03x10 - The Race

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Madam Secretary". Aired: September 2014 to December 2019.*
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"Madam Secretary" follows a former CIA analyst and college professor who is promoted to United States Secretary of State as she tries to balance her work and family life.
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03x10 - The Race

Post by bunniefuu »

Previously on Madam Secretary...

We already needed an inside straight to win this election in the House of Representatives in two months.

If Israel and Iran start sh**ting at each other, we're done.

And we will do what is necessary to defend ourselves.

Can we convince both parties to not escalate things further?

Iran is already planning countermeasures.

Come back tomorrow for the recommendation.

The Iran deal is going to define my administration.

Just... not the way I hoped.

If this is a bad time, uh...

Are you okay? Are you okay?

Um, help! Adele!

Help.

What is it? Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Okay, breath.

He's not breathing.

I need the medical units There's no pulse. to Russell Jackson's office immediately.

Okay... middle of the chest.

100 compressions per minute.

Two inches deep.

(phone ringing)

Come on.

Is he breathing?

Come on! Come on!

(panting)

Oh, my God! What happened?

Come on! Come on.

It looks like a heart att*ck. I called medical.

Is he breathing?

No. I don't think so.

I-I came to get my recommendation letter and-and he just collapsed.

Okay, okay.

Baby, you're doing great, you're doing great.

M-m-make sure his airway's clear.

My God.

Adele: He's in here. It's in his office.

Ma'am, step aside.

Step aside, ma'am. - Come here, baby. Come on, come on, come on.

Elizabeth: It's okay, it's okay.

All right, no pulse. (grunts)

No breathing.

I'm gonna defib.

(medical equipment whirring and beeping)

And clear!

(thud and steady beep)

Come on, Russell. Come on, man!

We got an arrest here.

We got to get him on the cot fast.

One, two, three. (groans)

Elizabeth: Okay. It's gonna be fine.

It's okay.

Thank God he wasn't alone, baby.

It's hard to see that.

You did really good... yeah.

I better call Carol.

Yeah.

Mr. President, Madam Secretary, I'm sorry, but Admiral Hill needs to see you urgently.

I'm fine, I'm fine.

Go, go, go.

I'll call Carol, sir.

And I want real-time updates on his condition no matter how small.

Go straight home.

(deep breathing)

Dalton: What is it?

Is Russell gonna be okay?

Yeah. What's going on?

CENTCOM is reporting that about five minutes ago Iran launched Shahab missiles at Israel's Zahavi nuclear facility.

(door closes)

Did any of them get through?

All were intercepted by Arrow Three, but one was only partially destroyed, and struck the facility.

(sighs)

That's a massive escalation.

They have to know the Israelis are just gonna hit right back.

Thank you, Ellen.

Keep me apprised of damage assessments.

Of course, Mr. President.

I'll be praying for Russell.

I'm gonna reach out to the Israelis.

(door closes)

Yeah.

I'll call Shiraz.

Conrad, I-I can deal with him, too.

Mr. President, I know the campaign must be the last thing on your mind, but Taylor Wilson needs a minute.

Says it's important.

Send her in.

And get me President Shiraz.

Yes, sir.

If you wouldn't mind staying, Bess.

Of course.

Mr. President, Madam Secretary.

Sorry to both you about the election.

Normally, I would go to Mr. Jackson...

It's all right. What is it?

House leadership just pushed through a rule to move its vote for president up from January 6th to next week in the lame duck session.

Elizabeth: On what grounds?

They say with all the current instability, we need presidential certainty.

Not a bad point.

I recommend that we immediately file a lawsuit to challenge the rule.

White House Counsel thinks we have a decent chance of winning.

Otherwise, Evans will win the election next week.

Bess?

Well, they're taking the election away from the new Congress.

We have a legitimate fight.

(phone beeps)

Lucy: I have President Shiraz for you, sir.

Thank you.

I agree that we have a strong argument.

And I would love to fight this, but I've already upset the system by running as an Independent.

Is it really best for the country to get the courts involved now?

I respect the House's constitutional prerogative on this.

The answer is no.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Bess.

Let's just... keep doing our jobs while we have them.

Yes, sir.

I'll call Prime Minister Aaronson right away.

President Shiraz...

I just heard about your ill-conceived att*ck on Israel's Zahavi nuclear facility.

(elevator bell rings)

Uh, ma'am, Russell Jackson has stabilized.

Oh, thank God.

