Madam Secretary (2014–…): Season 6, Episode 4 - Valor - full transcript

... close to enemy fire,
Major Jenkins proceeded

to carry his severely
wounded fellow Marine

all while calling in fire on the enemy.

He then climbed down the mountain

for six hours until they reached

an area where extraction
could be attempted.

His courage, unwavering leadership

and creative initiative
saved many lives that day.

Major Jenkins has brought great credit

upon himself and upheld
the highest traditions

of the Marines.



Because of your heroic actions,

ten marines are alive today,

and two fallen American
heroes came home.

God bless you, Major Brad Jenkins.

God bless our marines
and all those who serve.

Semper fi.

The President of the United States,

in the name of Congress,

takes pleasure in presenting
the Medal of Honor

to retired Major Brad Jenkins,
United States Marine Corps,

for conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity

at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty.

Oorah!

I hope I didn't talk too long.



I noticed some kids
squirming up front.

Well, they must be mine.
They're hard to impress.

Your first Medal of Honor ceremony

was every bit as exciting
as I imagined.

Good.

It's a lot of protocol,

and I didn't want to miss anything.

Oh, you didn't.
And the picnic and the games

for the honorees and their
families will be less stressful.

Well, that's something
fun to look forward to.

And, so happens,

I have a very steady hand
when it comes to an egg race.

Mm. Well, I'll have
to be a cheerleader.

I saw that. What happened?

I got kicked during
a Krav Maga sparring match.

I thought you stopped
seeing the Israeli guy.

Oh, he's gone,
but the Krav Maga stuck around.

Ha.

- And just as a reminder,
I won't be available

this afternoon.
I have to go to something

I'm not allowed to discuss with you.

Ah. Well, good to know.

And good luck with the thing
I know nothing about.

Dr. Henry McCord, just the man
I've been looking for.

Major Jenkins.

May I say congratulations,
and I would like to add oorah.

Yut!

This is my chief of staff,

Captain Evan Moore.

- It is a privilege, Major.
- Would've been a damn fine marine,

but Army won that battle.

- Afghanistan, Captain?
- Three deploys to Iraq.

2nd Battalion 7th Cavalry.

On the fourth tour, I, uh,
met the IED that ended

that part of my career.

Well, I hope the V.A.
came through for you,

unlike some of the veterans
I work with.

Well, let me just say

it's been a privilege getting to
work with Dr. McCord on getting

the V.A. Mental Health
Modernization Bill passed.

Ah, yes.

Modernizing the V.A.

I.T. infrastructure,
expanding and improving

programs to end homelessness.

- This bill's way overdue.
- Couldn't agree more.

I work with newly returned vets,
and I can tell you,

some of the red tape
and computer glitches

at the V.A. can be demoralizing.

I'm afraid I've, uh, cracked

some of the plaster
at the administrative offices

trying to explain that to them.

It's not the V.A.'s fault.

They're understaffed and underfunded.

Congress needs to do their job.

So, if there's anything I can do...

Hell, I'll even do
public service announcements

wearing my medal
if it'll help pass this bill.

I suppose I don't have to tell
you this, Major, but be careful

what you volunteer for,
and I have a witness.

Oh, with mean follow-through.

- Try me.
- How would you feel

about addressing the Senate
Veterans' Affairs Committee

this afternoon?

I was scheduled to speak,

but I think you're the guy
they really need to hear from.

Let me at 'em.

I will, uh, notify the committee.

Hey.

Have you been sitting here all day?

Not doing your dishes?

Oh, well, the day's not over.

I will wash them, Mom.

If I were Mom, I'd wash them for you.

You need to get out of this apartment.

Clear your mind.

Did you call Stevie?

No. I'm a little preoccupied
with becoming a U.S. citizen.

You know, they don't
make this stuff easy.

Listen to this.

"The Federalist Papers
supported the passage

"of the U.S. Constitution.

- Name one of the authors."
- Wow.

After you learn that,
are you going to call Stevie?

Look, I-I have three goals
while I'm here:

to become a U.S. citizen,

to get a job, and to-to spend
some time with my sister.

You forgot suffer,

because deep down,
you want to call Stevie,

but you don't.

It's just so... Russian.

I'm-I'm not so sure
she wants to hear from me.

