Madam Secretary (2014–…): Season 6, Episode 9 - Carpe Diem - full transcript

NSA reports easing
of hostile chatter inside VAJA,

so the Eli Volk incident
is in the rearview for now,

though noise continues
over Reza Mousavi's detention

and ongoing sanctions.

Finally, ma'am, DIA reports that
a Chinese light frigate warship

fired warning shots
at a Russian-flagged oil tanker

in the South China Sea,

forcing it to reroute away

from internationally
recognized shipping lanes.

As established by the Singapore
Interchange you negotiated

less than four years ago, ma'am.



But since Russia wasn't
part of the accord, they...

Moscow has been working
with Vietnam to exploit

disputed oil and natural gas rights.

So Beijing seized
on a-a political gray area

to give the Heisman
to Russia's efforts?

- Not exactly shocking.
- True.

But recent surveillance photos
show an alarming buildup

of Chinese military personnel
on one island in particular.

Hainan Dao.

Well, even naming it
breaks the spirit,

if not the letter, of the treaty.

- Thank you.
- So, basically,

just another beautiful day
in the neighborhood.

Ellen, when was our last naval flyby



- near Hainan Dao?
- Couple of weeks ago.

We usually go for one a month,
keep them honest.

Let's move the next one
up. Soon as possible.

I don't want Beijing
getting comfortable

bullying other countries
in international waters.

Yes, ma'am.

Look, I...

I know that the impeachment
hearing is on everybody's mind.

I've been going
about business as usual

because I do truly believe

that it is best for
U.S. interests here

and abroad.

Anybody disagrees or has any concerns,

I'm all ears.

Okay. Thank you, everyone.

Thank you, ma'am.

So...

House Judiciary just
scheduled your appearance

before the committee.

Day after tomorrow.

- Good.
- Not good.

Bad. Apocalyptically bad.

Hanson's out there whipping
the press into a lather

over you wagging the dog with Iran

and collusion and nepotism

and, I don't know,
sorcery and cannibalism.

Your numbers are eroding
by the hour and you're about

- to step into the Star Chamber.
- I know, Mike.

Then do something about it.
You're losing the public.

Use the bully pulpit

to bully the crap out of them.

Congress has the right to investigate.

Not to defame. Not to lie.
Not to attack...

You show me where in the
Constitution it says they don't.

I am not going to attack Congress,

no matter how much I deplore Hanson

and Canning's tactics.

- How's the whip count?
- Not good.

If the House voted today, they'd
have impeachment by two votes.

And the Senate will convict,
making you the first president

to be removed from office.

Hell, even Congressman Weenie

- is sitting this one out.
- Yeah, what about Heeney?

You know? We ever figure out
why he's being so timid?

He's quoted in the Chronicle
piece saying he's simply

"acceding to the chairman
and his Article One duty."

Which makes me think

Canning or Hanson
or one of their stooges

has something on the good congressman.

I could get into it.

Russell,

- what's next?
- Uh, NEC roundtable

in the Roosevelt Room.

Okay.

There's leftover tempeh tacos.

Well, they're not
really tacos. They're...

uh, just these
shell-like things and...

Gee, when you put it like that...

- You want to come up?
- No.

Kind of want to stay here

while I still can.

You want company?

Yeah.

I know that this is hard on you, too.

Well, only when I see them
go after you.

Politics ain't beanbag.

Yeah, but it ain't supposed to
be The Hunger Games, either.

Go home, Blake!

Not while you're still here, ma'am!

I am still here,

aren't I?

Yeah, it would seem so.

You know, I once read that
you can effect more change

in a day as president than you can

for the rest of your life
after you leave office.

I believe that.

So, let's make a bucket list.

E-Everything that we want to do...

before we leave here.

Okay... oh, oh.
I've always wanted to...

sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom.

- Does that count?
- Okay, yeah.

- Yeah.
- Not that it's gonna effect any change...

It will for us.

- Tonight.
- Mm-hmm.

I have always wanted to answer calls

at the White House switchboard.

There's a switchboard?

I don't know.

Where the calls come in.
I want to take calls.

Gun control? Can...
I mean, is that too big?

No.

Are you kidding? It's our list.

We can do whatever we want.

- What else?
- Hi.

ELIZABETH and HENRY: Hey.

Blake told me you guys were in here.

I hope I'm not interrupting anything.

No, no, it's...

- You okay, sweetie?
- Yeah.

- Yeah?
- Uh, yeah.

