Original subtitles

(man singing Islamic call

to prayer over loudspeaker)

(prayer continues in distance)

(door bangs)

MAN: Call the American embassy.

(speaking Arabic)

Call the State Department.

You can't do this.

You know, we have rights.

Call the American embassy.

(men shouting in Arabic)

I don't understand--

what'd he say?

He said, "Don't be a fool.

You're gonna die here."

Dr. McCord.

Yeah.

Hey, can I talk to you

about my thesis?

Uh, sure-- during

office hours.

Yeah, your office hours

don't really work for me.

(laughs)

Sorry to hear that.

Thing is, I don't really want

to write about the Cold War.

You're aware that

the class is called

"Postwar Politics

and the Cold War."

Yeah, but I feel

like it's been done.

That's why they

call it history, Jake.

Thing is, my theory is that

we are living

through a new cold war.

All right, compare and

contrast to the original

and convince me.

Great. Also, I'll need

an extension. My parents

are coming to town

and they're very needy.

Oh. My husband

bought tickets

to the opera

this weekend.

I mean, normally, I love the

opera, but I got to tell you,

it's been a hell of a week,

and the thought of sitting

in a dimly lit room

with a bunch of people

singing at me in Italian--

it's just gonna

make me fall asleep.

I'm so sorry.

I thought we were telling

each other our problems.

No extension.

Enjoy your parents.

MAN:

What Aquinas was trying to say

in Summa Theologica

is that existence

and essence are

separate things, right?

That's the whole notion behind

Catholic transubstantiation.

Now, Luther though a Thomist

by definition,

departed from him

in significant ways.

Honey?

Their eyes are glazing over.

They're just listening to you

'cause you're so cute.

GIRL:

No way.

I hated religion

before I took his class.

Now I'm totally caught up.

He's brilliant.

Wow. Well,

do you mind if I just

steal his brilliance

for a minute?

Yeah, sure.

So, how am I supposed to

develop a cult following?

Oh, I think

you'll figure it out.

Hey, listen. Did you remember

you got to cook tonight?

'Cause I'm going into DC.

Right, the spy reunion.

Yes.

And since I'm the only one

who can talk about work,

I get to be

the center of attention.

You're always the center

of attention with me.

Really? Tell that

to your cult following.

WOMAN:

You wouldn't recognize the CIA.

George is the only one

on a Middle East desk right now.

MAN:

Libya.

Lebanon.

I'm staring at screens

of abandoned factories

and oil wells,

listening to chatter

about the World Cup.

I mean, they could

at least have

pastured me

somewhere interesting.

He loves that desk job.

They didn't pasture you.

They just didn't feel like

risking your life

in the field anymore.

You bought their story?

There was no evidence

that my cover was blown.

He never looks back.

And you guys should talk.

They both got Africa.

Do you know how volatile

that place is gonna be?

Yes!

That is like the disco

of global hot spots.

Oh, yeah.

Why don't you call

our, uh, former boss

and complain

to him about your desk job?

Oh, I did.

George!

You called POTUS

about your desk job?

I...I...

I gave it a shot, okay?

I mean, he ran

the place for 12 years,

I figured

he's still invested

in personnel, so...

He never called back.

Imagine that.

How is the, uh,

bucolic life going?

It's great.

We're teachers.

We're parents.

We're horse owners.

Mmm.

Ooh!

Oh, my!

And every morning

we wake up,

that's all we got to be.

(phones buzzing)

That's a shock.

Well, this can't be good.

The, uh, Secretary

of State's plane

just went down

over the Atlantic.

HENRY:

Hey!

I thought we said

no gadgets at the table.

ELIZABETH:

We did.

And then the kids

never came to the table.

Besides, it's Saturday.

Oh, yay!

No Rules Saturday?

REPORTER:

Vincent Marsh,

of course, began...

Hey!

Dad, can you turn it off?

What? My screen is competing

with your screens?

Repeating what we know so far--

the Secretary of State Vincent

Marsh's plane disappeared

off the coast of Florida.

He was headed

to Caracas, Venezuela.

Mom, do you think

it was terrorism?

No.

I think people shouldn't fly

in small planes.

Still, why was he going

to Venezuela?

