Madam Secretary (2014–…): Season 5, Episode 17 - The Common Defense - full transcript

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Asylum!

Asylum!

- Asylum!
- On the ground.

- Asylum!
- On the ground.

Typhoon survivors. On the ground.

From Solomon Islands.

- Asylum.
- Asylum.

♪ Hey, Mr. Bunny ♪



♪ How are you doing? ♪

♪ Hey, Mr. Bunny ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh. ♪

I know.

- Welcome back to the U.S., Ms. Grant.
- I know.

And you too, little Miss Grant.

Thank you... Officer Torrez.

It's not enough you charmed

- every single crew member on the ship?
- Hey.

I have a roundtable
on Pacific climate migration

to get to the second we land.



Until then, I am milking every last
drop of this vacation.

Well, we're still in vacation
mode till we're back in D.C.

playing with Lyric before
we Netflix and chill.

Okay.

Oh, wait, that's still vacation mode.

Aaron and I don't get back
to work until tomorrow,

where I will tell Sam all about
this amazing woman we met.

- Ah.
- I swear, he's the future Mr. Daisy.

Aw. Tara, you're a mess.

- Promise me we'll keep in touch.
- Oh, yeah.

We'll see each other back in D.C.
for sure.

Fly safe.

- Okay. Bye, guys. Say "bye-bye."
- Bye.

- Bye-bye, Joanna.
- Bye, Joanna.

- Yeah, I hear you, baby girl.
- ♪ Twinkle, twinkle... ♪

- I'm not ready for the real
world yet, either. - ♪ Star. ♪

Hey, folks, welcome

to Washington Dulles Airport.

There's gonna be a slight delay
here on the ground,

so we'll need everyone to remain
in their seats.

We thank you in advance
for your patience.

I wonder what that's about.

Attention, please.

I'm Team Leader Carl Burke

from the Department
of Homeland Security.

Due to an exposure

to the measles virus on this aircraft,

we'll be performing
some routine screenings

and, if need be,
take containment measures.

Please remain seated

while we move
to a secure holding terminal.

- All right.
- Yes, sir.

Hi.

I'm Dr. Kerry Still. Daisy Grant.

- You're with the CDC?
- Yes. We're going to need

- to do a closer exam...
- I work for the Secretary of State.

You know, I understand CDC protocols,

and I'm happy to cooperate,

but I really need to get to work.

I understand, but we need to do

- a closer examination.
- Look, Joanna and I

have already been
vaccinated for the measles.

So tell me to keep an
eye out for symptoms,

give me a pamphlet
with the contact info,

and we'll get out of your
hair so you can focus

on the people who brought
the virus onto the plane.

Miss Grant, you are the people.

- Excuse me?
- This morning,

a case of measles was confirmed
on your cruise ship.

We are now trying to track down

all 4,500 passengers and crew members,

plus everyone
you've come into contact with

since you disembarked
in order to prevent a pandemic.

I'm sorry for the delay,

but we need to do a closer examination

- of you and your daughter.
- I'll let the office know I'll be late.

So, uh,

any early news about how
the conference is going?

- Don't answer that, Nina.
- Would you...

- Since...
- Don't an...

Well, I know. Yep.

Jay's got it.

Did you tell him the thing
about Australia?

How it's all about flattering
the prime minister's ego,

and it's... You did.

Well, good.

All right. Disengaging

in three, two, one!

Whoa.

The countdown. Haven't heard that

since Jason went to summer camp.

This conference is the key

to a whole global climate
migration initiative.

- It's...
- And it's in good hands.

You're right.

This is Jay's moment to fly.

What if I-I get to Camp David,
and I'm just sitting around,

wondering why I had to put
my entire life on hold

just to write a ten-minute speech?

Because it's a ten-minute speech
that's gonna define

your campaign and your presidency.

And you said yourself,

you can't do it
on nights and weekends.

Conrad's sending a chef.

What, you were gonna fast
in the desert for 40 days?

Well, it just seems so elaborate.

You know, I can make a sandwich.

Remember that passage
from A Room of One's Own

where Virginia Woolf

takes a page
to describe the delicious meal

the privileged men of England
get to eat

so they can run the world?

And the women get biscuits and prunes.

Yeah.

So you're saying I should just enjoy

the trappings of male privilege?

I'm saying the president
of the United States

understands the value of a good meal.

So yes, just enjoy it.

I don't know if I can stick
to this "no phone calls" rule.

What if I get stuck?

Babe, just go for a walk.

