The First Lady (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 2 - Voices Carry - full transcript

In all the decisions I have
made in my public life,

I have always tried to do
what was best for the nation.

In the past few days, however,
it has become evident to me

that I no longer have a
strong enough political base

in the Congress to justify
continuing that effort.

Therefore, I shall
resign the presidency

effective at noon tomorrow.

Vice President Ford will
be sworn in as president

at that hour in this office.

As I recall the high
hopes for America

with which we began
this second term,



I feel a great sadness

that I will not be here in
this office working on...

[voice fades]

[commentator] Mr. and Mrs.
Ford have joined the Nixons

as they make the last walk
out to Army One, the helicopter.

Congratulations.

- Congratulations or condolences?
- [Richard chuckles]

[Richard] She's
all yours. Be safe.

[commentator] There is
the President waving goodbye.

Can you hear the applause?

President Nixon's helicopter
going over the fountains

of the White House south lawn.

[Gerald] I am acutely aware
that you have not elected me

as your president
by your ballots,



so I ask you to confirm
me as your president

with your prayers.

I have not campaigned
either for the presidency

or the vice presidency.

I am indebted to no man
and only to one woman,

my dear wife...

[camera shutters clicking]

...as I begin this
very difficult job.

I have not sought this
enormous responsibility,

but I will not shirk it.

This land is your land

This land is my land

From California

Well to the New York Island

From the Redwood Forest

To the Gulf Stream Waters

I tell you this land

Was made for you and me

Yeah

Mmm

One bright sunny morning

Well, in the shadow of a steeple

Down by the welfare office

I saw my people

I was wondering if this land

Was made for you and me

- [trainer] Yes, push!
- [grunting]

One, two. One, two. One, two.

Come on! One, two. Push!

[grunting]

Come on. Push
through. Five more.

Hard as you can. You got this.

Don't stop. Come on.

Come on. Come on.

Four! Five!

[both grunting]

Senator Hillary Clinton
has opened up a huge lead

over her democratic challengers

according to a new Washington
Post ABC News poll.

Senator Hillary Clinton is
still the Democrat to beat.

The poll shows support for both
Barack Obama and John Edwards

is dropping off.

[sighs] Can't say
I've taken that route.

[bodyguard] Safest way, ma'am.

[Michelle] Great.

[Barack] I know. Packed.

Mmm. And you're finally on time.

Well, you know, I
didn't wanna miss out

on some one-on-one
time with you.

[chuckles] Yeah, we can't
miss our date night tradition,

even if we have to shut
the whole place down.

- Oh, yeah. Thank you.
- Thank you.

You may not have to
worry about it much longer.

I-- I'm still trailing
Hillary by double digits.

Yeah, well, she
seems to really want it.

Yeah, she's whopping
my ass in every debate.

Sorry.

You know, my-- my
team thinks that I have

- a relatability issue.
- Mm-hmm.

But they've got this idea
on how to ameliorate that.

Is it to stop you from
casually using words

like relatability
and ameliorate?

Actually, it's you.

- [laughs]
- All right. Look,

you're stunning.

- No, you are, and you're--
- Ugh.

You're brilliant and relatable--

I don't know, it's
the best word for it.

You are relatable and
certainly more relatable than--

I don't know, some
half-Kenyan brother

from fucking Hawaii, you know?

Okay, then what
does all of this entail?

Well...

- a few speaking engagements--
- [groans]

- No, no, listen. But we'll--
- Barack...

We'll work the schedule
around the kids. It'll be family first.

I don't know, you know?

And you know I don't
love public speaking.

I get it, but you're
an amazing speaker.

And it'd be a chance

for us to work
together as a team.

And I miss you.

There you go with
that sweet talking.

So you'll think about it?

I'll think about it.

All right.

["Yes We Can Can" playing]

- I'll take that as a win.
- Thank you.

After you give me
dessert, I'll think about it.

- Oh, you're gonna get dessert.
- Yeah.

No one knows more about
the character, the heart

or the intention of Barack Obama

than the woman who agreed
to take this journey with him.

She's gonna make
some kind of tremendous

- First Lady of this nation.
- [cheering]

Ladies and gentlemen,
Michelle Obama!

The next First Lady of the
United States, Michelle Obama.

We got to make
this land a better land

Than the world in which we live

And we got to help each
man Be a better man

With the kindness that we give

I feel privileged to be a
part of even witnessing this.