If only there was a way to find out.

Ah, but then you'd have to give up

this tortured state and...

really find out how she feels.

Well, you're right about one thing.

Should have done my dishes.

Ms. Grant, did you ever travel to Iran

as press secretary

to then Secretary of State
Elizabeth McCord?

No.

But I did meet the Iranian delegation

when they came here for
the signing of the treaty.

Can you tell me if you got
to know any Iranian nationals

- during their time here?
- Yes.

Because of my work, I dealt mostly

with the Iranian reporters
who were here for the signing,

but I haven't really kept
in touch with any of them.

Surely some of them reached out to you

after they returned to Iran?

Just a few "nice to meet you" e-mails.

Ms. Grant, why don't you
tell us about the night

you were arrested
for assaulting a man in a bar.

Okay. Fine.

The campaign had just finished

an exhausting bus tour
through New England.

Oh, I got one. I got one.

"Secretary McCord,
looking pale and drawn,

took to the stage this afternoon."

Yeah, translation: the woman candidate

walked off her bus after a nap

- and didn't refresh her makeup. Please.
- Mm-hmm.

Or how about the question
TV news anchors love to ask:

- Is she tough enough?
- Is she tough enough?

I don't... This is what
I don't understand.

She's a former CIA operative

who survived a bombing and
an attempted coup in Iran.

- Mm-hmm.
- Meanwhile, most members of Congress

can't even mow their lawn.

Why don't they just come
out with it and say,

"Why can't we go back to
the good old days when women

"and cattle could be used as currency

and then burned as witches
when they got too saucy?"

Not the cattle,
unless it's barbecue sauce.

Oh, that's too dark for
you tadpoles? Okay, I'm out.

- See you tomorrow. Early.
- Good night.

- Bye.
- Yeah, yeah.

Nina was working
at the State Department

and wasn't a part of the campaign.

Oh, she's here.

But since we were in town,

we invited her
to join us out for a drink.

How about the-the
reporter the other day

who was talking about the "tidiness"

- of the, uh, campaign bus.
- Where you going, sweetheart?

Who you here to see?

- Me? Let me buy you a drink.
- Sorry? Oh.

No, I'm not here to see you.
I see my friends, actually.

- Hi.
- Hey, wait a second. Those glasses...

Cleanliness of a male
candidate's campaign bus?

And it really wasn't even that tidy.

- We all remember the smell.
- Nina.

Those glasses really bring
out the color of your eyes.

- Hi!
- Glad you could make it.

- Oh, no, no. Hey, hey.
- Ready for a drink?

- It's okay. I got it.
- Uh, maybe later.

- She's here to meet us.
- Yeah.

Oh, I get it.

Hey, I'm cool with that,
if I can watch.

- Okay. Bye.
- Oh, no, no, no. Sorry.

Good night.

Hey, you're both... I mean,
you're both really hot.

- Bye. Ew.
- Oh, come on!

Stop being bitches about it.

- Oh, my God.
- Hey.

I'm talking to you!

You see that? Geez.

Help!

- See if he's all right.
- Someone call 911!

- It's all right, we got him.
- Someone call the police!

- Oh!
- It was a reflex.

I had been studying Krav
Maga, and they train you

to react to being grabbed
from behind, which I was.

Of course, the police
and an ambulance came.

The paramedics

refused to take the guy,

but the police brought
me in for questioning

because there was a lot of blood.

And screaming.

I think we're done for this session.

Resume tomorrow, same time.

Is it, uh, too much to wear the medal?

No, no.

Not many of these guys
have seen combat,

so it might help to get
their full attention.

Lorraine.

Dr. Henry McCord and
Major Brad Jenkins here

to give their testimony
before the committee.

Oh. Dr. McCord, I called your office,

but you had already left.
I'm so sorry.

The committee adjourned for the day.

What? Nobody called my cell.

Typical.

We confirmed with

Senator Peoples' office
less than an hour ago.

- I'm just so sorry.
- Okay.

Thank you. Uh, Brad, I will get
to the bottom of this.

This is dirty politics, Henry.

It could well be.

This is how vets are treated
every day in this country.

All this "thank you
for your service" crap.

I'd trade every superficial platitude

for just one minute of evidence
that somebody somewhere cares.

But you know what? They don't.

