Designated Survivor (2016) s01e05 Episode Script
The Mission
1 Previously on "Designated Survivor" I don't understand.
Where was I? That's my question, Congressman.
Is there a reason you're asking all these questions? Have I done something wrong? Jason: You were supposed to get a statement, not turn him into a suspect.
Who is this? Woman: Find room 105, and you'll understand more about Peter MacLeish.
My name is Seth Wright.
Earlier tonight, I was named White House Press Secretary.
Woman: He's an interesting guy, your boss.
I have what you asked for.
Anything good? Depends whose side you're on.
Is it true that you gave the order to take the Algerian air defenses offline? Without clearing it through me.
I did what needed to be done.
General, you are fired.
Admiral prepare us for war.
[Sighs.]
[Clock ticking.]
[Cellphone vibrates.]
- [Cellphone beeps.]
- Yeah.
Aaron: Mr.
President, it's time.
Chernow: The estimated battle damage assessment, BDA, indicates that we will level the entire compound and everything within a 50-foot radius, Mr.
President.
Majid Nassar and his Al-Sakar cell will be dead by dawn.
Won't the laser-guided bomb's blast effect blow right through this village? - No, sir.
- We only hit what we target.
Good morning, Mr.
President.
You wanted to see me? Tom: Thanks for coming in early.
Seth, you've met Admiral Chernow? He's the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
- How are you, sir? - Seth Wright, Press Secretary.
Ah, it'll be a busy day for you, son.
I'll be in Command Ops.
- Admiral.
- Chernow: Sir.
I had to clear - my entire schedule for the day.
Want to know why? If I know why, do I have to lie to the press all day? Yeah.
Okay, then let's just assume that maybe somewhere there's gonna be a military strike against the terrorist who bombed the Capitol, and I'll just know more when I know more.
Good man.
I can shuffle your schedule, sir, but the medal ceremony for first responders your absence would be conspicuous.
There's no VP to fill in.
Then we'll make it work.
I'll be there.
I thought I was up early.
I must've missed a memo.
Trying to get ahead of the day.
I'm losing proposition.
Well, you've won one in Michigan.
The Lieutenant Governor reversed Royce's orders to the state police.
The roundups - arresting Muslim citizens they've all ceased.
All it took was putting Governor Royce in federal prison.
We're gonna have to deal with that soon.
Thank you.
I don't want to be out of line here, but is all of this about Majid Nassar? Em, you did a great job in Michigan.
Right now, our main priority is Congress.
I need you to take point on that.
Of course.
Man: The F-18s are just over the international marker, sir.
At your command, they'll target Algerian airspace and destroy the target.
Algerian air-defense radar still deactivated? Yes.
We'll be in and out.
No one will know until the villagers report the fireworks.
What's our contingency plan in case one of our planes goes down? Man: Naval search and rescue chopper, full squadron of Marines standing by on the USS Lexington.
Mr.
President, the F-18s have less than 10 minutes before they have to consider refueling.
If this mission is a go, it needs to go now, sir.
It's a go.
Strike the enemy.
Yes, sir.
Patch me in to the Lexington.
The President has given the order.
- You may proceed.
- Man: Admiral, you need to hold.
What's going on? Sir, I'm getting reports from my station chief in Tangier.
We need to abort.
- Why? - New intelligence indicates that the target is no longer in the compound.
We lost him, sir.
We lost Majid Nassar.
Satellite imagery from NRO confirms that Nassar left the compound two minutes ago in a small convoy of trucks.
It gets worse, sir.
How is that possible? Seems Nassar was warned.
By someone inside the Algerian government? Yes, sir.
Son of a bitch.
Apparently, just prior to leaving the compound, he received a call from someone inside the foreign ministry.
We did this, sir.
We tipped our hand.
No, I did this trying to be diplomatic.
I need you all to use every resource available.
Do whatever you have to, but please find Majid Nassar.
[Chatter.]
Damn it! Jason: Well, well, well.
I wasn't expecting to see you today.
So, what are you working on? Capitol bombing.
So you decided to sleep on it.
Actually, I drank on it.
- Hmm.
- I hope it was a good bottle.
It was the Chardonnay you bought me last Christmas.
Lightweight.
So, what is all this? I'm looking for Capitol Room 105.
You might want to try between 104 and 106.
It's not there.
And this room is significant why? Well, I don't know that it is, but if the lead pans out, you'll be the first to know.
All right.
Good to see you.
I'll be back in a few hours.
I need to get to the White House.
- Another briefing? - No, a medal ceremony.
President decided he wanted to honor MacLeish and the first responder that found him.
Do you mind if I tag along? No, I think you should stay on that.
Well, the man is a hero and a patriot.
I would love to see MacLeish get a medal.
Oh, yeah? That's exactly why I never gave you an undercover assignment because you are a horrible liar.
Horrible.
Come on.
Bill Keirstead ran into the rubble without any regard for his own safety and rescued our only survivor.
Our nation thanks you, and I thank you.
[Applause.]
My Secret Service code name is Phoenix.
But as most of us know, there is only one man who truly rose from the ashes.
And though it might seem odd to some of you to award someone for simply surviving, Congressman Peter MacLeish's story is anything but one of simple survival.
It's a story of perseverance.
A soldier at 22, a Congressman at 28.
He is an inspiration to us all.
Ladies and gentlemen, Congressman Peter MacLeish.
Just hope you never look at me like that.
So good to see you doing so well.
- Aaron: Sir.
- I'm so sorry.
- Excuse me for one second.
- We've got an update.
Seth: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming.
Please join us in the East Room for refreshments.
Thank you.
Mr.
Wright.
Congresswoman.
Lovely event.
But I have a question.
When is the United States going to respond to Majid Nassar's bombing of our Capitol? When our intelligence services confirm his location.
You're way too smart to play dumb, Mr.
Press Secretary.
I need to talk to the President.
The President's got a very busy schedule today.
I can wait.
Jason: About your room 105 you might want to check with the architect of the Capitol.
Be a pain in someone else's ass for a change, hmm? Agent Wells.
Good to see you again.
Hannah: And you.
Congratulations.
Yeah, thank you.
- Jason: Congrats.
- Thank you.
Did we find Nassar? Please sit.
Intelligence still places him in Algeria about 15 miles from the compound.
But there's a major problem.
What is it? He's in the basement of a hospital with at least 100 staff and patients.
Now, if we move forward with an air strike as originally planned, we're going to kill a lot of civilians, including doctors and children.
Which is unacceptable.
What are our other options? Only one, sir Navy SEALs.
We'll minimize civilian casualties, but We'll have to put American boots on the ground.
It's the only way, sir.
May we proceed, Mr.
President? Mr.
President.
That's Keyhole satellite footage of a hospital where Nassar's holed up with extensive security.
And this is his convoy? Yes.
Given the complexity of the mission, this has become a Tier One operation.
Now, JSOC is working with SEAL Team 6 to plan the assault.
Recent NSA chatter indicates the potential of new attacks by Al-Sakar, both at home and abroad.
Nassar could prove to be an extremely valuable source of intelligence.
Wait a second.