Is that a resort destination?

JASON: Exactly.

When will you guys acknowledge

the obvious conspiracy around us

at all times?

Seriously?

You had to wind up

the anarchist?

Sorry.

(horse snorts)

I thought you were gonna do

something relaxing today.

Well, this relaxes me.

Oh, uh, your phone.

It wouldn't stop ringing,

so I answered it.

Well, who is it?

Some lady says it's

the president's office.

PTA?

The United States.

Well, that's a prank.

Hang it up.

Just take it.

She sounds serious.

(siren chirps nearby)

(horse snorts)

(dog barking in distance)

(vehicles approaching)

MAN:

The death of Vincent Marsh

is catastrophic on many levels.

It's a bad time to be without

diplomatic representation.

Because of the peace

talks with Iran

and President Shiraz's

upcoming visit to the U.S.?

So you understand why I can't

waste any time on this decision.

I want you to step in.

Step into what?

Secretary of State.

(laughs)

Y...(laughs)

You're joking.

Um, I don't mean

you're joking, but

you can't be serious.

Obviously you're

serious, I just...

Why?

I recruited you for the CIA.

I trained you as an analyst.

I know how you think,

how you work.

I trust you.

Give us a minute, will you?

SECRET SERVICE AGENT:

Yes, Mr. President.

I wanted to nominate you

right after I was elected.

I was talked

out of my choice by...

well-meaning advisers.

Vincent Marsh was always

running for office.

You have no such ambition.

You quit a profession you love

for ethical reasons.

That makes you the least

political person I know.

You don't just think

outside the box.

You don't even know

there is a box.

(quiet laugh)

I believe I can effect

real change in the world.

I want you to help me do that.

I know you won't let me down.

I realize you'll need

some time

to discuss this

with your family.

I'll give you

the rest of the day.

But I won't take

no for an answer.

(door opens)

(door closes)

WOMAN: The King of Swaziland

sits here.

Madam Secretary,

you'll be across from him.

I've charted out all ten of his

wives by their names and ranks.

Basically,

it's a seniority system.

You look like

you have a question.

Um...

Yes.

Why are we doing this?

The chart?

The dinner.

Why are we entertaining

the King of Swaziland?

MAN:

It was on Vincent's agenda.

It was important to him.

WOMAN:

The press loves stuff like this.

The guy's flamboyant, exotic.

Polygamist.

We're not using that word.

We're not?

What are we calling it?

It falls under

cultural diversity.

I see.

Well, is it important

to have all the wives?

You think maybe

we could've cut it off

at say three?

How much is this

costing, Nadine?

You want me to get you

the figures on that?

Yes. And also

the updated information on the

AIDS epidemic in that country.

Madam Secretary?

It's the Czech Ambassador.

He says it's urgent.

What could be urgent over there?

Guess we'll find out.

Let's pick this up

after lunch, okay?

ELIZABETH: Hey, Blake,

on a scale of one to ten,

how much does Nadine hate me?

Oh, I think that

one goes to 11.

They all hate me as much?

No. It's a mixture.

Why don't you hate me?

Because you hired me.

And you're awesome.

I might have inadvertently

reversed those.

Probably should've

brought my own staff.

Probably.

But you know what,

their boss had just died.

I couldn't just

clean house like that.

Yes, ma'am.

Meeting with the

chief of staff

and the secretary

of defense

in half an hour.

Oh, that's Russell Jackson

and Gordon Becker,

respectively.

Blake?

I know their names.

Yeah. Yeah.

Hello, Pavel.

(men shouting in Arabic nearby)

(man pleading in Arabic)

Stay away from the door!

(grunting)

(guard yelling in Arabic)

(man pleading in Arabic)

(guard shouts in Arabic)

(bangs bars)

(metallic clattering)

What are they gonna do--

kill that guy?!

Sit down!

Don't draw attention.

(blows landing, man screaming)

(man shouting in Arabic)

ELIZABETH: Two American kids

arrested and imprisoned

in Syria for attempting

to join Fatah ash-Sham.

Ethan and Tyler Cole,

brothers from

Hartford, Connecticut.

They have an activist Web site

called "One Free Earth,"

the basic gist of which

is "war bad, peace good."