You guys are vets.
You know it's the truth.

I understand how you feel.

I'm sick of that one, too.

Call me when somebody around here

gets serious about doing something.

Sir, Dr. Henry McCord
would like a word.

Dr. McCord.

Thank you, Alma.

Senator, you owe me an explanation.

I requested to bring a war hero
before your committee.

What the hell happened?

Look, I'm sorry. I really am.

- I called your office...
- No, I don't want to hear

about scheduling conflicts.

Just tell me the truth.

You're right. You're entitled to that.

I was advised to cancel
Major Jenkins' appearance

by someone at the White House.

The White House?

Who?

Vice President Morejon.

Go! Go, go, go!

- Molly, where'd you come from?
- Back there.

Go, Molly!

- I am really good at this, you know that?
- Me, too.

Wait, whoa, whoa! Molly!

I thought I was gonna
win. You smoked me.

Second place is pretty good.

Thank you, Molly.

That was cute.

- What do you really mean?
- Pointless.

- Ah.
- You have a veteran's bill to pass,

this lawn is literally crawling
with decorated heroes

and their kids, and the press
is nowhere to be found.

This is not about the press, Mike.

I'm sorry, I can't...
I can't hear you,

like I can't hear a tree
falling in the woods

because there's
no photographer or anyone.

So no one's gonna be able
to help the tree

when the Veterans'
Affairs Committee...

- Just... you know I'm right. Just...
- Oh!

- Popcorn.
- Don't...

- Have a good time, Mike.
- Don't bring popcorn.

Could you just hold that? Thanks.

Look! Look at this! It's for nothing.

It's all for nothing!

Right? No one... no one saw.

No one saw.

Hey, Russell.

I'm having a hot dog.

I don't care if it kills me.

Hear what happened

at the Veterans' Affairs
Committee meeting?

Just that Brad Jenkins was gonna
take your speaking slot,

address the committee.

Senator Peoples cancelled it.

I confronted him and he told me

that the vice president told him
not to let Major Jenkins speak.

Thanks. Look, I know that

Elizabeth and Carlos
have an agreement.

He doesn't have to fall in line
with every policy she supports.

But he's not supposed
to publicly oppose her, either.

Well, I got to tell you, Henry,

technically, Carlos did this
behind the scenes, not publicly.

You're honestly gonna tell me

that this in the spirit
of the arrangement?

I don't know what the hell
this arrangement is.

It's never been done before,

so it's still being... arranged.

I'm gonna talk to the vice president.

Major Jenkins should be heard.

And it will help the bill.

Much like eating this hot dog,
I think that's a bad idea.

Talking to the vice president
risks angering him enough

to go public
with his views on the bill.

Then add to that this ridiculous

Senate Intelligence investigation.

The next thing you know,
everyone will be saying

we're a White House in chaos.

Now I don't even want this hot dog.

Hey, hey, hey, check
it out. Look, look, look.

- Check it out. If we get this one
- Whoa.

we can make a main
dish on the one burner

and still be able to heat up
a side on the other one, huh?

Main dish? Side dish?

- Are you the same man - Yeah.

who wanted to buy the
Avenging Angel Survival Kit?

All right, look, I'm...
I'm a very complicated,

yet simple camper, see?

You sound like you are a
camper who doesn't camp.

OMG. You're Stevie McCord.

I love your mom. My whole family does.

I do, too.

Can I take a selfie with you?

My parents will literally die.

They both campaigned for her.

Of course. Let's do it.

Tell your mom hi for me.

Do you mind if I post this?

Oh, no. Not at all. Go for it, yeah.

- Bye.
- Thanks for asking. Bye.

Hey, got to have it, right?

Yes. What is it?

Though Senator Peoples and I share

the same party affiliation,

I would never interfere
with how he runs his committee.

I mean, I did share
with him my feeling that

we should delay the markup
and consideration of the bill

until the merits of vets choosing

their own health care specialist

outside the V.A. system
is fully explained.

Brad Jenkins is in
the trenches every day

- dealing with service members who...
- Henry, I'm sorry.

I think what we need
here is rational debate,

not grandstanding
with a Medal of Honor recipient.

Come on. This is a guy, who,

in addition to his
real-world knowledge,

uh, is well-versed in public policy.

