.
China will make a meal of this.
Yeah, and the appetizer
will be our climate deal.
Hang on, Jay.
I have peace and light
on the other line.
I got to call you back.
Namaste, Russell.
You watching this?!
Y... Yes.
Where did he get this bright idea?
What the hell did you say to the Lama?!
Mr. Chen, the United States
will not officially endorse
any new Lama; you have my word.
How generous, Madam Secretary,
but the People's Republic needs you
to publicly disavow this choice.
You know we can't do that.
Not endorsing maintains
our neutrality.
If the Dalai Lama is an
American, then by definition,
that's not neutral.
It's the United States harboring
an anti-China instigator.
Ming, the boy is two.
I think your way of life will survive.
Symbols are often more
potent than armies, Elizabeth.
Change your position,
or I will make sure
the National People's
Congress Standing Committee
never considers the Stockholm
Protocols for approval.
Are you really going to hold
the world hostage over a symbol,
who's probably not even potty-trained?
I believe my position is clear.
To hell with the cooling-off period.
I want to look at
officially naming China
a currency manipulator.
Even hinting at that will
be considered aggressive.
Look, whether we like it or not,
Tibet is a symbol of
nationalism in China.
And the Dalai Lama
personifies the last vestiges
of Tibetan independence.
So let China look tough for a few days,
and I bet that they will
quietly ratify the protocols.
Well, forget the Chinese.
Now we're taking fire
from our own flank.
Chandler Morton,
the distinguished junior
senator from Pennsylvania,
just did a lap of the morning shows
to express his ardent
support for the Dalai Lama
and his American successor.
Senator Dumbass even
invited the Lama to address
the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee next week.
Why jeopardize the climate deal?
Morton's on record as a supporter.
The Dalai Lama's announcement
last night broke the Internet.
The public moved on from sad polar bears
to cute baby saviors.
The senator's just chasing that
narrative to boost his profile.
Well, regardless of his motive,
we still need to show China
we take this seriously.
Chen won't accept a condemnation.
Morton will have to back down.
Hit 'em where it hurts, sir.
Threaten to withdraw
support from your donor list.
And we provoke him, it
could blow up in our face.
Look, let me find
a carrot to entice the good senator.
You want to reward this punk?
If we can quietly get
him off his high horse,
then I will have something
to point to when I talk
the Chinese off theirs.
Do it, Bess.
Rewarding bad behavior it is.
Nadine,
do you still play
in that monthly Hill
leadership poker game?
I consider it my pension fund.
You ever clean out anyone from
the Pennsylvania delegation?
Well, it's a friendly game.
Are you looking for
leverage on Senator Morton?
I just wanted to...
offer him some alternative paths
to the attention he seeks.
I'll find something.
Thank you.
Hey.
Hey.
- Here you go.
- Oh, thanks.
I got to be quick.
Ever since Wayne disappeared,
they've got us on even tighter lockdown.
Does the Council of
Elders suspect foul play?
Yeah, of course. They
got conspiracy theories
on why certain squirrels
show up when they do.
Since Wayne's disappearance
is an actual mystery,
they're going nuts; I
swear they're watching me.
Can you hang on
for another 72 hours?
HQ shutting it down?
Got to release Wayne's body.
So we need you to focus
on collecting significant Intel now.
We'll raid camp after we extract you.
I don't have any significant Intel.
I haven't seen the bomb.
After Wayne, they moved the drone.
You're gonna have to
wear another camera.
At the very least, it'll
help us plan the raid.
Uh, did you not hear me?
They already think I'm shady.
If they see that thing,
they're gonna kill me.
- They sweep the camp every day...
- Okay, listen, I know what the risk is,
but remember, we're trying to keep VFF
from committing mass murder.
All the work you've done,
Wayne's death, it means nothing
unless we get enough
information before we go in.
Look, if you're not up for it...
I can bring you in right now.
I'm fine.
I should go.
Okay.
See you in 72 hours.
Ben. Hey.
- Thanks for this.
- Hey, I'm always happy
to dispense legal advice when
it's paired with a free steak.
Could we actually do
something quicker? Work is...
Oh, yeah, I read about the Lama thing.
Uh, whatever you want, man.
So, what can I do?
You mean if reasoning with her fails?
You have to play the game you're in.
Hardball. Use anything you can
to make her look less optimal.
Didn't you say she went
through some postpartum stuff?
Do not go there, man.
I didn't say it was pretty.
Ma'am, I did the recon.
Senator Morton's chief
professional passion
is lobbying the FCC to
approve a telecom merger.
But he does have pretty
powerful motivation
for supporting an American Lama.
I'll let my source tell you.
You play poker with the
vice president, Nadine?
I cashed in my chips
when I took this gig.
- How are you?
- Hi, Teresa. How are you?
So good to see you.
Come, please, sit down.
Uh, yes, well, it was just as well,
because Nadine is a shark.
Teresa was gracious enough
to take my call anyway.
What better source
on Morton than his predecessor?
I wish I had better news.
Morton's untimely
pursuit of Tibetan freedom
has particularly craven motives.
His biggest donor is Gration Tech,
manufacturer of heavy machinery.
They make almost half
their revenue from hydraulic valve parts
crucial to coal mining.
An industry that would
take an enormous hit
if the Stockholm
Protocols were ratified.
Ma'am, I just got word
from our India desk...
Oh, Madam Vice President,
hi. Sorry to interrupt.
No worries. It's good to see you, Jay.
India wants to reopen
the Stockholm Protocols.
They're demanding a reduction
on all coal restrictions.
They're clearly reacting
to China wavering.
That and growing protests
in Delhi and Mumbai over the prospect
of rising electricity costs.
Well, with India bailing,
China is even less likely
to ratify the climate deal.
And we have our own senator
to thank for blowing it up.
Wow.
So Morton is trying to spike the
deal to help one of his donors,
but he's hiding behind
the feel-good issue
of Tibetan independence.
That's my assessment, sir, yes.
You staked your second term
on taking meaningful action
on climate change.
If this deal falls apart,
the enemy smells weakness,
works that much harder
to deny any of your other priorities.