So they join a jihadist group

to drive home this point.

Ash-Sham isn't

a jihadist group.

It has jihadist elements,

but their immediate goal

is to overthrow

the Syrian government,

which I think we can all agree,

isn't a paradigm of virtue.

I stand corrected.

These kids are

peace-loving freedom fighters.

ELIZABETH:

They're using Facebook

and Instagram

to demonstrate poverty

and poor treatment of women.

Doesn't make them geniuses,

but it certainly doesn't

make them jihadists.

Where does

this come from?

(sighs)

From the Czech ambassador.

That's how we communicate

with Syria these days.

Any idea what the Syrians

think they're up to?

President Nussir's completely

opposed to Shiraz's visit

to the U.S.

He sees it as a threat

to his authority.

The Syrians want to prove

that they still have teeth.

So they grab two hapless kids

and throw them in prison?

How does that help?

They're always detaining

some Westerner

who had no business

being there.

What's the urgency?

They're gonna execute

those kids in a week.

Oh...

(sighs)

Has it hit the news cycle?

ELIZABETH:

No.

We're just learning

of it ourselves.

What do you recommend?

I know some people

on the ground.

I'd like to proceed

through back channels

at this point.

What do you mean,

"back channels"?

Not an official op.

I think it's

safer and faster

just to work with

the people I know.

Trouble is, I don't know

the people you know.

No, we have to

do it my way.

Keep it within The Company.

All right.

I'll get in touch

with the parents

and stress the importance

of non-communication.

Good.

I think we're done here.

JACKSON:

We got you the name

of a stylist, right?

A stylist?

You're going

to find it useful.

It's a tough

transition.

I-I really don't think

it's necessary.

It's coming

from the top.

Conrad...?

The president wants

me to have a stylist?

As chief of staff,

when I speak,

I am generally speaking

for the president.

Image is a big

part of the job.

Don't take it

personally.

You know, actually, as long

as we're on the subject--

somewhat-- of speaking

to the president,

I'd like to brief him on

the Syrian kidnapping.

No.

It's premature.

It's a volatile

situation.

I don't want him

being caught off guard

if it hits the press.

It's not going

to hit the press,

'cause I'm telling you

to make sure it doesn't.

I'll do my best.

I know you have

a friendship with

the president.

But you're in

a system now.

Trying to take

advantage of that

would be

ill-advised.

How would I take

advantage of that?

By going around me.

WOMAN (voice wavering): Tyler...

he's, uh, the ambitious one.

He has this idea he's going

to change the world

with his blog.

He majored in

Arabic studies.

He speaks Farsi and

Arabic, fluently.

He's a

brilliant kid.

I can't believe

he's stupid enough

to pull a stunt

like this.

So I assume you tried

to talk them out of

making

this trip?

We didn't even know about it.

See, we were sending Ethan

to Europe for graduation,

he asked Tyler

to go with him.

I mean, we knew they

would go as far as Turkey,

but we had no idea

they'd cross into Syria.

Ethan's not

political at all.

He wants to play music

and pick up girls.

Tyler talked him into this.

It doesn't matter

whose fault it is.

So, then, there's

no reason to believe

that they were somehow

trying to join

the Syrian opposition movement?

No. Absolutely not.

Neither one of them

knows how to mow a lawn,

let alone...

handle a weapon.

They're

idealists.

It should be easy

enough to explain.

And tensions are easing up

in that part of the world,

right?

Not in Syria.

I mean,

we have to go

through a third party.

If the State Department

is gonna take this on,

it's gonna have to be

completely

undercover.

If?

It has to go up

the chain of command.

So far, I've been

given the green light

to pursue

a negotiation.

But if anything were

to get out in the press,

it would greatly

jeopardize our efforts.

But you're gonna have

to work with us.

We need

to take down

their blog,

their Facebook page,

and we need to ask

that you have

no communication

through social

media yourselves.

But how-how do we take

their pages down?

We don't even have

the passwords.

We can handle that.

You're asking us

to go underground?

ELIZABETH:

Yes.

And trust you with

our children's lives.

That's right.

But...but isn't there

a power to speaking out?