And I mean no disrespect to the major.

I'm-I'm just saying, I believe

that those that have sacrificed

for our freedom deserve
to have the freedom themselves

to choose how and where
they get their care.

Privatization is cheaper, right?

Is that what this is about?

It's part of every bill,
as it should be.

Look, the president's ESI bill
did not turn out

to be revenue neutral as promised.

We cannot have that again.

I mean no disrespect
to the major or to you.

I have my reservations about the bill.

Elizabeth knows about it.

Elizabeth didn't bring
an expert to a committee

only to have the door
shut in her face.

I'm sorry it felt that way.

It was not intended.

Okay, now, bear spray... that
seems like a no-brainer, right?

- Mm-hmm.
- Unless you prefer the bear bell.

Oh, yeah.

And... if you hate birds,

there is bird repellent.

What?

Wow.

There's also not camping.

Just another option.

Uh, no, not an option.

We are committed to this.

I'm just saying. Geez.

You know, why go camping
if you hate birds?

Okay, let's just get into

the, uh, camping mind frame.

- All right, let's pick...
- Stevie?

I-I am Talia, Dmitri's sister?

Oh, my God.

Sorry. One second.

I can't believe we have never met.

- Me too.
- I've seen pictures of you.

- Me too.
- Wow.

Uh, how funny to run into you.

- Yeah.
- I just came in to get a flashlight.

Oh, well, they have
a mind-boggling variety.

Um... how's Dmitri?

He's fine.

Good. Listen,

um, I can't believe how lucky this is.

Uh, I've been invited
to attend a roundtable

of hospital executives
and health care workers

to discuss health services
for poor communities.

Oh, wow.

- I know you work for
a human rights group.

I bet you have some insights.

Yeah, actually, we are working
on a program right now

that is geared toward
mothers without insurance.

Oh. My God.

That's exactly the kind of
thing we're trying to improve.

I hate to be pushy, but
the roundtable is tomorrow.

Any chance we can have a drink
or coffee this evening?

Uh, just a half an hour
or so would be incredible.

Uh, yeah. Yeah, I can do that.

Um, here. Just, if you give me

your number, I'll text you later.

Resuming the testimony

of Daisy Grant.

Can you tell us,
Ms. Grant, why no charges

were filed against you
even though you were taken

to the police station
for that purpose?

Because I was cleared of wrongdoing,

which the police determined
after they were given a video

taken by a patron at the bar.

I have the police report
here, and it states

that you informed the police

that you worked for Secretary McCord.

So really that's... that's
why the police let you go.

The term for it is "color of office."

You abused your position.

Okay, that...
that is not what happened.

And what is your occupation?

I'm a press secretary.

What is the address
of your place of employment?

No, it's actually a bus.

I'm mostly on the road.

Who is your employer, Ms. Grant?

Is this necessary information?

I mean, my employer wasn't involved.

Why do you need to know?

You just assaulted

and inflicted injury
on a man in a bar.

It might be in
your best interest to cooperate

with the police, ma'am.

I'm the press secretary
for Elizabeth McCord

and her presidential campaign.

But I still don't see what
this has to do with anything.

I got to fill out
these forms, Ms. Grant.

Senator, no color of office existed.

Elizabeth McCord was
no longer secretary of state

and had not been elected president.

And Ms. Grant was no longer

a federal employee.

I think we will end this session here.

Thank you both. You are excused.

Wha...

It... It's fine. He's, um, a friend.

Hi. I...

I can't believe that you're here.

Um, Talia didn't tell me

- that you were...
- That she was setting us up?

- Yeah.
- Uh, yeah, she told me to meet her here

so that I could, uh,
approve a new guy she's dating.

Mm. She knew how to get you here.

Uh, my sister watches
too many romcoms.

Sit, please. Sit down. Sit.

How long have you been back?

Uh... a couple of weeks.

Um, because of the treaty,
it's now safe for me.

- Oh.
- But I'm not really here for good.

I'm just, uh, I'm studying
to become a citizen.

Um, I'm staying with my sister.

- Mm-hmm.
- And I may kill her after this,

so that... that might interfere
with the process.

So, she was coming

to the camping store to find... me?

I'm sorry. Uh...

She probably stalked
you on social media.

Uh... a good spy.