Traveling around states

and being reminded
that there's more

that unites us than divides us.

- I know we can make it
- I know we can

I know darn well
That we can work it out

Yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, why can't we?

If you wanna yes we can can

I know we can make it work

I know we can make it if we try

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

[supporter] We
love you, Michelle!

Thank you.

I am honored and
excited to be here.

This has been an
amazing year for us.

Just think where we
were one year ago.

Barack was standing in front
of the State Capitol in Illinois

to announce that he
was running for president.

What we have
learned over this year

is that hope is
making a comeback.

And let me tell you something,

for the first time
in my adult lifetime,

I am really proud of my country.

- I know we can make it
- I know that we can

I know darn well that we
can Work it out, work it out...

Thank you! Thank you!

I know darn well that we
can Work it out, work it out

[phones vibrating]

- I know we can make it
- I know that we can

I know darn well that we
can Work it out, work it out

There's so many
needy So many poor

But love and understanding
Is the key to the door

[phones ringing, vibrating]

We better get going.

[song ends]

- Mel?
- Fucking racist fucks.

- What's going on?
- Sorry.

They-- They twisted your words.

- [Michelle] What? What?
- [Mel] They twisted your words.

"I'm proud of my
country for the first time."

Shit. "I never
loved my country."

Right.

- Okay.
- Come on. Let's keep moving.

[commentator] Now
that her husband

is the Democrats'
presumptive nominee,

Michelle Obama is
expected to come under

ever greater scrutiny
from the media.

She's always angry every
time she gets on television.

I think the American people
deserve a thorough examination

of everything about her.

The angry Black
woman First Lady?

[Young Malia] Ready?

Ma'am, we believe it's
best you take the car.

I wanna walk my
girls to school today.

It's a beautiful morning,
and we need the fresh air

and a break from all
of this. Right, girls?

- [Young Sasha] Yeah.
- [Young Malia] Yes.

- [reporter 1] Michelle!
- [reporter 2] Michelle!

[reporter 1] Michelle, do you
have any terrorist affiliations?

Do you hate America
or Americans?

[reporter 3] Why are you
not proud to be an American?

[reporters clamoring]

What do you think about
your father running for office?

How is the campaign
impacting your children's lives?

[reporter 4] Just one
more question. Did any--

[clamoring]

I will not respond
to these lies,

nor will I stand for you
bringing my girls into all this.

That's what we're not gonna do.

But I will say this.

I am genuinely proud
of all the excitement

building around
Barack's campaign.

It makes me hopeful.

People of all shades
and-- and ages

and-- and creeds
all working together.

Now, if you don't mind,

I'm gonna walk my
daughters to school.

Come on, girls.

[no audible dialogue]

[Eleanor] Why, thank you.

- [doorman] Ma'am.
- [Earl] Mrs. Roosevelt.

Earl!

I'll be escorting you
to the White House.

Yes, I think I'm going
to take the long way.

Clear the cobwebs.

[Malvina] Don't ask.

Mrs. Roosevelt, ma'am,

I must insist you get in the
car. It's for your own safety.

No one wants to hurt me.
I'm not important enough.

[Malvina] Oh, I
don't know, Mrs. R.

I might hurt you if
you keep it up like this.

Oh. Oh, that's wonderful.

Hello. What's your name?

- I'm Eleanor.
- Oh, no.

You're, uh--

Eleanor. Eleanor Roosevelt.

So nice to meet you.
What's your name?

John.

- Hello, John.
- Mrs. R., we should really--

[Eleanor] That is one hardy
handshake. What work do you do?

I don't do any work. I'm busted.

Of course.

I'm-- I'm so sorry.
What work did you do?

[John] I forged steel. Built
skyscrapers in New York.

[Eleanor] Oh, what
a wonderful skill.

You must be so proud.

Well, you're a part
of history, John.

Such a pleasure to meet you.

And you, all of you.

- Thank you so much. Thank you.
- Thank you, ma'am.

[Eleanor] Oh, I
do like your hat.

-Oh, that's very nice.
- [man] Thank you though!

[chuckles]

- [Lou] There you are.
- [Eleanor] So sorry.

I feared you weren't coming.

Well, it's a pleasure
to see you, Eleanor.

And you too, Lou.
Shall we make a start?

I thought we'd have
tea and a light breakfast

before I give you the tour.

Of course. That would be lovely.

I'm sure you're excited to
begin the decorating process.