Mr. Cole, free speech

has landed us

where we find

ourselves right now.

It's a constitutionally

protected right,

not a global one.

As your sons are finding out

the hard way.

Oh, God...

I have two teenagers.

They're smart,

self-confident and articulate,

as we've raised them to be.

My son is a

self-proclaimed anarchist.

(laughs)

I could see him doing

something like this.

And if it were my son

where Ethan and Tyler are today?

This is how I would handle it.

Okay.

Okay.

JASON:

The kids are all

either preppy nerds

who already have their rooms

at Harvard and Yale picked out

or these athletes who are

too dumb to breathe.

HENRY:

That's pretty dumb.

ELIZABETH:

Not to mention

a bad situation

for an athlete.

Yeah, well,

fortunately,

the teachers are completely

unimaginative rule-followers

who are totally threatened

by original thought.

ELIZABETH:

Okay.

Let's play

a game called

"name one positive thing

about your school."

There are, uh, three hot girls.

HENRY:

Dude, that's three things.

I feel better already.

You know, I seem to remember

that you hated

your former school, too.

Yeah, but for totally

different reasons.

HENRY:

Such is the lonely

journey of

the anarchist.

I'm not complaining.

ELIZABETH:

And yet it sounds

exactly like complaining.

What about you?

Everything's fine.

Come on.

Do you

want to hear

the details of me

missing my boyfriend?

Ooh! I vote no.

ELIZABETH:

What about your classes?

You remember

how excited you were

about that French

literature class?

It's fine.

Can I be excused?

HENRY:

Yes.

Did you want to hear

more of that?

Maybe I should go talk to her.

Just give her some space.

Okay.

Or not.

ELIZABETH:

Did we do the right thing?

We absolutely did

the right thing.

What are we

talking about?

This. The job. The move.

Yes.

The kids will adjust.

It's only been two months.

And you're sure that

I didn't push us into this?

No.

Jason is thrilled

to be living even closer

to the dark halls

of conspiracy.

Ali hated living

on a horse

farm.

Okay, and now she misses

her boyfriend.

Yeah. If we were home,

she'd be dramatically upset

about something else.

She's 15.

Do you hear what you just did?

You just

called it "home."

That place.

Where we used to live.

Honey, it's gonna take some time

before it stops

feeling like home.

And...are you really

happy at Georgetown?

Are you kidding me?

I love Georgetown.

Being a religion professor

at a Jesuit university?

It's like being a Beatle.

(snorts)

So we're fine?

We're fine.

Totally

fine?

Totally fine.

We used to have sex more often.

We had sex this weekend.

But we used to have

weeknight sex.

Stop overthinking things.

Is it my

masculine energy?

I've got too much of it?

Because I know some men,

they're turned off by women

in positions of power.

I totally love

women in power positions.

Huh?

I'm completely attracted

to your masculine energy.

Tell me what to say.

(phone buzzing)

What is it?

It's an

encoded text.

Oh, it's from George.

Saying what?

He's outside.

Come inside.

I can't.

Your place is probably bugged.

George, they sweep

it every day.

Come on.

(breathing heavily)

How'd you get

by my security detail?

I know

those guys.

I gave the detail

leader his first job.

Well, that's

unsettling.

Humor me,

will you?

I'm taking my life

in my hands here,

and you're the only

person I can trust.

You look terrible.

Have you even slept?

Listen to me.

Vincent Marsh's

plane crash

was not an

accident.

I have reason

to believe

that someone inside

had it arranged.

Inside what?

The Company.

Marsh had some operation

going in Venezuela.

Money laundering, drugs,

arms dealing,

something.

But the guy

was dirty.

What's the evidence, George?

I decoded some of his

personal correspondence

and uncovered a bank account

in Caracas.

He was on his way

to meet someone.

Do you know what happens

when that gets out?

That someone inside

the White House

has gone completely

off the grid?

You think I'm nuts.

It's just a lot...

it's a lot to process, George.

That's all.

HENRY:

Hey, buddy.

Everything okay?

Hank.

Where'd you come from?

The bedroom.

I live here.

Oh.

Do you want to come in

and have a drink?

I'm sorry.

(sighs)

Boy, I shouldn't have come.

