05x07 - Baby Steps

[bunniefuu]

PILOT: Ladies and gentlemen, we
are now beginning our descent

into Vientiane, Laos,

where the current temperature
is a beautiful 86 degrees.

Flight attendants,
please prepare for landing.

MAN: We'll be holding her soon.

Our very own baby girl.

I hope it fits.

- It's a scarf.
- (CHUCKLES)

I just want Ailani to know
how much we appreciate

what she's doing for us.

Oh, after nine months of e-mails,

video chats and care packages,

I'm pretty sure she knows, honey.

But everyone needs a scarf, right?

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

- We're having a baby.
- (CHUCKLES)

Uh, it should be

just up here on the right.

(SPEAKING LAO) _

What are you doing with those women?

Uh, sorry, Officer. Wrong address.

But that's our baby.

WOMAN: The Trafficking
In Persons Report

shows that while several countries

with problematic histories vis-à-vis

human trafficking have managed
to improve their behavior

and move up to Tier 1 status

while several others

have unfortunately slid down to Tier 2

or Tier 3.

And overall, the number
of trafficking victims

- worldwide has...
- Doubled, sir. Yes.

That's it, then.

I've seen enough.

We're withholding aid
to all Tier 3 countries.

Mr. President, that could
have negative effects

on populations in need
around the globe.

The more fair move
would be to evaluate

each nation on a case by case basis.

Fair?

800,000 people are
ripped from their homes

every year and sold into sl*very.

I want fairness for them.
And the only way to achieve that

is punish the countries that allow
their exploitation to continue.

ELIZABETH: Well, the
release of the report

itself is yielding results.

TERESA: I assume you're talking about

- the crackdowns in Laos.
- Exactly.

Laos reacted immediately,

breaking up trafficking
operations across the country.

RUSSELL: Nothing like the
thr*at of losing aid

to make a country grow a conscience.

Which proves my point.

Shutting off the money spigot
so that they feel it,

so that it hurts.

That's how you get change that lasts.

And that's what we're going to do.

Thanks, Shira.

Thanks, everyone.

Sir, my office heard from
former constituents of mine.

A couple. Apparently, Laos is
also rounding up pregnant women.

Surrogates.

Well, that's not too surprising.

Unfortunately, Laos categorizes
commercial surrogacy

as human trafficking.

TERESA: Mr. President,
this couple is desperate.

They can't locate their surrogate.

And she is due to have
their baby any day now.

Do we know how many surrogates
in total have been arrested?

Laos is a hotspot
for fertility tourists,

so it could be hundreds of women.

Unjustly imprisoned without
access to proper prenatal care.

I think we should
do something to help.

A statement from the
president of the United States

could go a long way.

TERESA: Maybe even de-stigmatize

surrogacy a little in the process.

Look, even if we could convince Laos

to ignore their own laws,
here at home,

commercial surrogacy
is one of those issues

most folks don't think about much.

But when they do, they hate it.

DALTON: I think it's
fair to say that there's

no national consensus on this.

That's why it's regulated
at the state level.

This is complex ethical territory.

Most surrogates come from
low-income backgrounds

so it's easily seen
as class exploitation.

And then there are the babies,
both born and unborn,

so it's a children's rights issue.

It's also an issue of

reproductive rights. If a woman wants

to carry a child for someone else,

- that should be her choice.
- RUSSELL: See?

It's an issue both liberals
and conservatives can hate.

Best to leave it alone.

Or we could forget about
the politics for once

and just talk about what's right.

Teresa, the day you forget
about the politics

is the day I forget about
the politics.

(SCOFFS) Yes, Russell, I am ambitious.

But that doesn't mean I'm heartless.

What? It was a compliment.
Bess, have State

keep an eye on the surrogates,

make sure no human rights are violated.
Beyond that, Yeah.

I'm sorry, Teresa,
we're staying out of this.

- Back to the office.
- Sure.

Elizabeth, do you have a minute?

- Uh, yeah.
- Mm-hmm.

