03x06 - The Statement

[bunniefuu]

Woman: Keep going, I'll catch up to you.

(indistinct conversations)

(indistinct chatter)

Ay-tiff?

Ah-teef?

Uh, Atif.

Right, double espresso.

I'm sorry, sir.

Are you using this seat?

(gasps)

(expl*si*n)

Good morning.

(camera shutters clicking)

I'd like to start with the tragic bombing in Illinois.

Due to its domestic nature, the FBI is leading the investigation.

Though the secretary took over 50 calls this morning from other governments offering their support.

(reporters clamoring)

Richard.

Is it true that three months ago, the Illinois bomber took a trip to Saudi Arabia?

Yes, for his pilgrimage to Mecca.

For confirmation, I direct you to FBI Director Doherty's press conference in two hours.

Keira?

Is the FBI investigating a mosque, the North Illinois Islamic Center, for funding that trip?

Again, I urge you to attend the FBI briefing.

I'll take non-bombing related questions now.

One more.

Are you aware that State's own speechwriter, Matthew Mahoney, a Muslim, is also a member of that mosque?

I don't have any information along those lines and I encourage you to check your sources.

So, you deny any knowledge of Mr. Mahoney's affiliation with the mosque in question?

I'm not denying anything, but I am troubled by your attempt to link a public servant and a t*rror1st based solely on their shared faith.

What about a receipt showing that, six months ago, Mr. Mahoney donated money to the same mosque at the center of a terror investigation for funding a domestic att*ck?

(reporters clamoring)

(phone ringing)

(cell phone ringing)

Hey, Justin!

Can you please reroute all press inquiries to Public Affairs?

Absolutely, sir.

And, uh, my e-mail, man.

My inbox has got more spam than a Monty Python sketch.

And-and listen, if-if they ask about this donation thing, just take a message.

What if the FBI calls?

That I'll take.

And if my mom calls, get me immediately.

(Matt sighs)

How could you let The Chronicle sideswipe me with this donation thing?

When were you planning to tell me?

What, that I'm a half-Pakistani agnostic cultural Muslim who never practices and sometimes donates money to his mom's mosque?

Pretty sure you knew most of that.

Hey, the minute you found out this guy was affiliated with your congregation, you sh...

I don't have a congregation, I have friends and family who I was worried sick about after a maniac bombed our hometown.

I'm sorry.

But you still should've told me.

Should I disclose the money I gave my dad's Catholic church, too?

If a member of its congregation sets off a b*mb in the United States, you bet.

Next time.

We're late for the staff meeting.

Lead on.

And confirmations are in for your Global Development meeting in Montreal. So far you're meeting with chef Jamie Oliver, to discuss global children's nutrition, the Saudi Foreign Minister Kasib Hajar, exploring the future of solar power, and George Clooney, to stare deeply into his eyes.

And talk mass genocide.

(sighs)

Madam Secretary?

Well, how is taking a selfie with George Clooney going to assure Americans they're safe?

Ma'am...

Nobody's missed me at this conference for the past two years.

Sorry for being late.

It's quite all right. You doing okay?

Fine. Uh, I got waylaid writing your bombing remarks, but they're almost done.

Do you think that you're the right person to write those?

Why wouldn't I be?

Because there was a bombing in your hometown, Matt.

Uh... thank you, ma'am, but I-I really am okay.

Daisy: Well, I think the statement should address the issue at hand.

What issue?

That there's a Muslim American working on the seventh floor of the State Department?

No.

It's his affiliation with the same mosque that the bomber attended.

She said no, dude.

Don't "dude" me.

Okay, you know what?

Let's give this issue a chance to settle down, okay?

In the meantime, Daisy, tell me that the optics of me going to Montreal instead of standing by my fellow Americans in D.C. are terrible.

But they're not.

I mean, honestly, I'd be more worried about offending the Saudi Foreign Minister.

Nadine: The bombing investigation's with the FBI, ma'am.

