05x05 - Ghosts

[bunniefuu]

With the king of Thailand's head on it, don't step on it.

They jailed a French citizen for that.

Well, French and the monarchy, they had to know that was gonna be trouble.

Also, if the king gives a speech...

everyone's head must be lower than his feet.

So just lie down.

Sounds like a comfortable place to hear a speech from.

And just a little wifely advice, Thailand is a country where free speech doesn't exist.

Good thing I've got diplomatic immunity now.

Come on, I'm kidding.

The Thai constitution says the "king is enthroned in a position of divine worship." So even as an advisor to the president of the United States, you're a mere mortal.

And you can't wear white or black.

Wh-What?

Which shirt to meet the king?

I don't know.

Blake's still working on the invite.

So his birthday reception's a pretty hot ticket?

So, Rochana, she's here at this conference...

as part of a group, or...?

No, she's just an invited speaker.

I told her I would be a friendly religious scholar in the crowd.

That's nice.

So how's, um, her husband, what's his name?

Richard.

They're not together anymore.

What?

Nothing.

Well, it's just a recently divorced professor with a noticeably attractive author photo excited to see her old boyfriend from college.

At a religious conference in Bangkok with a bunch of academics.

You say that like it's not exactly the way to seduce you.

- 'Cause that's how I seduced you, taking you to all those academic conferences.

No, of course not, because I wasn't your intellectual equal who challenged your arguments with laser-like precision.

I never said that about Rochana.

But you hesitated, because you could have.

There's only one woman who ever challenged me with laser-like precision.

Mike B.

What?

Enough with the meetings.

He does know that there's no campaign to actually manage yet, right?

I keep telling him to wait until after I announce.

And when are we thinking that's gonna be?

Not for a while.

But we should tell the kids soon, right?

Yeah.

I think that would be a good idea.

You guys, she's here!

Jason's college counselor.

I just don't want them to hear it from someone else.

Let's tell them when I get back.

Okay.

Are you okay?

Yeah, it's just...

telling the kids makes it so freaking...

I know, real.

Yeah, right?

Yeah.

Mom, Dad, we're waiting!

We're coming!

Okay, ready to go get talked into some more debt?

So in spite of my unheeded reservations about writing a personal statement on sea turtles...

Again, it was a metaphor for an embattled progressive movement in a time of rising fascism.

God.

Go on.

It seems the improved GPA along with that perfect SAT score did the job.

Vassar, Northwestern and Vonderhauf all offered scholarship packages.

That's what I'm talking about.

Wow, hey, man.

Wow.

You should be very proud.

Yeah.

How much?

Vonderhauf is the highest, with half tuition and housing for the first year, successive years contingent on academic performance.

Northwestern and Vassar, closer to 30%.

We should have gone to see Vonderhauf.

It's very cold at Northwestern.

We should have gone down there.

They're all excellent schools.

Of course.

Do some research.

Look into campus life, faculty, class sizes.

This is so exciting.

Yeah.

Vassar used to be all girls, right?

Originally, yes.

Great, I'll go there.

Well, now, there's no need to just...

We'll do a little more research.

Well, no, Dad, it's a male to female ratio.

There's less competition on the field.

Well, that's solid criteria.

There's an acceptance deadline, so you'll want to indicate your choice by 500 p.m.

Thursday, just go on the website.

We will get right on it.

Gosh, thank you, Colleen.

Such a pleasure, such a pleasure.

My car, my car's here.

Okay, I got to go.

I'm really proud of you, buddy.

Thank you so much.

I'm-I'm happy to fulfill everyone's status expectations.

He's excited, he is.

It just looks like cynicism.

Congratulations.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Morning.

Raspberry scone.

Excellent priorities, Blake.

The Human Rights Heroes Luncheon is asking that you move up your arrival by half an hour, which would mean postponing your greeting to the newly confirmed ambassadors.

No, I don't want to miss that greeting.

Those guys have waited years to be confirmed.

I'll push back.

I did manage to secure an invitation for Henry to the king of Thailand's birthday reception.

Thanks.

It's no problem.

I didn't really want my firstborn, anyway.

There wasn't a plus-one with that, was there?

I can reapproach.

No, no.

It's fine.

It's...

Ma'am, good morning.

Yeah.

I was just wondering if you saw my remarks for the human rights luncheon?