Well, he's on his way into bypass surgery, so we're not completely out of the woods.

God. Is the Israeli ambassador here yet?

Uh, yes, ma'am, he's waiting for you.

Excuse me.

The Israelis are reporting five dead at Zahavi.

(sighs) Prime Minister Aaronson just told me.

In between vows to end the Iran thr*at once and for all.

That's terrifying.

Yes.

What do you want me to tell the gaggle?

The truth.

The U.S. is deeply concerned about an escalating conflict that will not end well for either side or the world.

Ambassador Dori, thank you for coming.

I understand you've already talked to Prime Minister Aaronson.

Yes.

And I need you to convince him to stand down.

And why would I do that?

When five Israelis were just m*rder*d by Iranian missiles?

Because as the former head of Mossad you understand that an all-out w*r with Iran and their half-million-strong army will thr*aten your existence.

Iran doesn't acknowledge our right to exist.

Which we strongly disagree with.

But if Iran threatens Tel Aviv, or Jerusalem, you could be forced to go nuclear, and if that happens, God help us all.

(sighs)

You should have listened to the elements in your government who understood that Iran could never be trusted.

Your deceased CIA director and that-that woman in prison, they knew, but you and Dalton chose not to listen.

Lior, you have the prime minister's ear.

I need you to get him to stop this madness... I'm sorry, is there somewhere more important you need to be?

(sighs)

You are about to get news that Ebrahim Air Base has been destroyed.

Iran won't be launching missiles at us from there anymore.

They will feel our existence now.

(sighs)

Ma'am, we just got word that Israel launched an att*ck inside Iran.

I need you to get the president for me.

Actually, his office just called.

He would like you to meet him at the hospital.

(siren chirps nearby)

Russell's still in surgery, but Carol's up there.

Some stunt by the Israeli ambassador.

Yeah. Initial reports out of Tehran are more than 200 dead.

This thing's spiraling, and diplomacy clearly isn't working.

We could try to get between them.

I just ordered three carrier strike groups from the Fifth Fleet to the Persian Gulf.

Should make the Iranians think twice before retaliating.

Okay. Thank you for the update. Carol.

Thank you for coming.

Oh, goodness.

Hi.

How is he doing?

Well, the EMTs restored his spontaneous circulation, and the bypass surgery has been pretty textbook so far.

Oh, thank God. Good.

Well, I'm just sorry if I've put undue strain on him the last few years.

Are you kidding me?

He's never been happier, and stress didn't clog his arteries.

He thinks I don't know he cheats on his diet when he comes home wreaking of pâté.

Hi. Hey.

Hi.

How's he doing?

Okay so far. - Oh. Thank God.

I don't think you've met our daughter, Stephanie.

Hi.

(sighs) No. But I'm, I'm very glad to now.

The doctors told me that you started chest compressions before the medical staff arrived.

Oh. Yeah, just, like, for-for a minute.

Thank you.

Mm-hmm.

Listen, we'll-we'll leave you, go up and...

Thank you.

Gosh.

Henry: Good to see you.

Say hi to him.

I will.

Conrad.

See you soon.

Stevie: Bye.

Do you know how proud we are of you?

Oh, my God.

To stay so calm under pressure.

Mom... okay, thank you.

I'm, I'm gonna call Jareth.

Okay.

I need to update him.

See you at home, maybe, later.

Bye.

Look, I'm gonna cancel this whole 10K thing on Sunday.

Shane and Sarah can't make it?

No. But with everything that's going on, the last thing we need is a house full of people.

Babe, no. Family first.

I know how much you've been looking forward to kicking your little brother's ass and everybody else's.

Are you sure?

Absolutely.

And it's a charity run, and I roped my staff into it, and so there's lots of other asses that need kicking.

Okay, then.

You got to go back to work?

Yep.

Babe, you okay?

What is it?

I just met with the Israeli ambassador and he made a point that Munsey and Juliet knew that the Iran deal would never work.

That's a cheap sh*t.

(sighs)

No one could have predicted all this.

They believed it would lead to an existential thr*at to the world, and what if everything that they feared is coming true now?

(dogs barking in distance)



(screaming)

(indistinct yelling)

(phone rings)

Hello.

Okay. I'll be right there.

(sighs)

Is it about Russell?

No. Iran.

They just kidnapped Israel's defense minister.

Dalton: President Shiraz, are you out of your mind?

Have you seen the destruction at Ebrahim?