Take deep breaths.
You're gonna be great.

And you'll edit me as
soon as I get back?

Oh, I'll edit you.

- That's so weird.
- I know.

- You're really weird.
- Nice and weird.

- Come on, let's go.
- Okay.

Put that away.

Considering the devastating effects

of this current typhoon season

on Nauru and the Solomon Islands,

it's clear that our predictions

about the long-lasting effects
of climate change

are no longer predictions.

They're here.

The U.N.'s Regional Compact

for Climate Migration

would enable us to work together

to manage, process and relocate

the millions expected to be
displaced by rising sea levels

in Pacific Rim nations.

If this is about climate change,

let the big polluters
take the millions.

It is our greatest hope

to extend the regional
compact to a global one,

which would include
all major carbon emitters.

One of which

is cohosting this conference.

The United States is ready
to take our share

of climate migrants.

We are all interested to hear

what you consider your share.

We all share the effects
of climate change.

A plan of action is essential.

But I agree with President Andrada.

Australia is already overburdened

with illegal asylum seekers.

And now climate migrants?

We had a recent huge influx
from the Solomon Islands.

We also have boat people

coming every day
from Palau and Tuvalu.

I know you all

have refugee fatigue.

But I must ask us all to bear in mind

that many of these people
have lost their homes

and everything they have.

They travel at great risk
to Indonesia,

only to find their request for asylum

won't be processed for months,
if ever, and their only option

for shelter is a tent on the sidewalk.

Then someone says their uncle

got asylum in Australia,
so they spend their last pennies

for a spot on an unseaworthy boat

and journey 200 miles
over rough waters.

Many of them
do not even survive the trip.

This is a humanitarian crisis
that isn't going away

because the world is changing.

And we're here to figure out

- how to change along with it.
- We'd be looking

to Australia for first wave
temporary shelter.

We're already the way station.

And your infrastructure and expertise

are exactly why your leadership
is essential, Prime Minister.

You know the challenges
inside and out.

Uh, Jay, it's urgent.

I need to speak with you.

Uh, excuse me a moment.

If we all turn

to section "B."

POTUS wants you at the CDC briefing.

- But we just got some momentum.
- Okay.

That one measles case.
It looks like an outbreak.

Right. Okay.

I guess, uh, I guess you're up.

- Okay.
- If Australia agrees to the deal,

the rest of the nations will follow.

I got this.

We're gonna land Australia.

I can feel it.

- I love the optimism.
- But?

They throw out prime ministers
like confetti down there,

and Lawson's party is all over
him for being too liberal.

Jay. He'll only sign if we give
him something big in return.

Sorry. Uh, Daisy just called.

With stories of romance and
adventure on the high seas?

And of the Dulles Airport
quarantine station.

We're fine.

It's protocol to check everyone.

Hey, so, how you doing
in the driver's seat?

Uh, g-great, I think.

How's Joanna holding up?

Well, they took blood, and
baby girl is not happy with me.

I know.

The switch from "I love you"
to "how could you" is so fast.

God, she's gonna hold a grudge.

Thankfully, my mom
will have to deal with it.

I'll see you at the conference

when I drop her off.

Don't be crazy. You're going home.

I mean, of course I can come in.

The Dulles quarantine station

is not how you end a vacation.

Go home. We got this.

Well, if you insist, boss man.

All right, keep me posted.

Okay.

You got the outbreak folder?

Yep.

All set. Sorry. Uh...

I just thought I'd check
my Dogoda Crush inbox,

- and I got sucked in.
- To the right

for Mr. Right, right?

Yeah. There's a lot more wrongs

on these apps.

Although this guy's a... He's a maybe.

What do you think?

He likes his nephew, which is cute.

He works at DOJ with a friend of mine.

She thinks he's a player.

Sometimes I love
how small this town is.

Good-bye, Mitchell.

I met my husband the old-fashioned way

at an inaugural ball.

Wow. I need to go to more balls.

Oh, my God.

Who was that?

It's my Uncle Will.

He and my Aunt Sophie are going
through a rough patch right now.

He's been living in our basement.

It says he's not looking for love,

- just a good time.
- Oh, my God.

That is so much worse.

Gators, recounts,

and now measles. Is there
anything good about Florida?

Miami is the only major city
founded by a woman.

Doesn't make up for the measles.

Passengers and crew

from over 20 different countries.

That's quite a spread.

We've got quarantine facilities
up and running

at all major points of entry.

Measles was eradicated in the U.S.

How are we back here?