Yeah, I did.

Well, I can pull back on the Nelson Mandela if you like.

No, no.

It's fine.

I'll do a quick polish beforehand.

Mike B.'s in your office.

Of course he is.

Good morning.

How's the future leader of the free world?

I thought we weren't shouting that from the rooftops just yet.

Not shouting.

Just the dim roar of a gathering wave far out on the horizon.

Yeah, not really much of a beach person.

But this is the very best kind of wave Money.

A grassroots super PAC calling themselves.

"Run, Bess, Run" is already gathering donations for your campaign.

Try to contain your joy.

This is huge.

It's also indicative of the kind of support you're stirring up.

Of course, legally, you're obliged to stay ignorant of any activities of a super PAC.

Then why are you telling me this?

Because it's thrilling.

And it also leads me to my next topic The book you're gonna write.

I'm not writing a book.

Of course you are.

Got to tell your story, start burnishing the myth, but keep it relatable.

I haven't even told my kids that I am running.

Who talks to their kids, anyway?

I don't.

I mean, it's 'cause my ex-wife doesn't want me to, and I could probably push past that, but somehow I don't.

Where were we?

The book that I do not have time to write.

That is what a ghostwriter is for.

Lorraine Sheridan, speechwriter for the annoyingly progressive mayor in Denver, is coming by this afternoon for no more than ten minutes.

I don't have ten minutes.

Everybody has ten minutes.

Think of it as an investment in your future.

If you decide not to run, you can always work it into a book tour.

You good there?

Want me to get you anything?

I'll have Blake get me a cup of coffee.

Go fix the world.

There you are.

Hey.

Hi.

Wow.

My gosh, you look just the same.

You look just the same...

You stole my line.

It's good to see you, Roe.

I'm so happy you came.

Me, too.

Here, I got us a table.

Thank you.

Wow, that's a beautiful scarf.

Did you get that here?

From a street vendor.

Can you believe it?

I'm sure I paid twice as much as I should have.

They didn't give you a discount for being a native?

I've lived away from here too long.

They know I'm a tourist.

I've completely lost all my bargaining skills.

May I get you something?

Just water for me, thanks.

It's so good to see you.

You, too, Roe.

It's been, what, like, 25 years?

Has it?

Doesn't seem like it.

Maybe 'cause we've e-mailed.

Which reminds me, thanks to your input, I got the Stivers Grant.

Now, come on.

Y-You need to take complete credit for that.

I just reorganized a couple of your thoughts.

No.

You've always had a way with words, Henry McCord.

But still not good at taking compliments, I see.

Thank you.

So how are, Alexander and...?

Lawan.

Lawan.

They're both living in the U.S.

now.

Alex is 24, working in a bank, God help me.

Wow.

And Lawan is just starting her master's in Comp Lit.

Clearly, she's your girl.

Here are my guys.

What a beautiful family.

Yeah.

And Elizabeth.

My God.

The Iran deal, nuclear disarmament.

Yeah.

She's doing good work.

See?

Things work out the way they're supposed to.

I'm sorry about you and Richard.

Honestly, it's been great.

I was a little lost at first, with the kids gone, but there's this real liberation to it, too.

You know?

It's like, suddenly, I can get back to everything I was before.

It's like getting a second chance.

Look, I get it.

You're a working mom with an enormous job.

In the interest of global security, I promise you, this book will have minimal impact on your life.

Well, I have to admit, that's a relief to hear.

I had visions of you following me to yoga class.

No, no.

All I want to do is talk with your family maybe once, grab a moment with your chief of staff and one or two sit-downs with you, whenever you can.

Well, that doesn't sound impossible.

Good.

'Cause Mike B.

Didn't say anything, but if this book means what I think it does, I am so freakin' on board.

I appreciate the enthusiasm.

I do.

I, um...

Okay.

Why don't we...

let's, we'll sit down one more time and see how things go.

Okay?

Awesome.

Can I ask you to do one tiny thing?

And, it's not homework, I swear to God.

Could you just jot down one moment when you thought, "I could be a leader"?

Either because you were mad at how something was being done, or-or you just enjoyed being in charge.

The earlier in your life, the better.

Okay.

Yeah.

Whatever comes to you.

I'll flesh it out into a chapter, you see if you like it and then we'll take it from there.