Um...

this is a, uh, a personal matter.

Okay.

You and I have our
issues, I know that,

but I just didn't know
where else to turn.

Are you okay?

The couple I mentioned...

my constituents?

They're my daughter and
son-in-law, Lyla and Charlie.

Oh...

I'm so sorry.

They've been trying to
have a child for years.

And there's been a
lot of disappointments

along the way, so they
kept me in the dark

about their plans until recently.

They didn't want to
get anyone's hopes up.

And I can understand that.

Of course, they knew what
the law was in Laos,

but they have spent so
much money trying to have

their own child that they
couldn't afford a surrogate

in the U.S. and it just seemed
like a safe enough bet.

Well, and it was, until our
report incited that crackdown.

And their surrogate,

Ailani...

is a week away from her due date

and now she's in a jail somewhere.

I'm sorry to pull you into this,

but I'm not asking for your
help as a vice president.

I'm-I'm coming to you as a
mother and a grandmother.

But Teresa, you-you
are the vice president.

Why didn't you say anything to POTUS?

- Wh...
- Because Russell is right...

the politics are complicated

and I didn't want to
saddle the administration

with the appearance of
a conflict of interest.

And, also, we both know that

they want you, not me,
to succeed Conrad.

And frankly, I don't trust Russell

not to use this against me.

But you trust me not to?

Well, we'll be in the ring
soon enough, and God knows

- you give as good as you get. (CHUCKLES)
- (LAUGHS)

But yes, I do.

I can't make any guarantees,
but I'll look into it,

see what I can do and I will keep this

- between the two of us.
- Thank you.

Blake, where are we on the
Peace Garden reopening ceremony?

Uh the gardeners from Japan are still

shin-high in bonsai,
apparently, the garden

was in a shameful state of
disrepair... their words.

But the reopening ceremony's
on schedule, right?

- We've got guests coming in from all over.
- Yes.

Yeah, high-level dignitaries
across the board,

like our very own Dr. Henry McCord,

- who's joining the secretary.
- The date is set for the day after

tomorrow, we've already confirmed with

the Japanese embassy
and National Park Service.

So far everything's on track.

- Good. Matt,
- Huh?

How are M-Sec's remarks coming along?

Uh... (CLEARS THROAT)

"In the wake of the most
destructive conflict

"in human history, Japan built gardens

"across the globe to demonstrate

"its commitment to peace
and friendship.

"Repairing those
that have fallen into disarray

"is an opportunity
for Japan to remind the world

"of our shared
responsibility to ensure

"that the ideals
these gardens symbolize

"continue to blossom."

Uh, then, something, something,

Earth as a shared garden metaphor,

Uh, poetry, poetry, poetry.

Followed by a touching conclusion.

Then we eat sushi

- and check out koi ponds.
- Sounds good.

- Thanks, everybody.
- Uh-huh.

Thank you.

"Poetry, poetry, poetry"
was especially moving.

- It will be.
- BLAKE: Oh, Jay.

One last thing. (SIGHS)

You shouldn't have.

(SCOFFS) I didn't.

Mr. Usuki, I'm guessing?

Yes, our favorite video game
mogul strikes again.

He's still angling for a one-on-one

with the secretary to discuss
international investments.

The watch has to go back.

Yeah, just like the Beyoncé
tickets and the Akita.

I've been trying.

His office keeps returning it,

insisting it's a token of
appreciation, not a bribe.

So kick it to the Protocol Gifts unit.

If Mr. Usuki wants his
$5,000 watch to molder

in a National Archives
warehouse, that's fine with me.

$5,000? Jay. You're so...

...poor. PGU won't take it.

They say they only deal with
gifts from other governments.

Mr. Usuki is just joining
the Japanese Ambassador

- as his guest.
- (PHONE CHIMES)

All right, I got to meet
with the secretary.

- Yeah.
- Make sure Usuki knows there will be

no pull-asides at the garden...
Hey, wait.

No, no. Like, so...

How much is it worth?

Oh! (SHORT CHUCKLE)

That's more than my car.