Well, sir, because measles is awesome.

At being a virus.

It's not as sexy as Ebola,
but it is even more contagious.

The pathogens, they can survive
in the air for up to two hours

after the infected person
has left the room.

Ebola is sexy?

Yes. But with measles,

one person can infect 12 to 18 others,

which is why vaccine hesitancy
is such a public health hazard.

People are not getting
their kids vaccinated.

And this virus, it actively
seeks out the unvaccinated.

Bright side, we may have determined

the country of origin.

The person who brought the virus
on board the Sea Foam Voyager

- was one of the ship's housekeepers.
- 12 days ago,

she got back from a trip
to the Philippines,

where there's rumored
to be an outbreak.

Why is it a rumor?

The Philippines hasn't reported

any cases of measles to the WHO,

and they're not allowing them
in to investigate it.

WHO can't contain an outbreak

if they can't confirm
where it started.

Okay. I'm starting
to understand why I'm here.

You want me to try to get
Andrada to work with us.

Tread carefully, Jay.

Yes, Mr. President.

Okay, so, we've been
back-channeling with the Aussies.

- They want to make a deal.
- That's what I'm talkin' about!

In exchange for their full support,

they want us to double
the number of work visas

- for their citizens.
- Oh, is that all?

Well, Lawson needs
something bright and shiny.

So his party won't call him
soft on immigration.

Well, if visas are shiny
enough, let's look into it.

All right, we'll have
to get DHS, Congress

- and the White House on board.
- Yep.

- Should we check in with M-Sec?
- She's off the grid.

The only way to get to her
is through Dr. McCord.

- I don't think we need to pull
that rip cord. Blake? - All right.

- I'll get started on the legwork.
- What about Andrada?

Are we good for a sit-down?

I haven't heard back
from his people yet.

He's dodging us.

Best of all, it slices
through bone like butter.

President Andrada, excuse me.

- Hate to interrupt.
- Then don't.

Can I get a word?

- I don't talk to errand boys.
- Contact my staff.

Anyone eating these dumplings?

I'm so busy hosting,
I keep forgetting to eat.

You know how that is.
Would you pass the hot sauce?

You guys hear about the...

measles outbreak?

We leave those matters
to our ministers of health.

It's turning into a whole thing.

Lots of departments involved,
all because the...

country of origin...
the Philippines...

Oh!

Wow. That's hot.

Anyway, the Philippines
isn't cooperating

with the World Health
Organization, which is really...

messing up global efforts to control

the further spread of a
highly contagious disease

- that could kill children.
- That... that is ridiculous.

That's what I said.

It's got to be a bureaucratic screwup.

My boss is out of town.
Maybe I should let it go.

Under normal circumstances,
you know what, I probably could.

But once you're looking
at a global outbreak...

I mean...

there are consequences.

Arms deals get reconsidered.

Aid packages come under scrutiny.

I had a pocketknife
when I was a Boy Scout.

Wasn't as cool as that one, though.

Anyway...

see you guys back at the conference?

♪ Mama's little Jo ♪

♪ The bestest little Jo ♪

♪ In the whole wide ♪

- ♪ Whoa! ♪
- How we doing in here?

Thank you so much for the coffee.

Suddenly this room
doesn't seem so bad.

So, we have your results.

Mom is all clear.

Joanna, however,
tested positive for measles.

What?

No. No, she got the shot.

After one dose, about 93%
of people are protected.

That's why we do
the booster at age four.

- I can't believe this.
- Because she's contagious,

we're moving both of you to
a quarantined medical facility.

She's gonna be okay, right?

We'll do everything we can
to get her through it, but...

she is going to get very sick
over the next few days.

How can there be no treatment?

The virus just has to run its course?

- I mean, what is that?
- I don't know.

I can't imagine.

- Poor Daisy.
- Joanna had

the first immunization...
that's got to help, right?

Let's hope.

Hey. Well, just got confirmation

of the outbreak in the Philippines.

All I had to do was threaten
his aid package and arms deals.

Actually, Andrada is blaming

the outbreak on the recent
climate migrants. Publicly.

Oh, and now Australia is pulling out

- of the roundtable.
- Because...

migrants have measles.

Okay, here he is.

We took these people in
because we wanted to help.

They repaid us with measles.

Oh, this guy.

The U.N. demands that we bring in

these so-called "climate migrants"

into our countries.

But does that mean we have
to accept their crime...

their disease?