This...this didn't happen.

Understood?

What didn't happen?

Be careful, Bess.

MATT:

Who's she in

there with?

Oh, I'm not at

liberty to say.

Well, I got a tip

from security.

It's the Director

of the CIA.

Can't confirm

or deny.

Uh, just so you know?

There's a tradition

of sharing

information in

the outer office.

Oh.

Well, (clears throat)

in that case,

I heard you guys tongued

in the supply closet

at the Christmas party,

and it's been

a little awkward ever since

because you're both

with other people.

MATT:

Look, is she

going to fire us?

Because I need to get

my résumé in order.

Blake? I'm Roxanne Majidi.

I have an appointment

with the secretary.

BLAKE:

The secretary is busy.

Hey, why don't we all

take a seat

and think our private thoughts.

MUNSEY:

The prison holding the two boys

is located 20 miles

outside of Damascus

in a rural area.

Mostly abandoned

warehouses and farms.

But our team on the ground

made a positive I.D.

They're working

with people inside.

How big is the team?

Four guys, special ops.

The prison is low security.

One helo, in and out,

under cover of darkness,

clean and simple.

Barring unanticipated

complications.

Yeah, barring those.

And there's no reason

to think that these kids

are somehow CIA?

Absolutely not.

We haven't flagged

them anywhere.

And the FBI says

they haven't either.

All right.

The chief of staff

has told me I can sign off.

So, this is

the official go-ahead.

(exhales loudly)

Alert me two hours out.

Yes, ma'am.

How's George doing, by the way,

with the new desk job?

He's a good analyst.

A little high-strung,

but I think he'll settle in.

Good.

He's doing good work.

He just needs to take a breath.

He's not really a breather.

That is an understatement.

Hey, listen to me.

If there is any reason at all

to pull the plug

on this op, do it.

We can't afford

a Black Hawk Down moment.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

Madam Secretary?

Yeah?

This is Roxanne Majidi,

the newest addition

to our staff.

I see.

In what capacity?

I was sent

by the chief of staff.

Mr. Jackson says I'm to be

your personal

appearance specialist.

Okay, I have no idea

what that means.

Your stylist.

Oh.

(laughs)

Well, I-I'm sure that you're

very good at what you do.

But, um, I don't

need a stylist.

Madam Secretary,

I just do as I'm told.

But I was sent

by the chief of staff.

He was pretty insistent.

The way he conveyed it to me,

you don't have a

choice in the matter.

See, here's the problem.

I've never met a situation

where I don't have

a choice in the matter.

Well...

You know, why don't we find

another time

for you to swing by?

It's a very busy day here.

Uh, why don't

you grab your stuff and, uh,

we'll be able to talk...

Madam Secretary?

we need to review

your statement

about the King of

Swaziland visit.

Okay.

Yeah.

I have a rough first draft.

I'm still working

on the adjectives.

Right now, you're

"happy" and "excited."

You need to work

on the adjectives.

Well, I have to get

something to the press

by tomorrow.

Can I be "resigned"

and "conflicted"?

You can never be

either of those things.

You can be "eager"

and "optimistic."

No, she can't be eager.

That's too Jimmy Carter.

Can I be

"cautiously optimistic"?

Well, that's for more

serious world events.

You can be "forward-thinking."

You know what?

I'll do the writing, thanks.

Can we maybe just

throw in something

of substance here?

Maybe a reference

to global health issues

or developing economies?

Yeah, I just don't

think now is a good

time for substance.

Okay.

What if I'm grateful

for the opportunity

to expose the world

to a variety

of cultural differences

as we move toward a more

global-thinking society?

That's really good.

Should I write it down for you?

No, I'm the writer. I...

Just as long

as our roles are clear.

You got to stop

doing that, okay?

Because it's my job,

it's not yours...

Thanks...

Madam Secretary?

We have a problem.

It has to do

with Operation Stupid Kids.

Is that really what

we're calling it?

That's what we were calling it.

Before it went bust.

Now we're calling it

Operation Never Happened.

The intel on the prison

location was bad,

and when the special forces made

their way inside the structure,

they found goats.

Is that code for something?

No, ma'am.

Actual goats.

It was disinformation.