(SIGHS) I really am poor.

Based on initial reports,

over 200 pregnant women
were rounded up.

Any idea why Laos
would respond like this

to the TIP Report, Donna?

The crackdowns
are only partly due to TIP.

Like other countries that have banned

commercial surrogacy, Laos
is concerned about the optics.

Our embassy in Vientiane
has obviously protested

the surrogates' treatment, but, uh...

should I be doing more, ma'am?

You're wondering why I'm here.

I just want to be sure

that we communicate,
in the strongest possible terms,

that the U.S. is invested
in the health and safety

of all of those surrogates.

Will do, ma'am. I'm on it.

Thank you, Donna.

Don't give me the look.

Yes, you're right, there
is more to the story.

What look?

I need a favor.

I need you to find one
surrogate in particular.

Her name is Ailani Lo.

Ailani Lo. I'll get into it.

Obviously, there are
underlying reasons which

I can't get into right now.
So I'm just going to ask for

your trust and discretion, okay?

Of course, ma'am.

- Thank you.
- (ELEVATOR DINGS)

That's the look, by the way.

(KNOCKING)

Thanks for squeezing me in, Henry.

Hey, once CIA, always CIA.

Ephraim, good to see you.
What can I do for you?

I realize what I'm about to

show you will feel oddly reminiscent.

Why are agents keeping tabs

on my daughter?

We came upon Stevie by accident

while doing routine surveillance on

Dmitri Petrov's sister Talia.

Talia knows better than that.

She's not supposed to have contact

with any member of my family.

Could this be a coincidence?

Oh, we went back and...

reviewed footage from
earlier in the day.

Talia followed

Stevie to the cafe
from the White House.

We've run the options
for why she's back

in the picture, and
only one makes sense.

You think she's working for Russia?

They could be leveraging her.

Right now, all we know
is that she's spying

on your daughter.

Where is Stevie now?

Tell me you've got a detail on her.

A covert detail.

Plainclothes agents.

She has no idea.

Which is what we want.

At this point,

our advantage is that the Russians

don't know we're onto them.

We need to bring her in,
get her in a safe house.

I'm confident
she's in no immediate danger.

The Russians came after
Dmitri Petrov on U.S. soil

because he was one of their own

who'd turned traitor.

I don't think we know
anymore what Russia is

or isn't capable of.

We need answers.

We need to talk to Talia Petrov.

Y-Yes. Sadly, its beauty doesn't
make it any less illegal.

We can't accept these kinds of gifts

from Mr. Usuki or anyone.

Yes.

Well, with my utmost respect,

someone needs to come and
pick this thing up today.

No, don't put me on hold.

Don't put...

- (CLEARS THROAT) Ken.
- I'm early. My apologies.

Oh, you are right on time.
We have plenty

to go over before Maddie gets here.

KEN: The ambassador
will do the welcome,

- then I'll introduce the secretary...
- Gentlemen.

Ah, Maddie Klapper,

National Park Service
Coordinator extraordinaire,

meet Ken Yoshino,

our outstanding liaison

with the Japanese Embassy.

- It's a pleasure to meet you.
- Let's see

if you still feel that way
when we're done.

Your team

sent over the manual

for the garden upkeep.

A 2,200-page PDF file
that I printed out.

Used almost four ink cartridges.

And a two-hour

VR experience,

which is actually pretty cool.

(CHUCKLES) A-As intended,

the garden will be maintained

for years to come.

Three to five years, tops,

according to our accountant.

- I'm not following.
- I get why

the garden requires such
thoughtful attention.

But we don't have the budget to care

- for it.
- Uh,

what do we have the budget for?

A garden a third of the size.

Less koi ponds.

Less... everything.

My government has invested
much time and money

in this living tribute to peace

and unity.

Your unwillingness to maintain it

is disrespectful and unacceptable.

Oh, Ken, I-I'm sure
we can resolve this.

Good. 'Cause if you don't,

my superiors will cancel the ceremony.

JAY: Great.