Kidnapping, uh, an-an Israeli minister, it's, it's unprecedented.

We know the Hezbollah faction that took Minister Weissberg was working for you.

And they will k*ll him if I give the order.

If you did that, I assure you there would be know coming back from the hell you would unleash!

Then you should advise your Israeli friends not to take any further action against us!

They're mobilizing for w*r.

You need to release Minister Weissberg immediately!

Israel att*cked us first.

A su1c1de mission is not defending yourself.

(beeping)

(both sigh)

He's boxed himself into a corner.

I guarantee you the Israelis are all over Lebanon right now, looking for Weissberg.

Well, maybe we should be, too.

We have assets in country.

Plus the Sixth Fleet nearby.

Get into it.

Yes, sir.

If we get to Weissberg first, it'll give us some leverage.

And if the Israelis do?

Thank you, Matt.

(food sizzling)

Hey, is that bacon?

There better be some left for me.

Better hurry!

Oh, I see more McCords.

Oh, my God!

Hi!

Hi.

How was the drive?

Really early. Yeah.

Oh. (laughs)

Oh, like you wanted to sit in D.C. traffic.

Yeah, McCord brothers.

Wouldn't do ten more minutes on the road.

Oh, my goodness. Gosh.

Oh, you like that?

Okay.

How are you?

All right. Okay.

How are you?

Good.

So great to be here.

I'm so sorry I wasn't here to greet you, but...

It's okay. - Oh, gosh.

You kidding?

With everything going on, I'm surprised you're here now.

Girl's got to eat.

And I wanted to warn you that Henry is out for bragging rights.

Mmm.

You don't have to worry about Dad, Uncle Henry.

He hasn't exactly been training. At all.

Oh!

Oh!

Oh, yeah? Yeah?

Well, not everybody can drop out of college, enlist in the Army and get in the best shape of their lives like Sarah did.

Wait. What?!

(sighs)

The Army?

Dropped of school? What do you mean?

Wow.

What, what's wrong with the Marines?

Okay, I'm going to finish college eventually.

I totally get it. I've been there, done that, cuz.

It just wasn't clicking, you know?

Like, all these classes, but nothing I was passionate about.

Are you saying school's not supposed to be like that?

Good for you, Sarah.

Serving your country's an honor.

Seriously. - Thank you.

Yeah.

You look amazing, by the way.

Thanks.

I mean, seriously, you have to let me style you.

Oh, I've seen your YouTube videos.

So you know I know what I'm doing.

Oh, yeah.

Take this.

Okay.

Alison: Which one was your favorite?

Sarah: Um, I liked the one where you sort of...

Sarah seems great.

Your kids, too.

The girls are amazing, and Jason's basically you in high school.

Snarky, disrespectful little pain in the...

Payback's a bitch, brother.

(laughs)

So, listen, I'm... concerned about Sarah and this whole Army thing.

Yeah, I was kind of getting that.

I just think she's making a big decision for all the wrong reasons.

What she didn't tell you is that she just broke up with her boyfriend Charlie a couple weeks ago.

Ah, that's too bad.

She fell pretty hard, got into a funk, started messing up in school, and then, suddenly decides to enlist.

Yeah, well, that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad decision.

I know.

I just...

I'm worried that she doesn't know what she's getting into.

Listen, she doesn't officially sign on the dotted line until next week.

Can you talk to her, tell her what it's really like?

Okay.

Sure, but I'm not gonna try to talk her out of it.

Just about it.

It's all I ask.

I really appreciate it.

Ware: CIA has credible intel that Minister Weissberg was taken by tunnel into Yaroun, and then driven to the Baalbek District.

We're focusing our search there.

That's quick work.

But the Baalbek District... it looks...

Huge.

Almost 900 square miles.

The Israelis aren't going to stand down forever.

Thanks, Ephraim.

We'll stay on it, sir.

Madam Secretary.

(door opens)

Sir, Taylor Wilson?

Dalton: Okay.

I'm still not filing a lawsuit.

Understood, sir.

But I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you you have one more card to play.

Several months ago, the campaign received an anonymous mailing containing Governor Evans' genetic testing report.

Now, Russell and I knew you'd balk at it, but given where we are...

It shows that Evans has the PSEN1 gene, meaning he has a high risk of developing early-onset Alzheimer's.

We confirmed with the lab that the result is authentic.

Not exactly how I wanted to win.

Well, I know, sir, but the public deserves to know.