There's nothing any of us can do right now.

Elizabeth: All right.

Jay, dust off every brilliant but underfunded solution to global blight that State has ever had.

If I'm going to be sipping champagne with Bill Gates, I want ten great ideas that I can convince him were his.

You got it.

Matt?

Yeah?

Got a minute?

Sure.

I don't need to take the day off.

Okay.

I didn't realize I'd offered.

Then what is this? The big "How are you doing?

Is there anything I can help with" talk?

More the "I just want you to know that I'm on your side" talk.

But, you know, those other things, too.

I'm sorry.

I'm just... worried about my mom.

Have you heard from her?

We've talked.

She's, uh, volunteering at the mosque now, which is a scary thought today.

Or tomorrow.

Media scrutiny over this donation will blow over with the next news cycle.

In an election year?

Anyone of substance will dismiss the story.

And what about the rest of the country?

Let's just wait and see.

Would you like the day off?

See?

I knew you dragged me in here to be all kind and considerate.

Honestly, I'd rather stay busy.

Then get back to work.

Reporter: Details now emerging in this morning's su1c1de bombing in an Elmhurst, Illinois coffee shop.

Authorities confirm 21 dead, including the bomber, Atif Al-Mutaya, a native-born American citizen of Lebanese decent.

Local to the area.

Here's a box of cords I have, maybe something in here will work.

...FBI found a handwritten note pledging loyalty to !sis.

Uh, yeah, thanks but these aren't gonna, uh, restore your Wi-Fi connectivity.

...or how the bomber was radicalized...

Okay, what will?

Well, I set up a wired network connection to test your modem, uh, checked for the valid IP address, and then reset the network circuit.

I don't need to hear your TED talk, I just need the thing to play more than four channels.

Uh, maybe a wireless repeater.

A what?

I just want to press a button and make it work.

I'm trying to explain...

I don't want an explanation. I want a solution.

You can get a repeater at any electronics store.

So I need to get a new piece of equipment, which you don't have.

Can't you do anything? I really love this.

...was a lone-wolf att*ck, and not part of a larger If I'm supposed to just do it myself, coordinated strike, why do they even send you? but they stress...

(woman screaming)

Man: Our government has an ethical duty to hit those responsible for the bombing hard. The question is how?

We've targeted strategic !sis positions for years.

Oh, maybe it's time to clean house once and for all.

But you mean k*ll civilians.

Aren't we then guilty of using non-combatants as a means, rather than an end?

That's an interesting point.

But I'm not sure that Kant would agree with your take on the categorical imperative.

Okay, that's enough for today.

As always, please submit your response papers online before the end of week so I don't do anything crazy like make plans for the weekend.

Dr. Henry McCord?

Special Agent Paul Ross, FBI.

May I have a word?

Regarding?

I'm the case officer for your former asset, Dmitri Petrov.

What's the charge?

Malicious destruction of property.

A Class 6 felony in Arizona.

A year in jail, minimum.

Henry: And what sparked it?

Besides being overqualified for a job he's clearly not crazy about.

That or anything else.

It's safe to say that his transition isn't going smoothly.

I need your help.

I haven't seen or spoken to Dmitri in six months.

That's protocol, I don't know what you think I can do.

Well, I figured if you got to know him pretty well when he was your asset, I was hoping you might be able to give me some insight in what could be causing him to act out.

You mean besides living in a strange city under a new identity, and being completely isolated from everyone in his former life?

And I'm assuming that includes his sister, Talia.

Oh, he hasn't seen or had contact with Talia in two years.

She's still in Moscow.

Still believing that her only living relative was tortured to death by the GRU.

He knows that she's alive, but he can't see her or speak to her ever again.

I... it's a lot.

It's no wonder he's struggling.

Yeah, the, uh, the loneliness is getting to him.

This isn't an isolated incident.

Dr. McCord, I'm afraid he's about to blow his cover, in which case he becomes a liability to himself and the country.