Does that sound good?

Okay.

Yeah.

Well, they almost kicked me out.

Y-you can't blame me for that one.

What are you talking about?

You confronted the guy.

He was, like, a six-four linebacker.

You called him an asshat, and I had to...

He kept interrupting class with nothing to say.

I didn't expect for you to challenge him to a duel!

Well, I was his T.A.

I had...

I had to do something.

Humor was the best way to defuse the situation.

You did eventually talk him down.

No pistols fired at dawn..

I still got academic censure.

He didn't even read the essay.

Can you imagine doing that now...

confronting every kid who goes off without anything to say?

Yes.

Well, we all let it slide now, don't we?

I suppose we should be thankful there was no Internet back then.

Yes.

So tomorrow, you know what time and where?

Yeah, I'm all set.

It means so much to me that you came here.

I wouldn't have missed it.

Look, I got to...

I got to hit it, or I'm just gonna get hammered by this jet lag.

Yeah.

Okay, so I will wait for confirmation on the time for tomorrow.

Absolutely.

Thank you for coming in, Ms.

Sheridan.

What's she coming back for?

Second interview?

I can't disclose that.

Bro, I know that's Lorraine Sheridan, big speechwriter, has her own TED Talk.

Calls herself a shaman who summons the speaker's inner voice.

M-Sec's running for president, and I'm out, right?

You can tell me.

Matt, a White House run is just a rumor.

Look, I know those remarks I wrote for the luncheon weren't my best, but then, she barely had any notes.

Is that because, they weren't as bad as I thought, or because she's given up on me?

What?

She seemed fine with them.

Honestly, I...

But there was a tone like you use with the guy you're done with, but you just keep him around so you can have a plus-one for your friend's wedding. Matt.

Breathe with me.

And know that you are the shaman chosen to summon M-Sec's inner voice.

You mean that?

It was meant to be ironic, but trust me, you're fine.

What was the meeting about?

That I can't tell you.

Why would anyone willingly submit themselves to a Bangkok traffic jam?

Surely I must be a tourist.

In fact, I was born here, and I lived here in Bangkok until I was eight years old, and I've always found the best way to find out what people are really thinking is to eavesdrop on the bus.

A few days ago, I was sitting behind two young men, and one said to the other, "I don't work, but I go to temple four times a day, "and with what they pay me, I'll have enough to buy a scooter in three months." Paid to pray.

I thought, "What a fascinating contradiction." But then, Thailand is a land of contradiction.

A Buddhist nation that worships its own king as semi-divine.

We have gathered here to examine freedom of faith all over the world, but this very country imposes on its people the worship of a man nowhere recognized in its Buddhist faith.

Where in Buddhism does it say one man is more divine than the other?

Where does it say one man and his family should be worth over $30 billion, while many of his people starve and beg in the streets?

Many will feel I should be ashamed for asking these questions.

But I tell you...

I am ashamed that it has taken me so long to ask them.

And so, I take this moment to call for an end to this family's rule over Thailand.

Let the monarchy die when our king passes from this world.

And let the people of Thailand choose their own leaders, not false gods.

60 years in prison?

HENRY I should have known she was planning something.

There was something about her, just...

You think that that's why she wanted you there?

I don't know.

Maybe she thought I could bail her out.

I mean, she is an American citizen.

There's got to be something we can do.

She did violate the law against insulting the king.

We can't interfere.

Well, I can't just leave her here.

Isn't there something we can do through diplomatic channels?

We can make sure that she's treated well, has adequate representation.

Beyond that...

I'm sorry, babe.

I-I don't mean to put you in the middle of all this.

I want to help, but Thailand is one of our biggest trading partners.

I can only push so far, but you...

You still have that invitation to the king's birthday celebration.

It's likely they don't know about your connection to Rochana.

It...

it'd be bold, but you could ask for a royal pardon.

Are you sure?

I don't want to cause you any trouble.

Officially, you are representing the president of the United States.

Unofficially, if you're lucky enough to get your moment, use it wisely.

And, obviously, we never had this conversation.

I love you.

I hope you told Rochana that.

I love you, too.

You just got accepted into three schools.

Shouldn't you be coasting?

No.

It's this stupid scholarship application for Vonderhauf.

They want me to write yet another statement on my life journey.