And at this point, it may be our only plausible path.

I think we all know what Russell would say.

Excuse me, sir.

Sorry to interrupt, but CENTCOM has picked up Israeli fighter jets headed toward Iranian airspace.

Any idea what their target is?

Back channels are saying the Parsa Nuclear facility.

Oh, my God.

Ellen: The fallout will last for decades, if not centuries.

The Iranians will counter with everything they've got.

How long until IDF jets reach Parsa?

17 minutes, sir. They just crossed the Iraq-Syria border.

Any luck reaching out to Jerusalem?

No, ma'am. There's a total communications blackout.

Mr. President, CIA assets inside Lebanon believe they've located Israeli Defense Minister Weissberg.

He's being held at a private compound in Deir El Ahmar.

How the hell do we let the Israelis know in the next 17 minutes?

We can't, sir.

And if they hit Parsa, it won't matter.

How do we buy some time?

Israeli jets can't hit their targets without global positioning.

It's messy, but... we could knock out their satellite with an SM-3.

That would be an act of w*r.

Hill: To stop a bigger w*r.

Israel would never retaliate against us.

I'm not willing to completely destroy our relationship with Israel.

But I like your thinking, Ellen. What else?

What about doing the same thing with cyber?

Muckware. I mean, can it neutralize Israel's satellite?

We created it with the Israelis, so they'd be able to clean it up pretty quickly, but it might buy us 24 hours.

Enough time to get their hostage back and possibly end this crisis.

It's cyber, but technically speaking, it's still an act of w*r.

One I can live with. Do it, General.

Admiral Parker, do we have enough assets nearby to put together a raid on Deir El Ahmar?

We can have a SEAL team spin up from Carrier Group 2 pretty quick.

Get 'em ready.

Sir.

(indistinct chatter)

(Henry panting)

So, exciting time for you, huh?

He asked you to talk me out of joining the Army, didn't he?

You might want to consider m*llitary intelligence.

(chuckles)

Nah, he just wants what's best for you.

Make sure you understand the commitment you're making, especially considering what's going on in the world right now.

(Sarah laughs)

If you're really interested, I already took my ASVAB, and I made the cut as a nursing specialist.

I'm gonna go get my 68C primary training down in Houston before starting second, the phase two training.

And then, I'm gonna take the NCLEX-PN to be a licensed nurse.

OMG. That's a lot of letters.

(laughs) I just joined, ah, to get away from my dad.

Yeah, well, there's that, too.

(clears her throat)

He lost his job back in June.

What?

What happened?

He showed up to a sales call drunk, and... he made me promise I wouldn't tell you.

Has been drinking a lot?

No. No, it's...

It's not so much that.

It's more like... ever since Grandpa d*ed, he's just... kind of lost interest in everything.

(sighs)

So is he looking for another job?

No...

He's just basically been sitting home, doing nothing, and I'm worried about him.

(sighs)

Is it wrong for me to want to go away and have a life?

No, not at all.
Stevie: "Secrecy did pay off for Patton in that the western task force had succeeded in sneaking up the coast totally unexpected and unobserved. But, as Morrison put it, 'By a curious paradox, 'the efforts of the Allied armed forces to maintain secrecy 'probably lost whatever chance there was of an unopposed landing in Morocco.'"

(rhythmic beeping, Jackson groans)

Where's my phone?

Hey there.

(rhythmic beeping)

What the hell?

Uh, Carol... she... she went to get coffee, and also, to call your son again.

She was reading this... to you.

Um, she said it's your favorite, which doesn't explain why I'm here, but...

Iran... and Israel.

What's going on?

(rhythmic beeping)

Uh, she... she insisted on a total media blackout, so...

Of course.

But we're just talking.

Casually.

About Iran and Israel.

Speak!

Uh, sure, okay.

Let's see.

Iran launched missiles at Israel, so Israel destroyed Iran's base.

Then Iran kidnapped, um, Israel's Defense Minister.

(groans) What about the election?

Uh, the vote in the House is next week, so...

It's January?! What...?

How long have I been asleep?

No, no.

Um, the House decided to move it up.

(quietly): Give me your phone.

Give me your phone.

Give me your phone.

You should...

You should really, uh... You should really relax.

Listen to me.

The future of the world is at stake.

I need you to call the White House.

You really need to talk to...

No, I need to talk... speak to the pr..

I need... to talk to the president, and you need to get him for me.

Do you understand?