You're talking about taking Nassar alive? Won't that increase the danger to our troops? Chernow: Well, there are no perfect missions, sir, but our confidence is very high.
As much as I'd like to believe you, Admiral, I would like to talk to the man who's gonna be in charge of the mission on the ground.
Where is he? All due respect, sir, there's a chain of command.
He comes to you.
I'm gonna ask these men to put their lives on the line.
I'll go see him.
Where is he? Little Creek, sir.
- And where is that? - Virginia.
Looks like I'm going to Virginia.
Aaron, make the necessary arrangements.
- Thank you, gentlemen.
- Yes, sir.
Emily.
Hey, about this morning Unnecessary, Aaron.
I understand how clearance works and that I don't have it.
Hey, I just want to be clear you understand this is not personal at all.
I'm a big girl, Aaron.
The President did what he had to do, and I work for the President.
Sorry I mentioned anything.
Oh, hey.
Uh, do you know a Jeffrey Myers? Doesn't ring a bell.
Why? Somebody mentioned the name.
Thought he might know the Kirkmans.
It's nothing.
Hannah: As an expert on the architecture of the Capitol, I thought you could help the FBI.
Agent Wells, I've got everyone calling NSA, DHS.
Whatever you need, tell my assistant.
I'll get to it when I can.
I know you're busy.
I just have one question.
Room 105 it's not in any of the Capitol directories.
Is that it? - Yeah.
- Well, that's easy.
Room 105 wouldn't be in any official directory.
- It's a hideaway office.
- What is that? It's a hidden office.
There are several throughout the Capitol assigned by seniority to members of Congress.
And they would have that because? Privacy, work, rest.
Helps with late-night votes.
Teddy Kennedy's was like a clubhouse.
Do you have the blueprints? Had.
They were in our offices in the sub-basement of the Capitol.
I gave the digital plans to the guys on site.
You might want to check over there.
Okay, I will.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Next time, wait your turn like everyone else.
Hookstraten: Thank you for taking the time, Mr.
President.
I'll always make time for you, Kimble.
I know how busy you must be since your schedule's been cleared of most every appointment.
I suppose you could say I'm looking for explanations.
In one day, you fired your Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and arrested a sitting governor.
It's erratic, sir.
And now I find out that parking lot H at the Pentagon was full this morning at 3:00 a.
m.
Parking lot H? It's where combat command parks.
Two-star generals and up.
Is there a question you want to ask me? Are we going to war, Mr.
President? I ask because we're not a dictatorship, and as the presumptive Speaker of the House, I'm here to remind you of your obligation to consult with Congress before taking any military action.
Aaron: Helicopter's here, sir.
Article 1, Section 8.
I'm aware of the clause, and I will notify you as soon as it's appropriate.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
It's reassuring to know that you're fully aware of your constitutional duties.
And thank you for your continued vigilance.
[Helicopter blades whirring.]
[Indistinct shouting.]
- [Buzzer.]
- We're clear! [Radio chatter.]
Commander, do you mind walking me through the operation? Plane ride on a C-5 Galaxy to northern Mali.
From the forward operating base, we fly two Black Hawks into the landing zone.
About two miles from the hospital where Nassar is holed up.
Land just after midnight, set up a perimeter, carry out our assault all before daybreak.
You make it sound so simple.
Amateurs talk tactics, sir.
Professionals talk logistics.
My men train for missions like this all day, every day, Mr.
President.
I wish I could say the same about myself.
I mean, as your Commander in Chief.
They're impressive.
- The best, sir.
- That soldier there.
How long has he been with you? Chief Marino.
About three years.
He's expecting his first kid in a couple of months.
How about the man talking to him? Petty Officer Denton.
Just got married.
Spent his honeymoon with me here training for an op.
Nonstop sacrifice.
[Chatter.]
Commander, there is something I need to know.
Admiral Chernow has great confidence in the operation, but you're the one who has to lead it.
What do you think the odds are? We'll get it done, sir.
Forgive me, Commander, but that's not what I asked.
What are the odds? We don't know if they've wired the place.
We don't know if they've got local militia in the area.
We don't know a lot of things, sir.
I'd say our odds are 50/50.
But we do know Nassar is there, so we have to do it now.
May God have mercy on them, because the United States Navy will have none.
Thank you, Commander.
Hector.
You get my message about MacLeish? Hey, Hannah, yeah.
I've been working on it.
Okay, did you find his location during the explosion? Yeah, but it's just theoretical.
Show me.
That's where MacLeish was found.
Okay, now, I'll superimpose the Capitol blueprint to find the Congressman's exact location.
[Computer beeps.]
Room 105.
Can your team piece together parts of this office from the wreckage? You realize that debris doesn't consist of perfect jigsaw pieces? Besides, we don't even have the current schematics on that section because of the renovations.
What renovations? We just found out ourselves.
Capitol renovations have been classified since World War II by Congress, so without any real Congress, we can't get access.
Let me take care of that.
Do what you can right away.
[Indistinct announcement on P.
A.
.]
Mr.
President.
Chief Edward Marino.
Our advanced demo expert.
Petty Officer John Denton will be our assault team leader on the ground.
Chief Marino.
I want you to get home safely for the birth of your new child.
Petty Officer Denton, I believe you owe your wife a honeymoon.
The country thanks you for your service.
I thank you for your service.
- It's an honor.
- Get home safely.
- Thank you, Mr.
President.
- Denton: Thank you, sir.
How are you feeling, Commander? Mr.
President, no SEAL has ever been captured or left behind on a battlefield dead or alive.
I have zero intention of my team being an exception to that legacy.
Your team's safety is my primary concern.
If you have an opportunity to capture Nassar alive, that would be optimal.
But if you think it's too risky, I am ordering you to take him out and get your men back safely.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, Commander.
[Door opens.]
Congresswoman Hookstraten, thank you for seeing me.
- I'm Agent - Agent Wells.
I know who you are.
Please.
I saw you at the medal ceremony for Congressman MacLeish.
You know, I've often thought the FBI has to keep quiet about successes while having to endure very public failures.
95% of the time when you guys do it right, no one knows.
Your heroism is admirable.
When we save lives, it is.
We all feel some responsibility for not stopping the attack.
But Al-Sakar are the only ones that are truly at fault.
You know that, right? [Sighs.]
I know that you have a lot on your plate, but I'd like to request access to the plans for the most recent Capitol renovations.
Which are classified.
Yeah, red tape's a bitch.
What are you looking for? Well, we're investigating how the bombs got into the building, and we think they may have used the construction to do that.
I'll do what I can.
Thank you, Congresswoman.
Oh, thank you, Agent Wells.
[Computer beeping.]
Tom: Hey.
They're almost across the Atlantic.
When do they expect to land? 2 hours and 28 minutes.
[Scoffs.]
20 men.
Some of them married fathers.
20 men I've put in harm's way.
I know that can't be easy.
But then that's the job, right? There won't be any easy days here.
No, I guess not.
You're not asking the SEAL team to do anything they're not trained to do.
You trusted them with this yesterday.
So you should trust them right now.
Tom.