Why did I want this job again?
Your house does have a
bowling alley in the basement.
So no one will care
that Morton puts his donors' priorities
ahead of the nation's,
I mean, of-of the world?
Yeah. No one will care.
We need to stop the bleeding.
Get India back on board,
Morton back in line,
before every other hack in
the Senate puts his hand out
and our own side falls apart.
Well, I can handle
the India inducements.
As for Morton...
I rescind my earlier
concerns about provoking him.
I think we all know
what needs to happen.
We've been watching
Ian's feed for hours,
with no new sign of evidence.
On the other hand,
they haven't killed him.
Yet.
Our dead friend Wayne O'Connell's
been out of pocket for days now.
Ian's the new guy; they
got to be looking at him.
Yeah, but if we pull him now,
there's no way we'll find the bomb.
Unless...
we release O'Connell's
body to his family
without telling the
details of his death.
Whoa.
That's a surprising notion
coming from an ethics professor.
Could take the heat off Ian.
Buy him some time to find the bomb.
Can you live with that?
I'm so sorry I forgot to give you this.
Was Chloe up all night?
Thank you.
Hey, I said I'm sorry.
How could you go to the guy
who officiated our wedding
for legal advice?
What about your lawyer friend?
Someone from yoga who
downloaded a form for me.
I didn't seek her advice,
and she didn't marry us.
Well, I'm allowed to know my rights.
You really want to fight me in
court for the right to leave her
with a babysitter in your
apartment half the time?
Who does that serve, Jay?
And you can't seriously think
that you would be a better
custodial parent to Chloe.
I practically was her
only parent for six months
when you couldn't get
out of bed. Remember that?
Because I sure as hell do!
Prime Minister Verma,
let me start by saying that I am open
to taking a second look
at some of the protocols.
Since India will sacrifice the most,
we believe it's only fair.
Just none that increase coal emissions.
Ah.
The rich Western nation
built on coal tells
the emerging market, "It's
okay when we polluted.
You find a new way."
A classic.
Look, I get it.
You promised to bring electricity
to the 300 million Indians
who live without it,
and you think loosening
coal restrictions
will help you deliver.
And it will.
We have lots of people
in India and lots of coal.
It's not a complicated equation.
But the majority of
those without electricity
live in remote rural areas,
far from any kind of grid.
Indeed. I'm well aware of that.
So let's find that new way together.
Return to the deal as is,
and the U.S. will subsidize
a mass scale lo-fi alternative:
bottom-up, solar mini grid efforts
to rural areas.
Get the Chinese to
resuscitate the protocols,
along with this new amendment,
we could be amenable.
I told POTUS
what this telecom merger
would mean for Pennsylvania.
A thumbs-up could push it over the top,
really put you on the map.
Good luck, Senator.
You're not coming?
Oh, no, no, no. The
president wanted to keep
this meeting top
tier... just one and two.
Number five. Didn't make the cut.
Let's not keep the leader
of the free world waiting.
Senator Morton,
are you familiar with
the migratory pattern
of the osprey?
Um, no, sir.
They winter in South America,
then travel up to 5,000 miles
to their North American
breeding grounds.
They settle here to eat
fish from the Potomac.
I saw a few my first year, but...
not many since.
My grandchildren, well...
...they may never see an osprey at all.
That's what scientists call
shifting baseline syndrome.
Each generation accepts their
version of nature, plunders it,
then leaves the next generation
to accept the depleted version,
and so on.
Which brings me to us.
Now.
You.
Mr. President, I'm here
about the telecom deal.
We'll get to that in a minute.
I know you're killing my climate
deal to appease your donor.
Who is it again, uh,
Gration Technologies?
All due respect, sir,
your sources don't know
what they're talking about.
I'm his source, Chandler.
Your telecom merger is up for review
in two weeks.
It, uh, rides the line
on antitrust issues,
on what's proper and not.
Shifting baseline syndrome.
It's everywhere these days.
Point is,
I can choose to become
troubled by those issues.
Or not.
So do the right thing.
Don't screw up the climate deal
that a majority of Americans support,
including your constituents.
Or I will kick your ass.
Welcome to Washington, Senator.
I received your
inducements, Madam Secretary.
All very generous.
But we cannot accept as long
as your government endorses
the American Lama.
And that's why I'm glad to report
that Senator Morton
had a change of heart.
We reaffirm our neutrality.
A government with conflicting opinions.
I will never understand democracy.
Well, you say "tomato,"
I say "let's ratify our climate deal."
Okay? We'll resubmit the protocols
with a new addendum
for Indian solar funding.
Everybody's happy. Planet saved.
Thank you.
There's just one more matter to settle.
Really?
Chinese Buddhist scholars
have found the Dalai
Lama's true reincarnation.
A two-year-old boy in Sichuan Province.
If you officially recognize him,
we will gladly have
the Standing Committee
consider the protocols
for ratification.
Ming, we-we support
the PRC's right to recognize
this boy as the next Lama.
Just as we support
Tibet's right to recognize
their own boy.
I'm afraid that's not good enough.
Disqualify the American
Lama or recognize ours.
Otherwise, no deal.
Do you know the mountains
that President Dalton and I
had to move to put
this deal back together?
All to do what's best for our children
and grandchildren... oh, and the other
seven billion people on the planet, too.
But... And you are
putting it all on the line,
trying to strong-arm us
into endorsing some
toddler that you are using
as a political pawn!
Do... You know who the
real toddler is, Ming?
You.
You're the real toddler. You are.
Well, that happened.
Yes, it most certainly did.
Are you going to see
the Bhuti family today?
In a few minutes, actually.
Uh, would you like
us to try to talk them
out of letting their
child do the Lama tests?
No.
We are not putting
our thumb on the scale.
Let's just hope the universe...
gives us a break.
The Chinese officials said
you will take away our citizenship
if we let Gaden study as a monk.
Oh, no, the State Department
would never do that.
They were just trying to intimidate you.
We heard the Chinese stopped
the climate deal over of our son.
How do we know you won't
try to pressure us in order
- to make your deal?
- Well, of course,
American government has policy concerns.