Great. Thanks.

Ma'am?

Maggie used her grandma's recipe.

It would be rude not to eat 'em.

- I was gonna share.
- I'm not giving you the look.

I-I just wanted to
share a-a Laos update.

Oh.

About 260 surrogates are being held,

- 36 carrying American babies.
- And the rest?

The intended parents
are from all over.

The UK, Israel, Australia, China.

What about the legal status
of the surrogates themselves?

They're awaiting sentencing

while they prosecute
ringleaders first.

So there's still time
to negotiate their release

without meddling too much
in a sovereign nation's

- judicial system.
- That's right.

And I found Ailani.

Uh, in a detention center
in Vientiane.

Oh. Great work, Jay,

on everything.

Thanks. Not like any of this
will stop pregnant women

from being locked up
in the next crackdown.

Well, it's not fair.

Most legal systems aren't,
when it comes to women.

But this is the best
that we can do for now.

People are so concerned
about exploiting women,

and yet banning it is
not fixing the problem.

We need an international...

set of standards
to-to regulate the industry

and protect all parties.

I agree.

But locking down countries for that

would be like herding cats.

With rabies.

Although...

some very influential nations
have surrogates pregnant

with their unborn citizens
in Lao detention centers

- right now.
- Which could make them amenable,

at least, to hearing a framework.

We may be able to solve both problems.

- Right.
- Let's just say

I'm able to form

a coalition of countries.

And then I invite Laos

to be a part
of the international process.

They're concerned about optics.

This looks a lot better than
throwing pregnant women in jail.

I'm sold. But will Laos buy it?

I need to go herd some rabid cats.

By working with our allies,
we can advocate

for all the surrogates.

While also working
towards decriminalizing

commercial surrogacy worldwide?

I know. It-it sounds ambitious.

But I'm already getting buy-in
from other countries.

It's a pipe dream, Elizabeth.

Helping surrogates who are
carrying American babies

is difficult enough.

We need to focus on that.

Without the aid package,
there's no leverage.

Forming a coalition...
that's how we save everyone.

It's not our job to save everyone.

You know what I'm up against here.

I understand you're upset.

But now we know
where Ailani is, and...

Yes, and I thank you
for that. But right now,

the woman about to give
birth to my grandchild

is sitting in a squalid jail cell.

You asked for my help.

Now you're gonna have to trust me.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- You're new here.
- First day.

What can I get you?

Large chai latte.

Almond milk.

Talia.

We need to talk.

Why were you following my daughter?

Did someone put you up to this?

I can only help you
if you tell me the truth.

It was Dmitri.

He heard about the White House att*ck.

He was worried

and wanted to know she was okay.

But you spent an entire day

trailing her around the city.

I've never followed someone before.

It took time to get
close enough to make sure

she has, like, all her fingers
and toes, you know?

She's a fast walker.

I told him it was stupid idea.

And that's it?

- There's nothing else?
- I swear.

Dmitri has been through so much.

When he asks for something,
how can I not do it?

Dr. McCord...

I like my life here.

What's going to happen to me now?

You're gonna leave out the
back door with these agents.

They're gonna ask you
a few more questions.

If your story clears,
then you'll be free to go.

But, no matter what, your life's gonna

be under a microscope for a while.

For what it's worth... I believe you.

HENRY: So, Talia's story

checked out.

I should hope so.

Pretty lame lie, otherwise.

She really say that thing
about fingers and toes?

She did.

And, technically, Dmitri didn't

violate his deal, so he
got off with a warning.

Still, he took a big risk to make sure

that Stevie was okay.

It's kind of sweet.

It was reckless.

Oh, you'd do the same.

If you were a former
Russian double agent

exiled to the tundra,
concerned for my safety,

but unable to contact me directly...

(LAUGHS) Don't make it sound
like an airport novel, okay?

But, yes, absolutely.

- Yeah.
- No question.

- But this is different. It's Stevie.
- Yeah.

And I guess she never has to know.

- It's kind of sad, right?
- Yeah.