It's a Hail Mary, but I thought maybe seeing you, a familiar face, someone with whom he has history, might help.

It's a complicated history.

Well, like I said, it's a Hail Mary.

Henry: I just think colleges would love to hear about something unique to you.

You mean unique to Mom and you.

Hey, it's your life, too.

You can either learn to embrace it or not.

Oh, I vote for embracing it.

Hi, Mom.

Oh, Noodle.

Don't go away to college.

Stay home and work at the yogurt shop.

Okay, this is freaking me out more than the t*rror1st bombing.

Come on, Stevie's gonna be moving out soon.

You can't leave me alone with all these boys.

I haven't even gotten in yet.

Not that I will on my own merit.

We were just brainstorming college essay topics.

The prompt is, "Write about a significant event in your life""

I want to write about something I did, not something that happened to me while I stood in your shadow.

Of course not.

Write about one of your own interests.

Maybe something about fashion or design.

Oh, my God.

It's right in front of me.

I'll write about the time my makeup tutorial got 250,000 hits on YouTube.

You could totally expand on that.

That's an idea.

That could go in so many directions.

Okay, this is good, I feel better.

I'll start an outline and I'll have a draft for you guys before Dad gets back from his conference in Phoenix.

Hey, look, if her essay really stinks, it's her guidance counselor's job to tell her, right?

We're not touching that one.

So Phoenix... you're really going?

Yeah, if Dmitri's cover's blown, it could cause a lot of problems, not just for him.

You know, don't-don't take this the wrong way, but I just, I can't really believe that with all the people that the FBI and the DIA have at their disposal, the only one who can handle this job is you.

Is there a right way to take that?

Yes.

I need you... here, now.

Our daughter is about to write her life-defining essay on eye shadow.

You can't, you can't just leave me alone with college and the State Department.

State Department? How could I...

You know what, by the way, I am really mad at you.

You're mad at me?

Yes, for not getting this.

For making me spell it out.

You know, you, with all your heightened-intelligence skill and all that.

Really.

Are you finished?

And you don't need to go all the way to Arizona for a hug.

Now I'm done.

(elevator bell dings)

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, ma'am.

This looks like more on the bombing in Illinois.

Yes, ma'am.

Uh, because of Matt's connection, I've asked the FBI to liaise with me directly.

It turns out Atif Al-Mutaya wasn't just sightseeing in Mecca.

He studied b*mb-making at an !sis-affiliated madrassa near there.

Please tell me that the mosque Matt goes to isn't implicated.

Their role in the bomber's radicalization is still unclear.

But the Saudi government's is not.

The FBI found out who funds the madrassa that gave Al-Mutaya the training, the material support, and inspiration to carry out his att*ck.

It's an humanitarian NGO whose top donor is Majeed Amjad.

That name isn't familiar.

He's a top advisor to the Saudi Minister of Education.

High in the government of our most important oil provider, arms customer, and ally in the Gulf.

Technically, Amjad is not a member of the government, but the minister does not make a move without him.

Apart from his nationality, which makes Majeed Amjad untouchable, the fact that his cousin is the foreign minister makes him uranium.

How solid it this information?

You could chip a tooth on it.

Last year, the Saudi government skirted its connection to the dirty b*mb.

I'm not letting this one slide.

Not this time.

Good morning, Madam Secretary.

Coffee?

What I really need is the Saudi ambassador.

Now!

Bailiff: Alexander, Mironov, you're free to go.

(door clangs open)

Who posted bail?

Your fairy godmother.

Alexander.

Ma'am, Prince Asim, the Saudi ambassador, is here.

Show him in.

Madam Secretary, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly rejects the allegations your government leveled against Majeed Amjad.

I have a direct line from Amjad to 21 dead Americans.

You give me one good reason why I shouldn't put Saudi Arabia on the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism.

You're threatening to cease trading arms to us?

Yes.