Like, can't they just data-mine my social media like everyone else?

That must be so hard...

Filling out all those forms so that they pay you to go to their school.

Okay, it's not like I get the money, you know?

Guys, you ready for this?

Check this out.

Go.

There's something happening in America.

We're standing taller, seeing farther.

In the past four years, the United States has restored its role as a leader to nations all over the world, bringing peace, stability and a spirit of cooperation that lifts a torch to light the way.

My God.

Right?

Elizabeth McCord.

She's for all of us.

My God.

ALISON You guys, Mom's actually doing it.

I know.

I mean, I sensed it was coming, but it's like, it's here.

It's happening.

I only wish they would have used a photo with my new bangs.

Yeah.

Where are you going?

Um, I just got to finish some college stuff.

I am posting this everywhere.

Please don't.

Dr.

Henry McCord.

Elizabeth McCord.

Sukhsant wan keid.

It is a great honor to meet Your Majesty.

I wish you every felicitation on your birthday with many celebrations to come.

If I could also ask Your Majesty a favor, not for myself, but for a friend.

I know that Rochana Arak deeply offended the monarchy with her words, but I have known her for many years, and I assure you, she wishes you no harm or insult.

She spoke only of her hopes for the future of Thailand.

This is not a topic for His Majesty's celebration.

In honor of Your Majesty's celebration, I ask that he release himself from the burden of resentment, as the Buddha teaches, by granting the grace of his pardon.

What better way to honor His Majesty's birth than to grant a rebirth to a fallen daughter, saving her from a lifetime in prison?

Dr.

McCord?

The Royal Pardon will be prepared.

He said yes?

His Majesty is susceptible to the appeal of pedantic Westerners.

Perhaps it was his time at Oxford.

When you said "picnic," I rashly thought we'd be eating outside.

Well, I have something sort of sensitive to discuss.

No.

Did my wife call you?

No.

Why?

Did you do something?

Not that I know of, but doesn't mean that I didn't screw up.

Back to you.

Mike B.

Has me writing a memoir.

Why?

And...

Well, we'll get to that in minute.

He's assigned me this ghostwriter.

You don't need a ghostwriter.

Thanks, but I'm a little busy.

Henry's busy, he still writes books.

Why is this becoming a referendum on my time management?

Sorry.

I'm sorry.

Go on.

Okay, so, he assigned me this ghostwriter.

- And she asked me to find a moment early in my life when I decided I to become a leader.

And suddenly, you can't remember your childhood.

Well, the only thing I can remember is that...

that time in high school when I led the girls' lacrosse team on a strike to get better practice conditions.

That's an interesting way to remember it.

Think she wants something younger.

What?

What do you mean?

Really?

Well, as you explained it to me at the time, you led an uprising to get your bench moved...

Closer to the water cooler, Closer to the boy's team, because the boys weren't sharing.

So that you could chat up all the hot players.

Remember?

No.

I don't remember it that way, no.

Halfsies?

Sure.

Here.

So, you seriously cannot think of a single instance where you stepped up and took on a more difficult leadership role?

Not a one.

Perhaps the one which necessitated you acting as both mother and father to a bereft little brother?

That's different.

I don't...

I...

That was...

I...

It was pretty fierce.

So why the sudden need for a book?

Well, that's the other thing.

Hang on.

I have decided...

I am running for president.

Yes!

I knew it as soon as you said "Mike B." That was your first clue?

Listen to me.

You are gonna make a great leader.

You are far too much of a pragmatist and a centrist for my taste, but this country barely deserves someone as fine as you.

Yeah, you could have just shut up after "great leader." That would have been better.

Sorry, Jason's college counselor is calling.

Jason got three scholarship offers.

Only three?

Colleen, hi.

What?

What are you doing here?

I managed to get an audience with the king.

He's granted you a royal pardon.

I'll tell you about it as we drive, but we need to leave now.

I don't understand.

Why would you do that?

So that you don't have to go to prison.

So, you're telling me I just risked my life for nothing?

What are you talking about?

Your message was heard.

And now I'm running back to the West, where they'll discredit me as a heretic.

My God, Henry, what have you done?

Why would you want to spend 60 years in prison, never see your kids again, never meet your grandchildren?

They're the reason I did this.

They'd rather have you home.

I guarantee it.