I'm pretty great, actually.

Sorry. With everything going on,
I know that's not really...

Oh, come on.

Listen, we could use
a little "pretty great."

What do you got?

Okay, um, so it was
kind of a bumpy start.

But things with Dmitri
are, like, really wonderful.

I'm not sure
if I've ever been happier.

- You deserve it.
- Well, that's a nice piece...

- Thanks.
- ...of pretty great right there.

Yeah, we're, like, making plans...

playfully... but, you know,

what are we gonna be doing
in a few years, like, ten years,

and where we want to live

and how many kids and...

Where and how many?

- Keep going.
- Okay.

But it's just that...

we-we know that we
want to be together.

It's just, I'm-I'm worried.

I think he might be afraid to take it

- to the next level, like, to propose.
- Oh.

- Just, everything that happened,
like, in my testimony.

I just feel like there's
a moment for these things,

and I-I really, I don't want us

to miss our moment. So,

- I am gonna propose to him.
- Oh!

Oh, my God!

- Is that crazy?
- Oh...

- No, it's not crazy.
- Stevie. Oh, mwah.

Look at where we are!

- Yeah, girl power central here.
- Oh...

But if it's gonna mess up your
lives... This is what I wanted

to talk to you about.
I don't want to...

Stevie, listen, don't
ever postpone your life

- over political noise or anything else.
- Yeah. Hear, hear.

- Got it.
- Now-now, c-come on. Tell us the details.

Oh... Come on. Just...
How you gonna do it?

- No, no. She's right.
- W-We won't... ask. You know.

B-But how and when? But... yeah.

Okay, you guys are talking so loudly,

and I... can I just hear
this part, please?

- Yes. Okay.
- Okay.

Um, so the day after tomorrow...

Uh, you guys know that Chinese
restaurant, Hong Kong Garden?

Oh, the one in Dupont Circle,
or the other one?

Okay.

Dupont, yeah. Um, so they
have, like, these, uh,

personalized, um, fortune cookies.

So I'm going to have them
plant the proposal

in the fortune cookie.

- That's genius.
- That's great.

Just proofread it before
they stick it in the cookie.

Yeah, good call there, Elibet.

That's a reference to
a skywriting proposal.

See, this is why they have assistants.

Hey, why don't you, um,
bring Dmitri over here after

and we can have a champagne toast?

Yeah. I will.

Thanks.

- Aw.
- I'm so excited.

Oh, we're excited for you.

- And grandkids.
- Just...

- Just give her...
- She brought it up.

Slow down, Mom.

- Well, you're the one who brought it up.
- She's not even married yet.

Good night.

Speaking of up.
That's where I'm going.

Come on. Go home, Blake.

Okay. Uh, congratulation... um...

Almost congratulations,
Dr. McCord, Madam President.

Stevie's wedding.

Lincoln Bedroom.

- Let's go.
- Rawr.

Let's push

the DPC meeting.

No point improving the
aqueducts while Rome burns.

Ha! Good morning.

- Hey.
- Rome burning again?

I'm sorry, am... I late?

Nope. No, I'm just...

Carpe diem, you know?

Which, as Henry pointed out,

is part of a longer phrase.

Carpe diem, quam minimum

credula postero.

It means,

"Seize the day,

put very little trust
in tomorrow," which...

You can see how
that might speak to me.

- I think it's beautiful.
- Right?

So I made a to-do list for today.

Oh.

- South China Sea.
- What about it?

Fix it.

After the dustup
between China and Russia,

why not revisit
the Singapore Interchange?

We can address all outstanding issues

and finally bring peace
and stability to the region.

- Is that all?
- Ha! No.

That is very... Do you really want

to take on one of the most
intractable problems

in the world while your head
is on the chopping block?

Yep. Have Susan get into it
with Chen and Avdonin.

And then I want to get serious
about carbon reduction.

- Uh-huh.
- And expanding health care rolls.

- Okay.
- And... ah, ugh... gun control.

Mm-hmm.

Why not just do world
peace while you're at it?

That's the spirit.
What the hell? Write that down.

World peace. Got it.

You do...

you do realize you need Congress
at your back,

not actively trying to bury you,

in order to get anything done.

Russell, if I hunker down,

aren't I just burying myself?

All due respect, y-you did pass

- ESI and-and...
- Yes!

...the VA Mental Health
Modernization Act...

- Yes.

...the free trade agreement
with South Korea.

It's true. So, I want to push forward

while they try to stop me.