Hill: Israeli jets are approaching Iranian airspace.

Only minutes out of Parsa... what's going on?

CYBERCOM is still activating the virus. Almost there.

Dalton: They better finish soon, or it'll be too late... we'll have att*cked an ally for nothing.

Hill: Israeli jets have breached Iranian airspace.

Damn it.

(electronic chime) Activation complete.

Israeli's nav satellite is offline.

They're turning back.

Any ordnance dropped?

Negative, sir.

Well, the Israelis are gonna want an explanation as to why their closest ally just cyber-att*cked them.

Rescuing their defense minister would go a long way towards repairing relations.

(indistinct shouting)

(quiet chatter, dog barking in distance)

(animals bleating, insects chirping)



(indistinct chatter)

(whispering): No sign of the package.

Could our intel have been faulty?

Or they could have moved him.

Is that him?

We need a better look, Chief.

Copy. Coming closer.

Put up a photo of Minister Weissberg.

Yes, sir.

Parker: That's him.

It's Weissberg.

(whispers over radio): Orion ready to breach. Over.

Copy, Orion.

On your command, Mr. President.

Tell them to stand by, Admiral, and mute comms.

Stand by, Orion.

Copy.

Yes, Mr. President?

Best estimate on losses in a raid.

Three to seven men, sir.

Odds of taking the hostage alive?

50 percent.

Captain, get me President Shiraz on the phone.

Yes, sir.

President Shiraz.

You're probably wondering why your Parsa nuclear facility isn't a smoldering ember right now.

It's because the United States, at great risk, took offensive measures against Israel.

Now I need something from you in return.

U.S. m*llitary personnel are outside the compound in Deir El Ahmar, where your soldiers are holding Minister Weissberg.

We can go in and k*ll your men, and risk the life of the hostage, which would be very bad for you.

But I'm giving you the opportunity to release the minister with no bloodshed.

You have five minutes.

(speaks Arabic)

(men shouting)

(shouting continues)

Hey.

Aw.

Hi.

Did I miss everybody?

Yeah. Sorry. Shane and Sarah crashed a while ago.

And the kids shortly after that. I read that Iran returned the Israeli defense minister... that's good.

Yeah.

That is good. (sighs)

We are... cautiously optimistic that we'll be able to walk both sides back from the brink.

You okay?

Having a... nice visit with Shane?

Sarah told me he lost his job five months ago.

Oh, no.

(sighs)

That he barely leaves the house, and...

I'm worried he's depressed.

After everything that went on with my dad, my mind goes to some very dark places.

Have you talked to him?

No.

(dog barking in distance)

You gave a beautiful eulogy at your dad's funeral about how all you stubborn McCords need to lean on each other.

Yeah, well, obviously, it didn't get through to him.

And he hates it when I'm big brother-y.

(takes deep breath)

I'm afraid he'll clam up.

(whispers): You have to try.

(phone rings)

Hello.

Okay.

Thank you, Mr. President.

What is it?

You have to go in?

There's new intel.

Looks like Israel's gonna hit Iran within the next 48 hours.

Decades of enmity and... a couple of days to figure out how to stop it.

No wonder Munsey and Juliet were against the Iran deal.

So much so that they put their lives on the line.

You put your life on the line, too.

Yeah, but they were right.

Look at where we are now.

Juliet was on the...

Israel desk for almost 20 years.

She obviously knew something that I didn't.

Well, did you ever ask her about it?

(lock clacking)

Nice shoes.

Ali picked them.

She always had a good eye.

Though heels are one thing I don't miss.

It's freezing in here.

You get used to it.

It burns calories.

(chuckles)

It's good to see you.

(exhales): Of all the... different scenarios that I had in my head about how you would greet me, that... that wasn't one of them.

(chains clacking)

How are...?

How are Henry and the kids?

They're great. Everybody's...

Uh, Stevie's engaged.

Wow!

You like the guy?

Yes, I do.

Maybe even more than she does. (laughs)

We see Aiden and Lily and Miles maybe every couple of months just to check in, see...

They seem good.

So I'm guessing this isn't just a social visit.

What was it?

What was what?

What was the reason that you... were part of a plot to m*rder my predecessor and George and foment a coup in Iran to spike the deal?

Why were you so sure that it would lead us to...?

Where we are now?

You had deep contacts in Mossad and VEVAK.

What did you know that Conrad and I didn't?

Nothing. It was all obvious.