They'll understand when they get older.

The way you understood when your dad took off?

This is completely different.

I'm trying to make a better homeland for them.

What is this need for martyrdom?

What does it accomplish?

How can you, of all people, ask me that?

You lived for self-sacrifice.

The m*llitary, the church.

And I learned that this quest for ideological purity is a dead end.

Connections with the people you love, that's the only thing that will save you.

Come with me, please.

Please.

I just wanted to do something with my life.

What are you talking about?

You're one of the most insightful scholars I know.

You're a revered professor, you've raised two great kids.

Nothing feels like it means anything.

I'm lost.

You've been through some huge changes...

It's deeper than that.

I used to be this girl on fire.

You knew her.

I guess I thought maybe I could catch fire again.

That girl who was on fire... was scary.

Is that why you broke up with me?

We were...

we were so young.

We were all testing the limits of our convictions.

But my point is, that girl, the one who would stay up all night arguing scripture with me, never letting me off the mat...

that girl was a little scary, but she was also brave.

You need to be brave and stay in this fight, not rot away in some prison.

Hey, Jace?

Yeah, I'm...

I'm having popcorn for dinner.

Can I talk to you for a second?

I got a call from Colleen.

She said that you never went online to choose one of the three scholarships?

Hang on.

Jason...

Give us a moment.

You need to take it out.

No, no, there's too many kernels.

It's all...

It's gonna burn.

No, no, this is where you gotta be strong.

It's gonna burn.

Perfect.

Don't tell me that you can time a bag of popcorn perfectly but you missed the deadline on your scholarships?

Okay, I won't tell you that.

Jason...

It was a conscious choice.

Okay?

I'm just...

I'm not ready to go to college.

What about all those applications, and writing all those essays?

You guys railroaded me because of some stupid test score.

Okay, fine, maybe I got a little bit caught up in it.

But now I'm thinking I should just take a step back, you know, get my head together.

Been thinking about a year at a kibbutz in Israel.

They don't eat a lot of popcorn on the collective farm.

Who's the girl?

There's no girl.

Is this about your scores?

You think you got a perfect SAT, so you've got to be a perfect student?

It's not like I haven't brought home Cs before.

Look...

Look...

I saw the ad asking you to run for president.

What ad?

It ended on a picture of us.

There it was, all over the Internet.

Nobody even asked me.

My God.

Jason, I'm so sorry.

Did you sign a release or something?

No, no, I...

That's not right.

I will fix that.

I'll-I'll...

Please stop acting like you can control it, Mom.

It just makes it worse when you can't.

Just give me a second, I want to cancel this meeting.

No.

And then we'll talk...

No, no.

Just keep doing what you're doing.

I will fully support you from an avocado farm outside Tel Aviv.

You and your brother orphaned so early in life.

Talk about being tested at a tender age.

It's so touching.

But this "Operation Hot Guys" story...

I just threw that in there for fun.

Future world diplomat using her negotiating skills to gain access to handsome boys?

It's gold.

So, I threw together a sketch on how this chapter could go, if you want to take a look.

Yeah.

Thinking you could do a pass.

Maybe fill in some details, inner thoughts, anything else that comes back to you.

So, is this generally how this will go?

I'm loving this back and forth; I-I think this is going to be great.

Um...

Lorraine...

so, you-you've done books for a lot of candidates.

A few.

How personal does it need to get?

People don't vote for policy.

They vote for people.

It's not totally logical.

You don't need to know about your lawyer's childhood to trust her to represent you.

Right.

But voters need to feel like they know their elected officials.

The more you can share of your personal life, your family, the more people connect.

Don't worry, I'll get it out of you.

So, I'm guessing this isn't a booty call.

How could you let that Super PAC put my familyin an ad without giving me a heads-up?

You know the answer to that.

You have to stay out of the loop on these things.

I'm clear on that, now let me make it equally clear that nothing will be done involving my family without running it by me first.

That's gonna be difficult.

If "difficult" means doable but inconvenient, consider me...

inconvenient.

Not exactly breaking news.

And another thing, your friend Lorraine Sheridan's "chapter"?

It was just my b*llet points in sentence form, which she then gave back to me to flesh it out.

That makes sense.

It makes sense because you sent me a writer who'd flatter me into writing this book myself.