Runs in the family.

So... was I gonna hear from you?

I-I wasn't sure.

Uh... I-I knew
you were seeing someone.

I might occasionally
look at your Instagram.

Right.

Yeah. I mean,
that's-that's... allowed.

Um...

What about you? Are you...

seeing anyone?

Are you kidding?

You wouldn't believe
the big social scene

at the-at the
listening station in Alaska.

Mm-hmm. Yeah, yeah, uh,
sometimes the parties...

They lasted all night,
which gets crazy in the winter,

because night lasts all day.

- So... no?
- No.

Okay.

You-You've been seeing
this guy a long time?

No, not very long. Um...

Yeah, we're going...

camping this weekend

at Shenandoah National Park.

So if we survive that, I guess it's...

it's officially a relationship.

Sounds like fun.

- Mm-hmm.
- But if you see

a bear, just don't
look him in the eye.

Or do. I can't remember.

Uh, well, we have a bear bell.

A bear... horn? Bell...

- Yeah.
- No, I'm not sure.

- Just don't see a bear. That...
- Yeah, that's...

Might be better.

It's great advice. Great advice.

Were you on

with Brad Jenkins that whole time?

Yeah.

To say he's really passionate

about the V.A. bill
is an understatement.

Well, now you're here, I need you.

I like the sound of that.

Will you do that thing
you do to my shoulders?

- It's...
- Oh.

Well, don't look so disappointed.

Magic shoulder rubs have been known

to lead to better things.

I serve at the pleasure.

Oh!

- So...
- Mm.

Brad gave me his numbers...

87, 12 and ten.

That's 87 enemy combatants killed

and the collaterals...
12 women, ten children.

Oh.

He has to live with that every day.

Well, you know something about that.

Well, yeah, I was dropping bombs,

but I wasn't there on the ground.

So, I have an understanding
of Brad's passion

for this modernization bill,

and it makes me even angrier at Carlos

for not letting him talk
to the committee.

I'm sorry about Carlos.

But you know my deal with him.

- He gets to have his own voice.
- Yeah, but it was embarrassing.

Brad was clearly humiliated.

Well, look,

with or without Carlos,

we're gonna figure out
a way to get this bill

over the finish line.

Over to the left.

I thought we had the left.

No.

- You, over to the left.
- Oh, oh.

That's... Yeah.

How's that?

So good.

I'm actually having lunch with
Senator Peoples of Kentucky.

I can't believe

that guy's chairman of
the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

- But good. Great.
- Yeah.

I think he just needs
a little... shove

to get the bill out of committee.

He sure does.

Yeah.

- Babe.
- Oh.

I've got a meeting tomorrow with Brad

and a couple other veteran activists

to go over the media
campaign for the bill.

I got to go write down some thoughts.

Okay. Will you come back?

Always.

Hey. Sorry.

Uh, am I interrupting something?

- I can...
- No, no, no.

I just came to borrow
your hiking boots.

It's the only thing that,
uh, I forgot to get

- on my list.
- Hiking?

Griffin and I are going
camping this weekend.

It's, like, a whole ordeal.

It would actually just be
cheaper at this point

to check into a Four Seasons.

Um, hey, did you guys know
that Dmitri was back in town?

Well, I-I knew he
was free to leave his post,

but I didn't know he was here.

Yeah.

I ran into him.

Uh, it's a long story.

But he's doing well.

- Well, that's good.
- Yeah. No,

you should've seen me and
Griffin at this camping store.

It was like...

I mean, we were totally clueless,

and there's so much weird stuff.

I mean, it was hilarious.

There was this-this thing.

It was called
a-a personal cooling system.

Right?

What is that?

I mean, it's a good thing that
my Secret Service agents

have, like, camping experience,

'cause there's now an excellent chance

that we will actually survive.

That's always nice to hear.

Yeah.

Okay.

- Stevie?
- Yeah.

Boots?

What?

Hiking boots?

Oh. Yeah. Where are they?

Out in that hall closet.

Thanks.

Is it just me

or do you think
she was overselling a bit?

I think we're gonna
try not to think about it.

Good luck with that.

Conveniently, as if it were planned,

your lunch with Senator Peoples
cannot extend past 12:45,

because, at 1:00, you have

a photo op with Scotland's
champion Highland fling dancers.