Oh, yes. Mrs.
Roosevelt certainly is.

You can't go wrong
with an oriental silk.

No, you most certainly cannot.

[whispering] Sorry.

And this is the master bedroom.

That door over there
is your dressing room.

I used it as my study,

but they always called it
the dressing room regardless.

The Wilsons used it
as a private dining room.

What on Earth?

Nine presidents
brought their slaves here.

I never knew...

It wasn't recorded how many
of them required their slaves

to have access
to their bedrooms.

[Eleanor] Well, I hope
you're making me sound

interesting and intelligent.

- And possibly even fascinating.
- Oh!

I'll do what I can.

Can I ask you something

- Of course. Always.
- off the record?

How do you really feel
about being First Lady?

Oh.

Well...

I'm not thrilled about the fact

that my title refers to my
sex rather than my skills.

- Yeah.
- Mmm.

Does sound like a crude term
a man might use for his ex-wife.

[chuckles]

And it's recently been
made very clear to me

that I'm to smile, nod, and
gaze adoringly at Franklin

every time we happen to
be in the same room together.

Mmm...

Well, what does that look like?

Oh. Well...

[laughs] That's awful.

Oh, that's my daughter Anna.

She's just gone
through a divorce.

Off the record.

It was the right thing to do,

but her grandmother
is apoplectic.

So, she's a
Progressive like you?

Yes, I suppose she is.

Good for her.

Well, thank you, Hick.

[sighs] Always. Now get to it.

[Anna] Hello!

- Hello, darling. How are you?
- I'm good.

Sis, come say hello.

Little Anna. [blows raspberry]

Oh, Louis. [blows raspberry]

Look who's growing.

How is the speech coming along?

The President would
like your thoughts.

Well, Sis and I are going to
grab sundaes at the restaurant.

We were wondering if you could
come but seems like a busy one.

Oh, it's a busy one.

Well, you'll have to
get a scoop on me.

All right, more for us.
Let's go, chickadee.

- Have fun.
- Bye. Bye.

He asked for me himself?

Almost.

All right.

[door opens]

[door closes]

Hello, Missus.

Have you been calling?
I was out for meetings.

No, no. I've been wrapped up.

What do you have so far?

A slippery fish.

Mm-mmm. May I?

No, it's not ready yet.

Is it true that I am not to have

a proper job in
your administration?

Will you stop
listening to Louis?

Well, give me
something else to hear.

Fine.

I am not entirely comfortable.

Nobody else is getting
two appointments.

I'm not asking for
two appointments.

I'll think about it.

Don't push me off, Franklin.

I am your wife, not
one of your girlfriends.

And I need to work.

- You know that.
- [door opens]

You have made
yourself abundantly clear.

- You will work.
- [people chattering]

[Franklin] What is it?

Sir, if you're not busy, we'd
better get back to the speech.

Not busy at all, boys.
Come on. Let's get back to it.

Let's start with this
wording right here.

"Attempts by the
previous administration

were lost on tired
and old tradition,

leaving you fearful."

Now, I like the idea
of that, the sentiment,

but it's lacking punch.

It-- It feels passive this way.

[clicks tongue,
exhales] Oh, yeah.

Could someone please
come collect something

and take it to the
president-elect?

"Nothing is so
much to be feared...

as fear".

[crowd cheering]

[Franklin] I am certain that
my fellow Americans expect

that on my induction,

this is preeminently the
time to speak the truth.

The whole truth,
frankly and boldly.

Nor need we shrink

from honestly facing
conditions in our country today.

This great nation will
endure as it has endured.

We'll revive and we'll prosper.

[applause, cheering]

So, first of all,

let me assert my firm belief

that the only thing we
have to fear is fear itself.

- [applause, cheering]
- Oh, yes.

May God protect each
and every one of you

and guide me in the coming days.

Thank you.

- [applause, cheering]
- Come.

Oh, that was a very
powerful speech, wasn't it?

Mmm, yes, it was brilliant.

Yes, Franklin always knows
just the right thing to say.

It's one of his many gifts.

One of the great
pleasures of marriage

is savoring your
husband's finest moments.

Second only to savoring
that of your sons.

[Franklin] Thank you!

Yes.

[Eleanor] I don't
believe I've ever smiled

for so many hours in a row.

[music plays on record player]

[groans]

I do think they
should issue warnings.

Inauguration festivities
may cause frozen face.