But it is not our place
to try to influence you.
It is a difficult decision.
If your child was chosen
to enlighten all people...
And to save your home...
Shouldn't you let him?
So you're actually considering
giving up your child
to be raised by monks?
Which is your choice.
But, effectively, you'd
be choosing to abandon him.
You know that, right?
Excuse me.
You want to tell me
what happened in there?
Abby wants full custody of
Chloe and won't give me an inch.
It's gotten... pretty nasty.
I'm sorry.
Me, too.
You know, I went
through something similar
with my son, Roman.
Um...
His father and I weren't married.
And he wanted nothing to do with us,
until Roman turned eight.
And then he asked for a relationship.
I think I resented
the whole "prodigal father
returning for the fun stuff"
after I'd done all the heavy lifting.
And I knew he didn't have
money to take me to court, so...
I boxed him out.
And then one day, I was
cleaning out Roman's backpack,
and I found the announcement
for the father-son camping trip
at his school.
It was torn into pieces.
That's when I realized who was really
going to be picking up the tab.
What's the status at the crash site?
Placed an anonymous
call over an hour ago.
Highway Patrol should
be there any minute.
With any luck...
...they rule Wayne's death accidental.
We just have to make
sure VFF gets the word
and buys the story.
Yeah.
Okay. Call me the minute
you get a ping from Ian.
You all right?
No, not really.
You know, my asset.
How 'bout you?
Well, I just heard that the
Lama's been hospitalized.
Likely the beginning of the end.
I'm sorry.
Well, I got to deal with how his passing
is gonna affect the planet.
China's playing with global catastrophe,
and no one knows yet whether
Gaden Bhuti will pass the test
and be the next Lama or not.
There's no way to influence the outcome?
You mean...
by doing something brazenly unethical?
Are you okay? Really?
You have a fever?
I just have been
suggesting a lot of things
that aren't me lately.
Well, I'm right here.
You know, sometimes those Lama tests
can take years to initiate.
Great.
Then it won't matter
whether he's the Lama or not,
because the planet can't wait.
There's-there's no time.
Maybe you can't put
your thumb on the scale.
How 'bout you put your foot on the gas?
Transition team to O.R. 3.
Ma'am.
Transition team to O.R. 3.
Ah, Elizabeth.
I brought you these.
Ah.
How very kind, Elizabeth.
If you want to say something,
there's no better time than now.
I-I've been thinking
about how, for Buddhists,
clinging is the root of suffering.
Well, I understand that now,
because I have been clinging
to ensuring a future for our planet
and its people.
This may even be my purpose.
That is a worthy purpose.
But the trouble is...
our purposes are at odds.
If Gaden Bhuti is the
Lama, Tibet has a leader.
But the Chinese will not
ratify your climate deal.
And by 2050,
200 million people in your region
will face losing their homes and lives
from the melting Himalayan glacier.
And once gone, so will
be the water supply
to the Indian seat of your
own government in exile.
But if
Gaden Bhuti is not the Lama...
If the tests take years,
it won't matter.
What do you ask of me, Elizabeth?
Give my purpose fair footing.
Test the American child now.
We'll accept the results...
then go from there.
Jay, what are you doing here?
You cannot ambush me like this.
Don't worry. I come in peace.
So, I just spent the week watching Tibet
and China fight over a two-year-old
who may or may not be the reincarnation
of the Bodhisattva of compassion.
I know. I read about it. It's crazy.
He's this avatar
for everyone's hopes
and fears, even mine.
I'm clinging to Chloe
like she's the last
mooring of the life I knew,
the life that I... that
I thought made sense to me.
You're a wonderful mother.
And I'm a present and loving dad...
...when I'm around.
I'm gonna work on doing more of that.
But the main thing is,
no matter what choices
that we're making in our lives
right now, she didn't choose it.
She deserves parents who respect
each other and put her first,
and I just... I just
want to focus on that.
So...
I'm saying yes
to your agreement.
Chloe needs stability more
than I need... anything.
But I hope we can keep
talking about it, though.
Things can change.
I could get fired.
And then I'm coming after
her with everything I've got.
Yeah, of course we can
keep talking about it.
I want Chloe to think that
her dad is the greatest.
So, the Dalai Lama's representatives
are set to meet him today?
Uh, yeah, in an hour.
It's the final test.
And if they recognize their master
in this little American boy?
Then we are out of moves.
You should have heard me wax poetic
about the ospreys to Senator Morton.
Oh, I'm sure you were
very eloquent, Conrad.
No one would tell me otherwise.
This job gives you an inflated
sense of your own importance,
so it can be sobering when the world
just does what it wants,
all your fine talk be damned.
I just got word.
The Dalai Lama passed away.
His attendants are preparing
to take his body back to India.
I'm sorry to hear that.
He was a great man.
Maybe even something rarer.
He was a good man.
Do they still plan on testing the child?
Well, Tibet needs a spiritual
and symbolic leader now more than ever.
I hate to root against a toddler here,
but the Little Buddha'd
be doing the world a favor
if he shanked this test.
Hey.
They're taking Ian to the chapel.
News of O'Connell's
death broke this morning.
Reaction's been mixed.
Any pronouncements from the Elders?
Soldiers of God, welcome.
We'll see.
Amen.
It's been a hard morning.
We lost Wayne, a
brother in the struggle.
Suspicion abounded
and fell in particular
on the newcomer.
Brother Ryan, join me.
Uh-oh.
There's no way we can get him out now.
Brother Ryan reminds me of when
Paul washed ashore in Malta.
When the local people found
him, they thought, like we did,
that he must be a murderer.
Why would God punish
Paul with a snakebite
after a shipwreck, if
he didn't have it coming?
Now we hear Wayne drove
off the road to his death.
But remember, my brothers,
what comes next for Paul.
What comes next?
It's good news.
Scripture says,
"But after they had looked a great while
and saw no harm come to him..."
"...they changed their minds
and said that he was a god."
Now I'm not saying
Brother Ryan is a god.
The Maltese are a fickle people.
But he has endured our
judgment with patience.
We apologize.
