President Dalton confronted suspicious world leaders after the failed Iranian coup in Madam Secretary Season 1 Episode 19 as he and Elizabeth worked together to prevent Greece from defaulting on their loan.
President Dalton made the right decision to be upfront with our role in the failed Iranian coup, although it would have been really hard to cover-up. So on one hand, he had little choice, but it also demonstrated a certain amount of honesty and responsibility too. It appeared he was also still paying for that decision.
A vulnerable leader must be like a mouse to a cat – easy pickings.
Watch Madam Secretary Season 1 Episode 19 Online
I liked that we saw how President Dalton was affected by the failed Iranian coup. He may not have been a part of the plot, but his enemies surely thought Christmas came early with all the ammunition it gave them.
Several world leaders gleefully told President Dalton that he had little credibility or power with them after the failed coup. In fact, the Prime Minister of Greece went so far as to suggest that he resign now. Ouch.
I did think it was strange that Elizabeth seemed so unaware that he was dealing with political pressures from within their own party. We live in a world of 24 hour news stations, millions of bloggers and the all-seeing eyes of social media. Lots of people, both within and outside of his party, had to be gunning for Dalton, including asking for his resignation.
There is also no way that he and his administration are not facing some sort of investigation. We know (or at least we assume from the information we have) that Dalton didn't commit treason or plan the coup. But his enemies would publicly speculate that he did and demand an investigation.
The show functions like a procedural, but there are time where I wonder if it would be better if it leaned more fully into it's serial side. Frankly, the Greek debt problems clued us into the problems Dalton was facing with world leaders and his own party but wasn't very interesting on its own, minus Blake's public urination.
Blake: My coins were too big.
Nadine: Is that some sort of euphemism?
Permalink: My coins were too big
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April 06, 2015
I always appreciate and admire how shrewd Elizabeth is without resorting to being a beyotch. She was smart enough to know that the other world leaders were going to try to block them out.
While Dalton took steps to reaffirm his position among the other world leaders, I would still like to get a better sense of the discord within their political party and the general public. Frankly, as much as I love Elizabeth, I'd like to see her in a situation where her opponent isn't easily beat. I expect her to win the war, but to lose a battle or two along the way.
And speaking of war, guess who got a new job offer? Henry is going to teach military ethics to future military leaders at the National War College. Honestly, I was surprised that he was even hesitant, since being able to influence future military leaders seemed like something he would want.
Henry: Tell me, Jackson. Does this midnight menacing ususally work?
Russell: On most people.
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Even more interesting, it wasn't so much a job offer but an expectation. One that came from Russell Jackson and would also involve Henry in an occasional covert intelligence op. This solved a bit of a plausibility issue they risked with Henry since they clearly want him to be more than Elizabeth's husband. Now they have a valid reason to realistically place him in harm's way.
We also met President Dalton's son, Harrison tonight through Stevie. He was her "swoop in" friend, meaning he swoops in and out of her life. Well, he swooped back in after completing his recent stay at rehab, which she knew nothing about. Kudos to them for being able to keep the press in the dark.
I'm a little surprised that they didn't immediately send him back to rehab since he relapsed four days after getting out, but it felt like he was being set-up for a future storyline. Perhaps as a new love interest for Stevie? She seemed pretty uncomfortable with Arthur flirting with her at work. I'm not sure if it was a result of them being at work or her growing tired of him or both.
What did you think of tonight's episode? Were you surprised to hear about Dalton's problems within his own political party? Do you wish we'd see more of it or do you prefer the show stay more procedural? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Don't forget you can watch Madam Secretary online via TV Fanatic at your convenience.
17 Shows that Fly the Feminist Flag
1.
The 100
First up is the post-apocalyptic drama that stole all our hearts this year. It's been lauded as one of the most feminist shows on TV and for good reason. Not only does Clarke Griffin have no time for love triangle shenanigans, the rest of the female cast shines with empowerment too. They are doctors, warriors, mechanics, leaders, and every other job under the sun. Weaker sex? Puh-lease.
2.
Masters of Sex
Gratuitous sex scenes are often a pretty big turnoff for me, but not on Masters of Sex. Every love scene has a real purpose in the overall plot instead of just pointlessly throwing some bump and grind into the mix (looking at you Game of Thrones). Plus, Virginia is just as integral to the research as Bill at this point. Gotta love that!
3.
Scandal
Olivia. Freaking. Pope. This woman has been through hell, and yet she still commands a room without lifting a finger. Olivia draws her strength from smarts and logic and a whole lot of thinking on her feet. When caught in a love triangle? Oliva chooses herself because she's a boss. She could probably run the country and do her nails at the same time.
4.
Arrow
On a male dominated show like Arrow, you might think female characterization would suffer a little bit. Nope. Felicity Smoak is 100% in charge of her life, and she doesn't take crap from anyone. Laurel and Thea also blossomed this year, getting in on the hero business with some karate of their own. Arrow is not afraid to show that there are many types of strong women, from kick-butt to cutthroat to wicked smart. Feminism is a buffet, and Arrow is taking a plate from every tray.