Good morning, Madam President.

Carpe diem, Blake.

Quam minimum credula postero.

Yes, ma'am.

Dr. McCord, Dmitri Petrov is
a little early for your 3:00.

Oh, uh, thanks. Great. Send him in.

Right this way, Mr. Petrov.

Hey, there he is. Wow, looking sharp.

Hey. Thanks for making the time.

Oh, of course. Any time.

I've got a lot of ideas for you.

Well, I hope you didn't
spend too much time

thinking about my future prospects

because that was a ruse.

Really?

Forgive me, I'm a little nervous.

You know Stevie and I
have been back together

- for a while now.
- I do.

I think it's great.

I'm very relieved to hear that.

Because, with your permission...

I want to ask Stephanie to marry me.

Oh, my God!

Wow, wow...

Yes, yeah, uh, yes.

But you don't have to ask me.

Oh, I should ask the president, too?

No, no, I just mean...
well, neither of us.

Stevie's an adult, uh,

but I appreciate the sentiment,

given our past.

Yeah, thanks.

I wasn't sure with
the whole investigation

if maybe you'd want me to wait
or just disappear altogether.

Nonsense, life goes on
despite politics.

Although I can't make
any guarantees about Stevie.

Oh, of course not.

That's on me.

So, if you don't mind me asking,

when were you gonna pop the question?

Tomorrow night.

Yeah, we're going out for
Chinese food, and then...

Uh-huh... after that, I booked

a private cruise on the Potomac.

- So, after dinner?
- Yeah.

Yeah, she has no idea.

You're secret's safe with me.

But I don't understand

why I have to take
time out of my schedule

to practice telling the truth.

Because I'm gonna be the counsel
of record at your side.

You only get one chance not
to screw up your testimony

and making me look bad.

Okay, okay.

Where are we on the list?

The EPA is putting together a package

of new carbon-reducing measures

to present to Congress.

Good, sounds like a good start.

Yeah, what's next?

I will have drafts by end
of the day of a bill

to ban assault weapons
and an executive order

directing NIH to research gun violence

as a public health crisis.

- Excellent.
- Oh, crap!

- What?
- My cavity-search

of Congressman Heeney's
entire life turned up bupkis.

I mean, detention in
the third grade for fighting,

but he was defending some poor dweeb

who was jumped by a gang
of fifth-graders.

Damn yinzer's a saint
like his father before him.

- Wait, Heeney is from Pittsburg?
- Yeah.

He and his dad have been
clinging to that seat

so long, Pittsburgh's gonna
name a barnacle after them.

- Huh.
- What?

Is that good?

Could be.

Hey, handsome.

You going for a world record?

I have 11 seconds left.

Hey, listen, I got your text...

and I am dying to hear
all about the Dmitri thing,

but did you know...

that Congressman Heeney
is from Pittsburgh?

Yes, I-I-I knew his
old man a little bit

when I was a kid.

How did I not know that?

I didn't know him that well.

I certainly didn't know Junior.

Back in the day, my dad
organized his chapter

to phone bank and
door-knock for Heeney Sr.

Well, how do you feel about exploiting

that paternal connection

to suss out Heeney Jr.'s
acquiescence to Canning?

Thought you didn't
want to play politics.

Well, I don't.

But I also don't want to go
whistling to the guillotine.

That's Mike's metaphor.

Uh, listen, I'd be happy to
reach out to the congressman.

We can reminisce about...
I don't know...

our dads and when he
used to support you.

Thank you.

So, what about Dmitri's French farce?!

So I completely forgot

we had this meeting on the books.

Is he really propose
tomorrow night, really?!

After the dinner

when Stevie is proposing to him.

He even mentioned going
out for Chinese food.

Should we warn her?
I mean, just in case

she wants to give him
a chance to propose first?

And betray the confidence
of our future son-in-law

before they're even engaged?

Oh, very good point.

Truman Balcony tonight.

Congressman Heeney is here, sir.

Oh, great. Thanks.

- Good morning, Dr. McCord.
- Hi.

It's not every day I get
invited to the White House.

Ah, well, welcome.

I still can't believe
that I live here.

- Yeah.
- Please, have a seat.

Thank you.

Uh, your dad was a union
organizer, I believe.

- I think you knew my old man?
- Yeah.

In fact... I remember
your dad being at my house

on more than a few rye-soaked
evenings and them getting

into it over negotiations
with USW and steelmakers.

Even when they agreed,
it sounded like fighting.