Come to bed, please.
[Sighs.]
You should get some rest.
You look refreshed, sir.
Two hours sleep is the new eight.
Are they here? MacLeish is in the Oval.
Hookstraten's running late.
Okay.
[Door opens.]
Congressman.
So glad to see you here.
Mr.
President, it's an honor, sir, again.
It's actually my first time in the Oval Office.
What do you think? Humbling.
Yes.
I have a feeling that doesn't go away.
Please.
Mr.
President.
Peter.
I didn't expect to see you again so soon.
MacLeish: Hello, Kimble.
I know.
I was wondering the same thing myself.
Kimble, please take a seat.
Thank you, sir.
Until the governors appoint their senators and hold elections for the House, you two represent the entire Congress of the United States.
So I thought it was important that I invite both of you.
I'm officially notifying you that I have deployed U.
S.
troops abroad.
A Navy SEAL team led by Commander Max Clarkson will enter the Republic of Algeria and capture dead or alive Majid Nassar, leader of the Al-Sakar terrorist group.
Sir, it's the right thing to do.
I completely approve of this action.
He doesn't need our approval, Peter.
He's obliged to tell us.
But of course you have our full support.
Thank you both.
But I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't also warn you the entire legitimacy of your presidency depends on this.
If the mission is a success, you're Reagan.
If it fails, you're Carter, and Congress will hold you accountable.
As usual, Kimble, your support is overwhelming.
Uh, just to be clear, you're saying if the mission fails, you'll withdraw your support entirely? Maybe deny you ever gave it in the first place, possibly start an investigation? So long as we're being communicative.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I'll let you get back to your job.
Coming, Peter? - [Door opens.]
- Sir.
I just want to say Godspeed.
Thank you, Congressman.
Thank you.
- [Door closes.]
- [Sighs.]
Sir, I have to point out we do have an alternative for the next Speaker of the House, I mean.
I don't get to choose Speaker of the House, Aaron.
No, no, but when the house is seated, your support will carry a lot of weight.
Hookstraten won't be the only senior member.
MacLeish.
Yeah.
He just gave you his full support, no strings attached.
Would you like me to look into it, sir? - I don't see any harm in feeling it out.
- [Cellphone vibrates.]
Take Emily, see what he has to say.
- [Cellphone beeps.]
- Yes? Yeah, we'll be right there.
Sir, we have a problem.
One of the SEALs' choppers just went down.
Oh, no.
Admiral, whats happened? Sir.
One of the Black Hawks hit a sandstorm on descent to the LZ.
Visibility was reduced to zero, forcing the pilot to perform a combat landing.
A rollover was averted, but one of the SEALs was injured in the process, sir.
Petty Officer John Denton.
Tom: What's his condition? Still trying to get that information, sir.
This is Chernow, Commander.
- Is your team okay? - Clarkson: Yes, Admiral.
Luckily, Petty Officer Denton suffered only minor injuries.
Can he go on with the mission? No, sir.
But we have suitable replacements.
There's no need to alter course.
Commander, I need you to be sure.
Clarkson: Admiral, we're solid.
I would never put my men in unnecessary danger.
You have to trust me.
Let us do our job.
Green light, Commander.
Go.
We'll see you in 24 hours with one successful body snatch.
[Indistinct shouting.]
All right, just remember, any questions involving potential military action should be deflected.
What military action? Good job.
General Muñoz was also arrested.
Michigan's Lieutenant Governor has taken over, and we're confident the situation's under control.
- [Indistinct shouting.]
- Shelly then Brian.
Shelly: According to a Pentagon source, U.
S.
diplomatic stations in Algiers have evacuated non-essentials.
Is the White House preparing military action against Al-Sakar? No, those stations have planned to downsize for months now.
It's nothing out of the ordinary.
Come on, Seth.
I talked to my guy.
The Lexington carrier group has left port for the Mediterranean.
Why else would the Navy be flexing so much muscle? As far as I know, it's all part of a routine operation to test our battle readiness.
Shelly: Oh, give us a break.
All this adds up to a potential military strike.
What's the real story? You can't keep pivoting to talking points.
Watch me.
Jordan? Speaker of the House? Aaron: Mm-hmm.
You're serious? And most importantly, so is the President.
You'd just need to put your name forward.
With your record and his support, we think you'd be the obvious choice for the new members of the House.
And if you're worried about Congresswoman Hookstraten, you owe her nothing politically.
Ah, that's got nothing to do with it.
I mean no disrespect, and I'm honored.
I am.
I just don't want the job.
Uh, your president is asking you.
I know that, and, uh, he is an honest and a decent man.
He's facing an awesome task, and there's no one I'd rather serve.
But that's just it.
I-I got into this to serve.
I don't I don't understand.
Speaker's pure politics.
And and don't get me wrong.
I-I respect the people who deftly pull the strings of power.
It's just not me.
I'm not interested in power for power's sake.
[Chuckles.]
I see.
I don't think you do, but that's okay.
I had a father who instilled in me that there is no higher calling than to serve your country.
First in uniform, then in Congress.
I know how it sounds, but, uh I mean, I can I can respect that.
[Chuckles.]
I [Both chuckle.]
I-I just don't know what to tell the President.
Well, you tell him I'll support him in the best way I can, just not that way.
Not as Speaker.
Congresswoman.
Thank you for meeting me.
I have what you asked for.
The last Capitol renovations took place 2 1/2 months ago.
The upgrades were on several offices in a first-floor corridor.
And who were the contractors? Same ones as we always used except one.
A sub contractor that I've never heard of Margrove.
Unfortunately, that company's now defunct.
They worked specifically on the renovations to room 105.
105? Well, it might not be relevant, but that was a hideaway office, so Margrove's workers would've had to have security clearance, right? Yes, the names are in the classified file.
Do you really think these men could be linked somehow to the bombing? I do.
There's one condition.
Wherever your investigation leads, I want to be updated.
Of course.
Alex: [Chuckling.]
Hey, you.
- I missed you.
- Oh.
It's so good to see you outside the Oval hallways.
I know.
This place just isn't quite as conducive to the drop in.
You can say that again.
- Yeah.
- Well, no, tell me.
- Start.
- [Clears throat.]
What? Well, I wish I was here on a social visit.
Yesterday, Aaron asked me if I knew a Jeffrey Myers.
What? Why? Well, you two dated, and now he's serving.
But that was almost two decades ago.
Why's he rooting around in that? He's just doing his job.
Opposition research, most likely, but a good Chief of Staff wants to get ahead of anything that could hurt the President.
Sure, but, uh, Tom knows everything.
I mean, it couldn't even touch him.
Good.
I'll talk to Aaron.
No.
Thank you, but I got it.
Don't even think about it.
[Door opens.]
Sir, the SEALs have secured the hospital perimeter.
They're about to enter the building.
We'll be monitoring the visual feeds from Command Ops.
Sir, I-I can just keep you updated with any major developments.
No.
I asked these men to go into battle, risk their lives.
The least I can do is see it through with them.
Sir.
Perimeter's secure and the snipers are in place, Mr.
President.
Alpha team's proceeding to the generator.