Okay, well, Andrada's
single-handedly tanking

this whole agreement,

- and without Australia there's no deal.
- Hard to know

what's worse,
the measles or the xenophobia?

Can you get me Lawson's schedule?

Absolutely.

Back to work.

Smells really good.

I was expecting you and Will
to be having some kind of...

sad bachelor meal.

Nope. Nothing but gourmet.

Sorry to disappoint.

- Is he around?
- Uh, I haven't seen him.

Why? What's up?

Oh, God.

So, you know that dating app

- that I'm on?
- Still?

Look who I saw on there today.

Yeah. Whoa.

Right? What is he thinking?

What is he wearing?

He looks like a Danish veterinarian.

I guess that's...
how you dress when you're

"super laid-back and love to laugh."

Who is he?

- I mean...
- We have to do something, right?

- I mean, he can't be on there.
- Honey,

he's a grown man.

Come on. Mom would kill him.

Well, the benefit
of Mom being out of town

is there's less murder in the house.

If someone shows this to Aunt Sophie,

which they totally could,

any chance of them
working it out is done.

And we're stuck with
Will in the basement.

I'm just saying.

I'm not saying Australia's
pulling out of the deal.

I just want to wait until we know more

about the origin of this outbreak.

Even though the WHO has no evidence

linking measles to any migrants?

Well, they don't know
where it came from.

It seems a vast increase
in illegal migrants

from the Solomon Islands is an
entirely likely explanation.

Really? So now we're making
international policy

based on what seems likely?

I can't sell a migrant deal
to my people with this...

miasma of disease hanging over it.

Let's just...

table this until your boss gets back.

Shall we?

So, if we find conclusive proof
that the migrants

aren't the source of the outbreak,

- you're back at the table?
- Well, as I said,

double the current number
of work-stay visas,

and that's an offer I'll consider.

Excuse me.

"Miasma of disease"?

China and Russia just pulled out.

Damn it, this whole thing's

- falling apart.
- Jay, they only had

one toe in to begin with.
Listen, l-let me just try

to hold on to everyone else while
we get Australia back. Okay?

Look, if we can prove the
migrants aren't the source

- of the outbreak, that will...
- Hang on.

I think I may have
a contact I can try.

I just have to see if she's
still in the Ministry of Health

in the Philippines.

I thought that was you.

Tara, oh, my God.

How did you know we were here?

We're here, too.
Right across the hall.

Oh, no. Lyric?

They quarantined our flight
as soon as we landed.

- I thought she had a cold.
- Yeah, Joanna started

with the same symptoms.

Can't believe we
just have to wait it out.

At least we can

- get through it together.
- What are the odds

that two vaccinated kids
get the measles?

See?

You can stop beating yourself up.

She might've gotten sick anyway.

Oh, you guys didn't...?

Not the MMR.

Medical reasons?

Philosophical.

- I never thought she'd be exposed.
- I guess the way

it works is, three out of
every hundred people or so

can still get infected even
if they've had the full MMR.

But if everybody gets vaccinated,

then those people are protected
by herd immunity.

It only works when
enough people immunize.

Francine, hi.

Oh, looks like we...

caught you at home?

Ah, still living the glamorous
life of public service.

Look at you at the State Department.

She throw any furniture yet?

We're keeping her very happy.

All right, all right.

So listen, this measles outbreak.

Your president is accusing migrants

from the Solomon Islands of
bringing it into the Philippines.

Does that match what,
uh, you're seeing

at the Department of Health?

If that is
President Andrada's position...

Fran, look, a deal that
we're working on is at risk.

Can you... can you give me any proof?

The migrant population
has been difficult to track.

Well, if you could allow

the World Health Organization
access, then,

to do its own surveillance...

I'll have to get back
to you about that.

It's time-sensitive.

I mean, even just the locations

of the most recent outbreaks
would be helpful...

It was good to talk to you.
I'll let you know.

Fran, Francine, um,
how old is Jaslene now?

Oh, she's four.

Wow. My kid Desi just turned four.

And, uh, our press secretary's
daughter Joanna,

um, is almost two, and she was

on the Sea Foam Voyager.

She's one of the nine kids
who have been infected so far.

Fran... not knowing the
full story of the outbreak

in the Philippines...

it puts all our kids at risk.

Are you seriously using my
daughter to put pressure on me?

Shame on you, Kat.

Well, that took a turn.

Oh, my God.

Look. Look.

That...

is a map of the outbreak.

Mmm.

Love me some Fran.

Hey.

- Hey.
- You going out?