[both chuckle]

Is it stuck? Am I doomed
to be a grinning fool?

You are the farthest thing
from a fool I have ever known.

I think your speech went
over very well, Franklin.

- Thanks to you.
- Oh, don't be silly.

You really are so good at
conveying hope, you know.

You think you've
always been that way?

My mother says even as a
child I had a soothing presence.

Oh, soothing is one thing.

It's quite another to lead a
country out of its darkest hour.

Well, you were instrumental
in helping crafting my message.

So I'm grateful for you.

We make a good team.

Yes, we do.

Should we go to bed?

Oh, I cannot think of
anything I'd like to do more.

- Good night, Franklin.
- [chuckles]

[chuckles] Sweet dreams.

Congratulations! You
so deserve it. [giggles]

Here we are!

Yes. Here we are indeed.

[Eleanor] Oh! Hello.
What's your name?

- Charles.
- Charles, I'm Eleanor.

I'll be seeing quite
a lot of you I think.

[music plays on record player]

[Charles] More champagne, sir?

I think we should move over
to the whiskey. Don't you?

Very well, sir.

[distant police siren blaring]

[blaring continues]

Bob, a lot has been
written about the fact

that president-elect
Obama is looking

into ways to reverse various
Bush administration policies.

Is there danger in
doing that too quickly?

- They're asleep.
- [news reporters continue]

Oh. I don't wanna
keep missing bedtime.

- ...these are things the, uh,
- [Michelle] Mmm.

president has, uh,
done by executive order,

and they can be,
uh, easily undone.

I think that's
some of the first--

[clicks]

In four years, I don't want
to look back and think,

"What did I become
living in that house?"

Well, you know, in--
in eight years, uh,

I think you are still gonna
be that bougie lawyer

with that Audi [laughs]

and that fucking attitude
that I fell in love with.

[both laughing]

- South Side forever! [chuckles]
- That's right. Mm-hmm.

Mmm. We need a road map, Barack.

I will not miss the
girls growing up.

Mmm, no. Me neither.
We won't let that happen.

- Mm-hmm.
- All right? I promise you.

Mmm.

You are gonna be
a dope First Lady.

Michelle Obama née Robinson

has never failed
a test. [laughs]

- You're right.
- That's right.

- I got this. [hums]
- Yeah, you do. Shake it girl!

What I don't got is all those
clothes you got on the floor,

Barack Obama, President
of the United Sta--

- Pick up your clothes!
- I got it. I got it. I got you.

Mm-hmm.

[Michelle] Mmm.

[Barack] I got this.

- [Michelle] Clothes all over.
- [Barack laughs]

I should really have
somebody to help me

- tidy this thing up, right?
- [Michelle] Mmm.

I got nuclear codes
to think about.

Mmm.

You okay?

- How do we feel about Gwen?
- [laughs]

- Morning, Gwen. Hi.
- Hi, Gwen.

- [people chattering]
- Madam First Lady.

[applause]

We're already behind schedule.

I had to drop the girls off
for their first day at school.

[Gwen] Oh! I thought
Mrs. Robinson

and Secret Service
were handling that.

My daughters are not
a matter to be handled.

I had to ensure
that they settled in.

Of course.

So, we want to hit
the ground running.

And with Rahm's approval,

my team and I have come
up with several ideas for you.

Rahm has approved...

Okay. Let me hear 'em.

He feels, and we all feel, that
a White House garden project

could be a great opportunity

for people to see
a new side of you.

The First Lady
tending the garden,

growing fruits and
vegetables with local kids.

Great photo ops.

Good news, team.

The men in the West
Wing have given us

the green light to
plant some carrots.

[all chuckling]

Uh, that's not-- that's
not what I meant.

Um, all right. This,
uh, this is for you.

Mrs. Ford won't be able
to attend the inauguration.

She's almost 90, but
she wanted to write to you.

Betty Ford wrote me a letter.

Wow.

[exhales]

[Gwen] We have a fitting
for your inauguration gown.

And this is great, Vogue
has offered a feature

with Annie Leibovitz
to shoot the cover.

Amazing, right?

Sure. Excellent opportunity
to talk about rutabagas.

[all chuckling]

What's a rutabaga?

- A turnip, I believe.
- [Michelle] Come on, Gwen.

I spoke throughout the campaign

about civic duty,
unemployment and--

And you were incredible. And
now we're in the White House.

And the team in the
West Wing wanna shape

and help you grow
into your new role.