Gamma is at the hospital rear entrance.
I asked the Congressman to join us.
Peter sit here.
Thank you, sir.
They're just about to enter the building.
[Beeping.]
Alpha team standing by to blow the generator.
Clarkson: Assault team in place.
On my command.
Breach, breach, breach.
[Alarm blaring.]
- Jason: What's up? - Lock the door.
Hannah, what's with the cloak and dagger? [Lock clicks.]
MacLeish.
Hannah, I already told you you got to let this thing go, all right? Unless you have some proof.
I have it.
I need you to stay, and I need you to listen.
Gamma assault team is inside.
[Indistinct shouting.]
Everyone, get out! Out, out! Go, go, go! [Speaks native language.]
Hostile! Hostile! Take those down.
Talk to me.
Upstairs clear.
Second floor clear.
Commander, neither one of these guys is Mad Hatter.
This is Gamma Zero Six, first floor secure.
Proceeding to basement.
All right, so what you're telling me is that room 105 was a hidden office? Yes, inside the Capitol.
Recently renovated.
All right, and that's important because? Because I went to interview the men who renovated it.
This is George Sullivan.
- And what'd he say? - Nothing.
He had a heart attack a month ago.
He's dead.
All right, look, with all due respect to Mr.
Sullivan, I got 1,000 people dead from this bombing, okay? So why should I care about a a construction worker with high cholesterol? All right, point taken.
Ask me about Ken Gibson.
Why don't you tell me about Mr.
Gibson? - Car accident two weeks ago.
- He's dead, too? - All these guys are gone? - Not gone.
Dead.
All eight men who worked on room 105 where MacLeish was found are dead.
All in the last two months and all accidents or natural causes.
[Sighs.]
Clearly, that doesn't sound like a Coincidence? No.
[Alarm blaring.]
- Hold fire.
- [Static.]
We got a kid down here.
Check that room.
Check that room.
We're clear.
- [Sighs.]
- When they go underground, you can expect the feed to be interrupted, Mr.
President.
Okay.
Admiral, you've done what, hundreds of these missions? Does it ever get easier? No.
But you don't want it to, sir.
[Alarm continues.]
Mad Hatter's on the move.
So, every single person that worked on room 105 is dead.
What the hell were they renovating? That was my question exactly, so I asked Hector to recreate 105 from the debris using the architectural drawings, and this is what he came back with.
Looks funny, right? That's because it's not supposed to be there.
These are reinforced steel, but the beams are coated in highly durable elasto-polymer.
And that does what? It improves air-blast resistance, rendering it virtually indestructible.
- Are you are you saying that - Yeah.
They built a bomb shelter inside the U.
S.
Capitol.
[Computer beeping.]
Target is close.
Stand by to engage.
Move, move, move.
[Indistinct shouting.]
Calm down! Calm down! [Shouting continues.]
We have eyes on Mad Hatter.
That's Majid Nassar.
Jason: So, what are you saying? MacLeish's survival was planned? This is not theory anymore, Jason.
This is not a figment of my imagination.
During the State of the Union address, the Capitol blew up and everyone died.
Everyone except one man.
They really want you to put down your guns.
[Children crying.]
[Alarm blaring.]
They said put down your guns! [Crying continues.]
[Indistinct shouting.]
[Explosion, girl screams.]
What the hell was that? We're working on that right now, sir.
MacLeish: I've been in combat before, sir.
It could just be a flashbang to disorient the enemy.
Mr.
President, we've currently lost all contact with our SEAL team, sir.
You have to see how big this is.
That there was a plan to make sure that only one person survived him.
Congressman Peter MacLeish.
Jason.
He's in on it.
[Sighs.]
Come on.
Come on.
[Sighs.]
Still haven't reestablished contact with the SEALs yet, sir.
We may have to prepare for the worst.
This is my fault.
I should've listened to General Cochrane.
I should've bombed him when I had a shot.
There's no shame in exhausting all possibilities.
Mr.
President.
We have Majid Nassar.
That means they made it.
[Chuckling.]
They're alive.
They're alive! Congratulations, sir.
Thank you.
Oh, my God.
They made it! And we got Nassar.
Got the bastard, sir.
[Laughs.]
Chernow: Mr.
President.
Congratulations, Admiral.
There's been one casualty, sir.
SEAL team leader Max Clarkson was shot and killed in action.
Oh, no.
Oh, no.
There was seven children in the room.
They were being held at gunpoint by the terrorists.
It was a massacre waiting to happen.
One of the terrorists opened fire.
Commander Clarkson shielded two of the children with his own body while the rest of the SEALs returned fire, killing the terrorists.
Clarkson took eight rounds to the back, one to the neck.
He was killed instantly.
The two children that he shielded they survived.
Because of him, we managed to capture Nassar alive with no civilian casualties.
But that's exactly what you wanted.
No.
No.
One of our men died.
And he's dead because of the orders I gave him.
But you made the best decision you could with the information you had, Tom.
Even he said there was a 50/50 shot at success.
I should've waited for better odds.
Which may never have come.
Tom, you took the country to war today because you thought it was the right decision.
Casualties are inevitable.
Emily: I still don't get it.
MacLeish says he just wants to serve, but he's not interested in power.
Not for power's sake, he said.
We should have Bethesda send over MacLeish's CT and MRI scans.
He said he wasn't raised that way.
He sounded like a man with no political ambitions whatsoever.
Who moves to D.
C.
and doesn't want power? Tom: Me.
Please, sit.
I didn't move to Washington, D.
C.
, for power.
But you have to admit it's unusual that MacLeish would turn down Speaker of the House.
What? You haven't heard? No, I didn't.
It's been a long day.
What did he say? The man said he came to Washington to serve.
He doesn't think he could do it as Speaker of the House.
Sounds familiar.
Tom: He's right.
Maybe we offered him the wrong job.
What about the Vice Presidency? [Siren wails in distance, horn honks.]
Mrs.
Kirkman? I'm sorry.
I didn't expect anybody in so late.
I hear you've been asking around about Jeffrey Myers.
Well, Emily's got a better poker face than I thought.
[Sighs.]
She said it came up in your opposition research.
Yeah.
So you know we had a relationship, and you know he's in prison.
I do.
And so does Tom.
Every detail.
It is not a personal issue for us, so I don't see why it should be a political one.
It shouldn't be except Jeffrey Myers has been telling everyone in his federal prison in Pennsylvania that he's the father of your son.
Ma'am? Mrs.
Kirkman.
Ma'am, does does Leo know that the President might not be his father? You haven't said a word.
What the hell do you want me to say? That you believe me.
Of course I believe you.
I didn't want to, but yeah, I do.
Who else have you told? No one.
Why? What are you thinking? These people, whoever they are, they killed almost every senior member of the federal government and tied up any loose ends before we even knew there were any.
So, we need to find out the how and the why Yes, we do, but we don't know who to trust.
So you cannot say anything to anybody.
Do you understand me? No one.
[Engine roaring.]
[Helicopter blades whirring.]
Marino: Mr.
President.
I'm sorry.
I had no idea you were here, sir.