Mm. "If you work hard,

"you should be able
to earn a decent wage.

Make a good life for your family."

Our old men were
in the fight every day.

And here we are.

- Yeah.
- Different time.

But still in it.

So, I understand your
camp was, uh, disappointed

I didn't run interference for you

and your daughter at the hearings.

Well, we weren't looking for
interference... we were just

hoping you would speak up
when Chairman Canning

made unsubstantiated charges.

Well, the committee has to
investigate before we can

determine what was
unsubstantiated and what wasn't.

I appreciate that.

But Canning is making
baseless accusations

through innuendo and conjecture.

And trying to manipulate
public opinion

to exact a political price
before the investigations

turned anything up.
I-I was just surprised that

someone with your background
would let that happen.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

But one yinzer to another,

my dad also taught me
that political survival

is about relevance.

Sometimes it doesn't make any sense

to throw yourself in front
of a train you can't stop.

So, letting Canning
steamroll the administration

and the truth is about
political expediency

and self-preservation?

I didn't come here for a lecture.

Administrations come and they go.

My dad and I have been
protecting workers' rights

in Pittsburgh for 60 years.

And I intend to continue doing so

when the next
administration takes over.

And the one after that.

"He who ignores public injustice

welcomes it into his house."

You can quote scripture all you want.

I have to be practical.

That's not scripture, Congressman.

It's your father.

Democracy works only

when government is held accountable.

To that end, for the past

two months my administration

has promptly responded
to numerous document requests

and interrogatories.

I have made my staff
unconditionally available

for interviews with the Senate
Intelligence Committee.

My executive assistant did not oppose

an FBI warrant served on his premises.

And both my own husband
and my daughter

have appeared
for extensive questioning

before this committee.

And I now sit here,

against the advice of counsel,

to answer questions

in a proceeding whose sole aim

is to oust me from office.

Instead of invoking
executive privilege,

I have chosen to cooperate
without limitation.

And my hope is

that such cooperation will finally

yield an end to this inquiry,

so we can get back
to the business of governance...

the reason the American people
put us here.

Thank you.

Then, uh, in service of your desire

for a swift resolution,
Madam President,

let us begin. Madam President,

would you agree that your

senior staff ultimately answer to you?

- Yes.
- And you must also agree

that you should be held
accountable for their conduct.

For actions taken at
my direction, yes, of course.

Let's start with your former
press secretary, Daisy Grant.

Fired because she failed

to disclose she was
in possession of evidence

that Iran tampered with the election.

To be accurate, Ms. Grant resigned.

But you would have fired
her if she hadn't, correct?

Yes, yes.

Because you were looking
for a scapegoat for a decision

that you knew
that you were responsible for.

No, Mr. Chairman.

Because Ms. Grant acted outside
the scope of her employment,

without consulting me

and in violation of her duties.

Well, I think the evidence
to date has shown

that your staff
was fiercely devoted to you.

And they took no action
that they thought

you would've disapproved of.

Is there a question here,
Mr. Chairman?

Yes, there is, Counselor.

Madam President, are you telling

this committee

that Ms. Grant was a rogue actor?

- Yes.
- Who wasn't even acting

at your implied direction?

Asked and answered.
Let's move on, Mr. Chairman.

Then I'll cut to the chase.

For the record, did you act
in concert with any member

of the Iranian government
to undermine your opponent

in the presidential election?

No, I did not.

Did you have any knowledge that Iran

was interfering on your behalf

during the presidential campaign?

No, I did not.

You are aware that your answers today

are under penalty of perjury?

Yes, Mr. Chairman, I am.

And your implication
notwithstanding, I...

I believe I have demonstrated

how seriously I take
these proceedings.

Why don't we test that
proposition by turning

to your many contacts with
Iranian Foreign Minister Tousi

during the election year.

You were exceptionally close

to the foreign minister, weren't you?

We have a situation.

One of our destroyers was fired
on by a Chinese patrol boat

in the South China Sea.

Casualties?

24 American sailors killed.

We engaged the Chinese vessel.

Sank it.

We're expecting
hundreds of casualties.

- Mr. Chairman, I'm very sorry.
- Mr. Chairman,

due to pressing matters
of state, the president

must adjourn
her testimony at this time.

We object to this
choreographed interruption!

Madam President?

Madam President, this is
an insult to this committee!

What the hell is going on?

The Arleigh Burke class
destroyer Edwin James

was three miles outside
the coast of Hainan Dao

when it came under attack

from two Chinese
Type 22 missile boats.