Saved by a prior
fling dancing commitment.

- Yes.
- You're a genius. Hello!

Senator Peoples, right on time.

Well, I'd be a fool to be late

for a date
with the commander in chief.

And to celebrate, I brought
along a bottle of Blue Lid.

My family's been making it
since the Prohibition.

Well, considering where you're from,

I'm... thinking bourbon?
A worthy guess,

but incorrect.

It's a stout ale.

But we do have some lovely

parting gifts for the president.

Would you care to tell
her about them, Blake?

- I don't understa...
- The senator is pretending

we're in a game show.

Let's you and me go have some Blue Lid

and quinoa cakes, shall we?

Yes. I'll alert you at 12:45.

- Thank you.
- Yes.

In the beginning, my grandpa
used to strain the ale

through an old pair of blue jeans.

That's where the color
and the name comes from.

I'm guessing the FDA
wasn't around then.

Mm, that's the truth.

These days they add mulberries

during the second
fermentation instead.

The color's the same, but...

the flavor's a lot less earthy.

- Definitely sweet.
- For good reason.

The sweetness helps cover up
the high alcohol content.

Would you believe
what you're drinking is

15% alcohol by volume?

Ma... Maybe I should have
another quinoa cake.

It can sneak up on you,
that's for sure.

Maybe I should leave a bottle
for you and Dr. McCord

to enjoy together.

Or we can save it to toast the passing

of the Veterans' Modernization Bill.

Ah, I was wondering
when you'd get to that.

Listen, I feel bad about
cancelling their appearance

before the committee,

but it's a complicated situation.

Not that complicated, really.

The Department of Veterans
Affairs has modernized

their appeals process
to everyone's benefit,

and it's time for mental health
to get an overhaul.

I've yet to decide
which way I'm gonna vote,

so I would be more than happy to hear

your full-throated pitch,
Madam President.

Oh, I appreciate that.

Why don't we start...

with the V.A.'s track record

on processing claims

and follow-up screenings?

Hi, Daisy.

- Ma'am.
- Yeah?

- Are you okay?
- Yep.

Uh, your lip is blue.
That's a problem.

- But I'm also drunk.
- Mm-hmm.

Are you headed back to the Oval?

I have a photo op with
the Flinging Dancing

- Scotsmen of...
- Mm-hmm.

- Champions.
- Mm-hmm.

I think you should come with me,

and maybe tag the vice
president for the photo.

I think maybe.

- I like your thinking.
- Let's go.

I think so.

- Blake, focus on me.
- Yeah.

We're gonna need some aspirin,
vitamin C and a Gatorade.

Okay. Ooh, not the blue flavor.

Good call. The president
needs to lie down

for about 45 minutes, uninterrupted.

Okay.

Blue Lip is 15% alcohol, Blake.

Okay.

- I'm gonna go lie down.
- Lie down.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

- Okay.
- Okay.

Hi, Evan.

- Hey, Brad.
- Tell Henry I'm sorry.

I'm in a hell of a traffic jam.
Hard to tell how long.

They should just start without me.

I'll-I'll get there when I get there.

Okay. Good luck.

Damn it! No!

You okay, buddy?

- You hit me.
- Sorry, I heard your horn.

- I guess I thought you were moving.
- And you hit me

- after honking like a lunatic.
- It wasn't my fault.

It doesn't matter! You rear-ended me.

We need to exchange information
or I call the police.

Get away from my car.

Get away from my car!

They're over there

making up their story.

I was the one who got hit...

I-I was just sitting there.

He hit me! Stay back, sir.

- Sir, can you come down from there, please?
- No!

Not until you listen to me.

It didn't happen the way
they're gonna say it did.

I just want you to come down and
tell me your side of the story.

Oh, what chance do I have,
two against one?

Sir, nothing really bad
has happened here.

It's just a fender bender.
Let's talk about it.

No! No more talk. It's all lies.

I'm gonna end up getting screwed.

It always happens. Don't you get it?

Nobody listens because nobody cares,

and it's never gonna be any different.

Please, sir, come down now.

Come down now.

Gun! Gun!

The shooting death of Major Jenkins

appears to be a case
of suicide by cop,

as he was unarmed,
but deliberately reached

behind his back.