I wanted to pay my respects to Commander Clarkson.
Thank you for your incredible bravery.
Just doing my job, sir.
You know, Max wasn't even supposed to be in the raid.
He was supposed to coordinate the mission off site.
But when Denton got injured in the chopper crash, Max took his place to ensure the operation would go as planned.
It's because of him none of those kids were hurt and I get to see the birth of my first child.
I should've waited for a better window of opportunity.
Don't, sir.
Feel guilty? A little part of me does, as well.
I also feel honor, respect, because that's what this man deserves.
That's how he needs to be remembered.
Don't ever question your decision, Mr.
President.
Because none of us ever did, especially Max.
I'll leave you to it, sir.
Where was I? That's my question, Congressman.
Is there a reason you're asking all these questions? Have I done something wrong? Jason: You were supposed to get a statement, not turn him into a suspect.
Who is this? Woman: Find room 105, and you'll understand more about Peter MacLeish.
My name is Seth Wright.
Earlier tonight, I was named White House Press Secretary.
Woman: He's an interesting guy, your boss.
I have what you asked for.
Anything good? Depends whose side you're on.
Is it true that you gave the order to take the Algerian air defenses offline? Without clearing it through me.
I did what needed to be done.
General, you are fired.
Admiral prepare us for war.
[Sighs.]
[Clock ticking.]
[Cellphone vibrates.]
- [Cellphone beeps.]
- Yeah.
Aaron: Mr.
President, it's time.
Chernow: The estimated battle damage assessment, BDA, indicates that we will level the entire compound and everything within a 50-foot radius, Mr.
President.
Majid Nassar and his Al-Sakar cell will be dead by dawn.
Won't the laser-guided bomb's blast effect blow right through this village? - No, sir.
- We only hit what we target.
Good morning, Mr.
President.
You wanted to see me? Tom: Thanks for coming in early.
Seth, you've met Admiral Chernow? He's the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
- How are you, sir? - Seth Wright, Press Secretary.
Ah, it'll be a busy day for you, son.
I'll be in Command Ops.
- Admiral.
- Chernow: Sir.
I had to clear - my entire schedule for the day.
Want to know why? If I know why, do I have to lie to the press all day? Yeah.
Okay, then let's just assume that maybe somewhere there's gonna be a military strike against the terrorist who bombed the Capitol, and I'll just know more when I know more.
Good man.
I can shuffle your schedule, sir, but the medal ceremony for first responders your absence would be conspicuous.
There's no VP to fill in.
Then we'll make it work.
I'll be there.
I thought I was up early.
I must've missed a memo.
Trying to get ahead of the day.
I'm losing proposition.
Well, you've won one in Michigan.
The Lieutenant Governor reversed Royce's orders to the state police.
The roundups - arresting Muslim citizens they've all ceased.
All it took was putting Governor Royce in federal prison.
We're gonna have to deal with that soon.
Thank you.
I don't want to be out of line here, but is all of this about Majid Nassar? Em, you did a great job in Michigan.
Right now, our main priority is Congress.
I need you to take point on that.
Of course.
Man: The F-18s are just over the international marker, sir.
At your command, they'll target Algerian airspace and destroy the target.
Algerian air-defense radar still deactivated? Yes.
We'll be in and out.
No one will know until the villagers report the fireworks.
What's our contingency plan in case one of our planes goes down? Man: Naval search and rescue chopper, full squadron of Marines standing by on the USS Lexington.
Mr.
President, the F-18s have less than 10 minutes before they have to consider refueling.
If this mission is a go, it needs to go now, sir.
It's a go.
Strike the enemy.
Yes, sir.
Patch me in to the Lexington.
The President has given the order.
- You may proceed.
- Man: Admiral, you need to hold.
What's going on? Sir, I'm getting reports from my station chief in Tangier.
We need to abort.
- Why? - New intelligence indicates that the target is no longer in the compound.
We lost him, sir.
We lost Majid Nassar.
Satellite imagery from NRO confirms that Nassar left the compound two minutes ago in a small convoy of trucks.
It gets worse, sir.
How is that possible? Seems Nassar was warned.
By someone inside the Algerian government? Yes, sir.
Son of a bitch.
Apparently, just prior to leaving the compound, he received a call from someone inside the foreign ministry.
We did this, sir.
We tipped our hand.
No, I did this trying to be diplomatic.
I need you all to use every resource available.
Do whatever you have to, but please find Majid Nassar.
[Chatter.]
Damn it! Jason: Well, well, well.
I wasn't expecting to see you today.
So, what are you working on? Capitol bombing.
So you decided to sleep on it.
Actually, I drank on it.
- Hmm.
- I hope it was a good bottle.
It was the Chardonnay you bought me last Christmas.
Lightweight.
So, what is all this? I'm looking for Capitol Room 105.
You might want to try between 104 and 106.
It's not there.
And this room is significant why? Well, I don't know that it is, but if the lead pans out, you'll be the first to know.
All right.
Good to see you.
I'll be back in a few hours.
I need to get to the White House.
- Another briefing? - No, a medal ceremony.
President decided he wanted to honor MacLeish and the first responder that found him.
Do you mind if I tag along? No, I think you should stay on that.
Well, the man is a hero and a patriot.
I would love to see MacLeish get a medal.
Oh, yeah? That's exactly why I never gave you an undercover assignment because you are a horrible liar.
Horrible.
Come on.
Bill Keirstead ran into the rubble without any regard for his own safety and rescued our only survivor.
Our nation thanks you, and I thank you.
[Applause.]
My Secret Service code name is Phoenix.
But as most of us know, there is only one man who truly rose from the ashes.
And though it might seem odd to some of you to award someone for simply surviving, Congressman Peter MacLeish's story is anything but one of simple survival.
It's a story of perseverance.
A soldier at 22, a Congressman at 28.
He is an inspiration to us all.
Ladies and gentlemen, Congressman Peter MacLeish.
Just hope you never look at me like that.
So good to see you doing so well.
- Aaron: Sir.
- I'm so sorry.
- Excuse me for one second.
- We've got an update.
Seth: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming.
Please join us in the East Room for refreshments.
Thank you.
Mr.
Wright.
Congresswoman.
Lovely event.
But I have a question.
When is the United States going to respond to Majid Nassar's bombing of our Capitol? When our intelligence services confirm his location.
You're way too smart to play dumb, Mr.
Press Secretary.
I need to talk to the President.
The President's got a very busy schedule today.
I can wait.
Jason: About your room 105 you might want to check with the architect of the Capitol.
Be a pain in someone else's ass for a change, hmm? Agent Wells.
Good to see you again.
Hannah: And you.
Congratulations.
Yeah, thank you.
- Jason: Congrats.
- Thank you.
Did we find Nassar? Please sit.
Intelligence still places him in Algeria about 15 miles from the compound.
But there's a major problem.
What is it? He's in the basement of a hospital with at least 100 staff and patients.
Now, if we move forward with an air strike as originally planned, we're going to kill a lot of civilians, including doctors and children.
Which is unacceptable.
What are our other options? Only one, sir Navy SEALs.