And cr*pple your m*llitary unless you bring Majeed Amjad to justice.

Madam Secretary, my country is a proven and rigorous counter-terrorism ally that provided, among other things, crucial information that brought Hizb Al-Shahid's leader to justice.

And yet, Wahhabists wield a strong influence in your government and inspire !sis fighters throughout the Gulf to marginalize your Shia minority and att*ck the West.

If that is really what you and President Dalton think...

No, those are facts.

Then I only have to wait a month to meet our next dance partner.

(chuckles) Oh... you mean Fred Reynolds, who wants to turn away from the international community?

Or-or Sam Evans, who bears a strong distrust of the entire Middle East?

Believe me, compared to the other presidential candidates, we're the best date in town.

Both you and I know your boldness is misplaced.

Hardly. The U.S. is moving away from being a net importer of oil to being a net exporter.

Until then, we provide most of the oil to your biggest trade partners in Asia.

Or we could stop.

And risk losing those customers to us forever?

I mean, you'd really sh**t your economy in the foot over one consultant?

You'd really destroy the U.S.-Saudi relationship and send the American economy into a tailspin right before an election?

But, as a formality, I will bring your request to the king.

It's the least I can do for an old friend.

News Anchor: Presidential hopefuls Governor Sam Evans and Senator Fred Reynolds are clamoring for action from the Dalton administration today.

This Matt Mahoney story just keeps getting bigger, doesn't it?

Anchor: Well, it wouldn't be an election year if it didn't.

Let's take a look.

Reporter: Senator Reynolds!

What do you make of the allegations leveled against Secretary McCord's speech writer?

I'm more interested in hearing from him.

His silence is an insult to the victims' families.

If I were Dalton, I'd make him talk.

Matt Mahoney has the highest security clearance in the land.

Yet does not feel the need to deny his ties to the Illinois bomber.

It's very interesting that a Muslim under FBI investigation gets to keep his mouth shut, keep his job, and keep endangering our safety.

(supporters clamoring)

I call on Dalton to suspend him until we know what's going on.

I want to know what's going on.

What's going on?

Crowd (chanting): What's going on?

What's going on? What's going on?

So how should Dalton handle Matt Mahoney?

It's metastasizing. What are we gonna do about it?

What's going on?

Interesting choice of greeting.

It's the top trending hashtag, and soon to be keyed into the side of my car.

I figured I'm make it work for me.

Okay, I'm gonna go.

What's she worried about now?

Everything.

Always.

How was your interview with the FBI?

Fine, in and out in a half an hour.

I'm actually here to talk to you about something else.

Do you know why Russell Jackson called me into his office?

I was not informed of this meeting.

I knew it. He's f*ring me.

That's impossible.

We're a few weeks out from the election, and it's neck and neck If it gives Dalton a spike in the polls, Russell will not hesitate to gut me.

The accusations are groundless.

That man is many things, but reactionary is not one of them.

Besides, State's not his jurisdiction.

If anyone's gonna fire you, it'll be the secretary... or me.

Thanks.

I find that oddly comforting.

Okay, Alexander Mironov, you're all set.

Your court date is next month.

I found some legal aid who'll represent you pro Bono.

I will pay you back for bail.

That's not necessary.

I don't want to owe you anything.

Now I'm kicking television screens, so they sent you to find out why, huh?

I have a hunch it's more than just feeling isolated.

And your visit's supposed to cure me.

Come on, I'm here as a friend.

I was a captain in the Russian army.

A systems analyst with a masters in political science.

I had my sister, Talia, real friends.

I had a community in Russia and in Washington.

I had a place in the world, a path forward.

I can't imagine how hard all this has been on you.

You're right, you can't.

A-A woman tried to flirt with me the other night at a bar, and for a second I-I felt something real between us.

And then she asked me where I was from, and I had to start giving her Alexander Mironov's made-up history.

You know, I ju... I couldn't do it.

I just... That's what the last six months has been like for me.