I'm a lawyer and an
expert in health care.

They wanna turn me into
a Black Martha Stewart?

I meant no disrespect,
but Rahm feels that--

You know, I'm looking forward

to hearing all about
Rahm's feelings,

so why don't you let him know

that I would like
some time with him.

- [Gwen chuckles] I'll do that.
- Okay. Okay.

We have a very important meeting
coming up next Tuesday that is--

[Betty narrates]
Dear Mrs. Obama,

you probably feel so
overwhelmed today.

You can't imagine
how unprepared I felt.

But the job will find you.

It has a way of doing that.

You are forever a
part of history now

but will always
be one of a kind.

Today, you'll probably feel
like you have nothing in common

with all of the women who
were First Ladies before you.

Trust me when I say
we all felt that way.

[Gerald] Gonna miss this place.

We'll have fun in our new house.

Mm-hmm.

Sleeping in our
separate bedrooms,

like a proper presidential
husband and his wife.

[Gerald] That's not happening.

Better not be.

Though, after this week,
I might change my mind.

Don't you dare.

You're gonna make
a terrific First Lady.

[phone ringing]

Ford residence. This is Betty.

[woman] Madam First Lady?

No, uh-- Y-Yes, yes. I
mean, that's me. [chuckles]

My name is Debbie Winthrop.

I was Mrs. Nixon's
social secretary.

Of course. Yes, I remember you.

We were wondering
what you wanted to do

for the upcoming State Dinner.

The what?

Uh, King Hussein of Jordan
is coming in four days, ma'am.

I see. I see.

And the idea is he'll
want something to eat

after that long trip. [chuckles]

And the queen, ma'am.

Of course.

Uh, well...

I wish someone would've
told me about this.

We told Pat Nixon, ma'am.
The former First Lady.

Yes, I know who Pat Nixon is.

Of course.

Let me give it some thought,

and I'll get back to
you as soon as I can.

Okay. Thank you
very much, ma'am.

Okay. Thank you for calling.

[Debbie] Goodbye.

[sighs]

I'll move into the White House.

I'll do the best I can.

And if they don't like it,
then they can kick me out,

but they can't make
me somebody I'm not.

[applause from TV]

She's totally
unsuited for the role.

Well, she seems
very confident to me.

That's the problem.

I don't wanna get
into details, but, um,

she's had her fair share
of personal struggles.

We all know the lights in here,

they tend to flush that sort
of thing right out into the open,

so that's where you come in.

We want you to stay on. Keep
the East Wing running smoothly.

Of course. That's my job.

[Donald] But we're counting on
you to guide the First Lady into

taking a more reserved Pat-
Nixon-type approach to things.

Oh, show her the art of facade.

Encourage discretion.

Have you met the
First Lady? [chuckles]

You can start by limiting,
preferably canceling,

any upcoming
events and gatherings,

starting with the State Dinner.

Well, I already told
her that was happening.

We have a meeting
about it, uh, shortly.

I know you can steer
her towards canceling.

And if I can't?

We're confident. You can
convince her woman-to-woman.

You know, Mrs. Ford's
good nature and candor

might be just the thing the
White House needs right now.

She really seems quite capable.

Debbie. I know
that you understand

how vitally important it is

that this party hold the
reigns of this country.

In less than two
years, the president's

gonna have to
run for his office.

And so, the smaller
that Mrs. Ford's role is

and the less that we hear
about her thoughts, opinions--

The less noise she makes.

Thank you.

- [person] Madam First Lady.
- Good morning.

Welcome to the
White House, ma'am.

- Madam First Lady.
- Welcome Madam First Lady.

Good morning, Donald. I'm
so, so sorry I'm late, Debbie.

- I tend to run a little behind.
- Let me show you to your office.

Donald, so nice of you to
greet me on my first day.

- [reporter 1] Betty Ford.
- Good morning.

You don't have to
speak with them.

What's your first day been like?

Well, I don't know
yet. I just got here.

But it's all very
exciting, isn't it?

Just keep walking, ma'am.

What's your opinion on
whether your husband

will pardon President Nixon?

"No comment." "No
comment" is fine.

I know my husband,
or the president,

is eager to move forward

with his new administration,

and which I'm sure will be
very different from the last.

Right this way, ma'am.

Your office is
through these doors.

[reporter 2] Mrs. Ford--

[reporter 1] One last question.