Unprovoked?

Yes, ma'am.

I recommend going
to worldwide DEFCON 4

and DEFCON 3 in INDOPACOM AOR.

Do it.

What the hell is
President Li thinking?

General Hayes, where are we?

Madam President, we're sending

Carrier Strike Team 5
to assist the James

and deter any further
incursions by hostiles.

All right.

Admiral Fanning,
I want to speak to the captain.

Captain Woodcliff was KIA, ma'am.

Executive Officer Harris in command.

Let's get him on screen.

Harris here.

Commander Harris,
this is the president.

I need you to describe
for me what happened.

It was a routine flyby, ma'am.

We were in egress when they lit us up.

Was there any kind of warning?

None. Phalanx CIWS

shot down most
of their missiles, but one

made a direct hit on the bridge.

Damage control reports...

Commander Harris?

...our best to triage.

Commander Harris, can you proceed

to the fallback point?

Negative.

Chief engineer reports
total engine failure.

We're sitting ducks.

You sit tight, Commander.

Help is on the way.

Thank you, ma'am.

This is a list of military targets

on Hainan Dao.

Codeword: Dragonfly.

Madam President,
we have an Ohio-class sub

armed with conventional
warheads standing by.

You want to retaliate.

If we don't, we'll be
sending a message of weakness,

giving the Chinese
carte blanche to escalate.

Uh, and we've already killed
hundreds of their sailors.

- That was self-defense.
- Yes, but to the Chinese,

any further aggression
will be seen as gratuitous.

They'll attack the Fifth Fleet next.

Our war games make

- no such assumption, ma'am.
- How many deals

have you negotiated
with the Chinese, General?

I need to speak with President Li.

Due respect, ma'am,
actions speak louder.

I will not risk war
without a dialogue.

This is a rescue mission
until I say otherwise.

- Are w... are we clear?
- Yes, ma'am.

- Understood.
- Thank you.

You invaded Chinese territory.
There is nothing more to say.

President Li, we both know
accidents can happen.

I'm offering you a chance
to walk this back.

This was no accident.
Well, then, your attack

was reckless and unprovoked.

These flybys are routine.

There's nothing routine
about defending our sovereignty.

It is our island.

You want to litigate that point,
let's do it in Singapore.

At a renewed diplomatic interchange.

We no longer recognize
that interchange.

Apologize and withdraw your forces.

I won't engage in ultimatums.

Those are my terms.

The rest is up to you,
Madam President.

Can we expect support from our allies?

In public, yes. In private,
I'm hearing concerns.

Yeah, and in the meantime,
world markets are in free fall.

Supermarkets are being overrun

by people hoarding basic supplies

and the top search on Google
is "nuclear war."

It might be time to consider
an Oval Office address, ma'am.

Well, and say what? If we want
to allay people's concern,

we have to get our sailors

- and the James out of there...
- Madam President,

SIGINT confirms the PLA has gone

to combat readiness condition level 2.

Dongfeng 5

ICBMs are moving to launchpads.

They'll be capable of
nuclear first strike

within a few hours.

- That's absurd.
- And yet, it's happening.

Ma'am,

- we must respond.
- I agree.

If this is how Li

is choosing to communicate,

we have to answer with strength.

Go to DEFCON 2.

Have all essential personnel
recalled to safe locations.

- Yes, ma'am.
- Yes, Madam President.

Okay. I... We need to track
President Li's logic here.

It's a calculated flex.

Probably because he believes
that I'm hamstrung

by the impeachment hearing, right?

Li thinks you're too weak to risk

taking a divided nation to war.

We just went to DEFCON 2,

so that ought to make him think twice.

But Susan's right.

We need to send a message of unity.

How? I'll ask Congress

for Authorization for
the Use of Military Force.

An AUMF?
In the middle of an impeachment?

Especially in the middle
of an impeachment.

I have to trust that Congress
will do the right thing.

All right.

I'll reach out to leadership.

Susan, tell Minister Chen
I want to talk to him.

I know it bypasses protocol,
but I need a conversation

with a friend over there.

I'll see what I can do.

President McCord
has just declared DEFCON 2,

meaning all U.S. military
around the world

stand at hair-trigger readiness.

Supermarkets across the nation
are reportedly preparing

for a rush of panicked consumers...

Man.

Maybe not the best night to be
eating at a Chinese restaurant.

- Well, at least it's pretty empty.
- Yeah,

probably because everyone's
already in bomb shelters.