I told you I found the best person to write your book.

You.

Okay, this stops here.

No more family stuff, and no book.

Bess, everybody has a book.

Has that argument ever worked with me?

Fair point, but here's another one If you don't...

I'm hanging up now.

Everything's fine.

We're on our way to the airport.

There's a checkpoint.

I have to go, Lawan.

I'll call you as soon as I land.

Everything okay?

It's been a rough night and day, but she's extremely relieved.

So am I.

Thank you.

What are these guys doing?

Get the pardon.

I got it.

Is there a problem?

What is...

what is going on?

What is...

what's happening?

They're trying to arrest me.

What?

Hey, I have a pardon from the king.

Tell them.

The king just d*ed.

What?

Wait.

They're taking me in.

Hang on.

Rochana...

Stop.

I'm an official of the United States government.

Henry!

OFFICER Come now!

There's cheese on that.

Could you not do that?

Sorry, I, forgot about the PTSD.

What are you doing over there?

Um, hiding from Mom.

She found out I blew my scholarship deadlines, and now she's threatening a second talk.

Dude, do you know how lucky you were to get those scholarship offers?

Yes, and presumably I will still be the same desirable prospect however many years from now when Mom's not the president.

Now, what does that have to do with you going to college?

Okay, everything I've ever started...

Football, Boy Scouts, horseback riding...

I-I've always been a total screwup at first.

And now, if I screw up college, which, let's face it, is inevitable, then I cause trouble for the president of the United States.

That's very sweet.

In a self-sabotaging kind of way.

What are you doing?

Making popcorn.

Yeah, but what about the, mass-produced bag with all the mysteriously delicious chemical flavoring?

I don't need that.

Really, you don't?

Mind blown.

Yeah, well, this is the kind of out-of-the-box thinking that is available to you at America's finest universities.

You know, I thought you were gonna be the one person who'd support me on this.

Yeah.

It's because I dropped out that I am encouraging you to stick with it.

All right?

It never works out when you make a decision out of fear.

Okay, it's not fear.

I'm-I'm-I'm trying to help Mom by staying out of her way.

Yeah, I think that's just fear wearing a hat.

The king of Thailand has just d*ed.

There's, like, an uprising happening.

Okay, is-is Dad still there?

I think so.

Hey, guys, I'm gonna head back and, work for a bit.

Yeah, it's okay.

We-we know.

Yeah.

Where's Dad?

If his flight left on time, he's in the air.

Okay.

Bye.

In the hours since the announcement of King Chartpong's death from cardiac arrest, the country has erupted into chaos.

A pro-democracy movement newly emboldened by the fiery remarks of Professor Rochana Arak at a religious freedom conference in Bangkok is clashing violently with the grief-stricken majority who revere the monarchy with an almost religious devotion.

Any more news on Henry's arrest?

Nothing yet.

Where are we?

What's...

They've sentenced Professor Arak to death.

We'll get him out of there, Bess.

Should've never let him go in the first place.

He-he was helping a-a friend.

I mean, nobody could have known that any of this was gonna happen.

Right?

Right.

Any luck getting through to our embassy?

I spoke with Ambassador Faraday, but with all the chaos, we're having trouble getting any answers.

The m*llitary may be holding Henry for helping Arak escape.

She wasn't escaping.

She had a pardon from the king.

Which no one cares about now.

Mr.

President, Elizabeth, HUMINT sources in Thailand have just confirmed.

Dr.

McCord is being held at Chatuchak Prison outside Bangkok.

What do they think they're doing?

He has diplomatic immunity.

I realize I have a personal stake here and I'm willing to work it to any advantage, make a personal appeal to the minister of defense.

It's an extremely volatile situation.

Sir, I would advise an extraction.

Low-key, untraceable black ops.

We have the necessary assets in place.

Thailand's an important ally.

The decision to violate their sovereignty needs to be considered carefully.

Well, not to mention our assets that we would be burning on the ground.

It seems to me that diplomatic pressure should at least be tried.

We have no idea how long it will take for a new regime to stabilize enough for a negotiation.

Or if they'd even be open to them.

I say we get Henry out and explain later.

Do it.

Yes, sir.

Whoa.

Hey.

What's going on?

New prison.

Move!

No, no.

Wait, wait.

My friend, Rochana Arak.