After Iraq fell, the balance of power in the region shifted in Iran's favor.

Sanctions were the only thing that kept them in check.

Lifting them allowed Iran to become an economic powerhouse.

So that's... that's it?

But their agenda never changed.

Mainly, to wipe Israel off the map.

Any deal that would lift Iran's sanctions was doomed to bring us to this place?

Any deal within the realm of possibility, yes.

What-what does that mean?

You went at it the wrong way.

You gave Israel the Heisman, when what you really needed was Israel at the negotiating table.

Iran, the P5 and Israel.

Okay, so in this impossible... scenario, what else would Israel need?

Iran would have to discontinue its support of Hezbollah and Hamas.

Oh.

And then I... suppose Iran would probably want Israel to acknowledge their nuclear program.

And Israel would have to provide security guarantees and waive U.S. support.

All of which is impossible.

So a peace deal between Iran and the West is impossible.

Funny that the price of winning this argument is a life sentence.

Dalton: So according to Juliet, and reinforced by everything that's happened, the only solution is an impossible one.

How is she? Stupid question, but you know what I mean.

Well, in better spirits than you might imagine.

It was nice to see her.

Complicated, obviously.

Thanks for thinking outside the box.

Hi.

How's he doing?

All his vitals are strong, thank God.

Well, you can't keep a good man down.

Oh, yes, I can.

Oh.

No shoptalk. Please?

Trust me, Carol, the last thing I want is to talk shop.

You have visitors.

Mm-hmm.

How you feeling, pal?

Oh, like a stuffed goose.

With astonishingly good vitals.

Your daughter fell down on the job, Bess.

She's smart.

She knows Carol's the one to really be afraid of.

Just a few minutes, okay?

(door closes)

I'm guessing, uh...

Taylor told you about Evans' genetic testing report.

Carol's right outside, man.

Have you leaked it yet?

No.

But you can rest assured I know where you stand, okay?

Don't do it.

Don't do it.

It's not who you are.

I know, I know, I know... a few days ago I probably would have told you to stick the shiv in Evans' back.

But...

I've been to the brink of death, or... whatever you call this.

And-and-and I see things differently now.

I just...

People aren't gonna support you 'cause of some political dirty trick.

They trust you to make difficult decisions, and to do the principled thing instead of what's politically expedient.

They don't want you to be a street fighter like me.

They want you to be a knight.

So go be a knight.

Okay.

Look, uh, we should let you rest.

We'll, uh, we'll check back with you soon.

Good night.

Night.

Either Russell saw the face of God or his brain is swimming in a quart of painkillers.

What if it's the former?

Juliet said the only way to make real, lasting peace with Iran was by bringing Israel to the table.

So let's bring Israel to the table.

And how do you propose we do that?

Both countries are facing devastation, maybe even total destruction.

And when you've been to the brink of death, you see things differently.

(elevator dings)

So let's use the brink to our advantage. I mean, shouldn't Iran and Israel be open to hearing a way out?

Dalton: Here goes nothing.

Elizabeth: They're here because of you, sir.

Dalton: Because I threw my weight around.

Elizabeth: Well, that's something.

Dalton: Not if we fail.

Then it's just annihilation.


Elizabeth: (short laugh) At least there's no pressure.

Let's make a deal.

We don't let them leave the room until they agree to the framework.

Are you prepared to put Prime Minister Aaronson in a headlock?

Whatever it takes. I figure you got at least a head on Shiraz, so...

What happened to being a knight?

Knights lance their enemies like shish kebabs.

Deal.

Prime Minister Aaronson, thank you for coming.

Madam Secretary.

President Shiraz.

It's good to see you.

President Dalton.

You can't be serious.

It's how you avoid a w*r.

I would rather fight a w*r than back down from our sworn enemy.

A sworn enemy with nuclear weapons.

We have the advantage.

Why should we blink?

I'm asking you to open your eyes.

I'm listening.

What if Iran cut ties with Hezbollah and Hamas and officially acknowledged... Israel's right to exist?

Why would we ever agree to that?

Because the United States and Israel will provide you with ironclad security guarantees.

That will never happen.

And Israel will once and for all acknowledge its nuclear program.

Impossible.

That's impossible.

It's only impossible if we fail to try.

This framework is bold and aspirational, and I would be lying if I said we were anywhere close to a signing ceremony.

But the fact that Prime Minister Aaronson and President Shiraz are standing here together, mere days after agreeing to a cease-fire, is proof that anything is possible... if you can dream it.