Now...
bless Brother Ryan as
he takes Wayne's place
on the Council of Elders
and fulfills our purpose:
to bring a timely end
to this decaying world!
Amen. Amen!
He's alive, and he's a
member of the Council now.
Not a bad day at the office.
Yeah, yeah.
Ma'am?
Geshe Tashi.
I am so sorry
about your teacher's passing.
Thank you.
His legacy lives on
in his reincarnation.
The search will continue.
So, Gaden Bhuti did not pass the test?
When Lama Dote, Lama
Samten, and I met the child,
we agreed: he is not our teacher.
I know His Holiness had a lot
of faith in your discernment,
so we wish Tibet luck in its search.
The path to the new Lama
often has many turns.
Before I go, may I fulfill
one of the Lama's last wishes?
Can we go to the mandala?
Of course. Yes.
Shall I ask Blake to call Minister Chen?
In a minute.
For now, will you
please gather the staff?
So, where will you search next?
There is a girl in Nepal.
Or perhaps there will
be no Lama.
I would find that kind of
ambiguity hard to accept.
As you noted in the hospital,
clinging to anything, including a vision
or a political stance, is
a recipe for suffering.
The Chinese exiled the Lama,
but this introduced him and
Tibetan culture to the world.
Whether or not autonomy comes,
Tibet lives in the hearts of many,
and, so, can never die.
Perhaps in this way, the
Lama did achieve his purpose.
Now other purposes can flourish,
perhaps not ones
beneficial only to Tibetans,
but to all mankind.
Thank you.
Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.
- Hold on. Are you crazy?
- Are you crazy?
- It's the Project Runway finale.
- You're crazy.
- So you can DVR it!
Just stop ruining my life.
Oh, my... you know what? You know what?!
You are so dead!
- I-I actually didn't do it.
- You know what, Alison?
- I didn't.
- Then who did?! What are you...?
- Ready for the Runway?
- Of course, of course it was the other one.
Uh, no, the real world, actually.
President Dalton gave
his, uh, State of the
Union, like, an hour ago.
I have to be up
on what the cable-verse
thinks for work tomorrow.
Oh, great. So just
because you're interning
for Russell Jackson,
you have to stay current
on how screwed-up the world is?
Guys, Mom has spent the
last six months negotiating
a global climate deal, and the
president announced it tonight.
It's like the moon
shot of our generation.
More than 200 countries
committed to the Stockholm Protocols'
sweeping carbon emission benchmarks.
But the crown jewel for President Dalton
was getting India and China on board.
The question now:
will the treaty pass the U.S. Senate?
Ah. Hey, look who's civically engaged.
Hey.
Do you guys think that
the Senate's gonna ratify?
You mean act rationally and
sacrifice minor short-term
domestic economic gains
for the greater good?
Oh, yeah, they always
do stuff like that.
I have faith.
In the scorched-earth fight
our president is willing to wage
to bulldoze those who
would deny reality.
Scorched earth over scorched earth?
Appropriate.
I need ice cream.
You were really playing
Titanfall, weren't you?
- I mean, you know...
- Weren't you? Huh?
If the State of the Union had
just a few more explosions...
- Hello. Who?
- I want to watch Project Runway.
Oh, God.
Uh, yeah, let him in.
Who is it? The Grim Reaper?
Pretty much.
You sure you don't want a spoon?
Mm, no, thanks.
So, I hear you are meeting
with the Dalai Lama tomorrow.
Been on my schedule for months.
I doubt you just heard.
But I did just hear from the
Chinese president about it.
I'm sure that you explained
to him that our policy
towards Tibet has not changed,
and we would never
let the Chinese dictate
with whom our secretary of
state can or cannot meet.
President Li and I simply
agreed this is a delicate time.
Often the first step toward appeasement.
The Chinese have had a bug up their ass
about the Dalai Lama since the 1950s,
when they first drove him from
his spiritual seat in Tibet.
To them, he's a font
of separatist rhetoric,
hell-bent on breaking away from China,
so it is indeed delicate.
Are you really mansplaining
Tibetan history to me?
We need China on board
for the president to
deliver on his promise
to fight climate change,
which I know you know.
And you also know
that in just five days,
China's congress decides
whether or not to ratify the treaty.
After that, you can go
on Dancing With the Stars
with the Lama for all I care.
Please, Elizabeth.
Please? Really?
Does Conrad even know you're here?
The president says...
...it's your call.
Look.
I get that the timing
of this isn't great.
But as we know, this meeting has been
on the books for some time.
And caving to Chinese pressure about it
would set a terrible precedent.
That said,
I can pare back the coverage.
Try and keep the visit
under the radar, I guess.
Thank you.
Good morning. Any word from Ian?
Still radio silence.
Dead militia member
and an asset gone quiet.
- Go, team.
- Yeah.
Good morning.
Good morning.
DOJ ruled that Ian's kill was justified.
Wayne O'Connell's wounds were consistent
with Ian's account of the attack.
Okay. And what about the
disposition of the body?
Office of Legal Counsel
wants it released
to the family immediately.
And say what?
That he was killed during an
FBI sting into his death cult?
We can't risk word that the
investigation will get back
- to the VFF.
- That's right.
You want to pull Ian out.
I don't see how we
have any other choice,
unless you expect the Federal Bureau
- to disappear a body.
- Okay, look.
I have a meeting scheduled
with Ian tomorrow.
Assuming he shows,
I'll give him a camera.
As far as the militia's concerned,
Wayne O'Connell is just missing.
Let's give Ian more
time to gather evidence,
then we can pull him out,
grab the drone and the bomb,
and then release O'Connell's body.
The most I can get the
DOJ to hold is four days.
That's how long you have
to me something actionable.
Preparations for the sand mandala
- are going well.
- I don't get it.
These monks spent all week
painstakingly arranging colored sand
to fit this blueprint,
and when, whoosh, they
just sweep it away.
Wh-What's the point?
That is the point.
Everything's transitory.
Everything ends.
That's very sad.
Even that feeling, that'll pass, too.
Okay, now you're just piling on.
Just keep at it.
- Good morning, ma'am.
- Morning, ma'am.
Great morning.