Hey, maybe we should go.

Oh, wh... we can wait for the check.

Ah. This will cover it.

Well, hang on. What about
our fortune cookies?

You hate fortune cookies.

Well, maybe tonight I am feeling
a little bit superstitious.

- No change. Thanks.
- What...

What's, um... wait.

Wh... uh, hang on.
What's-what's the rush?

Come on. L-Let's read our fortunes.

Excuse me. We have a security alert.

We need to get you to the
White House immediately.

...and fired upon the Edwin James

when it passed within miles...

Geez... I'm coming, I'm coming.

Just...

Rescue operations have
proceeded without interference.

We've recovered our sailors

and towed the Edwin James out of area.

But now the real threat is here.

Admiral?

A Chinese support
fleet has just assembled

about 200 klicks west of Luzon.

It includes six Type 072 landing craft

with a deck cargo of DF-21D
anti-ship ballistic missiles.

They call it the carrier killer.

ETA to Hainan Dao is 12 hours.

Now, if those missiles reach land...

It could neutralize

our operative capabilities in
the South China Sea for decades.

Clearly, this was the
endgame all along.

To use the dustup with the
James as a manufactured pretext

to seize the regional advantage.

Freedom of navigation

is a bedrock principle,
Madam President.

Nothing short of our liberty
is at stake here.

It's also a blatant violation
of the Singapore Interchange.

We could go to the U.N.

Where China has a veto.

Or we can strike now.

He's right, ma'am.

The alternative is a complete retreat.

What do you suggest?

An immediate launch of our F-35s
on the USS Saratoga.

The remainder of the Fifth Fleet

will launch Tomahawks against
the targets on Hainan Dao

under Operation Dragonfly.

With China's nuclear forces
and ours on high alert?

This could trigger a-a carnage
that we can't stop.

We have the superior
capability here, ma'am.

Let's use it

to shove them back and retain

our strategic advantage

in the South China Sea.

Well, I agree

we can't let those missiles
reach the island.

But I am not prepared
to start a shooting war

that could end with the unthinkable.

I want

other options.

What about a blockade?

Declare an exclusion
zone around the island,

block any attempt to breach it?

Is that possible?

Well, in theory.

It worked for Kennedy.
Why the hell not?

Because it would put
us on the defensive.

And hands them the initiative.

If it leads to a peaceful
resolution, they can have it.

Admiral,
establish the quarantine line.

Yes, ma'am.

Susan, will you get
to the Chinese Embassy?

I want this ultimatum
delivered in person.

Absolutely, Madam President.

I'll let you know

if we get a response from Beijing.

The moment.

Yeah. Meantime, it's a waiting game.

Whoa!

You have your AUMF.

Congress just passed it
in emergency session.

All right, well, let's
make some noise about it.

Oh, I'll make sure it's
clanging in President Li's ear.

Great.

Well, hey.

- Hey.
- What-what are you doing?

Well, I thought we
needed some champagne.

Oh. Yeah.

Sure. You know, champagne.

Just what you want when
you're about an inch away

from war with a nuclear adversary.

- What? It's not...
- Of course,

there's always the impeachment
I'm trying to stave off,

which is probably a
foregone conclusion

after I ditched my testimony.

- Babe, uh...
- Oh, you're right.

Just pop it.

It's not just for us. Dmitri

and Stevie are on their way up.

I don't have time. I'm so tired!

Oh, my gosh.

Yes! What happened?

Well, so, security protocols
forced them

to cut their date short

and, uh, skip
their Potomac cruise, but...

Oh, cruise-schmooze.
What happened at the dinner?

Okay, all I know is their detail said

that they finished dinner,
which means that...

Our little girl!

- Oh, here they are!
- The happy couple!

There you are!

- Oh, come on.
- Oh. Oh. Hey.

- Hi.
- Hey.

- Ah.
- We did not have dessert.

Oh.

- That's... too bad.
- Yeah.

Dessert is a cornerstone
of any meal, so...

Yeah.

Yes, and we had to come straight
here from the restaurant.

Well, oh, we-we... we just thought

that you'd want to have
some champagne with us.

There's water for you.

Yeah. While we still can.

Yeah. Yeah, right.
That's lovely of you.

- Here you go.
- Thank you.

- Thank you.
- Sure. Thanks, guys.

Honey. Yeah, well, here's to...

Nothing.

No. Stop.

Sorry. This is silly.

This was meant to be an occasion.