Do you'll know if he'll
pardon or convict?

I'm confident the president
will do the right thing.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

- Thanks, ladies and gentlemen.
- [reporter 3] One more question.

[reporters] Thank you,
Mr. Rumsfeld. Thank you.

- [Debbie] Here we are.
- [people chattering]

I do apologize for
the state of the room.

Uh, we had to turn things
around rather quickly.

Yeah.

I suppose I have some
decorating to do. [chuckles]

Mm-hmm. Uh, this is
your schedule, ma'am.

Oh.

I'll see you shortly
for the staff meeting.

Oh, Debbie.

Um, could you tell me
where my husband's office is?

I'd love to stop
in and say hello.

The president has
a full schedule today.

- Oh, I see. Well--
- Is there anything else?

No. Thank you.

[sighs]

[people chattering]

[door knocks]

[muffled voices chattering]

[door knocks]

[Betty] Oh! Oh,
dear, I-- [chuckles]

Oh, I hope I didn't keep
you waiting too long. I--

I'm still getting my
bearing-- I'm so sorry. I--

As I was telling
Debbie earlier, I'm--

- Anyway, hello.
- [staff] Hello.

Everyone, the First
Lady of the United States.

- [applause]
- [staff] Welcome.

[staff member] So wonderful.

[applause stops]

[Debbie] I was just
informing the staff that, uh,

because of the unusual
and last-minute nature

of you becoming First Lady,

we'd probably be canceling
the upcoming State Dinner.

Oh. I don't think
that's necessary.

Everyone completely understands.

Well, on the contrary, I love a
good dinner party. [chuckles]

The bigger the
better. [chuckles]

And if you'd like to
do what you've done

for the Nixon's State Dinners,
that would be fine with me.

We don't really have time

to do what we've always done.

Not with three days.

I see.

[Debbie] Ma'am.

If I may be so bold,

surely the president,
surely everyone,

would understand if
you had to postpone.

Everyone knows how
this whole situation

has been sprung on
you, even King Hussein.

Are you sure? It--

It seems awfully
last minute to cancel.

Not at all. It's completely
understandable.

Well then, I suppose
that's what we'll do.

[jazz playing on speaker]

- [typing]
- [typewriter bell dings]

[groans]

- Oh, my gosh!
- Oh!

Betty? I'm sorry. Excuse
me, Madam First Lady.

Nancy.

- Yeah. Nancy Howe.
- Nancy Howe!

The last time I saw you was
at that dreadful PTA meeting.

And that woman
was talking about--

- The history of education...
- [sighs]

- ...in pre-colonial Virginia.
- I thought it would never end.

Three hours
seared into my brain.

[chuckles]

It's so nice to
know you're here.

An actual person
that I know and like.

[Nancy] Yeah.

Hmm?

Take it. It's on the house.

Thank you.

Hey, how's it going? Are the
aides overwhelming you yet?

Not yet.

[chuckles]

And thanks for this.

Don't tell anyone.

Oh.

Uh, do you by chance know
how I get back to my office?

I do.

[Betty] Mm-hmm, yeah.

It's hard to believe
that just last week

this was Pat's office,

and now she's...

Helping her husband
pack for prison.

It does seem likely, doesn't it?

He said he wasn't a crook,
turns out he is a crook.

Crooks go to jail.

So what's the first First Lady
thing they have you doing?

Well, there was a State
Dinner, but I'm canceling it.

What? No, you're not.

It was supposed to
be three days from now

and, well, my secretary
said it was fine.

No, no, no, no, no.
You can't do that, Betty.

No, it was actually my
secretary's idea, so...

Well, I don't care
whose idea it was.

This is your house.
You get to decide.

You really think one
State Dinner matters?

Let's see, did the
Roosevelts showing support

for every exiled
European government

after the Nazis took over
their homeland matter?

How about the
Eisenhowers breaking bread

with the Khrushchevs?

The Nixons and the Brezhnevs
may be the only cordial moment

of this whole Cold War we're in.

And maybe I'm biased

because I spout out
White House trivia

in that gift shop all day long,

but it seems to me like
these are the moments

that really, truly mattered.

And they were State Dinners
that First Ladies made happen.

You just-- You-- You can't
cancel your first State Dinner.

This is your chance
to start making history.

- You wanted to see me, ma'am?
- [Betty] Oh! Yes, thank you.

Please come in.

How do you like what
I've done with the place?

Um.