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5.
The Good Wife
I love a good comeback story, and Alicia served us just that when she decided to return to her litigation career after her husband's antics landed him in prison. Over the years, she's proven time and again that she is much, much more than just a "good wife." She's a powerful attorney, an amazing mother, and basically a fantastic human being.
6.
Revenge
There's no doubt Emily Thorne is the perfect embodiment of a strong woman who kicks ass, but you can't forget about characters like Victoria Grayson or Margaux Lemarchal. These women almost never throw a punch, choosing instead to gain the upper hand in more devious ways. Under the table alliances and manipulative mind games can achieve the same end as a roundhouse kick when used properly, as all the women on Revenge have come to learn.
7.
Orphan Black
Does a show still pass the Bechdel Test if it's the same actress talking to herself over and over again? Eh... I'll allow it. From Sarah to Cosima to Rachel to Allison, each of these girls are strong, smart, witty, and unbelievably cunning. A fully-formed character, all her own. Tatianna Maslany deserves an Emmy for these roles, that's for sure.
8.
Teen Wolf
I am constantly blown away by Teen Wolf's ability to leave the teen drama behind and focus on the strength of its female characters right along with their male counterparts. Bitchy "you stole my boyfriend" fights? Who has the time when werewolf assassins are on the loose! Kira and Malia can certainly hold their own in a fight, and Lydia consistently proves that a good mind is sometimes the best weapon of all. Don't even get me started on Mama McCall.
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9.
Grey's Anatomy
The female staff of Seattle Grace (or Mercy West or Grey Sloane Memorial... whatever that hospital is named these days) know how to be both sexy and smart. Meredith and her band of brilliant minds juggle the many gorgeous men in their lives along with seriously demanding work schedules. Take a look at the hospital's department heads, and you might notice that there are more women in positions of power than men these days. Represent!
10.
Mad Men
You wouldn't think the 1960s advertising world would be a good place to find feminism, but that just means you probably haven't met Peggy Olson. She is leading the charge for her era, using her brains and creativity to make strides in her career. This girl isn't afraid to make demands, get her hands a little dirty, or walk away from the table completely. A career-woman if I ever saw one.
11.
Orange is the New Black
OITNB flies the feminist flag, the diversity flag, the LGBT flag, and pretty much any and every flag that makes me proud to be a viewer. The inmates of Litchfield Prison are equal parts hilarious and dangerous, and even their indulgence in female nudity feels organic within the parameters of the show. This is a story about real women, with all their rough edges and dirty mouths. You gotta love that!
12.
How To Get Away With Murder
If I ever meet Viola Davis in person, I will probably just sink to the floor and bow down. Annalise Keating owns the court room, and she takes no shit from any man or woman. Alternatively, we've seen some incredibly vulnerable and out of control moments from her. There's not just one Annalise, there are many that come out to play depending on which dilemma she needs to solve that day. She's a totally three-dimensional character, as all women on TV should be.
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13.
Madam Secretary
From the very first episode, Elizabeth McCord is seen juggling her kids, her husband, her new job, and hostage negotiations in the Middle East. Because she's just awesome that way. Madam Secretary is pretty mainstream as far as feminism goes (a fearless female leader, proving that she can be soft and mothering as well as tough as nails and authoritative) but it's feminism nonetheless!
14.
Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce
With somewhere around 50% of marriages ending in divorce these days, you'd think there would be more representation of it on television. Girlfriends' Guide gives us a cast of women who are raising a family as the sole breadwinner, suddenly wading through the life that comes after your happily ever after implodes, and they're doing it remarkably well. Which sometimes means a massive meltdown.
15.
Game of Thrones
I know I rag on Game of Thrones for all the gratuitous female nudity, but it does have its strong points in other areas. Cersei Lannister is the most frightening woman on the planet, perhaps only matched by Margaery Tyrell and her wiley political smarts. The list goes on with showstoppers like Daenerys, Brienne, Arya, and even Sansa, who might seem like a mouse, but has definitely got some fire under that red hair.
16.
Veep
Oftentimes in presidential dramas, you see the power hungry female politician characterized as the devil incarnate. It's a little on the nose, and something I absolutely hate to see on TV. Veep skirts that issue entirely, humanizing and sympathizing with Selina, who has to push and struggle and sometimes yell to get her voice heard in a male-dominated government.
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17.
Agent Carter
Looking for a show that makes you question why there aren't a dozen more female super heroes? Peggy Carter is the perfect woman for the job. Despite many of her male coworkers trying relegate her to a glorified secretary position, Peggy shines in the field and out of it. On top of that, she was given the origin story that's typically reserved for male superheroes: after their picture-perfect love interest dies, the lead character must drag themselves out of mourning to save the world and become the hero they were always meant to be!
The End.
Up Next: "17 Shows that Fly the Feminist Flag."
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