MADAM SECRETARY: THE LINCHPIN (TV)
Summary
One in this drama series about the challenges faced by Elizabeth McCord, the newly-appointed United States Secretary of State. In this episode, Elizabeth and Henry decide not to tell their children about their dangerous and still-anonymous stalker and instead assure them that their increased security detail is merely "routine." Elsewhere, the staff prepares for the "momentous" change in Algeria, in which deposed President Haddad will step down peacefully and allow President Arkoun to be sworn in in his place, but Elizabeth then learns that Ambassador Curtis, the "linchpin" of the new arrangement, is resigning in anger over Dalton's decision to run as an independent. Elizabeth pointedly reminds Curtis that he is supposed to remain apolitical as ambassador, but Curtis remains furious at Dalton's "traitorism." Elsewhere, Henry sits down with Jay Whitman and requests help in "reprogramming" the budget in order to save a certain ancient monastery in Algeria from Hizb Al-Shahid, aware that they intend to use its destruction as propaganda to recruit fighters. Curtis, having grudgingly agreed to travel to Algeria after all, drops dead in the middle of a rant to his wife, and Elizabeth realizes that she herself must meet with Haddad to salvage the exile arrangement.
Henry convinces Jay to use a UNESCO team to save the monastery under the guise of "counter-terrorism funding," and Jason refuses to give the FBI his cell phone password, claiming a Fourth-Amendment violation. His sisters note that he is merely trying to protect his secret Instagram account, however, and he bitterly gives up the code when Henry grounds him for two months. In Algeria, Elizabeth learns that Haddad has moved the meeting to the Ministry of Defense, and though she treats him with deference, he declares that Curtis was murdered by the U.S. government and declares that he is not stepping down after all. Elizabeth begs him to reconsider and depart for Malta as planned, but he informs her that he "is" Algeria and executes Professor Arkoun before their eyes. Shocked, Elizabeth immediately tells Dalton and Jackson that they must consider a "show of strength" against Algeria in order to stop Haddad, though Jackson is fearful of starting another war, particularly in an election year. Jay tells Henry that the UNESCO plan is now invalid, and Henry resolves to use "back-channel" methods to protect the monastery. At Curtis' funeral, Haddad's Minister of Internal Affairs – and mistress – tells Dalton that the leader is willing to negotiate, and Haddad tells Elizabeth that he will enact the previously agreed-upon reforms, though while remaining in power, and he refuses her offer to compromise by reuniting in Geneva.
At home, Elizabeth is startled to hear that Haddad's General Cherat agreed to Henry's UNESCO deal before Haddad's execution of Arkoun, and she immediately heads back to Algeria after all. Jason is stunned when a SWAT team crashes into his classroom and captures him, having heard via an untraceable prank call that he was apparently threatening students with a gun, and Elizabeth and Henry realize that it is the work of the stalker. Elizabeth then meets with Cherat and points out that he cares far more for Algeria and its people than Haddad does and tells him that the insurgents will accept a truce if he steps in as interim leader. After some painful deliberation, Cherat turns on an outraged Haddad and sends him off to The Hague for trial, and Elizabeth is relieved to have narrowly avoided a destructive war. Henry learns that Hizb Al-Shahid only pretended to have destroyed the ancient statues at the monastery and intends to sell the real ones for profit, meaning that he will have to resume his position at Black Dog Station. Elizabeth returns home to learn that the stalker left a threatening note in Jason's locker, promising that they can "get to his family at any time," and she and Henry realize that they must finally tell the kids about the danger. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:43:11
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 127919
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Politics and government; Women in politics
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 2014-2019
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Lori McCreary … Executive Producer
- Morgan Freeman … Executive Producer
- Eric Stoltz … Executive Producer, Director
- Barbara Hall … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- David Grae … Executive Producer, Writer
- Joy Gregory … Co-Executive Producer
- Matt Ward … Co-Executive Producer
- Moira Kirland … Co-Executive Producer
- Téa Leoni … Producer
- Tracy Mercer … Producer
- Sam Hoffman … Producer
- Tony Palermo … Producer
- Alex Cooley … Producer
- Lyla Oliver … Producer
- Sheila Phillips … Associate Producer
- Transcenders … Music by
- Téa Leoni … Cast, Elizabeth McCord
- Tim Daly … Cast, Henry McCord
- Keith Carradine … Cast, President Conrad Dalton
- Patina Miller … Cast, Daisy Finch
- Geoffrey Arend … Cast, Matt Mahoney
- Erich Bergen … Cast, Blake Moran
- Sebastian Arcelus … Cast, Jay Whitman
- Kathrine Herzer … Cast, Alison McCord
- Evan Roe … Cast, Jason McCord
- Wallis Currie-Wood … Cast, Stephanie "Stevie" McCord
- Željko Ivanek … Cast, Russell Jackson
- Bebe Neuwirth … Cast, Nadine Tolliver
- Carlos Gomez … Cast, Jose Campos
- Michael Boatman … Cast, FBI Director Keith Doherty
- Dakin Matthews … Cast, Ambassador Roy Curtis
- Joanna Day … Cast, Admiral Ellen Hill
- Marshall Manesh … Cast, President Aman Haddad
- Arthur Darbinyan … Cast, General Mourad Cherat
- Pippa Pearthree … Cast, Mary Curtis
- Nazanin Nour … Cast, Salima Tengour
- Matt Meinsen … Cast, DS Agent Matt
- Rashad Edwards … Cast, DS Agent Todd
- Jason Michael Evans … Cast, DS Agent Alex
- Brandon Morris … Cast, SWAT Team Leader
- Sean Phillips … Cast, SWAT Team Member #1
- Dennis Kozee … Cast, SWAT Team Member #2
- Mandela Bellamy … Cast, Teacher
- Noam Harary … Cast, HS Fighter