The good news is that

there were no casualties

and no goats were harmed.

It's just not helpful.

I was supposed to be alerted

two hours out.

What the hell just happened?

Apparently they saw a window.

They felt they had to move.

That is not

the CIA director's call.

Blake?

Where the hell is he anyway?

Mr. Munsey is busy cleaning

up the mess on the ground.

Yeah, well, that

is nothing compared

to the mess he's gonna

have to clean up with me.

NADINE:

And this just came in.

We are American spies

captured and rightfully

imprisoned in Damascus.

Our objective was

to overthrow the government.

We intend to commit

acts of terrorism

against the Syrian people.

When did this come in?

About an hour ago.

It was sent as an encoded e-mail

directly to our office.

Unfortunately,

it comes on the heels

of our unsuccessful attempt

to liberate the prisoners.

JACKSON:

How unsuccessful?

Well, we were given

disinformation on the location.

Nothing disastrous, but

now they have some leverage.

And this is obviously

their next move.

What do they want?

Engagement for now.

Ultimately, they want us

to call off the peace talks.

What if we don't respond?

They'll release the video.

This thing goes viral,

it's on the first hour

of every morning talk show

with compare-and-contrast

profiles to the Boston bombers.

Not the worst outcome

I could imagine.

No, I agree.

That's the best-case scenario.

Worst case, nobody buys

their phony confession

and the world

has to stop

while we negotiate

their release.

That's why we have

to act now under the radar

while we still have

some latitude.

Your failed attempt

wasn't under the radar?

Excuse me, that was

your failed attempt as well.

Nobody's placing blame.

Sir, this is not

how I would've

proceeded left

to my own devices.

An official op-- it's

got too many moving parts.

There's too many things

that can go wrong.

We need to take direct action.

How direct?

Just me and the guy

that can get it done.

A guy I can't really ask about.

Yes, sir.

That kind of guy.

Sir, we can't afford

to get involved in this.

Not on the eve of Shiraz's visit

and the most important

peace talks in recent memory.

We're already involved.

Keep it at bay.

Let the Syrians know

we're gonna disavow the kids,

deny the validity

of the video.

By the time it gets out,

if it does,

Shiraz's visit is over,

the world's focused on peace

in the Middle East,

the Syrians look like

fringe lunatics,

the kids are...

troublemakers who shouldn't have

been there in the first place.

And if the kids are executed?

Same story, sadder outcome.

Sir, let me get

in front of this.

I know how to handle it.

Sorry, Bess.

You gave it a shot.

Now I have to go with Russell.

ELIZABETH:

It's my job to advise

the president.

How am I supposed to do that

when I can't get

any time alone

with the president?

How many e-mails

did you send him?

Fifteen.

And...

every time I got a reply

from Russell Jackson's office.

What about texts?

He does do texts.

He refers me to Russell Jackson.

Well, babe, you're

new at the job.

You'll figure something out.

I don't have time

to figure something out.

Why? What's going on?

I can't tell you.

Okay.

Let me take

the Socratic approach.

(laughs)

Why did you take this job?

Because who wouldn't

take this job?

Hey, wise guy,

I'll be Socrates.

Answer the question.

(sighs)

I think I left

The Company too soon.

I had some unfinished business.

And I feel

like I let Conrad down.

I don't want to do that again.

You feel like you're

letting him down now?

Yes.

How?

By not insisting

that he do the right thing.

And what's the right thing?

You know, there's a reason

why they killed Socrates.

He told me that we could effect

real change in the world.

That's what I signed up for.

Then you have to figure out

a way to take action.

Thomas Aquinas said,

"If the highest aim of a captain

were to preserve his ship,

he would leave it

in port forever."

Aquinas also said,

"Sorrow can be alleviated

by a good sleep,

a bath and a glass of wine."

Which one of those worked?

(hinges squeaking)

(footsteps echoing)

Well.

It has been a long time.

Thanks for coming.

What can I say?

I've missed you.

What's it been-- eight years?

Yes. Chechnya.

(whistles)

Such a paltry little rebellion

by today's standards.

What's your title

these days?

Still cultural attaché.

I need to broker a deal

on the ground...in Syria.

What kind of deal?