You think we should tell her?

I'd want to know

- if somebody cared about me that much.
- I...

I don't think we should

- rip the scab off that old wound.
- Hmm.

We'd be throwing a lot at her.

Of course, our daughter
can handle a lot.

You're leaning towards tell her.

Well, call me a romantic.

But you're the Stevie whisperer...

Mom, Dad! Have you guys
been watching this?

The news is saying that

Teresa Hurst's daughter used
a sex sl*ve to carry her baby.

There's still no word from
the vice president's office

or from the White House at this time.

This is a still-developing story...

That's gonna hurt her
when she's gearing up for a run.

(PHONES RINGING)

- White House.
- Me too.

Why didn't you tell me
you had a personal connection

to the surrogate issue in Laos?

I thought it best
to keep you out of it, sir.

Well, guess what. We're in it now.

To hear cable news tell it,
we're running a baby mill

out of the Lincoln bedroom.

I think we can all agree
that cable news

tends to run toward the hyperbolic.

Well, that's why people
watch it, Professor.

And you... how could you
go along with this?

I made a judgment call, Mr. President.

Teresa came to me
with a highly personal issue

which intersected
with the professional.

I skirted the edge,

but I believe I acted
within my authority.

The way I see it,

this mess has two components:
foreign and domestic.

And the best way to manage
the domestic fallout

is to get the Laos piece
of this in the rearview

as soon as possible.

DALTON: You think this
international coalition

is viable?

I'm still making calls,

but the U.K. and Israel
are interested,

and our embassy in Laos
is prepared to care

for all the surrogates

- if we can secure their release.
- Sir,

we're talking about
almost 300 surrogates.

The safe bet is to fight for the 36

who are carrying babies

for Americans.

Frankly, Teresa, I'm not sure

you can give an unbiased
opinion on this.

I would make the same call

even if I didn't have
a personal stake in this.

American lives are on the line.

They have to come first.

Henry?

Sir, I'm not sure that
there's a right answer here.

The coalition plan makes sense,

in theory,

but our backs
are against the wall here.

Push comes to shove, I would go
with the vice president on this.

What about the other countries
who have citizens

with surrogates
locked up in Laos? I...

Sorry, Bess.

I'm going with Henry and Teresa.

In that case, any wiggle room
with the aid package for Laos?

Something that I can negotiate with?

They got a failing grade

in the Trafficking In Persons Report.

We're cutting their aid.

You'll have to figure out

how to get the surrogates
released without it.

I'll do my best.

Thank you, everyone.

Teresa, hang back a minute.

We need to talk.

Listen, I'm sorry.

Don't be. We've been
on opposite sides before.

Yeah, doesn't make it any easier.

I always want to be on your side.

But it's not like we're arguing

about what percent fat milk to buy.

Lives are at stake. I've got to
offer POTUS my best judgment.

Different opinions means more
options to save those lives.

And always two percent...
less fat, same protein.

Admit it, it's watery.

You know, I understand why
you all want to play it safe,

especially poor Teresa,

but the thing that's bugging me is,

if that leak hadn't happened,

I think that coalition
had a pretty decent sh*t.

Did Teresa know

about the coalition
plan before tonight?

Yeah, I gave her a heads-up earlier.

She didn't like it then, either.

- Huh.
- No.

Oh, Th-think about it...

the-the leak forced Dalton
to get involved,

and with the American media
watching, of course

he's gonna choose the
American-focused plan,

which is what she wanted.

No, Teresa can't be the leaker.
(SCOFFS)

She's too much of a political animal

to sabotage her own career.

With family is involved,
people will surprise you.

Well, I can't worry about that now.

I have to figure out how to get
those surrogates released

with what meager cards I have.

- Good Lord.
- Hi!

Is that yesterday's suit?

Hmm? Yes. I pulled an all-nighter

working on the Peace Garden issue.

In a nutshell:
we still don't have the money.

Wait, Blake, the reopening's tomorrow.

You think I don't know that?

This isn't just some garden party.