You know, what's the point?

Listen, just because you have a cover story doesn't diminish who you are.

So what? The world gets more dangerous, and all I can do is watch it on TV.

The bombing... the woman who pressed charges said you were watching coverage of it.

Is that what set you off?

Look, if I came to you and I said that, that you had to stop helping the world, how would you react?

Take me back with you.

To D.C.

With my knowledge of the Russian army and my expertise in computers, I-I can be valuable. I can help.

Please. Without this, I don't know what I have left to live for.

(door opens)

What's this?

You need backup?

I didn't bring her. She met me.

I act then the White House imposes its will on my department.

I want you to write a speech.

That's it?

Wait, is it, is it for the president?

You wish.

You'll deliver it.

A public statement personally condemning radical Islam and this latest sickening act of terror.

Get out in front of the cameras, say your piece, and this goes away.

It's that simple.

No.

No?

No to what?

I'm offering you a chance to put down this offensive donation story once and for all.

Hell, you could even move some people in the process.

You are uniquely qualified to speak on behalf of a people who don't get much of a voice these days.

And, yeah, does it serve the president?

You bet your ass it does, but it also serves your country.

You, of all people, should get this.

The fear mongers won't be any more convinced whether I say something or not.

Well, then, make a statement, man.

If not for them, for you, for your people.

For the sanity of this country.

Nadine, help me out here.

Mr. Mahoney has a point.

Do you two... comprehend the mountains I have to move between now and November?!

Not to mention, investigating and preventing actual t*rrorists from slaughtering Americans at home, where they work and play.

Do you know what silence looks like?

It looks like support!

Or do you actually support jihadists?

That's what the people will want to know, Matthew Asad Mahoney.

(door slams shut)

Russell, we need to talk.

(sighs) You know I have a heart condition.

Better lay off the coffee.

(sighs) You sound like my wife.

You ignore her calls, too?

I've been busy.

Thanks to your mute speechwriter, I've become the chum for the media's feeding frenzy.

Well, part of his civil liberties include maintaining his silence.

If you don't bring him to heel now, Evans'll get elected.

There'll be no civil liberties left to defend.

Or Reynolds will win and hit the mute button on the entire State Department.

How about we stop persecuting innocent Americans for the Illinois bombing when we have the real culprit finally within our grasp?

King Hani's office made it quite clear.

Majeed Amjad is nowhere near our grasp.

You spoke with the Saudis?

Well, someone had to reassure them after you threatened their national security.

Doesn't Amjad thr*aten ours?

Look, I'd love to roast the bastard on a spit, but not by annihilating a 70-year alliance.

With one of the main influencers of outcomes in Syria and Iraq.

Russell, I know.

Yes, and we both know there's a better chance of resolving those quagmires on Conrad's watch.

How about the chance to leave a legacy where we stand up to a government that criminalizes dissent and-and practices gender apartheid?

A government that sabotages our security.

Either way, we need four more years and for that, we need votes.

You're worried about the number of Americans who lose manufacturing jobs if I halt arms sales to the Saudis.

About nine billion in sales.

That's a lot of votes for Reynolds or Evans.

Listen, I appreciate this doesn't jive with your new foreign policy.

Our new policy was never about short-term strategic gains.

We designed it to rock the boat.

We need to take a stand.

You're right... but not today.

Just let it slide.

Russell...

And please, there is no going to Conrad on this.

He's in the Oval Office right now, consoling the Illinois bombing victims' families.

It's not the time.

(chuckles)

When will it be the time?

Just not today.

Madam Secretary.

Can I help you, Ms...

Butler. Victoria Butler.

Ah, Victoria.

This is Cara.

My daughter. My baby.

Ma'am, please, stay with the group.

It's-it's all right.

Give us a minute, Lucy, will you?

She's my youngest.

My baby.

(whispering): I'm so very sorry.

It... she had just gotten her driver's license.

And it-it-it was the first time she was allowed to take the car out alone.