Two American kids

imprisoned for espionage.

I'm sorry. I really am

a cultural attaché now.

For the last couple of years.

No double-dipping

in the spy pool.

You must still know people.

Bess, I'm telling you,

I'm fully legit now.

State Department.

I can get you

caviar and vodka.

I like it here, okay?

I can't risk going

back to Russia.

It's a pigsty.

My kids are on the fast

track for Ivy Leagues.

Let me ask you something.

Who got your cousin

and his family out of Chechnya

during the revolution?

You did, of course.

Using field officers

on the ground

who risked their

lives to do so.

I took responsibility for that.

No, I haven't forgotten.

These kids are gonna die.

Just as your cousin

and his family were going to.

So you're cashing

in your chips?

No.

I am appealing

to your humanity.

And if that doesn't work,

I'm reminding you

that the Secretary of State

can have any foreign diplomat

removed off of U.S. soil

for any reason.

I am feeling

very...humane.

DALTON:

Let's call it a nightcap.

That way I don't have to yell

at you for breaking protocol

and waking

me up.

Yes, sir.

In fact, texting my wife?

(laughs) I'd call that

obliterating protocol.

We've remained

friends.

We talk sometimes.

I know she stays up late.

Fine.

You have my attention.

I made an unofficial move

on the situation in Syria.

Why would you do that?

To save the lives

of two innocent kids

who aren't that much

older than mine.

That's just the

first reason.

You tried before.

Let me ask you

something.

Why did you

give me this job?

I told you why.

You said you

didn't want

a politician

in this post.

Well...

this is me not

being a politician.

I didn't uproot

my life and my family

to come here and sit in

endless staff meetings

and plan parties

for potentates.

I came here

to do the job

that you said

only I could do.

So for God's sakes,

Conrad, let me do it.

I'm waiting.

You said I think

outside the box.

Well, from

where I sit,

you are in a dangerous

box of appeasement

and I'm showing

you the way out.

Step it out for me.

We do nothing,

the Syrians execute those kids

just to make a point.

When it hits the press

that you knew about it

and did nothing?

That's a genie I can't

put back in the bottle.

My job is to

advise you

on matters of

foreign policy,

and I'm advising you.

This is a risk

you can't afford not to take.

I know the right people,

we have to do it my way.

Trust me.

You'd better be right

about this.

Or yours could be

the shortest term

in State Department history.

Elihu B. Washburne,

under President Grant.

11 days.

I looked it up.

But I take your point.

ANTON:

It's going to be

$2 million U.S.

It's going to be half that.

(speaks Russian)

One and a half.

Close of business.

I can make that work.

First installment

with confirmation

that the kids are released.

Second installment

after they've landed.

(speaking Russian)

It needs to be

U.S. dollars

in a third-party

account.

No. It's going

to be that amount

in the form of

medical supplies

and food.

Nussir gets the photo op,

distributing relief

among the suffering masses.

I don't think

it's enough.

Okay, then

tell them this:

We won't sanction them

into the Stone Age.

The tide is turning,

and they do not

want to be isolated

on the wrong

side of it.

No one misses Syria if it

completely self-destructs.

(speaking Russian)

I think they're

taking it.

Congratulations.

You just bought yourself

two stupid American kids.

I'll believe it when

they're in the air.

You stay on it, okay?

ANTON:

Yes, ma'am, Madam Secretary.

NADINE:

It's all right

to address his wives

by their first names.

But be advised they probably

won't have much to say.

Most of them

don't speak English.

Unless you

speak Swazi.

French, German,

Arabic, Farsi...

year of Spanish,

high school.

So you'll just smile a lot.

That was a New York

Times reporter

who just got off

the phone with

Tyler and Ethan

Cole's parents.

The Times got the Coles

to make a statement?

JAY:

No.

The Times got

them to give

a two-hour

interview.

(sighs)

ELIZABETH:

What did you say?

JAY:

I said no comment.

Now I'm going to

call Robert Cole

and say a lot of things

at an elevated level.

But when are they

going to run it?

Tomorrow.

Oh. Buried in the back?

JAY:

Depends on how big

of a news day it is.

Is that personal

image consultant

still in

the building?