It's a major public diplomacy event

- with one of our closest allies.
- I know that!

Okay, take it easy.
What's the problem?

The problem is that
no one owns the problem,

the Peace Garden problem.

Yes, technically,
Park Service owns it,

but it's not their problem

if Japan is asking
for more than they can give.

Keeping Japan happy
is State's problem,

but it's not our problem
if Park Services

is having money problems.

Also, if I torch our
relationship with a vital ally,

then my quest to be anything
more than an assistant

in this office is ruined
before it even begins,

because somehow, I,
with no money and no power,

now own this problem.

I'm God's lonely man.
That's the problem.

Also, about five hours ago,

a very nice man on
the cleaning crew gave me a pill

to help me stay awake,
and now I'm having hand tremors.

I'm probably fine, right?

I'm gonna get you a glass
of cold water, okay?

We're gonna figure this out.

Now what about the private sector?

Japan came to us so late
with the budget

I've only been able to scare up
a few minor commitments.

- Mm-hmm.
- Believe me, the irony

is not lost on me that
we are desperate for money

while exorbitant gifts
keep flowing in.

Yeah, well, if only you
could sell that watch, right?

That watch... that watch.

You know, my life has been cursed

ever since that watch came into it.

It's like The Monkey's Paw.

Or it's the answer to everything.

Okay.

- (LAUGHS)
- What is...

Oh, Matt,

you're a genius. (GRUNTS) Thank you!

Mm-hmm. Okay, well, remember,
do the deep breathing thing.

It really helps, man.

(ENGINE RUMBLING)

Mr. Usuki, we can't
give you a one-on-one

with the secretary for what is...

let's face it... a bribe.

But if you become a donor
for the Peace Garden,

I-I'm sure she would thank you

personally for your generosity.

(ENGINE SHUTS OFF)

Donor?

Uh, yes, your donation
would go towards

the upkeep of the garden for the next

50 years or so.

When I was a kid, my Grandma Chiaki

would take me to our
local Japanese garden.

We'd sit on this bench by the koi pond

and pretend we were rich.

(CHUCKLES)

- She was rad.
- BLAKE: Yeah.

So... yeah.

Okay. Rae,

- take care of it.
- Oh, great. I'll send over

the documents, and,
of course, your name

will be listed among
the other contributors

on a placard outside the garden.

Among?

Eh, I don't like that word.

My name is better off solo
and in multiple locations.

Also, "placard"... yuck.

Like, what am I, a dentist?

I'm thinking a pagoda could work.

Um, Mr. Usuki, I'm sorry, there
are no names inside the garden,

and there's no room for a pagoda.

Blake, I'm hearing a lot of "no,"

it's really bumming me out.

Oh... (STAMMERS) I certainly
wouldn't want to do that.

Look, I didn't get here
to where I am today

by plugging into negative energy.

Grandma Chiaki
used to say to me, "One day,

you are going to run this town,
and your name is going to be

everywhere."

And you know what? She was right.

(LAUGHS)

Yeah, well, Grandma Chiaki
sounds rad, but, um,

the fact is, your name can't be
everywhere in the garden.

Then I can't be a donor.

Rae.

Take care of it.

That garden is a symbol
of reconciliation

in the aftermath of mankind's
most horrific bloodbath,

and you have the audacity

to want to use it for self-promotion?

You know, I'm shocked
your ego even fits

in this tiny, little car.
Shame on you.

No one talks to me like that.

Well, someone just did.

And I better not see this
in my office again.

- Have a nice day.
- Wait.

That took integrity.

Grandma Chiaki respected integrity.

Stay there.

I'm gonna take a lap, think this over.

ELIZABETH: - Minister Phommapanya,

the swift action your
government has taken

to control human trafficking

within your borders is commendable.

Thank you, Madam Secretary.

Our eye is on Tier 1 status,

and showing the world
we value all human life.

I was hoping you felt that way.

Your recent crackdowns included
a number of pregnant women.

Surrogates for hire. Criminals.