Is the sand mandala
- ready to rock?
- Yes, ma'am.
Uh, I still don't get the point.
That is the point.
No. Due respect, ma'am,
not getting the point
can't possibly be the point.
You can say that about anything.
Exactly.
Give over, Blake.
Okay, you know,
Buddhism clearly isn't for neurotics.
Or maybe just the opposite.
Look who that is! Come here!
Who is this? Who is this?
Oh, my goodness. This is my girl.
I tell ya, staffers just keep
getting younger and younger,
- don't they?
- Sorry, ma'am.
- The sitter canceled on us last minute.
- Oh, are you kidding?
She keeps me on my toes,
just like her daddy.
Right, little varmint?
Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness.
Secretary Elizabeth McCord.
Ah, so good to see you.
- It's so good to see you.
- You are the kindest of world leaders.
Tall bird lady with lion's heart.
Thank you, Your Holiness.
You remember my assistants,
Lama Samten, Lama Dote
and Geshe Tashi.
You can tell them apart by their auras.
Oh.
- Buddhist humor.
- Oh!
That's... He's... That's...
- He's funny.
- Yeah.
Oh, now, who are you, little sister?
This is Chloe.
- Hello.
- Chloe.
Your Holiness, this...
Whoa!
She is the wisest of us all.
Yes.
Now, where is the sand mandala?
Members of the National Buddhist Center
here in D.C. anticipated your arrival.
Ah.
May you be at peace.
May you be well.
May you find loving kindness.
Let this cosmic Buddha palace
heal and energize the world.
May I have some tea?
Of course.
We have a masala chai
that the tea snobs around
here just rave about.
- Hi.
- Sorry about this.
No, it's fine. My mom's coming for her.
- Hi, baby.
- You got her?
I really am trying my best here.
Um, listen, I was gonna give
this to you a little later,
but, uh, it seems appropriate.
It's an informal custody
settlement agreement.
Are you serious?
You... you want sole
physical custody of our child?
I want a routine for Chloe.
Yeah, but what's-what's this?
Can't we just talk about it?
Every time we set a
schedule, something comes up,
and she and I end up ping-ponging
between offices and departments,
and we cannot keep doing that.
And my lawyer friend says
it's a, uh, it's a standard arrangement.
One day a week, every other weekend,
and-and then we can discuss holidays.
What happened to
working on the marriage?
My lawyer friend.
And we still need a custody agreement
- while we're working on the marriage.
- No.
I do not accept this. You don't
get to dictate the terms here.
Shh. Okay.
Okay.
We should just talk about this later.
I'm sorry.
I thought you would understand.
Say good-bye to Daddy.
Good girl.
I'll see you soon, okay, honey?
See you later.
Come on.
I must request your help
with a rather serious matter.
Your Holiness, you know I...
I can't discuss statecraft with you.
I'm terminal.
Pancreatic cancer.
I'm so sorry.
Everyone must die.
I have aligned my life to my purpose:
to fight for the autonomy
of the Tibetan people.
And as for them,
I ask that you endorse my choice
for my successor over China's.
Well, as always...
the United States encourages
you to achieve your goal
through direct dialogue with China.
When I die, the Tibetans will lose
their loudest voice in this world.
China will be emboldened
to trample even more of our rights.
U.S. policy is clear.
We are officially neutral on this issue.
I die knowing that I've done
everything I can for my people.
I have no regrets, Elizabeth.
Do you?
Of course I have regrets.
How could I not?
It was a rhetorical question, babe.
And now he's dying.
And I feel terrible about that.
And I feel guilty about Tibet.
Like, now it's all on me, but I...
we're too... enmeshed with China,
especially with this climate deal,
to offend them over a battle
they've-they've mostly won, right?
I mean...
Thoughts from the world
renowned religious scholar?
I guess I'm preoccupied
with my own regrets.
Uh, not just that the office shut down.
The bomb's still out there,
to say nothing of the drone.
Oh, gosh, I'm sorry. I...
It's okay.
Just... stop hogging all
the self-flagellation.
Hello.
Sorry to bother you, ma'am,
but are you watching the news?
I'll turn it on.
...announcement.
Breaking with hundreds
of years of tradition,
the Dalai Lama named his
successor while still alive.
Gaden Bhuti, a two-year-old
Tibetan-American boy
from Delaware, son to immigrants
Yonten and Sonam Bhuti...
Didn't see that coming.
Please tell me this boy isn't
an American citizen, Jay.
Wish I could,
but if we let him keep his citizenship
or leave the country to
take his new position,
the Chinese will accuse us
of backing the Tibetan cause.
Well, you got to hand it to the Lama.
He figured out a way to force our hand.
China will make a meal of this.
Yeah, and the appetizer
will be our climate deal.
Hang on, Jay.
I have peace and light
on the other line.
I got to call you back.
Namaste, Russell.
You watching this?!
Y... Yes.
Where did he get this bright idea?
What the hell did you say to the Lama?!
Mr. Chen, the United States
will not officially endorse
any new Lama; you have my word.
How generous, Madam Secretary,
but the People's Republic needs you
to publicly disavow this choice.
You know we can't do that.
Not endorsing maintains
our neutrality.
If the Dalai Lama is an
American, then by definition,
that's not neutral.
It's the United States harboring
an anti-China instigator.
Ming, the boy is two.
I think your way of life will survive.
Symbols are often more
potent than armies, Elizabeth.
Change your position,
or I will make sure
the National People's
Congress Standing Committee
never considers the Stockholm
Protocols for approval.
Are you really going to hold
the world hostage over a symbol,
who's probably not even potty-trained?
I believe my position is clear.
To hell with the cooling-off period.
I want to look at
officially naming China
a currency manipulator.
Even hinting at that will
be considered aggressive.
Look, whether we like it or not,
Tibet is a symbol of
nationalism in China.
And the Dalai Lama
personifies the last vestiges
of Tibetan independence.
So let China look tough for a few days,
and I bet that they will
quietly ratify the protocols.
Well, forget the Chinese.
Now we're taking fire
from our own flank.