Yeah, trying a new restaurant
in Dupont Circle.

Hey, man to man...

is this...

is the beanie too much?

Is that what you call it?

Going Socratic on me, so that's a yes.

What restaurant?

Some locavore thing.

- Go ahead.
- What?

I totally support locavore.

Yeah, I'm really feeling the...

- the warmth of non-judgment.
- Okay.

Do you really need me to say it?

You moved out
less than two weeks ago...

isn't it a little early

to be on a dating app?

What, are you tracking me online?

Stevie saw you on there.

And other people could, too.

I mean... Sophie could find out.

How do you think
that would make her feel?

- She'd feel like we're moving on.
- Because you've

- mutually decided that's the next step.
- You know,

I thought, with my sister out of town,

that I might not feel so judged.

It's not judgment, Will,
I'm just concerned.

I mean, don't you
want to take a minute

to figure yourself out?

That's exactly what I'm doing.

Really?

You know, I asked for your opinion.

So thank you.

Well, she walks away from
the laptop, only the laptop

is facing the map of the outbreak,

- I screen-grab it, send it to WHO.
- That's great.

- And then based on...
- Good morning.

- Good morning.
- I get the latte?

- Full service.
- You know what?

That's for working a miracle.

- Wow. Who says public service
doesn't pay? -

So, anyway, um, so, based on
where the outbreak started...

a beach town called El Nido...

WHO was able to pinpoint
when it started:

right after a tour group
of... wait for it...

Australians left town.

- Plot twist.
- Uh-huh.

Wait, so Patient Zero
for the Philippines outbreak

was an Australian citizen?

A toddler, actually.

A family on the tour group
hadn't vaccinated.

Which means we have proof
that the migrants aren't,

- aren't the source of the outbreak.
- Yes.

When does the Australian
delegation leave?

- Uh, like, now.
- Ah.

Call AFDW. Ground the plane.

The WHO still has work
to do, but clearly

the outbreak didn't come from
the Solomon Islands migrants,

which means we can get back
to the table on this deal.

I'll need to follow up with my
Department of Health about this.

But thank you.

Mr. Prime Minister, I get it.

The White House was attacked
over immigration reform.

This isn't an easy
conversation for any of us.

But the problem isn't going away.

I want to help you.

I also want to stay in office.

I know you've got
anti-immigration hardliners

calling for your head,

but... is the job more important

than standing up for what's right?

I realize you're only
trying to channel

what your superior might say,

so I'll ask you
to pass this on to her.

There are times when a leader

must be willing to make decisions

that are best for his people,

even when that doesn't align
with his moral sensibilities.

Like covering up a measles outbreak

to protect your tourism industry?

Due respect.

Whether or not this outbreak
originated in my country

is as yet unproven.

What we have ample proof of

is that your growing
unvaccinated population

has put us all at risk
of a global pandemic.

Before you counsel me

on standing up for what's right,

I suggest you look to your own house.

Code blue, Pediatric Room 3.

Code blue...

What's happening? What's wrong?

Ms. Grant.

Her oxygen levels
have dropped below 80.

Is she okay? What are you doing?

She's in acute respiratory distress.

We need to do an emergency intubation.

- That's my baby girl.
- And we are going to do everything

that we can.

Stylet.

Ready.

Hey. How's she doing?

Stable. For now.

Good.

I mean, none-none of this is good.

You know what I'm saying.

My mother had measles growing up.

There's a picture of her
in her crib, covered in a rash.

She was sick for a few days
and that was it.

I knew it was a dangerous disease,

that kids could die from it,

but I also knew
that measles was eradicated

in the U.S. back in 2000.

And there were all these articles

about possible harm from vaccines,

and then a study saying
there was no proof.

And then you read
another article and y-you...

I mean, you don't know what to think.

And we weren't the only ones.

Lots of parents at Lyric's
preschool didn't vaccinate.

You know, I-I thought she was strong.

She could fight it like my mom did.

And that I was protecting her.

Now she has encephalitis.

They're saying she could be blind.

Or worse.

I know you think I'm a fool.

No, hey. Hey.

We're gonna get our
girls through this.

Look, I know it's hard.

We're all worried about Joanna,

but even Daisy would want us
to keep doing our jobs.

We've got a roundtable to salvage,

so where are we on that?

Uh, I don't know
how salvageable it is.

Three more countries pulled out.

And U.N. High Commissioner
Rubiano thinks

that we should try again
in a few years.

By 2050, there's estimated to be

a billion climate migrants worldwide.