Yes, according to your
anti-trafficking laws,

but only in very rare circumstances

could surrogacy be considered
human trafficking.

Did you call to lecture me
on our legal system?

Or to talk about

the 36 American couples
who've been exploiting

our citizens, including
your vice president?

Let's focus on the latter, for now.

If your country releases the women...

all of whom are technically
carrying American citizens...

my government would be
very appreciative.

Appreciative enough
to reinstate our aid package...

in full?

Well, your aid package
is not on the table.

But I can offer a statement of praise

for your anti-trafficking efforts.

You criticize us for human trafficking

then chastise us for how we handle it.

We have strict
commercial surrogacy laws,

and yet you want us to go against them

because it suits your interests.

I realize how this looks,

but my country has a great deal
of respect for your nation.

Much of the aid your country provides

goes to de-mining operations
to remove the bombs

that the U.S. left behind decades ago.

Bombs that still k*ll our people

to this day, many of them children.

Minister Phommapanya... Vong,

I know that what we did
over a period of years

will be felt by your people
for generations.

It was devastating.

The mess we left behind...

We do not have the moral
high ground here,

but there must be a way that you
can help me help these people.

I mean... perhaps
as a humanitarian gesture.

I value our relationship
with the U.S.,

but there are those who think the ally

we should be strengthening
our ties with is China.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

Morning. Hey, you better
get in on these

ricotta blueberry pancakes before

those monsters wake
up and eat 'em all.

What happened? Who d*ed?

What? N-No one. Everything's fine.

Just take a plate and
go sit down, would you?

Dad, any time something bad happens

and you don't know how to tell me,

there's usually some kind
of breakfast involved.

- Busted.
- Ha!

I knew it. Sorry. Go on.

All right.

This is a little bit of a weird one,

but, um, here goes.

Your Russian friend, he...

Dmitri?

...found out about the
White House bombings,

and since he didn't have a way
to contact you directly,

he found another way to make
sure you were all right.

It almost cost him his deal.

Wow.

I wasn't sure if I should tell you.

No. I'm glad that you did.

I just really wasn't expecting

to hear his name.

That's really sweet, you know?

Well, I hope knowing
how much he cares about you

helps more than it hurts.

I, um, try not to,

but I think about him a lot.

And I'm still very sorry

for putting the family

in this awkward situation
in the first place.

Inadvertently.

You had no idea
what you were getting into.

He did.

Look, I know

that it seemed shady

with the secret Potomac Lodge

rendezvous, but we had something real.

Well, that's love.

It's uncomfortable for everybody
who's not in it with you.

When I spoke to him, he
basically said the same thing.

- You talked to him?
- Yeah.

- How is he?
- He's good.

I know that's not much of an update,

but I was able to get approval
for him to write you a letter.

Now, it doesn't change anything.

You still can't see him ever again.

Right. Of-of course. Yeah. Absolutely.

I haven't read this,
but an analyst has,

to make sure there's no
compromising information.

I'll burn after reading.

I got to go get dressed and
go with Mom to the Peace Garden,

but I'll stay home if you want me to.

No, I'm okay. Thanks.

Thank you for trusting me enough
to tell me this.

I just heard from Israel and the U.K.

They're disappointed we're
giving up on the coalition?

That's the nice way to say it.

Well, I deserve it.

How's it going with Commerce and DoD?

No potential inducements for
Laos yet, but we'll keep at it.

Yeah. So while we're working
on our next moves,

check that our embassy in Laos
is doing everything that it can

to provide support to the NGOs

working on behalf
of the surrogates, okay?

I want to make sure

that we are still
doing what we can for them.

Yes, ma'am.

So...

scale of one to ten...
how hard has it been

not to say anything
to me about Teresa?

After the story broke, you
totally could've called me out.

Not hard at all. I trust you.

There's a "but" in there.

I didn't give you the look.

I could feel it.

This is why I can't play poker.

I trust you. But...

I doubt I would've
trusted Teresa Hurst.

On the other hand, I admire
that you had the heart to.