It's a joke, Debbie.

- [chuckles]
- About the State Dinner,

you'll be happy to know
that I've decided not to cancel.

- What?
- I've come up with a plan

I think you'll agree
is very doable.

Marrying some of
Mrs. Nixon's traditions

with my less formal,
but no less festive, ideas.

Oh... barbecue.

[chuckling] Doesn't
that sound fun?

Be sure to let everyone know

the president is
counting on this.

He's even more
excited than I am.

Thank you, Debbie.

Thank you, ma'am.

[John Roberts] Good morning.
Thanks for being with us.

Monday, the 12th of January.

Just eight days
until the inauguration,

the new administration,
new president.

Everybody's trying
to get an angle here.

Absolutely. A lot
going on this morning.

- Can I get you anything else?
- No.

- We're fine, thank you.
- Okay.

- Too bridal?
- No.

No. I see "hope" and "glory."

- I see "elegance..."
- [chuckles]

..."timeless" and "victorious."

[chuckles] Oh,
Jason is a genius,

and you look exquisite.

- I love you, Mel.
- [knocking]

I love you too. Come in.

[both gasp]

- Valerie, you're here.
- [chuckles]

Girl, that dress...

- [stylist] Careful, Mrs. Obama.
- Okay.

- [Valerie chuckles]
- [Michelle moans]

- Hmm? Hmm?
- Wow.

Can we talk for a minute?

Could you all give
us a few minutes?

- [Mel] Yeah, sure.
- I promise I'll be careful.

Thanks, ladies. [sighs]

[both chuckling]

- So beautiful.
- Oh.

But that's not why you're here.

Rahm thought we should talk.

Rahm wants. Rahm
feels. Rahm thought.

He just simply suggested

that I be the liaison between
the East Wing and the West.

Great. So how do I
get Rahm to understand

that I'm not here to
be a glorified hostess?

Michelle, we want to ease
you into complex areas.

Val? Hello?

- Hello?
- [chuckles]

You sound just
like them right now.

- Michelle...
- Fashion shoots? Gardening?

You want me to be roasted alive

as being elitist
and out of touch?

Valerie. You're my friend.

You know what I can do.

It's complicated right now.

We, of all people, we can't
rock the boat too much.

Yeah. I know.

- [distant horns honking]
- [distant siren wailing]

[footsteps approaching]

- [Michelle] Morning, Mom.
- Mm-hmm.

I was talking
garden all morning.

Nothing like a curly
kale master class.

Hmm.

I'm gonna need help.

Can you stay here?

The girls are gonna need
some stability and continuity.

They're gonna need their grandma

to keep their feet
on the ground.

The girls need me?

You need me. Hmm.

Then I am here.

- [whimpers] Mommy.
- [chuckling]

Mom. Mama.

[chattering]

Rahm?

Madam First Lady.

How's it all going?

I have 87 pages to go
through in the next hour.

Why are you sidelining me?

[scoffs] Can you guys
give us a minute, please?

- Give us a few minutes. Thanks.
- [Mel] Of course.

- Ma'am.
- First Lady.

I'm trying to ensure
that the East Wing

compliments our
agenda in the West Wing.

So you turned me into a
fluffy, inconsequential hostess.

- No one's gonna buy it.
- Well, that's the job.

It doesn't have to be.

Do you really think-- Be
honest with me, all right?

You really think working on
the board of a Chicago hospital

has anything at all
to do with creating

a countrywide health care
system for 200 million-plus people?

I'm saying that
I can contribute.

And I'm saying,
with all due respect,

- that you're not qualified.
- Excuse me?

I don't want you
to become a liability

to your husband is all.

But you were more than
happy to pimp me out

during the campaign.

The campaign is
over. This is politics

and the business of government.

- You're a real--
- What?

What am I "real"? An
asshole? A pit bull? A jerk-off?

A condescending,
patronizing monster?

I was gonna say a "charmer."

You know what? You
wanna make an omelet,

you gotta break some eggs.

And I don't care
about any of that

other peripheral bullshit.

- You should.
- Caring isn't my job.

Absolute loyalty
to your husband is.

Being the bad guy so he doesn't
have to be, that's my focus.

I will body check anyone
who gets in the way of that.

- Even me?
- If you become an obstacle.

- You're a smart woman.
- Oh, thank you, Rahm.

So, I'm not gonna patronize you,

but the fact that you're not

a qualified career
politician is a fact.