Not having a plan
for what to do with them...

that, that-that makes
total sense, that's good.

We have to get Australia
back on board.

If Lawson gets
ousted, he'll most likely

be replaced by an
anti-immigration hardliner.

And then we're dead in the water.

They are the country of origin

for a massive global outbreak.

We... W-We could...

We could issue a State
Department travel warning

against visiting Australia.

You know what?

It's peak surfing season...
a travel warning would threaten

their entire tourism industry.

And no one would blame him
for coming back.

It's the right approach, but, uh,

I don't want to get
into a finger-pointing match

as to whose unvaccinated population

is more to blame for the outbreak.

Yeah. We don't have much
of a position there, do we?

Well, no, hold on.

We could take out the warning part,

and just publicize
that the outbreak originated

with an Australian citizen
and not the migrants.

- Yeah. It'll piss 'em off...
- Well...

but less than an official
travel warning.

Might be enough
to get 'em back to D.C.

Okay, do it.

And, Kat, once the news breaks,
start making calls.

Let's try to get every Pacific
leader back at the table.

Excuse me. It's time for
the White House meeting.

Start with Andrada in the Philippines.

We're looking at 85 confirmed
cases so far, 37 in the U.S.

Over the coming weeks,

that number could rise
well into the hundreds.

But thanks to the tip from State

that led us to the point of origin,

we're finally getting a handle

on the global scope of the outbreak.

That's good news.

Yes, but no.

Sir, as a nation, we have
high vaccination coverage.

That's what saved us.

But in five years,

if the vaccinated population
continues to drop below 90%,

like it already has

in, uh, over a dozen small
communities in the U.S.,

we'll lose our herd immunity.

And then we'll be back

to the full-blown pandemics
of a century ago.

Sounds to me like someone's
pushing policy change.

Well, no one is disputing
the need for a response.

Just not a response

that includes the word "mandatory."

Which is why the question
becomes how to keep everyone safe

without violating civil liberties.

We legislated seat belts...

how many lives did that save?

Forcing every citizen

to be injected with a substance
they might not want

is a lot more complicated
than buckling a seat belt.

If it were up to me,
immunization would be mandatory.

Unless you had some documented
medical exception.

But politics I-is the art
of the possible.

We're wading into much
deeper waters here.

States' rights alone
would kill it in committee.

People forget what it was like

to pray your child wasn't paralyzed,

disfigured, or dead
by their fifth birthday.

Okay.

So what can we do?

The research shows

that most parents
opt out of immunizing

for a couple of reasons.

Misinformation being the biggest.

Well, that's the thing
about democracy.

People are free to consume

as much misinformation as they want.

Access is another problem,

especially for the uninsured
and the underinsured.

Some states have
free vaccination programs.

In others, non-profits slip in.

Not all states
have options for everyone.

Considering how important this is

for public health and
national security even,

shouldn't vaccines be
something that's free for all?

Maybe we could
implement a federal program

to provide money and tax credits
to non-profits

and other health providers
for free vaccinations.

And you think that this would
help increase vaccination rates?

Yes.

Federal funding
could definitely expand

the pool of vaccinated people
in this country.

Well, this needs
to be passed by Congress,

so let's dig into these options

and start putting together
some, uh, proposals, huh?

If you were looking for a more
immediate plan, this ain't it.

It'll make a difference.

It's just too bad
that it will do nothing

to combat the spread
of misinformation.

Because the biggest problem

is our public's eroding faith
in science and our institutions.

That's what scares me the most.

Well, let's keep looking
at how to address that, hmm?

Thank you, everyone.

Hey.

- Hey.
- How's it going?

Good.

I'm starving.
Is there anything to eat?

Rice and vegetables,
I think, in the fridge.

Great. Thanks.

So, um, you...

You didn't eat, uh, where you were?

For a family of spies,

you people are terrible at
prying into my private life.

I'm sorry.

You did kind of put it out there

when you posted a profile

on, uh, the dating app that I'm on.

Can we also talk
about how your age range

goes down to 23?

Yeah, I had a date, and I cut it short

to go home, check on my daughter.

Oh, is she okay?

Yeah, yeah, sh-she's fine.

Just a little fever,
but with all the measles stuff,

- Sophie just wanted to be sure.
- Yeah.

I'm glad that she has you
to reach out to.

- I'm sorry...
- Yeah.

About your date being cut short.

Well, it turns out dating
is as horrible as I remember it.

This must be the party room.