Yeah, she's got an office

on the

second floor.

Tell her I want

to see her right away.

(people talking excitedly)

Madam Secretary.

Hi.

Congratulations

on your new position.

Thank you.

Where are

you guys from?

We're from Minnesota.

Ah, the land of

10,000 lakes, right?

But it's actually

more like 15,000.

Yes, ma'am.

Can we get

our picture taken

together?

Actually,

that's fine.

That'd be

great.

Thank you.

I need you

to step back.

Good?

Good?

Okay.

Thank you!

Enjoy your stay.

Madam...

Madam Secretary!

REPORTER:

The response to

Secretary McCord's look

has been positive,

most people saying...

She's showing

a little bit of leg.

And it looked like she went

and changed her hairstyle, too!

I kind of like it.

REPORTER 2:

...issued no statement

as to why the Secretary

felt the need

to modernize her look.

REPORTER 3:

Secretary of State...

I can't believe that

with everything going on

in the world,

this is the news.

I mean, no

offense, Mom,

but a new outfit isn't

really a global event.

Well, I-I guess

it is now.

This is the most you've

been in the news

since the

confirmation hearing.

Yep.

(phone buzzing)

(exhales)

Good morning.

Good morning.

I didn't realize

we had an

appointment.

You want to tell me how

those kids got released?

I guess the Syrians

saw the error of their ways.

So that would

be a "no."

I got the president

to sign off.

How could you do that

without my knowledge?

I-I don't know.

By blatantly circumnavigating

your authority?

You'd better learn

how to work with me

instead of

around me.

My first choice, as well.

I used your stylist, didn't I?

I think you'll find

I make a much better ally

than opponent.

Same here.

I'm going to chalk

this one up to

rookie enthusiasm.

But going forward?

I won't be so forgiving.

(exhales)

NUNGUNDE:

It is an honor

to visit your

beautiful country.

And its most beautiful

Secretary of State.

ELIZABETH:

We're very happy

to have Your Highness

and his royal family.

NUNGUNDE:

And what about your family,

Madam Secretary?

Do you have

children?

I do. I have a son

and two

daughters.

Ah.

A nice, small family.

Well, I-I just have

the one husband.

(laughing)

(all laughing)

NUNGUNDE:

Yes.

I am honored

to have 23 children.

Wow.

That sounds like

a lot of work.

Well, I am blessed

with wonderful partners.

ELIZABETH:

Your Highness,

if I could take a moment

to discuss with you a matter

of international

importance?

Of course.

I know that you're aware

that the AIDS epidemic

has continued to grow

in your country

despite its decline in

other developing nations.

Early on in

your reign,

you took great steps

to address it,

but lately it hasn't been

at the forefront

of your

political agenda.

Certainly, a man

of your education

and obvious love of family

understands

the importance

of this issue.

We would like to work with you

to bring it back

to the top of your list.

It would be an honor to do so,

Madam Secretary.

I'm sure that you can enlist

the help of your wives--

Majaha...

Sibhale...

Lindelwa...

Nomcebo,

Nolwazi,

Siviwe,

Temily, Dzeltwe,

Andiswa

and Bongeka.

(people whispering)

A woman's perspective is

such an important thing...

and you have

no shortage of that.

DAISY:

That exchange with the King

is already trending,

Madam Secretary.

Twitter is blowing up.

People love it.

Well, not everyone's

going to love it.

Matt, prepare a statement

for tomorrow.

We may have to call

a press conference.

I'm already

on it.

Do you want this

to become an issue?

Yes!

I think we've spent

enough time on my look.

World health,

education,

war on women...

how do you want

to frame it?

All of the above.

JAY: It's a strong message.

It'll play well in the polls.

Not that I, you know,

care about polls.

Car is waiting for you

outside when you're ready.

I'll tell security

to stand by.

Thanks, Blake.

Nice work,

Madam Secretary.

Thank you.

Ooh...

Hey.

How long have you been here?

You know, if you wanted

to come tonight,

I could have gotten

you an invitation,

because I

happen to know people in the...

What's wrong?

George is dead.

(gasps)

What happened?

Single-car collision

into a telephone pole.

No witnesses.

That wasn't an accident.

I know.