I mean, just to get some coffee.

And here I was worried that she was gonna get into an accident.

But I have been reading in the news that the FBI is investigating a Saudi citizen who's funding the att*ck?

And they're saying that he's a government consultant.

Unfortunately, it's true.

Well, what are you doing about it?

When I asked the president, he said that the guilty parties would be held accountable, given that the Saudis have been linked to att*cks in the past and nothing has been done...

Now that is my little girl.

I want them to pay.

When can that happen, Madam Secretary?

Do you know?

Soon, I hope.

I wish I could be more specific.

And I know that's a useless thing to say to you right now.

(indistinct conversation)

(knocking at door)

Jay.

Do you have any plans for this evening?

Going home to my wife and child, whom I love very much.

In your dreams, Whitman.

I'm asking you to go out with Matt.

He's in his office right now, channeling Ingmar Bergman.

Yeah, he told me about how he left it with Russell.

Kind of seemed like he wanted to be alone.

Did he say that to you?

Well, no, but...

See, this is why male bonding was invented.

To free those bottled feelings, perhaps over beer or televised sports.

My specialties: beer, sports and... feelings.

Thank you.

(chuckles)

Elizabeth: Is it bad that I made

Blake cancel my trip to Montreal?

I just couldn't face the Saudi Foreign Minister.

Uh, well, what does Nadine say?

You know, uh... decorum and all.

She came around.

Honestly, Blake took it harder.

He was looking forward to Lake Como travel recommendations from George Clooney.

So, we both k*lled some dreams today.

Dmitri?

I was afraid to ask.

Okay, tell me if this is crazy, but is there any possible way that Dmitri could come back and work for U.S. Intelligence?

We promised the Russians we would never use Dmitri as an asset again.

But even if we went around their back, it wouldn't take long for GRU to find out.

Yeah, I pretty much implied that today.

Tell me why we signed up for these jobs again?

I don't know how I'm gonna face him tomorrow.

I'm-I'm sorry I can't do more.

I do have one more question and it's another long sh*t.

Bartender: Here you go.

Man: Thanks.

Sports Announcer: ...field goal attempt.

If they can do it...

They're still down, huh?

Guess I didn't miss much.

Hi.

Jay: This field goal should tie it up.

(Matt sighs)

Sports Announcer: And the ball is up.

And it is no good...

Wow. That was exciting.

Should we call it?

How about another round?

I feel like we haven't...

I feel like we barely talked.

Okay.

Oh, my God.

Are you having another baby?

What? No.

No.

(exhales)

I just... I don't know.

I just... I want to see how you're holding up.

All right?

Fine.

How are you?

Come on, man, don't make me ask twice.

(sighs)

Um...

I know they're after you to make a statement.

Come on.

Et Tu, Jay.

Et what?

We're-We're just talking here.

Right.

You're the, uh, jihadist from the news.

Hey, hey.

He's not a jihadist.

Hey, guys, we were just leaving, all right?

No way.

I want to know what's going on.

Back off, huh?

Yeah, Mohammed.

Huh? What's going on?

Hey, hey, hey.

Go back to the frat, huh? You're done.

You're done.

We have ten witnesses who'll say those guys absolutely started it.

Look, I'm really sorry about the fight, but I'm not pressing charges.

You can do whatever you want.

The guys are regulars.

The bartender knows their names.

Just drop it.

Oh my God, what happened?

It's a long story.

Blake: What, a sample sale at Brooks Brothers?

A trio of drunk Evans' supporters picked a fight with us last night.

Matt: Actually, they picked a fight with me.

Jay defended my honor.

But he won't pursue it, even though he's the victim of a hate crime.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God, Jay... you didn't say it was this bad.

Good news is is it could have been a lot worse.

Jay: Sure, they could've had g*ns.

But, hey, you know, thanks for organizing our man date.

I suggested you get a beer, not join fight club.

I knew it.

She sent you.