We'll minimize civilian casualties, but We'll have to put American boots on the ground.
It's the only way, sir.
May we proceed, Mr.
President? Mr.
President.
That's Keyhole satellite footage of a hospital where Nassar's holed up with extensive security.
And this is his convoy? Yes.
Given the complexity of the mission, this has become a Tier One operation.
Now, JSOC is working with SEAL Team 6 to plan the assault.
Recent NSA chatter indicates the potential of new attacks by Al-Sakar, both at home and abroad.
Nassar could prove to be an extremely valuable source of intelligence.
Wait a second.
You're talking about taking Nassar alive? Won't that increase the danger to our troops? Chernow: Well, there are no perfect missions, sir, but our confidence is very high.
As much as I'd like to believe you, Admiral, I would like to talk to the man who's gonna be in charge of the mission on the ground.
Where is he? All due respect, sir, there's a chain of command.
He comes to you.
I'm gonna ask these men to put their lives on the line.
I'll go see him.
Where is he? Little Creek, sir.
- And where is that? - Virginia.
Looks like I'm going to Virginia.
Aaron, make the necessary arrangements.
- Thank you, gentlemen.
- Yes, sir.
Emily.
Hey, about this morning Unnecessary, Aaron.
I understand how clearance works and that I don't have it.
Hey, I just want to be clear you understand this is not personal at all.
I'm a big girl, Aaron.
The President did what he had to do, and I work for the President.
Sorry I mentioned anything.
Oh, hey.
Uh, do you know a Jeffrey Myers? Doesn't ring a bell.
Why? Somebody mentioned the name.
Thought he might know the Kirkmans.
It's nothing.
Hannah: As an expert on the architecture of the Capitol, I thought you could help the FBI.
Agent Wells, I've got everyone calling NSA, DHS.
Whatever you need, tell my assistant.
I'll get to it when I can.
I know you're busy.
I just have one question.
Room 105 it's not in any of the Capitol directories.
Is that it? - Yeah.
- Well, that's easy.
Room 105 wouldn't be in any official directory.
- It's a hideaway office.
- What is that? It's a hidden office.
There are several throughout the Capitol assigned by seniority to members of Congress.
And they would have that because? Privacy, work, rest.
Helps with late-night votes.
Teddy Kennedy's was like a clubhouse.
Do you have the blueprints? Had.
They were in our offices in the sub-basement of the Capitol.
I gave the digital plans to the guys on site.
You might want to check over there.
Okay, I will.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Next time, wait your turn like everyone else.
Hookstraten: Thank you for taking the time, Mr.
President.
I'll always make time for you, Kimble.
I know how busy you must be since your schedule's been cleared of most every appointment.
I suppose you could say I'm looking for explanations.
In one day, you fired your Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and arrested a sitting governor.
It's erratic, sir.
And now I find out that parking lot H at the Pentagon was full this morning at 3:00 a.
m.
Parking lot H? It's where combat command parks.
Two-star generals and up.
Is there a question you want to ask me? Are we going to war, Mr.
President? I ask because we're not a dictatorship, and as the presumptive Speaker of the House, I'm here to remind you of your obligation to consult with Congress before taking any military action.
Aaron: Helicopter's here, sir.
Article 1, Section 8.
I'm aware of the clause, and I will notify you as soon as it's appropriate.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
It's reassuring to know that you're fully aware of your constitutional duties.
And thank you for your continued vigilance.
[Helicopter blades whirring.]
[Indistinct shouting.]
- [Buzzer.]
- We're clear! [Radio chatter.]
Commander, do you mind walking me through the operation? Plane ride on a C-5 Galaxy to northern Mali.
From the forward operating base, we fly two Black Hawks into the landing zone.
About two miles from the hospital where Nassar is holed up.
Land just after midnight, set up a perimeter, carry out our assault all before daybreak.
You make it sound so simple.
Amateurs talk tactics, sir.
Professionals talk logistics.
My men train for missions like this all day, every day, Mr.
President.
I wish I could say the same about myself.
I mean, as your Commander in Chief.
They're impressive.
- The best, sir.
- That soldier there.
How long has he been with you? Chief Marino.
About three years.
He's expecting his first kid in a couple of months.
How about the man talking to him? Petty Officer Denton.
Just got married.
Spent his honeymoon with me here training for an op.
Nonstop sacrifice.
[Chatter.]
Commander, there is something I need to know.
Admiral Chernow has great confidence in the operation, but you're the one who has to lead it.
What do you think the odds are? We'll get it done, sir.
Forgive me, Commander, but that's not what I asked.
What are the odds? We don't know if they've wired the place.
We don't know if they've got local militia in the area.
We don't know a lot of things, sir.
I'd say our odds are 50/50.
But we do know Nassar is there, so we have to do it now.
May God have mercy on them, because the United States Navy will have none.
Thank you, Commander.
Hector.
You get my message about MacLeish? Hey, Hannah, yeah.
I've been working on it.
Okay, did you find his location during the explosion? Yeah, but it's just theoretical.
Show me.
That's where MacLeish was found.
Okay, now, I'll superimpose the Capitol blueprint to find the Congressman's exact location.
[Computer beeps.]
Room 105.
Can your team piece together parts of this office from the wreckage? You realize that debris doesn't consist of perfect jigsaw pieces? Besides, we don't even have the current schematics on that section because of the renovations.
What renovations? We just found out ourselves.
Capitol renovations have been classified since World War II by Congress, so without any real Congress, we can't get access.
Let me take care of that.
Do what you can right away.
[Indistinct announcement on P.
A.
.]
Mr.
President.
Chief Edward Marino.
Our advanced demo expert.
Petty Officer John Denton will be our assault team leader on the ground.
Chief Marino.
I want you to get home safely for the birth of your new child.
Petty Officer Denton, I believe you owe your wife a honeymoon.
The country thanks you for your service.
I thank you for your service.
- It's an honor.
- Get home safely.
- Thank you, Mr.
President.
- Denton: Thank you, sir.
How are you feeling, Commander? Mr.
President, no SEAL has ever been captured or left behind on a battlefield dead or alive.
I have zero intention of my team being an exception to that legacy.
Your team's safety is my primary concern.
If you have an opportunity to capture Nassar alive, that would be optimal.
But if you think it's too risky, I am ordering you to take him out and get your men back safely.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, Commander.
[Door opens.]
Congresswoman Hookstraten, thank you for seeing me.
- I'm Agent - Agent Wells.
I know who you are.
Please.
I saw you at the medal ceremony for Congressman MacLeish.
You know, I've often thought the FBI has to keep quiet about successes while having to endure very public failures.
95% of the time when you guys do it right, no one knows.
Your heroism is admirable.
When we save lives, it is.
We all feel some responsibility for not stopping the attack.
But Al-Sakar are the only ones that are truly at fault.
You know that, right? [Sighs.]
I know that you have a lot on your plate, but I'd like to request access to the plans for the most recent Capitol renovations.
Which are classified.
Yeah, red tape's a bitch.
What are you looking for? Well, we're investigating how the bombs got into the building, and we think they may have used the construction to do that.