It's not sexist or racist.

So, please, I'm begging
you, don't turn me into

some kind of
cliché villain here.

All right? We've known
each other a long time now.

Amy and I have
been to your house.

So I'm pretty certain,
Michelle-- Mrs. Obama,

that we can find a
process that works.

If I'm willing to roll over and
become a Stepford FLOTUS.

Not happening. Also, Gwen's out.

Oh, my God. We
already went through this.

Letting you foist
a chief of staff

on me was my first mistake.

[sighs] You're opening
a can of worms here.

No. I'm accepting your
position and stepping into mine.

Gwen will be replaced.

I'll pick my team, choose my
causes. You leave me alone.

Understood?

Madam First Lady.

Rahm.

["Tell Mama" playing]

Honey, I'm home. [chuckles]

A nutritious meal

from the future
White House garden.

Prepared by the
horticulturist to the stars.

Oh, boy. [grunts]

You've been
misused Talk to me...

You seem nervous.

Huh? Me? No. Not at all.

I mean, y-you managed
to make romaine lettuce

seem threatening,
but... [chuckles]

What you need...

Look, uh...

What you want...

Rahm told me that
you and he spoke.

We did. It was
real illuminating.

Hmm. Mm-hmm. He
said the same thing.

Mm-hmm.

All the time that you spent

She had other men
throw you outdoors

Uh, look.

- R-Rahm thinks--
- Stop right there.

You tell your work
wife that your actual wife

said to stay out of
our family business.

Got it. Now I have two wives

and neither of them
are happy. [chuckles]

I'll make everything all right

You are my number one.

Mm-hmm.

- My main wife.
- Mm-hmm.

And he's a distant second.

For a start, he can't
kiss as well as you can.

He-- He's working on it.

But he's, uh-- [chuckles]

- [both chuckling]
- He hasn't got it quite yet.

Can I eat now?

Mm-hmm.

Can I get a little meat in here,
or I haven't earned my meat--

There's no meat in the
White House garden.

- I'm going to try it out.
- [chuckles]

Oh, don't let them say I didn't
try it. All right. Here we go.

[Michelle laughs]

Mm-hmm! Mmm! Organic!

- Mmm.
- I approve!

[chuckles]

This is-- This has got the
presidential seal of approval!

[chuckles, sighs]

[song ends]

[liquid pouring]

[Michelle] I let Rahm
pick my chief of staff.

That was my mistake.

That's why I asked you here.

I want you to be
my chief of staff.

Gwen didn't work out.

I need someone who knows me.

Someone who
understands my priorities.

You've been in the
trenches with me. I trust you.

[gasps]

Michelle, I'm flattered.

But I was only supposed to be
here for a few months to work

- on the inauguration committee.
- I know.

And Neil already doesn't
love me being away.

I know.

But husbands can relocate.

And remember what you told me

when Barack was
still in the primaries?

That you should start
embracing the fact

that your life might
change in a huge way.

And I remember
what else you told me.

About being open to exciting,
unexpected new horizons.

I can be so inspirational
when I want to be, can't I?

Susan, let's kick
some fucking ass

the way we did back in Chicago.

You know what this means,
right? You to be my boss.

I really hope Neil
likes Washington DC.

Yes, yes!

- Yes, yes!
- [whimpers]

- Aw!
- [chuckles]

Oh!

Yeah. Okay.

- Okay!
- Mm-hmm. You promised.

- Hmm.
- [whispers] Okay.

Where do we start?

[chuckles]

[crowd chattering, laughing]

That would be lovely.
I would love that.

It would be lovely.

We have, uh, the Dead Sea,

- and you don't sink, you float.
- Excuse me.

- So, it is very beautiful.
- [gasps]

Ladies and gentlemen, it
has been our great pleasure

spending a wonderful evening

with our new friends, King
Hussein and Queen Alia,

here at the White House
for our first State Dinner.

[applause]

And it is my great pleasure

to ask the most beautiful
woman in the world...

if she'll dance our first
State Dinner dance with me.

- [guests] Oh.
- [laughter]

[jazz playing]

I miss dancing with you.

I'll dance with you
anytime, Mr. President.

- I like the sound of that.
- Mmm. I'm sure you do.

[both chuckle]

[Gerald] I'm so
impressed with you.

Pulling this all together
on such short notice.

I'm impressed with you, Jerry.

You have a lot on your
shoulders right now.

[jazz music continues]