Chandler Morton,
the distinguished junior
senator from Pennsylvania,
just did a lap of the morning shows
to express his ardent
support for the Dalai Lama
and his American successor.
Senator Dumbass even
invited the Lama to address
the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee next week.
Why jeopardize the climate deal?
Morton's on record as a supporter.
The Dalai Lama's announcement
last night broke the Internet.
The public moved on from sad polar bears
to cute baby saviors.
The senator's just chasing that
narrative to boost his profile.
Well, regardless of his motive,
we still need to show China
we take this seriously.
Chen won't accept a condemnation.
Morton will have to back down.
Hit 'em where it hurts, sir.
Threaten to withdraw
support from your donor list.
And we provoke him, it
could blow up in our face.
Look, let me find
a carrot to entice the good senator.
You want to reward this punk?
If we can quietly get
him off his high horse,
then I will have something
to point to when I talk
the Chinese off theirs.
Do it, Bess.
Rewarding bad behavior it is.
Nadine,
do you still play
in that monthly Hill
leadership poker game?
I consider it my pension fund.
You ever clean out anyone from
the Pennsylvania delegation?
Well, it's a friendly game.
Are you looking for
leverage on Senator Morton?
I just wanted to...
offer him some alternative paths
to the attention he seeks.
I'll find something.
Thank you.
Hey.
Hey.
- Here you go.
- Oh, thanks.
I got to be quick.
Ever since Wayne disappeared,
they've got us on even tighter lockdown.
Does the Council of
Elders suspect foul play?
Yeah, of course. They
got conspiracy theories
on why certain squirrels
show up when they do.
Since Wayne's disappearance
is an actual mystery,
they're going nuts; I
swear they're watching me.
Can you hang on
for another 72 hours?
HQ shutting it down?
Got to release Wayne's body.
So we need you to focus
on collecting significant Intel now.
We'll raid camp after we extract you.
I don't have any significant Intel.
I haven't seen the bomb.
After Wayne, they moved the drone.
You're gonna have to
wear another camera.
At the very least, it'll
help us plan the raid.
Uh, did you not hear me?
They already think I'm shady.
If they see that thing,
they're gonna kill me.
- They sweep the camp every day...
- Okay, listen, I know what the risk is,
but remember, we're trying to keep VFF
from committing mass murder.
All the work you've done,
Wayne's death, it means nothing
unless we get enough
information before we go in.
Look, if you're not up for it...
I can bring you in right now.
I'm fine.
I should go.
Okay.
See you in 72 hours.
Ben. Hey.
- Thanks for this.
- Hey, I'm always happy
to dispense legal advice when
it's paired with a free steak.
Could we actually do
something quicker? Work is...
Oh, yeah, I read about the Lama thing.
Uh, whatever you want, man.
So, what can I do?
You mean if reasoning with her fails?
You have to play the game you're in.
Hardball. Use anything you can
to make her look less optimal.
Didn't you say she went
through some postpartum stuff?
Do not go there, man.
I didn't say it was pretty.
Ma'am, I did the recon.
Senator Morton's chief
professional passion
is lobbying the FCC to
approve a telecom merger.
But he does have pretty
powerful motivation
for supporting an American Lama.
I'll let my source tell you.
You play poker with the
vice president, Nadine?
I cashed in my chips
when I took this gig.
- How are you?
- Hi, Teresa. How are you?
So good to see you.
Come, please, sit down.
Uh, yes, well, it was just as well,
because Nadine is a shark.
Teresa was gracious enough
to take my call anyway.
What better source
on Morton than his predecessor?
I wish I had better news.
Morton's untimely
pursuit of Tibetan freedom
has particularly craven motives.
His biggest donor is Gration Tech,
manufacturer of heavy machinery.
They make almost half
their revenue from hydraulic valve parts
crucial to coal mining.
An industry that would
take an enormous hit
if the Stockholm
Protocols were ratified.
Ma'am, I just got word
from our India desk...
Oh, Madam Vice President,
hi. Sorry to interrupt.
No worries. It's good to see you, Jay.
India wants to reopen
the Stockholm Protocols.
They're demanding a reduction
on all coal restrictions.
They're clearly reacting
to China wavering.
That and growing protests
in Delhi and Mumbai over the prospect
of rising electricity costs.
Well, with India bailing,
China is even less likely
to ratify the climate deal.
And we have our own senator
to thank for blowing it up.
Wow.
So Morton is trying to spike the
deal to help one of his donors,
but he's hiding behind
the feel-good issue
of Tibetan independence.
That's my assessment, sir, yes.
You staked your second term
on taking meaningful action
on climate change.
If this deal falls apart,
the enemy smells weakness,
works that much harder
to deny any of your other priorities.
Why did I want this job again?
Your house does have a
bowling alley in the basement.
So no one will care
that Morton puts his donors' priorities
ahead of the nation's,
I mean, of-of the world?
Yeah. No one will care.
We need to stop the bleeding.
Get India back on board,
Morton back in line,
before every other hack in
the Senate puts his hand out
and our own side falls apart.
Well, I can handle
the India inducements.
As for Morton...
I rescind my earlier
concerns about provoking him.
I think we all know
what needs to happen.
We've been watching
Ian's feed for hours,
with no new sign of evidence.
On the other hand,
they haven't killed him.
Yet.
Our dead friend Wayne O'Connell's
been out of pocket for days now.
Ian's the new guy; they
got to be looking at him.
Yeah, but if we pull him now,
there's no way we'll find the bomb.
Unless...
we release O'Connell's
body to his family
without telling the
details of his death.
Whoa.
That's a surprising notion
coming from an ethics professor.
Could take the heat off Ian.
Buy him some time to find the bomb.
Can you live with that?
I'm so sorry I forgot to give you this.
Was Chloe up all night?
Thank you.
Hey, I said I'm sorry.
How could you go to the guy
who officiated our wedding
for legal advice?
What about your lawyer friend?
Someone from yoga who
downloaded a form for me.
I didn't seek her advice,
and she didn't marry us.
Well, I'm allowed to know my rights.
You really want to fight me in
court for the right to leave her
with a babysitter in your
apartment half the time?
Who does that serve, Jay?