I was just concerned.

Yeah, great.

Thanks for getting me punched in the face.

Could everybody just move long?

This is my desk.

Right.

Matt, may I speak with you a minute?

I know the last couple of days have been very, very rough for you and the investigation is...

Wait, is this another talk about the statement?

Seriously?

A-Actually, yes.

Okay, Nadine, thanks, but, uh, I can't anymore with the lectures.

Actually... there's something I want to say to you.

To everyone, act... come with me.

Daisy, Blake, uh, can you meet me in the conference room?

Daisy, get Jay.

Blake, bring the secretary in.

"Bring her in"?

Like bagels?

Elizabeth: Was it somebody's birthday?

I love morning cake.

Whoa, what the hell happened?

I'll tell you later.

Ma'am, may I have your permission to address the staff?

Sure.

In the last 48 hours, I saw my hometown bombed and my childhood mosque investigated.

I've been accused of plotting against my country.

I've been mentally and physically harassed.

That alone is bad enough.

But the worst thing... is the grief my own colleagues and countrymen gave me, not just about my donation, but about why I won't say more to defend myself.

So, here it is.

The big reveal.

The answer to what you've all been wondering.

Of course, I'm just as horrified as everyone that a deranged man blew up a coffee shop.

I mean, how could anyone ever doubt that?

But I'm not saying anything publicly or otherwise, because I shouldn't have to.

My condemnation should just be a given.

When a white man sh**t up a black church, no one demands that white men across the country denounce the att*ck.

It's understood that the perpetrator is on the fringe.

That every American decries the tragedy.

But somehow, when an Islamic extremist commits an atrocity, every Muslim is implicated.

All my years of public service, every ounce of decency I've ever shown is erased by other people's fear and revenge.

I mean, do you want to know what my donation to the mosque was earmarked for?

A playground for children of the members.

And do you know what they unveiled last month?

A playground.

(sighs)

It's true.

The FBI sent over their report. That's... why I wanted to have a word with you.

The bomber was radicalized in Saudi Arabia, not here.

So-so no one at the mosque had anything to do with the att*ck.

Absolutely not.

Thank you.

No one should force you to speak.

I'll make sure Russell knows that.

I'm sorry, Matt.

I didn't realize.

Me, neither.

I'm not exactly a poster child for Allah.

I bury my ethnicity and religion because...

...I don't want to deal with the assumptions.

But it's who I am.

I'm tired of denying it.

Now I have an opportunity to confront that on my own terms.

So... I'm taking the rest of the week off.

By all means.

I want to take my mom to Friday prayers.

I think she'd like that.

I'd like that.

Ma'am.

Blake, are you ready to get your copy of Ocean's Eleven signed?

Montreal's back on?

♪

The Saudis were very grateful to be put back on your schedule.

Yeah, thanks, in no small part, to the extra media attention it gets them.

Ma'am, are you sure this is a good idea?

We'll see.

Minister Hajar.

Madam Secretary.

I am glad you changed your mind.

The summit wouldn't have been the same without you.

There's still much good our countries can accomplish together.

Perhaps in the realm of solar energy?

I hope this is a sign that we can leave the past behind and forge a new road.

I look forward to seeing where it will lead.

Before we move onto our important discussions, I thought I'd add one more thing to our docket.

Elizabeth: Victoria...

Minister Hajar.

My name is Victoria Butler.

My 16-year-old daughter Cara was m*rder*d by the bomber who received funds from your cousin and consultant to your cabinet, Majeed Amjad.

Secretary McCord told me you could help get justice for my daughter.

(bell rings)

(country song playing on radio)

(phone rings)

Clerk: Mesa Pizza, how can I help you?

♪ Today is merely over ♪

And this is a... a delivery, right?

♪ Walk a quarter ♪

Take it easy.

(country song continues playing)

(sighs)

(buzzes)

Man: Who is it?

Alexander Mironov.