I'm not going any place till I know where she is.

Dr.

McCord, you are going home, and Professor Arak, too.

Move!

Looks like I'm just in time.

You must be Rochana's daughter.

Thank you so much for bringing my mother home.

Of course.

And you must be Alexander.

Yeah.

Mom.

Good conference?

It was pretty good.

Was it?

I'm so sorry, babe.

I love you.

I love you, too.

Elizabeth, I can't possibly thank you enough.

Welcome home.

Thank you, my old friend.

Hey.

You're not lost.

Welcome back, ma'am.

Hi.

Thailand update.

The m*llitary has solidified control of the country and they're, how to put it, less than pleased that we violated their sovereignty by freeing Rochana Arak from justice.

No mention of the fact that they arrested an advisor to the president of the United States, who...

that's right...

Happens to be the husband of the Secretary of State?

Didn't come up, no.

Nor the part where they were planning to execute an American citizen.

Okay, call, um, NSA Hill and have her set up a meeting with the National Security Council so we can, I don't know, figure out our response to the evolving situation.

Okay?

Thank you.

Bye.

Yes, ma'am.

Ma'am, can I have a word?

Yes.

Good.

Um, first of all, welcome back.

I'm really glad Henry's okay.

Thank you.

So, what's up?

Okay...

yeah.

Look, I-I know you haven't been happy with my work lately and I know you've been looking at Lorraine Sheridan.

And I just want to say Lorraine is amazing and I get why you want an upgrade, but if I could just explain myself...

Matt, if I could just stop you right there.

Um, I'm not looking to replace you.

I was looking into writing a book for, like, a minute, but that's over.

Lorraine does ghostwriting?

Yeah.

How do you, get on the list for that gig?

You make yourself invaluable to your overworked boss by taking each topic that comes your way and finding the b*ating heart in it, whether it's a, I don't know, welcome address at a trade conference or honoring your colleagues on the eve of a shutdown.

I don't know.

Wow.

Maybe I don't say it enough, but...

I am grateful every day for the soul and grace that you bring to your work.

Thank you.

Okay.

I'm sorry.

It's just been a rough couple days.

I know.

I'm sorry.

No, that's...

we good?

Yeah.

Okay.

And, listen, if you ever do decide to write a book, I-I'd love to help you out.

I promise I won't be too much of a diva about the rewrites.

Only when I no longer need you in the trenches with me every day.

Deal?

Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah, deal.

So, that's it?

Three scholarships just...

gone with the wind?

I'm gonna call Colleen tomorrow.

Although she did seem pretty definitive.

What the hell?

I mean...

I think he just got scared.

You know, the whole White House thing.

The attention, the pressure, no more privacy.

I know you're having some of the same doubts.

Listen, when Rochana did that incredibly dangerous thing and defended her beliefs without any regard for the consequences...

let's just say I got a real glimpse of my own behavior.

There's no comparison.

I just need to choose my moments.

You know I'm gonna need your guidance.

And that's what you're gonna get, my guidance.

Okay.

Hi.

Can I come in?

Yeah.

Get in here.

Okay.

Easy.

Okay, um...

I just wanted to say that I thought about it and I'm not going to a kibbutz next year.

I don't think I'm up to speed on anything.

I'll fill you in later.

No, look, I'm-I'm gonna call Colleen tomorrow and I'm gonna see if I can still get that scholarship.

If you can't, you're getting a job.

Two jobs.

Got it.

And I will try not to wake up in a dumpster.

Or-or...

you know, get an "F" on a history paper about my own mother's foreign policy.

You're really doing a number on yourself there, dude.

I know.

I-I know.

Look, for a self-declared anarchist, turns out I'm surprisingly concerned about maintaining the status quo.

Plus I can't live my life scared of something that may or may not happen.

Ali!

Stevie!

Go get your sisters.

Okay.

So, first of all, I just want to say that there's nothing more important to me than this family and making sure that everybody feels safe and respected.

And that's going to be even more important than ever when I announce my candidacy for president.

Are we allowed to say that we sort of already knew?

I know.

That stupid ad totally snaked my wave.

The ad was-was kind of amazing.

Yeah, I-I don't approve of their tactics, but I do support their candidate.

Mom!

Wait, wait, wh-what ad?

Honey.

Can I see it?

Dad.