And you can't seriously think
that you would be a better
custodial parent to Chloe.
I practically was her
only parent for six months
when you couldn't get
out of bed. Remember that?
Because I sure as hell do!
Prime Minister Verma,
let me start by saying that I am open
to taking a second look
at some of the protocols.
Since India will sacrifice the most,
we believe it's only fair.
Just none that increase coal emissions.
Ah.
The rich Western nation
built on coal tells
the emerging market, "It's
okay when we polluted.
You find a new way."
A classic.
Look, I get it.
You promised to bring electricity
to the 300 million Indians
who live without it,
and you think loosening
coal restrictions
will help you deliver.
And it will.
We have lots of people
in India and lots of coal.
It's not a complicated equation.
But the majority of
those without electricity
live in remote rural areas,
far from any kind of grid.
Indeed. I'm well aware of that.
So let's find that new way together.
Return to the deal as is,
and the U.S. will subsidize
a mass scale lo-fi alternative:
bottom-up, solar mini grid efforts
to rural areas.
Get the Chinese to
resuscitate the protocols,
along with this new amendment,
we could be amenable.
I told POTUS
what this telecom merger
would mean for Pennsylvania.
A thumbs-up could push it over the top,
really put you on the map.
Good luck, Senator.
You're not coming?
Oh, no, no, no. The
president wanted to keep
this meeting top
tier... just one and two.
Number five. Didn't make the cut.
Let's not keep the leader
of the free world waiting.
Senator Morton,
are you familiar with
the migratory pattern
of the osprey?
Um, no, sir.
They winter in South America,
then travel up to 5,000 miles
to their North American
breeding grounds.
They settle here to eat
fish from the Potomac.
I saw a few my first year, but...
not many since.
My grandchildren, well...
...they may never see an osprey at all.
That's what scientists call
shifting baseline syndrome.
Each generation accepts their
version of nature, plunders it,
then leaves the next generation
to accept the depleted version,
and so on.
Which brings me to us.
Now.
You.
Mr. President, I'm here
about the telecom deal.
We'll get to that in a minute.
I know you're killing my climate
deal to appease your donor.
Who is it again, uh,
Gration Technologies?
All due respect, sir,
your sources don't know
what they're talking about.
I'm his source, Chandler.
Your telecom merger is up for review
in two weeks.
It, uh, rides the line
on antitrust issues,
on what's proper and not.
Shifting baseline syndrome.
It's everywhere these days.
Point is,
I can choose to become
troubled by those issues.
Or not.
So do the right thing.
Don't screw up the climate deal
that a majority of Americans support,
including your constituents.
Or I will kick your ass.
Welcome to Washington, Senator.
I received your
inducements, Madam Secretary.
All very generous.
But we cannot accept as long
as your government endorses
the American Lama.
And that's why I'm glad to report
that Senator Morton
had a change of heart.
We reaffirm our neutrality.
A government with conflicting opinions.
I will never understand democracy.
Well, you say "tomato,"
I say "let's ratify our climate deal."
Okay? We'll resubmit the protocols
with a new addendum
for Indian solar funding.
Everybody's happy. Planet saved.
Thank you.
There's just one more matter to settle.
Really?
Chinese Buddhist scholars
have found the Dalai
Lama's true reincarnation.
A two-year-old boy in Sichuan Province.
If you officially recognize him,
we will gladly have
the Standing Committee
consider the protocols
for ratification.
Ming, we-we support
the PRC's right to recognize
this boy as the next Lama.
Just as we support
Tibet's right to recognize
their own boy.
I'm afraid that's not good enough.
Disqualify the American
Lama or recognize ours.
Otherwise, no deal.
Do you know the mountains
that President Dalton and I
had to move to put
this deal back together?
All to do what's best for our children
and grandchildren... oh, and the other
seven billion people on the planet, too.
But... And you are
putting it all on the line,
trying to strong-arm us
into endorsing some
toddler that you are using
as a political pawn!
Do... You know who the
real toddler is, Ming?
You.
You're the real toddler. You are.
Well, that happened.
Yes, it most certainly did.
Are you going to see
the Bhuti family today?
In a few minutes, actually.
Uh, would you like
us to try to talk them
out of letting their
child do the Lama tests?
No.
We are not putting
our thumb on the scale.
Let's just hope the universe...
gives us a break.
The Chinese officials said
you will take away our citizenship
if we let Gaden study as a monk.
Oh, no, the State Department
would never do that.
They were just trying to intimidate you.
We heard the Chinese stopped
the climate deal over of our son.
How do we know you won't
try to pressure us in order
- to make your deal?
- Well, of course,
American government has policy concerns.
But it is not our place
to try to influence you.
It is a difficult decision.
If your child was chosen
to enlighten all people...
And to save your home...
Shouldn't you let him?
So you're actually considering
giving up your child
to be raised by monks?
Which is your choice.
But, effectively, you'd
be choosing to abandon him.
You know that, right?
Excuse me.
You want to tell me
what happened in there?
Abby wants full custody of
Chloe and won't give me an inch.
It's gotten... pretty nasty.
I'm sorry.
Me, too.
You know, I went
through something similar
with my son, Roman.
Um...
His father and I weren't married.
And he wanted nothing to do with us,
until Roman turned eight.
And then he asked for a relationship.
I think I resented
the whole "prodigal father
returning for the fun stuff"
after I'd done all the heavy lifting.
And I knew he didn't have
money to take me to court, so...
I boxed him out.
And then one day, I was
cleaning out Roman's backpack,
and I found the announcement
for the father-son camping trip
at his school.
It was torn into pieces.
That's when I realized who was really
going to be picking up the tab.
What's the status at the crash site?
Placed an anonymous
call over an hour ago.
Highway Patrol should
be there any minute.
With any luck...
...they rule Wayne's death accidental.
We just have to make
sure VFF gets the word
and buys the story.
Yeah.
Okay. Call me the minute
you get a ping from Ian.
You all right?
No, not really.
You know, my asset.
How 'bout you?
Well, I just heard that the
Lama's been hospitalized.
Likely the beginning of the end.
I'm sorry.