A big occasion.

Henry, you didn't tell...

On my honor. Stevie doesn't
know anything about it.

- Wait. He knows? You...
- What?

- You told him?
- No.

We didn't say anything.

- Never.
- I don't understand.

Let's just... everybody go home,

- because that's...
- Yeah. Uh, just...

Let's just pretend
like it never happened.

Wait. I was going to do this, um...

I'm gonna do it.

Dmitri... this is for you.

Uh...

It's the-the fortune inside.

- If you read it. Just...
- Oh.

Oh. Wow. This is...

What does it say? "The early bird

gets the worm, but the second
mouse gets the cheese."

Wait. What?

They mixed up the cookies.

- It's very true, though.
- Oh.

This was supposed to be

a message from me.

Um, a question, actually.

I wanted to ask you to...

Stop. Please. Let me.

Here.

In front of your parents,

even though it was
supposed to be alone

on a boat. But

there might be a nuclear war,
and... Sorry, no offense,

- Madam President.
- No problem. Go on.

I don't know how to begin.
No. I do know

how to begin with you,
Stevie, because you...

you are my beginning, and the start

of everything that matters to me.

My happiness and hope for the future.

I've been broken many times,

and it's hard for me
to feel whole, but

there's one time I do feel whole.

When you are with me.
And if you let me,

I will dedicate my life
to making you feel whole, too.

Because... because I love you more

than I ever knew I could love.

Stephanie McCord will you...

Madam President, we need... you.

- Are you kidding me?
- I'm sor...

Oh, my God. Is-is he actually...?

Dmitri, as president,
I order you to finish

- that sentence!
- Stevie, will you marry me?

Yes, yes, for God's sake.

Ah.

Yay. Welcome to the family.

I have to go. I don't know
when I'm coming back.

- Bye, Mom!
- Uh, just-just go.

Ellen, what is it?

It seems we have President Li's
answer to the blockade.

Several high-speed

Type 22 Chinese missile boats
have broken away

from the convoy headed to Hainan Dao

and now are projected
to reach the quarantine line

in just four hours.

Okay. Fire up Marine One.

Where are you going?

New York to see Minister Chen.

Well, he wouldn't take your calls.

Why do you think he'll meet with you?

Because he knows where
this is heading if he doesn't.

Excuse me, Minister Chen?

Yes. What is it?

- Ming, you got a minute?
- Ambushed

by the American president.

Definitely one for the memoir.

I look forward to reading it one day.

In a future where we manage

to find a way out of this crisis.

Your naval blockade isn't helping.

China attacked us,

murdering 24 U.S. sailors.

Don't.

I mean, for the sake of the world,

I hope you can help me understand

what the hell Li is doing.

Li didn't approve firing on your ship.

It was a rogue commander

who thinks the party has lost its way.

Well...

That's good.

That means that Li doesn't
want this confrontation

any more than I do.

But he can't admit
his military acted alone.

He needs to preserve his honor.

The fact that you're a woman...

- For Pete's sake.
- I'm just saying,

- it's a factor.
- Would he rather blow up the world

than back down to a girl?

President Li is a... proud man.

Too bad.

No.

I am not allowing the
militarization of Hainan Dao.

Then there's no way out.

If this is really about President Li's

pride and honor...

...then what if we move our
ships away from the island

before your ships get there?

So you will back down?

No.

Even from hundreds of miles away,

we can still strike
the quarantine line.

And we will do that if
your vessels cross it.

But Li can claim
the United States blinked first.

Yes, and then quietly order his ships

to steer away from Hainan Dao.

As a friend,

I want to share that
Stevie got engaged tonight.

Congratulations.

- Elizabeth.
- I know.

There's no greater joy
than expanding one's family.

Thank you.

I wish the same for you.

That was manipulative,

but highly effective.

The truth often is.

I will take your proposal
to President Li.

Contact

now at six kilometers.

Course 170 at 28 knots.

ETA to exclusion zone
is now 20 seconds.

No alteration in course, ma'am.

Chinese vessels

at three kilometers
from exclusion zone.

They're gonna blow
through the quarantine line,

Madam President.

You have your orders.

Light 'em up, Captain.

Roger that.

Targets acquired.

Prepare to execute on my command.

Yes, ma'am.

Bridge, radar. Contacts moving!

Now steering course 350.

Hold fire,

Captain! Hold fire!

Roger. Disengaging.

They're turning around.

- Lord in heaven, they're turning.
- Ooh.