I'll do what I can.
Thank you, Congresswoman.
Oh, thank you, Agent Wells.
[Computer beeping.]
Tom: Hey.
They're almost across the Atlantic.
When do they expect to land? 2 hours and 28 minutes.
[Scoffs.]
20 men.
Some of them married fathers.
20 men I've put in harm's way.
I know that can't be easy.
But then that's the job, right? There won't be any easy days here.
No, I guess not.
You're not asking the SEAL team to do anything they're not trained to do.
You trusted them with this yesterday.
So you should trust them right now.
Tom.
Come to bed, please.
[Sighs.]
You should get some rest.
You look refreshed, sir.
Two hours sleep is the new eight.
Are they here? MacLeish is in the Oval.
Hookstraten's running late.
Okay.
[Door opens.]
Congressman.
So glad to see you here.
Mr.
President, it's an honor, sir, again.
It's actually my first time in the Oval Office.
What do you think? Humbling.
Yes.
I have a feeling that doesn't go away.
Please.
Mr.
President.
Peter.
I didn't expect to see you again so soon.
MacLeish: Hello, Kimble.
I know.
I was wondering the same thing myself.
Kimble, please take a seat.
Thank you, sir.
Until the governors appoint their senators and hold elections for the House, you two represent the entire Congress of the United States.
So I thought it was important that I invite both of you.
I'm officially notifying you that I have deployed U.
S.
troops abroad.
A Navy SEAL team led by Commander Max Clarkson will enter the Republic of Algeria and capture dead or alive Majid Nassar, leader of the Al-Sakar terrorist group.
Sir, it's the right thing to do.
I completely approve of this action.
He doesn't need our approval, Peter.
He's obliged to tell us.
But of course you have our full support.
Thank you both.
But I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't also warn you the entire legitimacy of your presidency depends on this.
If the mission is a success, you're Reagan.
If it fails, you're Carter, and Congress will hold you accountable.
As usual, Kimble, your support is overwhelming.
Uh, just to be clear, you're saying if the mission fails, you'll withdraw your support entirely? Maybe deny you ever gave it in the first place, possibly start an investigation? So long as we're being communicative.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I'll let you get back to your job.
Coming, Peter? - [Door opens.]
- Sir.
I just want to say Godspeed.
Thank you, Congressman.
Thank you.
- [Door closes.]
- [Sighs.]
Sir, I have to point out we do have an alternative for the next Speaker of the House, I mean.
I don't get to choose Speaker of the House, Aaron.
No, no, but when the house is seated, your support will carry a lot of weight.
Hookstraten won't be the only senior member.
MacLeish.
Yeah.
He just gave you his full support, no strings attached.
Would you like me to look into it, sir? - I don't see any harm in feeling it out.
- [Cellphone vibrates.]
Take Emily, see what he has to say.
- [Cellphone beeps.]
- Yes? Yeah, we'll be right there.
Sir, we have a problem.
One of the SEALs' choppers just went down.
Oh, no.
Admiral, whats happened? Sir.
One of the Black Hawks hit a sandstorm on descent to the LZ.
Visibility was reduced to zero, forcing the pilot to perform a combat landing.
A rollover was averted, but one of the SEALs was injured in the process, sir.
Petty Officer John Denton.
Tom: What's his condition? Still trying to get that information, sir.
This is Chernow, Commander.
- Is your team okay? - Clarkson: Yes, Admiral.
Luckily, Petty Officer Denton suffered only minor injuries.
Can he go on with the mission? No, sir.
But we have suitable replacements.
There's no need to alter course.
Commander, I need you to be sure.
Clarkson: Admiral, we're solid.
I would never put my men in unnecessary danger.
You have to trust me.
Let us do our job.
Green light, Commander.
Go.
We'll see you in 24 hours with one successful body snatch.
[Indistinct shouting.]
All right, just remember, any questions involving potential military action should be deflected.
What military action? Good job.
General Muñoz was also arrested.
Michigan's Lieutenant Governor has taken over, and we're confident the situation's under control.
- [Indistinct shouting.]
- Shelly then Brian.
Shelly: According to a Pentagon source, U.
S.
diplomatic stations in Algiers have evacuated non-essentials.
Is the White House preparing military action against Al-Sakar? No, those stations have planned to downsize for months now.
It's nothing out of the ordinary.
Come on, Seth.
I talked to my guy.
The Lexington carrier group has left port for the Mediterranean.
Why else would the Navy be flexing so much muscle? As far as I know, it's all part of a routine operation to test our battle readiness.
Shelly: Oh, give us a break.
All this adds up to a potential military strike.
What's the real story? You can't keep pivoting to talking points.
Watch me.
Jordan? Speaker of the House? Aaron: Mm-hmm.
You're serious? And most importantly, so is the President.
You'd just need to put your name forward.
With your record and his support, we think you'd be the obvious choice for the new members of the House.
And if you're worried about Congresswoman Hookstraten, you owe her nothing politically.
Ah, that's got nothing to do with it.
I mean no disrespect, and I'm honored.
I am.
I just don't want the job.
Uh, your president is asking you.
I know that, and, uh, he is an honest and a decent man.
He's facing an awesome task, and there's no one I'd rather serve.
But that's just it.
I-I got into this to serve.
I don't I don't understand.
Speaker's pure politics.
And and don't get me wrong.
I-I respect the people who deftly pull the strings of power.
It's just not me.
I'm not interested in power for power's sake.
[Chuckles.]
I see.
I don't think you do, but that's okay.
I had a father who instilled in me that there is no higher calling than to serve your country.
First in uniform, then in Congress.
I know how it sounds, but, uh I mean, I can I can respect that.
[Chuckles.]
I [Both chuckle.]
I-I just don't know what to tell the President.
Well, you tell him I'll support him in the best way I can, just not that way.
Not as Speaker.
Congresswoman.
Thank you for meeting me.
I have what you asked for.
The last Capitol renovations took place 2 1/2 months ago.
The upgrades were on several offices in a first-floor corridor.
And who were the contractors? Same ones as we always used except one.
A sub contractor that I've never heard of Margrove.
Unfortunately, that company's now defunct.
They worked specifically on the renovations to room 105.
105? Well, it might not be relevant, but that was a hideaway office, so Margrove's workers would've had to have security clearance, right? Yes, the names are in the classified file.
Do you really think these men could be linked somehow to the bombing? I do.
There's one condition.
Wherever your investigation leads, I want to be updated.
Of course.
Alex: [Chuckling.]
Hey, you.
- I missed you.
- Oh.
It's so good to see you outside the Oval hallways.
I know.
This place just isn't quite as conducive to the drop in.
You can say that again.
- Yeah.
- Well, no, tell me.
- Start.
- [Clears throat.]
What? Well, I wish I was here on a social visit.
Yesterday, Aaron asked me if I knew a Jeffrey Myers.
What? Why? Well, you two dated, and now he's serving.
But that was almost two decades ago.
Why's he rooting around in that? He's just doing his job.
Opposition research, most likely, but a good Chief of Staff wants to get ahead of anything that could hurt the President.
Sure, but, uh, Tom knows everything.