Well, I got to deal with how his passing
is gonna affect the planet.
China's playing with global catastrophe,
and no one knows yet whether
Gaden Bhuti will pass the test
and be the next Lama or not.
There's no way to influence the outcome?
You mean...
by doing something brazenly unethical?
Are you okay? Really?
You have a fever?
I just have been
suggesting a lot of things
that aren't me lately.
Well, I'm right here.
You know, sometimes those Lama tests
can take years to initiate.
Great.
Then it won't matter
whether he's the Lama or not,
because the planet can't wait.
There's-there's no time.
Maybe you can't put
your thumb on the scale.
How 'bout you put your foot on the gas?
Transition team to O.R. 3.
Ma'am.
Transition team to O.R. 3.
Ah, Elizabeth.
I brought you these.
Ah.
How very kind, Elizabeth.
If you want to say something,
there's no better time than now.
I-I've been thinking
about how, for Buddhists,
clinging is the root of suffering.
Well, I understand that now,
because I have been clinging
to ensuring a future for our planet
and its people.
This may even be my purpose.
That is a worthy purpose.
But the trouble is...
our purposes are at odds.
If Gaden Bhuti is the
Lama, Tibet has a leader.
But the Chinese will not
ratify your climate deal.
And by 2050,
200 million people in your region
will face losing their homes and lives
from the melting Himalayan glacier.
And once gone, so will
be the water supply
to the Indian seat of your
own government in exile.
But if
Gaden Bhuti is not the Lama...
If the tests take years,
it won't matter.
What do you ask of me, Elizabeth?
Give my purpose fair footing.
Test the American child now.
We'll accept the results...
then go from there.
Jay, what are you doing here?
You cannot ambush me like this.
Don't worry. I come in peace.
So, I just spent the week watching Tibet
and China fight over a two-year-old
who may or may not be the reincarnation
of the Bodhisattva of compassion.
I know. I read about it. It's crazy.
He's this avatar
for everyone's hopes
and fears, even mine.
I'm clinging to Chloe
like she's the last
mooring of the life I knew,
the life that I... that
I thought made sense to me.
You're a wonderful mother.
And I'm a present and loving dad...
...when I'm around.
I'm gonna work on doing more of that.
But the main thing is,
no matter what choices
that we're making in our lives
right now, she didn't choose it.
She deserves parents who respect
each other and put her first,
and I just... I just
want to focus on that.
So...
I'm saying yes
to your agreement.
Chloe needs stability more
than I need... anything.
But I hope we can keep
talking about it, though.
Things can change.
I could get fired.
And then I'm coming after
her with everything I've got.
Yeah, of course we can
keep talking about it.
I want Chloe to think that
her dad is the greatest.
So, the Dalai Lama's representatives
are set to meet him today?
Uh, yeah, in an hour.
It's the final test.
And if they recognize their master
in this little American boy?
Then we are out of moves.
You should have heard me wax poetic
about the ospreys to Senator Morton.
Oh, I'm sure you were
very eloquent, Conrad.
No one would tell me otherwise.
This job gives you an inflated
sense of your own importance,
so it can be sobering when the world
just does what it wants,
all your fine talk be damned.
I just got word.
The Dalai Lama passed away.
His attendants are preparing
to take his body back to India.
I'm sorry to hear that.
He was a great man.
Maybe even something rarer.
He was a good man.
Do they still plan on testing the child?
Well, Tibet needs a spiritual
and symbolic leader now more than ever.
I hate to root against a toddler here,
but the Little Buddha'd
be doing the world a favor
if he shanked this test.
Hey.
They're taking Ian to the chapel.
News of O'Connell's
death broke this morning.
Reaction's been mixed.
Any pronouncements from the Elders?
Soldiers of God, welcome.
We'll see.
Amen.
It's been a hard morning.
We lost Wayne, a
brother in the struggle.
Suspicion abounded
and fell in particular
on the newcomer.
Brother Ryan, join me.
Uh-oh.
There's no way we can get him out now.
Brother Ryan reminds me of when
Paul washed ashore in Malta.
When the local people found
him, they thought, like we did,
that he must be a murderer.
Why would God punish
Paul with a snakebite
after a shipwreck, if
he didn't have it coming?
Now we hear Wayne drove
off the road to his death.
But remember, my brothers,
what comes next for Paul.
What comes next?
It's good news.
Scripture says,
"But after they had looked a great while
and saw no harm come to him..."
"...they changed their minds
and said that he was a god."
Now I'm not saying
Brother Ryan is a god.
The Maltese are a fickle people.
But he has endured our
judgment with patience.
We apologize.
Now...
bless Brother Ryan as
he takes Wayne's place
on the Council of Elders
and fulfills our purpose:
to bring a timely end
to this decaying world!
Amen. Amen!
He's alive, and he's a
member of the Council now.
Not a bad day at the office.
Yeah, yeah.
Ma'am?
Geshe Tashi.
I am so sorry
about your teacher's passing.
Thank you.
His legacy lives on
in his reincarnation.
The search will continue.
So, Gaden Bhuti did not pass the test?
When Lama Dote, Lama
Samten, and I met the child,
we agreed: he is not our teacher.
I know His Holiness had a lot
of faith in your discernment,
so we wish Tibet luck in its search.
The path to the new Lama
often has many turns.
Before I go, may I fulfill
one of the Lama's last wishes?
Can we go to the mandala?
Of course. Yes.
Shall I ask Blake to call Minister Chen?
In a minute.
For now, will you
please gather the staff?
So, where will you search next?
There is a girl in Nepal.
Or perhaps there will
be no Lama.
I would find that kind of
ambiguity hard to accept.
As you noted in the hospital,
clinging to anything, including a vision
or a political stance, is
a recipe for suffering.
The Chinese exiled the Lama,
but this introduced him and
Tibetan culture to the world.
Whether or not autonomy comes,
Tibet lives in the hearts of many,
and, so, can never die.
Perhaps in this way, the
Lama did achieve his purpose.
Now other purposes can flourish,
perhaps not ones
beneficial only to Tibetans,
but to all mankind.
Thank you.
Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.