Son of a bitch.

Congratulations, Madam President.

Madam President,

we were discussing your contacts
with Foreign Minister Tousi.

Yes, I recall, Mr. Chairman.

Then you must also recall
that, uh, you left intentionally

before I could inquire
about the matter.

I left because

there was an
international incident that...

required my immediate attention.

Yes. An armed conflict
with China that resulted

in two dozen American fatalities.

Tragically, yes. But you deftly

navigated your way
around a potential war,

didn't you?

Mr. Chairman, is there
an actual question here?

Yes, there is. Isn't it true

that the conflict with China,

and its magical resolution,
was entirely fabricated

by your administration to distract

from these impeachment proceedings?

I'll have order in this room.

Madam President,
there is a question outstanding.

It isn't a question.

It's an accusation.

And I will not support your attempt

to politicize the sacrifice

of two dozen sailors who died

protecting our country.

I will then, uh, repeat
the question one more time.

But I'm...

not going to answer it.

But if you refuse
to respond, you do leave

this committee with no choice
but to hold you in contempt.

This committee will do no such thing.

Excuse me?

Mr. Chairman?

- You're out of order, Congressman.
- Mr. Chairman!

Since the inception of these
hearings, you have used

your pulpit to grandstand and peacock

in front of these cameras
at the expense

of the American taxpayer with nothing

to offer...

but imaginary conspiracy theories

and false narratives
about the president's

secret alliances with Iran,

and now China,

and her alleged corruption.

You will stand down, Congressman.

I have yielded my time
to you over and over again.

Out of fundamental fairness,

you can yield a few moments to me now.

The Chair recognizes
the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

For the past two months...

two months... this committee

and the Senate Intelligence
Committee before it

has pursued an endless
crusade to undermine

this president, all at the direction

of Senator Hanson,

who just last week was
peddling similar falsehoods

about the rescue of
an American citizen

who was kidnapped by Iran.

Someone has to call these
hearings out for what they are.

A political hatchet job.

A campaign of endless harassment,

not-not just on

the president,

but on reality.

And truth.

So, after the past few days

and the exemplary

leadership this president
has shown, I will no longer

participate in a charade whose
sole purpose is to punish

this president for her only real sin:

Challenging our preconceptions
about what

a president should be.

And now I yield my time, Mr. Chairman.

Order.

Order! Or I will clear this room!

"O."

"S."

Quiznos.

Quiznos?

Yup, it's...

knowing the answers to a quiz. It's...

It's a sandwich chain.

Well, it's also that.

- No. No, no.
- Yeah.

- Come on!
- Uh-uh. No. Come on.

- Henry, it's a lot of points.
- Uh, uh, come on.

- Let-Let's go to sleep.
- I can't, Henry.

- I'm too tired.
- Let's go. Babe.

Come on. Head on pillow.

- It's bedtime.
- My brain is just going

in this... loop.

China, impeachment,

wedding planning.

Wedding... in peach grove

In China...

- Okay. You're delirious, babe. You got to...
- I know, babe.

Just play with me, will
you, until I pass out?

- Come on.
- Okay.

- All right.
- 78.

No way.

You're such a cheater.

What is that sound?!

Something with the plumbing?

Nope.

Roar of the crowd.

What crowd?

Protestors.

Few million of 'em.

Oh, my God.

- They want me out?
- No.

They want you in.

Holy... moley.

It's happening all over
the country, all 50 states.

People are in the streets.

They say it's the biggest
public protest ever.

What happened?

As far as they can tell,
it started with this

ten-year-old girl from Atlanta

who convinced her mom
to drive through the night

so she could hold her sign
up by the gate down there.

What... what did it say?

"She's my president."

Cable news picked it up, social media.

That's what they're chanting.

She's my president!

I mean, how...?

How do millions of people

spontaneously take to the streets?

I don't know.

You helped avoid World War III,

and all your opponents wanted to
do was throw you out of office.

Well, there-there's still the
vote in the Judiciary Committee.

No, it's over.

They called an emergency
session half an hour ago.

- The one day I sleep in...
- Well...

- And? Well...
- And?

What do you think?
In the face of this,

the only vote
for impeachment was Canning's.

So that's it? It's over?

It's over.

The impeachment inquiry
is officially over.

Come on.

She's my president!

She's my president!

She's my president!

She's my president!

She's my president!

She's my president!

She's my president!

She's my president!

- She's my president!
- She's my president!

She's my president!

She's my president!

She's my president!