I thought his animation was just...

enthusiasm for the legislation.

I should have known better,
a guy with his history.

That's taking on a lot, babe.

I just got off the phone
with his wife.

She said that he was
suffering from depression,

probably due to his PTSD.

But he stopped going
to see his therapist.

Thought he had it beat.

He said that helping
other vets was enough.

Wow, the poor guy.

People don't realize
what a beast PTSD is.

You know, I was talking to Ellen Hill,

and she was saying that

the suicide rate for veterans

is twice what it is for civilians.

Brad sent me a copy of
the speech he didn't get to give

before the Veterans Affairs
Committee last night.

It was attached to this...

...long, rambling e-mail.

That's another sign.

I just put it down to frustration.

Wanting to get it off his chest.

Well, I think people get good

at-at hiding PTSD.

I worry about Stevie

and what happened to her

in the White House bombing.

Not everyone who experiences
a traumatic event

suffers from PTSD.

That's part of the problem.

It's entirely unpredictable.

What about you?

Not from the Gulf War.
I struggled for a while

after I got shot, but...

And, as you know,
the Fourth of July is

no longer my favorite holiday.

I could go a lifetime without
hearing any more fireworks.

Well, I still struggle with triggers.

Sometimes...

when you think
I'm listening to a podcast...

Whale sounds.

Why don't you tell me
when that's happening?

Well, 'cause I don't want
to dwell on it, you know?

I mean, that bombing in Iran
was a long time ago.

I feel like I should be over it.

And then there's this thing

where...

...if I'm talking about it,

maybe I'm bringing it into the house.

Like... like I could keep it at bay

if I just don't give it a name.

I don't think you're alone in that.

That is why we have got
to educate people

about this issue.

Hey.

You can always tell me anything.

You too.

Whip count in the
Senate puts the numbers

uncomfortably close.

We'd be lucky to clear a
filibuster by a single vote.

Which is why, crass as it is,

we need to use the death
of the Medal of Honor winner.

Recipient, not winner.
It's not a contest.

My mistake. But this guy died
because he was frustrated

by a system that let him down,
as well as the other vets

he spent his life
trying to help. This bill

could assure that his life's work

had value, had meaning.

Still, his family...

The man was obviously in pain.

He's got a widow
and two young children.

How will they feel seeing more of this

- in the coming news cycles?
- Isn't that exactly why

this legislation needs to be passed?

I mean, with modernization,
there's a better chance

that guys like Major Jenkins
won't be left out in the cold.

I... I think
he would have wanted that.

I have to say I agree
with Mike on this.

Did not see that coming.

- Daisy, what do you think?
- It's delicate,

but I-I think there's an approach

that could work for everyone.

Then go ahead,
prepare a press release.

I'll take a look at it
and make my decision then.

- Thanks, everyone.
- Yes, ma'am.

What haven't you told us?

- What?
- I'm hearing that Hanson

is gonna demand that you go back

in front of the Intelligence Committee

'cause they think you lied.

This is very serious.

Do you have any idea what it's about?

No.

I didn't lie to the committee.

Listen... just be careful.

And smart.

There's a chance
this is just something

where you have to correct the record.

If so,

do it.

And fast.

Ms. Grant, you are still under oath.

Yes. Uh, and, Senator Hanson,

just let me say that I am happy

to set the record straight
by clarifying any issues.

There is this one item.

The list you provided...
The, uh, the eyewitnesses

to the incident in the bar... Is this

- a complete list?
- I believe so.

Take a look at this, please.

I'm cool with that, if I can watch.

- Okay. Uh...
- Oh, my God.

- Excuse me.
- No, no, no, no, come on,

hey, I mean, you're both really hot.

Come on, stop being bitches about it.

Hey...

Oh!

Oh, uh, I'm sorry.
That's Claudine Bernard.

She's a friend who works
at the French embassy.

- I forgot she we there that night.
- You simply forgot about

your best eyewitness to the assault?

And the fact that
she should have been included

on the list of foreign nationals
with whom you had contact.

It was a, uh, chaotic night,

coupled with the exhaustion
from the campaign.

Plus, I admit I had
more than one drink.

Senator, Ms. Grant
has been very forthcoming,

and this lapse is one
that can be easily remedied

by amending our foreign nationals list

to include Claudine Bernard.
I'd like to add that

this omission is hardly egregious,

considering that France
is an extremely

close ally.