You try coming up with a way
to get through to parents

who refuse to vaccinate their kids,

and see if you don't party this hard.

I struck out on getting anyone
to come back to the table

for the Climate Migration Agreement.

Not one country?

Even after the news

that the outbreak started
in Australia?

Can't shake the original news
linking the outbreak

to the migrants.

I guess people want to see
the face of disease

as a desperate refugee

rather than a privileged
Australian tourist.

That is so not helping my headache.

Well, neither will this.

Australia is sending

all of their current climate migrants

back to their home islands.

I'm so sorry, Jay.

Hey.

Hey. What are you doing here?

Making sure you two aren't
eating out of a vending machine.

Hi, Verline.

Matthew.

Just when I think
I made up my mind about you.

It's good to see you.

Ah.

Got it, honey. Okay.

I'll set this up in the dining room.

Oh, gosh.

She still calls me Matthew.

She calls you other things, too.

- How's Waffles?
- He's great.

He's with my landlord right now.

But, man, is he ready to see you.

Waffles, not my landlord.

God.

Which might be, uh,
pretty-pretty soon, right?

They took her off
the ventilator an hour ago.

Her antibody levels were low,

but she had enough
to slow down the virus

until she could fight it off.

Thank God she was vaccinated.

That couple I met on the cruise,

they didn't give their
daughter the MMR shot.

I mean, the mother's just
killing herself with guilt.

You think she might want
to do something about it?

I think I have something.

Okay, every country, with
the exception of New Zealand,

pulled out of talks because of the lie

that migrants have the measles.

- Right.
- Which is a virus

that's only spreading

because of kids who weren't vaccinated

because of this other lie,

that the MMR causes autism.

- You see what our problem is here?
- Yeah.

We're being deal-blocked
by two movements

that feed off fear and suspicion
to the detriment of society.

Right, and I think if
we can take care of one,

we can work around the other.

Yeah, but how do we address
vaccine skeptics?

POTUS is working on some
policy initiatives,

which will take time
and may or may not be effective.

But then it hit me this morning:

we're the State Department.

We are.

We control passports.

And if you want one
or you want to renew one,

you're gonna have to show proof
of vaccination.

Too crazy?

Proof of immunization
to get a passport?

You can't just do that.

Well, we explored the plan with
the Office of the Legal Adviser,

and we can do that.

With the president's approval,
of course.

Did you not hear the part

about encroaching on civil liberties?

We already require immigrants

to show proof of vaccination
when they enter the country.

If U.S. citizens don't want
to get vaccinated,

they're perfectly free to not

- leave the country.
- Okay, well, we would still offer

exemptions for medical.
But if they opt out

for religious
or philosophical reasons,

they would just have to be backed up

with in-person consultations.

We're all familiar
with weaponizing bureaucracy.

It's straight out of
the voter suppression playbook.

Yes, but, Russell, if
this bureaucracy is deployed

for the greater good,
if this is about protecting us

from the risk
of potentially fatal diseases,

then it could, arguably, fall

under the responsibility
of the federal government

to provide for the common defense.

The Constitution's on our side.

And-and, Russell,

honestly, this is a measured step.

France recently made
vaccinations mandatory

for all citizens,
in response to their increases

- in measle cases.
- The CDC has been trying

to address vaccine
hesitancy for decades.

Right, and as we know,

all it takes is
one unsubstantiated study,

one misconstrued rumor that gets

signal-boosted online...

Well, encroaching on the freedom

of people who take their family
on a European vacation

doesn't solve that.

But it does.

Partly. The best way

to fight lies and misinformation

is with fact, truth, and science.

A mandatory consultation would
give people the opportunity

to ask questions,
to alleviate any concerns.

That sounds like it respects

our civil liberties,

and it gets to the heart
of the problem:

there's no more powerful force
on Earth

than a parent's determination
to protect their children.

So if someone can listen
to their concerns,

with respect...

Really?

'Cause even in the face
of unequivocal evidence,

people still deny global warming.

H-How is vaccine denial any different?

It's not.

Education is a start,
but it is not enough.

Which is why I support

Mr. Whitman's proposal.

In states and countries
where they've made it harder

for parents to opt out,
vaccination rates went up.

- It's a bold move.
- Yeah.

Piss off people on both
sides of the aisle.

Fire up advocacy groups.
Unleash a slew of lawsuits.

If we can't address everyone's
fears with reason, then...

maybe we need a...

little bureaucratic nudge, too.

Let's get into it.

Thank you, sir.

