Madam Secretary

S01E03: The Operative

Elizabeth is confronted by a hostile reporter who threatens to publish confidential documents that were leaked from inside the State Department. Later, Henry is dragged into an international negotiation when his wife uses his job as leverage to broker a deal with Pakistan.

Overview

After years away from the CIA, Elizabeth McCord is pulled back into the political arena. The newly appointed Secretary of State is tough, fair, and smart, driving international diplomacy, wrangling office politics, and circumventing protocol as she negotiates global and domestic issues, both at the White House and at home.

Episodes

Pilot

S01E01 Pilot

September 21, 2014 7.5 44 min
The new Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord finds herself immediately faced with a maelstrom of difficult political challenges with an international hostage situation being her most important challenge.
Another Benghazi

S01E02 Another Benghazi

September 28, 2014 7.2 45 min
Elizabeth has to deal with a crisis in Yemen and there's trouble on the home front for her as well after her oldest daughter Stevie manages to make the headlines for protesting a new policy...
The Operative

S01E03 The Operative

October 5, 2014 7.4 44 min
Elizabeth is confronted by a hostile reporter who threatens to publish confidential documents that were leaked from inside the State Department. Later, Henry is dragged into an international negotiation when his wife uses his job...
Just Another Normal Day

S01E04 Just Another Normal Day

October 12, 2014 7.0 44 min
While Elizabeth works to successfully broker a peace treaty between China and Japan, a Chinese student seeking political asylum threatens the deal. Meanwhile, tensions rise at home between Alison and Stevie during Alison's sleepover party.
Blame Canada

S01E05 Blame Canada

October 19, 2014 7.0 44 min
When Elizabeth faces the daunting task of negotiating with Iran over their escalating nuclear program, she is determined to deal with the situation in a peaceful manner, despite the President's position of using military action....
The Call

S01E06 The Call

October 26, 2014 6.8 44 min
Elizabeth faces unexpected consequences when she makes a plea to the President to help with a dire situation in Western Africa.
Passage

S01E07 Passage

November 2, 2014 7.4 44 min
When Elizabeth brings Alison with her to India on her first state department trip abroad she's thrown into crisis mode when a massive earthquake hits that causes an explosion at an American-owned factory, and she's...
Need to Know

S01E08 Need to Know

November 9, 2014 7.2 44 min
When the President approves Henry's reactivation into the NSA, he decides to keep his continued involvement in the spy game a secret from Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Matt and Daisy's antagonism toward one another begins to affect...
So It Goes

S01E09 So It Goes

November 16, 2014 7.2 44 min
Elizabeth, Henry, and Isabelle investigate a plane crash that killed former Secretary of State Vincent Marsh. Nadine reenters the dating scene after she agrees to go on a date with a NASA scientist.
Collateral Damage

S01E10 Collateral Damage

November 23, 2014 7.5 45 min
When the State Department goes on lockdown due to a deranged gunman outside the building, Elizabeth is confined with a delegation from Iraq whose translator threatens to reveal damaging information about her actions while in...
Game On

S01E11 Game On

November 30, 2014 7.5 44 min
Elizabeth, Henry, and Isabelle work together to find former Secretary of State Vincent Marsh’s secret bank account, but soon uncover that one of Elizabeth’s staff members already has access to it.
Standoff

S01E12 Standoff

January 4, 2015 7.3 44 min
When a Texas state trooper is killed by a Mexican cartel smuggler, Elizabeth arranges an extradition deal before going on vacation to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary in New York City. However, when political issues...
Chains of Command

S01E13 Chains of Command

January 11, 2015 7.7 44 min
Elizabeth pushes for the prosecution of a Bahraini diplomat after he is caught holding a maid hostage in his home. Also, Henry's father comes to visit.
Whisper of the Ax

S01E14 Whisper of the Ax

March 1, 2015 7.3 44 min
Elizabeth is humiliated at a public budget hearing when her staff fails to find the corruption that exists in her microloan program. Also, the investigation into Marsh's death continues.
The Ninth Circle

S01E15 The Ninth Circle

March 8, 2015 7.7 44 min
Elizabeth heads to Turkey to mend political relations after the Turkish government releases a video that could be damaging to the CIA. Also, Jason is threatened with expulsion after punching a bully at school.
Tamerlane

S01E16 Tamerlane

March 15, 2015 7.3 44 min
Elizabeth secretly travels to Iran in an attempt to prevent a coup that could impact President Dalton’s administration. Also, she brings her staff up to speed on the investigation into Marsh’s death.
Face the Nation

S01E17 Face the Nation

March 22, 2015 7.1 44 min
As Elizabeth struggles to hold herself together emotionally following the attack in Iran, she works to prevent an ecological disaster in the Amazon, and prepares for a national television appearance on “Face the Nation.” Also,...
The Time Is at Hand

S01E18 The Time Is at Hand

March 29, 2015 7.3 44 min
While Elizabeth seeks a diplomatic solution to a doomsday cult in Bolivia, a congressman attempting to negotiate with its leader is taken hostage. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Henry meet Stevie’s much older boyfriend.
Spartan Figures

S01E19 Spartan Figures

April 5, 2015 7.2 45 min
Elizabeth and President Dalton work together to solve the Greek debt crisis, but not everyone at home is happy with the agreement. Meanwhile, Henry mulls over a new job offer, and Stevie reconnects with her...
The Necessary Art

S01E20 The Necessary Art

April 12, 2015 7.5 45 min
While Henry is in Russia giving a lecture on fundamentalism, Elizabeth must navigate tricky political waters when a Russian nuclear submarine vanishes in American waters. Also, Stevie breaks up with her older boyfriend.
The Kill List

S01E21 The Kill List

April 26, 2015 7.3 44 min
As Elizabeth prepares for the arrival of Iranian President Shiraz to sign a nuclear treaty, she uncovers a top secret plot to assassinate him on United States soil. At the same time, she must deal...
There But for the Grace of God

S01E22 There But for the Grace of God

May 3, 2015 7.3 45 min
When Elizabeth confronts her former friend Juliet, she flashes back to when then-CIA Director Dalton offered her a job that would have changed the course of her life. Also, Stevie and President Dalton’s son, Harrison...

Cast

Téa Leoni
Téa Leoni
Elizabeth McCord
Tim Daly
Tim Daly
Henry McCord
Zeljko Ivanek
Zeljko Ivanek
Russell Jackson
Patina Miller
Patina Miller
Daisy Grant
Erich Bergen
Erich Bergen
Blake Moran
Wallis Currie-Wood
Wallis Currie-Wood
Stephanie 'Stevie' McCord

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