Very well.

Please see to that.

And thank you for your cooperation.

It's okay.

Hey, so, quick question.

I, uh, I bought a lot
of different kinds of

tick repellent for this trip.

You know, sprays as well as a balm.

But, uh, since your
secret service detail

are right there behind us,

and they are technically
here to protect you,

are they responsible
for warding off ticks?

Um, you know, I think
I'm-I'm on my own on that one.

- Oh, yeah, I guess.
- Uh, yeah,

I just can't really see them, like,

spraying me down

or, um, giving me a skin check.

Yeah, good point. Well, that's okay.

We're good, we're good,
because I also brought

something called a tick key,

and something called a tick nipper.

- So I think I got us pretty well covered.
- Mm.

Good afternoon.

Before the Veterans' Affairs
Mental Health Modernization Bill

is marked up and voted on,
the committee would like

to hear testimony
from Dr. Henry McCord.

Thank you, Chairman Peoples.

The night before he died,
Major Brad Jenkins

sent me the speech he didn't
get to make before you.

I've decided that his are
the most important words

you should hear today.

"I didn't come here
to denigrate the V.A.,

"which does such important work,

"but I think we have to admit
it has become inefficient.

"How could it not when 7.1
million service people have been

"added to the roster from
the Gulf War to the present?

"And here's what happens:

"Active duty is over, and you transfer

"from D.O.D. to civilian V.A. care.

"They tell you you'll have
yearly physical exams

"that you must maintain
to stay active in the system.

"And part of that exam

"is a depression and PTSD screening.

"But service members
who worry about having PTSD

"on their record don't show up
for those appointments,

"or don't tell the truth.

"Guys like a retired captain
I met who was in Afghanistan

for his fourth deployment..."

Ready.

"...and found
a seven-year-old boy hiding.

"The boy was holding his baby sister,

"who'd had her legs blown off.

"The kid said,
'Please, don't tell my father.'

Or a private I talked to..."

Fire.

"...whose best buddy
stepped outside for a smoke.

"A mortar hit close by,
and after the smoke cleared,

"the private ran out
to find his friend,

"but all he found was one boot,

"his friend's foot still in it.

"These aren't unusual stories.

"Most veterans have some
that they never share.

"The V.A. tries, but it's big

and needs all the help
we can give it."

Thank you.

"People fall through the cracks

"because of bureaucratic failures,

"and it's hard for warriors
to admit weakness.

"This modernization bill
will address that.

"It won't solve everything,
but it will help.

"I think we have to try
to improve the lives

"of our most altruistic citizens.

I have faith you'll get it done."

I shared this speech
with Major Jenkins' wife Andrea,

and she told me that
all the horrible stories

that he described...

...they happened to him.

And not just the battle stories,

but the fact that
administrators at the V.A.

missed or didn't act
when Major Jenkins

fell behind on his PTSD treatments.

He was a war hero,

a Medal of Honor recipient,

and even he fell through the cracks.

I think Major Jenkins said it best,

so I'll simply echo his words.

Let's do better...

for the people who give
most to our country.

The children next to her

when she was accepting the
flag was heartbreaking.

It is.

He survived the war,

and I'm sure they
thought he was safe...

Whatever you're doing to yourself

right now, Carlos, you can't.

I should have let him
address that damn committee.

No, it might not have mattered.

Might have been
something down the line.

Least the bill passed.
Maybe it'll help.

You know, my objections
were purely on policy.

I do.

It's our first big clash.
You having any second thoughts?

No. Are you?

Some.

What we're doing has
never been done before.

First one through the wall
always gets bloody.

I don't mind that part.

I just don't want to be
bloody and ineffective.

This relationship is effective
because of what it stands for.

Two people who disagree
still make progress, together.

Yeah, but, uh, I think
your husband hates me right now.

Well, buy him a jalapeño cheeseburger.

He's the forgiving type.

Yeah?

How do you think
I've lasted this long?

- Come on.
- Okay.

Hanson turn nasty?

He is a horse's ass.

What? You forgot a name.

It's not the end of the world.

No. No, it's bigger than that.

I left Claudine's name
off the list for a reason.

We should go inside.