Get out. Get... out.

- Hi.
- Hey.

You have fun with Daddy?

- Yep.
- I beat him at chess.

- I let her win.
- No, you didn't.

- Yes, I did.
- Bye, Dad.

Bye, sweetie.

No, I-I didn't. She destroyed me.

- Yeah, she's really good.
- She is.

Um, thanks for coming last night.

I'm sorry, I don't know why
I let myself get so spun out.

No.

It's a good thing
you're married to a doctor.

Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow.

Hey, I-I've been thinking.

It might be better if we tried
to work things out at home.

We talked about this.

I know.

But yesterday was good.

Yeah, of course it was good,
because I needed you,

and you like feeling needed.

But that doesn't change
the rest of our problems.

I moved here so we could be a family.

And yet you spend more
time at the hospital

than you do at home.

And when you are home,
your mind is someplace else.

I love you, but you're not
built for slogging through

the everyday boring
parts of family life.

And I need someone who is.

Our decision to return the
Solomon Islanders to their home

was ours to make,

based on our nation's
immigration regulations.

And it is exactly this kind
of moral lecturing

from the United States
that has stalled your attempt

to enforce climate migration

from the safety of another hemisphere.

With respect, Mr. Prime Minister,

you stalled the talks
by pulling out of them.

I'd like you to help me
get them back on track.

That's simply not possible
at this time.

My hands are tied.

Are they, though?

Excuse me?

Sorry, but you seem pretty deft
at blaming migrants

for an outbreak that began
with your own citizen.

And it seems to me that
your own unvaccinated citizens

played a key part in the spread
of this outbreak.

Which is why President Dalton
is exploring policy changes

to address the issue.

Oh, is this what your boss
would call diplomacy?

Diplomacy was when Secretary McCord

and the UNHCR set up talks
for an inevitable

humanitarian crisis.

Your political enemies are
holding those talks hostage

to their own extreme
anti-immigrant agenda.

So, why don't you tell them this:

the talks resume,
or the U.S. will be forced

to issue a travel alert
requiring proof of vaccination

for travel between our two countries.

Are you really prepared
to alienate a key ally

while you're filling in for your boss?

I'm confident the secretary
understands both of our

great nations' responsibility
to a changing world.

Hope to see you back
at the roundtable.

- And you'll get to see Waffles.
- Yay.

And we'll get to go see
the monkeys at the zoo.

- Ooh.
- And maybe go to the park.

- Hey.
- What does a monkey say?

What does a monkey say?

And guess what Grandma got for you.

- Bun-Bun!
- Yay.

Bun-Bun.

He's so cute.

I, uh, I just wanted
to thank you and Matt

for setting up this interview.

Are you sure you're up for it?

I want to get the message out.

How's Lyric?

Not awake yet.

Um, they're saying she's probably

cognitively impaired by the swelling.

I'm so sorry.

I always thought I'd be
on Good Day D.C.

for my butterscotch brownies,
you know.

Any last-minute advice?

Ignore the camera and
just have a conversation.

You're gonna do great.

Okay.

- Hey.
- Hey.

That's... I got your text.

- That's so great you're moving back.
- Yeah.

- Not that I'm happy to see you go.
- Well, no. No, no.

I'm not exactly moving back just yet.

I did find an apartment
a little bit closer to home

so that I can be there
for the boring stuff.

'Cause I-I want to show myself

that I can be there
for the boring stuff.

Might want to start
by not referring to it

as "the boring stuff."

Thanks.

I know many of you are hesitant

to sign a deal agreeing to accept

even more migrants
than you already have.

But it must be emphasized

this agreement is in no way

a call for open borders.

This is just a way for us
to come together

to acknowledge
that no one stands alone

in a changing world.

There is still great good
that we can do together,

especially when the waters are rising,

and the very idea of home

is shifting beneath our feet.

Oh, it is good to be back.

I mean, don't get me wrong.

The walks in the woods,

the draft of my speech
that I got done...

it was pretty great.

How about the private chef?

Oh, well, I prefer reheated pasta

in the kitchen with you.

But it was pretty great.

Yeah.

Hey, you said you'd wait till morning.

Well, tell me one thing that happened

while I was away.

Well, your brother moved out
to be closer to home.

- Shut the front door!
- You want to know why?

I...

Something about that story
is gonna drive me crazy,

so let's just table it
with the news of the world.

I'm glad you're back.

Me, too.

Okay.

Officer Gleeson will be right in

to help finalize your papers.

Welcome to Australia.