The fifth season premiere of Madam Secretary kicks off with a literal bang, as Elizabeth negotiates a deal with Pakistan and India to remove nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, past Secretaries of State join forces to help Elizabeth soothe the nation after an unexpected attack on the White House, specifically the Oval Office.
An Explosive Opening Scene
The gripping opening scene of the episode is a testament to what makes this show so captivating and enjoyable to watch. It leaves the audience wondering what happened and if anyone survived. Later, we learn that the leaders from India and Pakistan were unharmed, as were President Dalton, Russell Jackson, and Stevie McCord. However, the eldest McCord child suffers from blood loss and a piece of debris lodged in her spine, requiring immediate surgery. Russell’s assistant June (played by Alice‘s Linda Lavin) tragically does not make it, prompting an uncharacteristically emotional call from the White House Chief of Staff to her husband Oscar.
June’s Insight and Stevie’s Naivety
June deserves praise for seeing through Stevie’s lie about having a doctor’s appointment when, in reality, she had a job interview with Congresswoman Kane. Surprisingly, Stevie seems oblivious to the fact that her potential new job is a trap, with the congresswoman seeking to exploit Stevie’s connections to Russell Jackson and her mother for political gain. It’s refreshing to see that Stevie has someone in her life who can give her a reality check, but it’s a shame we’ll never see June anchor Stevie down while her head is in the clouds.
Elizabeth’s Presidential Ambitions
As they wait for their eldest daughter to come out of surgery, Elizabeth and Henry discuss her potential run for POTUS. While I don’t envision Elizabeth sitting in the Oval Office, it’s intriguing to see that, despite his initial support, Henry now believes it’s a bad idea. I may not be a political expert, but I agree with Henry. If Elizabeth were to become president, her entire family would need to be on the same page politically – something I doubt Jason would be too happy about.
A Meeting of Political Icons
In the wake of the attack, Elizabeth invites three previous Secretaries of State to her office. President Dalton asks her to give a speech addressing the issue, but she’s at a loss. Major kudos to the studio for bringing together Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, and General Colin Powell in one room. Their advice on how to best reassure the country is both inspiring and powerful, emphasizing that the United States’ greatness lies in its diversity and core democratic values. The closing scene, with the camera panning out from the ruined West Wing to focus on the American flag, is a perfect ending note to the season opener.
Final Thoughts:
It’s great to see Timeless alum Sakina Jaffrey back on the small screen, and I look forward to her return when the show’s final chapter (or movie) airs in December.
Stevie’s feminist speech to June is both inspirational and somewhat hurtful. It’s empowering because it highlights a time when women can truly be who they want to be, shattering the glass ceiling and no longer answering to bureaucratic men. However, it’s also hurtful because June comes from a generation where women didn’t have as much of a voice in certain matters. While Stevie means well, she should choose her words more carefully in the future to avoid offending others.
The brief tension between Elizabeth and Henry after the academic conference fiasco is a rare occurrence in the series. Although they’ve had minor arguments throughout the show, this one feels different. Thankfully, they apologize afterward, and all is right again – at least until their next fight, which I sincerely hope doesn’t end in divorce.
Kudos to Hillary Clinton for working the phrase “E Pluribus Unum” into the dialogue, taking a page from Lucifer‘s playbook.
I must admit, I’m envious of President Dalton’s beach house. However, I also feel a bit sorry for him, as a president can’t truly relax when responsible for an entire country – unlike the current president, who seems to prioritize golfing trips over running the nation as he should.
Photo via CBS
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