(door buzzes)

(indistinct chatter)

Hey, Dmitri.

You remember Special Agent Ross.

Been a while. Thank you for coming.

My release terms force me to come here for my psychiatrist visits or I risk going back to jail.

Very clever.

And, uh, probably a good idea since you're not letting me back into intelligence.

You're... going without me.

That's right. I couldn't get you back in. But we will be able to keep in better touch.

We set up a dead drop number for your use with Dr. McCord.

For my next phone call from jail.

Come on, Dmitri.

I know things seem hopeless right now.

Honestly, I can't imagine living like you. Cut off from my country, my career and especially my family, but...

Please leave. You're only making my psychiatrist's job harder.

Look, I can't give you professional fulfillment.

But I can give you the chance to find connection.

♪

Talia?

(speaks Russian)

Talia!

(laughs)

(exhales)

Elizabeth worked with immigration to fast-track Talia for a temporary visa to stay in the U.S.

In a few months, it'll be permanent under a new name, Dina Mironov.

Her cover is... well, she's your sister.

You don't have to lie about that.

(laughter, sniffling)

You're very lucky to have Dr. McCord in your corner.

(laughter)

(indistinct chatter)

Daisy: That was incredible, ma'am.

I had a hard time concentrating on solar grids after watching Minister Hajar react to Victoria Butler.

We're not done yet.

Engage phase two.

All right, everyone.

Let's get set up for the secretary's next meeting.

W-With George Clooney.

(excited chatter)

(speaks Arabic)

Never, in the course of our nations' friendship, has our country been treated with such disrespect.

Or been granted such an opportunity to prove their progressivism.

Your king sent you to this summit to show the world Saudi's cooperative side.

And you ambushed me.

I know. I know it looks that way now, yeah.

But if you were to return home and prosecute Majeed Amjad, well, the image of the Saudi official moved by the grieving American mother would do wonders for your king's narrative.

That's a rather cynical way to get what you want, Madam Secretary.

If you do nothing, I promise you, I will not rest until I bring Amjad to justice.

I can't put your country on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, but after the election, win or lose, I will still be the secretary of state for at least a couple of months and I will target Amjad individually with the harshest economic and travel sanctions from not only the U.S. but also our European allies who suffer Islamic terror att*cks.

As you know, those sanctions have a... trickle-down effect, making any family member of the sanctioned persona non grata throughout the West.

Go home and tell your cousin that.

♪

(crickets chirping)

Elizabeth: So? Come on, how is Ali's essay? Be honest.

On a scale of Harvard to living in our basement.

(sighs)

She's used her YouTube tutorial as a metaphor for the democratization of media, third-wave feminism and the Internet as virtual university.

W-What?

A-All that in...

500 words or less?

I never knew... smoky eyes could be so poignant.

It's really good.

And now I'm getting misty-eyed.

You're very cute when you're overwhelmed by intelligence.

Speaking of, thanks again for helping with Dmitri.

Of course.

Oh, wait. Hold that thought.

Anchor: ...Hani of Saudi Arabia placed Majeed Amjad, a top consultant of his minister of education, under arrest tonight for funding the Illinois b*mb att*ck carried out by Atif Al-Mutaya.

All this after a moving meeting at the Global Development Assembly in Montreal between the Saudi Foreign Minister Kasib Hajar and Victoria Butler, mother to 16-year-old bombing victim, Cara Butler.

Think anybody notices my cowlick?

It's, like, waving at the cameras.

Take the win, babe.

...mosque suspected of radicalizing Al-Mutaya, of any wrongdoing.

Specifically, Matthew A. Mahoney, Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord's speechwriter, whose donation to the mosque was under scrutiny by investigators, media outlets and presidential hopefuls Sam Evans and Fred Reynolds.

♪

Reporter: Mr. Mahoney, why are you here on a Friday?

Are you taking a leave of absence?

What does the secretary say about your innocence?

Mr. Mahoney, would you like to make a statement?