Together, we can make our shared impossible dream come true.

Reporter: That's President Conrad Dalton, finishing historic remarks. And, jumping to other...

Hey, come on, how come you're not dressed? Let's go already.

Just saw Elizabeth in Geneva, and now the House election thing is coming up.

Well, that's gonna take a while. Let's go.

Come on.

No, you go ahead.

...to accommodate what's happening in Washington...

Uh, whoa, what the hell?

Look, you promised me at least one full training run.

The race is tomorrow.

This is it. - I will be fine.

And I'm gonna kick your ass, old man.

All right. Well, then get dressed.

Get moving. It'll help.

Help with what?

Sarah told me you lost your job.

I dragged it out of her.

So what are you so mad at me about?

I'm not mad, I'm concerned.

I'm not asking you for money.

I'll-I'll get another job.

You can always ask for... That's not...

Look at you. You're depressed.

Oh, really, Doctor?

Have you...

Are you seeing a therapist?

I... I got no job, I can't keep a woman around, and my daughter is leaving. So what I am is sad.

And how'd this become about me?

I asked you to talk Sarah out of throwing the rest of her life away.

She's concerned about you, and so am I. I... Look at Dad.

Oh, my God, you seriously think I'm Dad?

Yeah, lo... I mean, that's...

I don't know, but it-it's nothing to be embarrassed about if you need to talk to somebody.

Sarah: Everything okay?

What are you thinking, telling Uncle Worrywart that I'm depressed?

What were you thinking, trying to get him to talk me out of the Army? And you are depressed.

What is it with you people?

What is it with you?

Is he dropping out of the race? 'Cause I will, too.

Sorry that I'm not perfect No one's dropping out. You're not helping.

Uh, sorry for giving a crap and for loving you.

Just go back, okay?

Love me and leave me the hell alone.

What, why?

Sarah: Fine, you're alone.

Henry: Just stay out of this.

Jason: I don't even know what we're talking about.

Henry: Just stay out of it.

Oh, my God, you guys, the election... they're voting.

Man (on TV): Will the House now come to order?

For the love of everything holy, please, Carol.

You want another heart att*ck?

Let's see the results, and I'll let you know.

No. No.

It's too much for you to watch the tally.

Or it's too much to know it's happening and not know what's happening.

Russell, you shouldn't even know about the vote.

Well, then you should've gotten tougher nurses. Come on.

(laughing)

Oh...

You're k*lling me. You know that?

(knocking)

Excuse me. I'm sorry, I know you said no calls, Dr. Jackson, but President Dalton is on the line for Mr. Jackson.

Carol.

Fine.

Thanks, Joanne.

Joanne: Yes. I have him right here.

Hello.

Hello, Mr. President.

No. No, sir, we were, uh, having trouble with the TV.

Oh.

Congratulations, Mr. President.

I'm honored to know you.

(both laughing)

(music playing, indistinct conversations)

Thank you.

Matt "The Flash" Mahoney.

Ready to go?

Oh, man... we'll find out, huh?

Man (over P.A.): And the race will begin in two minutes.

Madam Secretary.

I'm surprised to see you got back so fast.

Yeah. Nice to see you, Governor Evans.

Good to see you.

My husband's a leatherneck. It's a family tradition, so I hightailed it back from Geneva.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't shed a tear at that tableau of Dalton with Aaronson and Shiraz.

Oh.

Congratulations.

Thanks. Yeah, we'll see what happens.

And congratulations to you on a hard-fought race.

I admire your patriotism.

I know the... the president does, too.

Does he?

(both laugh)

It's good to see you.

Hey, I-I know about your, um, your little meeting with the state senators in Ohio a couple of months back.

Well, that's all on the up and up, Governor.

Well... you may want to read The Vasey Act.

It's a little-known, uh, anti-lobbying law.

It's been on the books in Ohio since about 1893.

Hey, Sam.

The election's over.

Dalton won.

Not if he didn't win Ohio.

I'm filing suit in Cleveland tomorrow morning.

On what basis?

You lobbied Ohio state senators to get Dalton on the ballot despite their sore loser law.

Court rules in my favor, I win Ohio, get to 270.

(whooshes)

This whole exercise in the House never happened.

Good luck in the race.

Man (over P.A.): Runners ready!

(cheering)

Come on, let's go!

Oorah, oorah!

Oorah!

(indistinct chatter)
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