Thanks, Jay.

This garden depends on all of us
for its cultivation,

and it asks us to do the hard
work of planting together.

Washington is honored
to be the first stop

on this deeply meaningful world tour.

Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Mr. Usuki. Welcome.

Um, I-I noticed you hadn't
signed the contracts yet.

Just want to make sure
I'm getting everything

I was promised, bro.

Oh, yes, actually,
it's right here. Um...

I know, it's...

smaller than we discussed.

It's perfect.

HENRY: This really is beautiful.

ELIZABETH: Hard to believe
it's a by-product of w*r.

Makes you think about
the power of apology.

Japan was defeated,
then they went around the world

building these gardens
to acknowledge what they'd done.

Today they're more powerful
than they were

when they were an actual empire.

Humility makes space
for new possibilities.

You should've given the speech.

Eh, professor mode.

No, you're right.

Did you know Laos, per capita,

is the most heavily bombed
country in history?

Over a ten-year period,
we dropped two million tons

of ordnance on them.

And our leftover unexploded bombs

have k*lled 50 of their citizens

every year since then,

and we've never owned that.

Could we?

Probably not formally.

But an apologetic gesture, maybe?

The American equivalent
of a peace garden.

We'd need the right gardener.

Thank you for taking the time
to see me.

Please, sit down.

I know you were behind the leak.

You were willing to risk a career

you spent a lifetime building

to save your unborn grandchild.

Wouldn't you do the same?

I thank God I've never been put
in such a difficult position.

Actually... I think we're gonna need

more of that clarity and audacity

to get your grandchild home safely.

Go on.

If the vice president
of the United States...

a concerned
and soon-to-be grandmother...

were to lead a delegation

of worried American families to Laos,

it would humanize this issue.

Have you considered

that putting public pressure
on Laos could backfire?

I have. And that's why
there's a part two.

Laos has been waiting nearly 50 years

for some acknowledgement
by the United States

of the destruction that our
bombing campaign wreaked

on their country
during the Vietnam w*r.

And so I'm the one

who's going to apologize for America?

Apologizing isn't weakness.

It's weakness

that leads to the need to apologize.

And who knows...

it might get us something in return.

But what if it doesn't?

Well, you are a gifted
politician, Teresa.

And God knows, it's tough
to show vulnerability

as a woman in this business.

But the way through this

is to be open with your humanity

and clear in your convictions.

It's time to be a leader.

Ailani, I'm so glad you're okay.

Lyla, I'm okay.

She's okay.

TERESA: Good evening, everyone.

Thank you, President Khamtai Dao,

Minister Phommapanya,

for your understanding and cooperation

with this sensitive issue.

There will be much to discuss

with the Lao government
in coming days.

But as a mother,

and soon-to-be grandmother,

I simply want to say

that tonight is one of
the happiest nights

of my life.

ANCHOR: Later today
the vice president will visit

the w*r memorial in Vientiane,

making her the highest-ranking
U.S. official...

That's a Teresa I haven't seen before.

Kind of refreshing.

Well, she had a likability problem.

Now I kind of like her.

Which means...

now you're the one with a problem.

Those surrogates are safe,

and the newborns will soon be
going home with their families.

One day at a time, Russell.
One day at a time.

You say that now.

(CHUCKLES)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(MATTRESS SQUEAKS)

♪

- Thank you, Madam Secretary.
- Sure.

Ma'am. Based on
the diplomatic victory in Laos,

we're getting word the U.N.

is planning to host a summit
on commercial surrogacy.

That is great news.

Really excellent work, ma'am.

Right back at you.
It was a team effort.

Wow. I feel like

- we should high five.
- Yeah, we definitely earned high fives.

- Uh, ma'am, there's a civics call for you.
- Yeah?

Great. Up high.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Barinov.

STEVIE: Hey, dude.

Believe it or not, the powers that be

gave me permission to write you back.

It's a one-time only thing,

so I better make it good.

First off, I'm fine,

but more on that later.

Second, I miss you, too.