I mean, it couldn't even touch him.
Good.
I'll talk to Aaron.
No.
Thank you, but I got it.
Don't even think about it.
[Door opens.]
Sir, the SEALs have secured the hospital perimeter.
They're about to enter the building.
We'll be monitoring the visual feeds from Command Ops.
Sir, I-I can just keep you updated with any major developments.
No.
I asked these men to go into battle, risk their lives.
The least I can do is see it through with them.
Sir.
Perimeter's secure and the snipers are in place, Mr.
President.
Alpha team's proceeding to the generator.
Gamma is at the hospital rear entrance.
I asked the Congressman to join us.
Peter sit here.
Thank you, sir.
They're just about to enter the building.
[Beeping.]
Alpha team standing by to blow the generator.
Clarkson: Assault team in place.
On my command.
Breach, breach, breach.
[Alarm blaring.]
- Jason: What's up? - Lock the door.
Hannah, what's with the cloak and dagger? [Lock clicks.]
MacLeish.
Hannah, I already told you you got to let this thing go, all right? Unless you have some proof.
I have it.
I need you to stay, and I need you to listen.
Gamma assault team is inside.
[Indistinct shouting.]
Everyone, get out! Out, out! Go, go, go! [Speaks native language.]
Hostile! Hostile! Take those down.
Talk to me.
Upstairs clear.
Second floor clear.
Commander, neither one of these guys is Mad Hatter.
This is Gamma Zero Six, first floor secure.
Proceeding to basement.
All right, so what you're telling me is that room 105 was a hidden office? Yes, inside the Capitol.
Recently renovated.
All right, and that's important because? Because I went to interview the men who renovated it.
This is George Sullivan.
- And what'd he say? - Nothing.
He had a heart attack a month ago.
He's dead.
All right, look, with all due respect to Mr.
Sullivan, I got 1,000 people dead from this bombing, okay? So why should I care about a a construction worker with high cholesterol? All right, point taken.
Ask me about Ken Gibson.
Why don't you tell me about Mr.
Gibson? - Car accident two weeks ago.
- He's dead, too? - All these guys are gone? - Not gone.
Dead.
All eight men who worked on room 105 where MacLeish was found are dead.
All in the last two months and all accidents or natural causes.
[Sighs.]
Clearly, that doesn't sound like a Coincidence? No.
[Alarm blaring.]
- Hold fire.
- [Static.]
We got a kid down here.
Check that room.
Check that room.
We're clear.
- [Sighs.]
- When they go underground, you can expect the feed to be interrupted, Mr.
President.
Okay.
Admiral, you've done what, hundreds of these missions? Does it ever get easier? No.
But you don't want it to, sir.
[Alarm continues.]
Mad Hatter's on the move.
So, every single person that worked on room 105 is dead.
What the hell were they renovating? That was my question exactly, so I asked Hector to recreate 105 from the debris using the architectural drawings, and this is what he came back with.
Looks funny, right? That's because it's not supposed to be there.
These are reinforced steel, but the beams are coated in highly durable elasto-polymer.
And that does what? It improves air-blast resistance, rendering it virtually indestructible.
- Are you are you saying that - Yeah.
They built a bomb shelter inside the U.
S.
Capitol.
[Computer beeping.]
Target is close.
Stand by to engage.
Move, move, move.
[Indistinct shouting.]
Calm down! Calm down! [Shouting continues.]
We have eyes on Mad Hatter.
That's Majid Nassar.
Jason: So, what are you saying? MacLeish's survival was planned? This is not theory anymore, Jason.
This is not a figment of my imagination.
During the State of the Union address, the Capitol blew up and everyone died.
Everyone except one man.
They really want you to put down your guns.
[Children crying.]
[Alarm blaring.]
They said put down your guns! [Crying continues.]
[Indistinct shouting.]
[Explosion, girl screams.]
What the hell was that? We're working on that right now, sir.
MacLeish: I've been in combat before, sir.
It could just be a flashbang to disorient the enemy.
Mr.
President, we've currently lost all contact with our SEAL team, sir.
You have to see how big this is.
That there was a plan to make sure that only one person survived him.
Congressman Peter MacLeish.
Jason.
He's in on it.
[Sighs.]
Come on.
Come on.
[Sighs.]
Still haven't reestablished contact with the SEALs yet, sir.
We may have to prepare for the worst.
This is my fault.
I should've listened to General Cochrane.
I should've bombed him when I had a shot.
There's no shame in exhausting all possibilities.
Mr.
President.
We have Majid Nassar.
That means they made it.
[Chuckling.]
They're alive.
They're alive! Congratulations, sir.
Thank you.
Oh, my God.
They made it! And we got Nassar.
Got the bastard, sir.
[Laughs.]
Chernow: Mr.
President.
Congratulations, Admiral.
There's been one casualty, sir.
SEAL team leader Max Clarkson was shot and killed in action.
Oh, no.
Oh, no.
There was seven children in the room.
They were being held at gunpoint by the terrorists.
It was a massacre waiting to happen.
One of the terrorists opened fire.
Commander Clarkson shielded two of the children with his own body while the rest of the SEALs returned fire, killing the terrorists.
Clarkson took eight rounds to the back, one to the neck.
He was killed instantly.
The two children that he shielded they survived.
Because of him, we managed to capture Nassar alive with no civilian casualties.
But that's exactly what you wanted.
No.
No.
One of our men died.
And he's dead because of the orders I gave him.
But you made the best decision you could with the information you had, Tom.
Even he said there was a 50/50 shot at success.
I should've waited for better odds.
Which may never have come.
Tom, you took the country to war today because you thought it was the right decision.
Casualties are inevitable.
Emily: I still don't get it.
MacLeish says he just wants to serve, but he's not interested in power.
Not for power's sake, he said.
We should have Bethesda send over MacLeish's CT and MRI scans.
He said he wasn't raised that way.
He sounded like a man with no political ambitions whatsoever.
Who moves to D.
C.
and doesn't want power? Tom: Me.
Please, sit.
I didn't move to Washington, D.
C.
, for power.
But you have to admit it's unusual that MacLeish would turn down Speaker of the House.
What? You haven't heard? No, I didn't.
It's been a long day.
What did he say? The man said he came to Washington to serve.
He doesn't think he could do it as Speaker of the House.
Sounds familiar.
Tom: He's right.
Maybe we offered him the wrong job.
What about the Vice Presidency? [Siren wails in distance, horn honks.]
Mrs.
Kirkman? I'm sorry.
I didn't expect anybody in so late.
I hear you've been asking around about Jeffrey Myers.
Well, Emily's got a better poker face than I thought.
[Sighs.]
She said it came up in your opposition research.
Yeah.
So you know we had a relationship, and you know he's in prison.
I do.
And so does Tom.
Every detail.
It is not a personal issue for us, so I don't see why it should be a political one.
It shouldn't be except Jeffrey Myers has been telling everyone in his federal prison in Pennsylvania that he's the father of your son.
Ma'am? Mrs.
Kirkman.
Ma'am, does does Leo know that the President might not be his father? You haven't said a word.
What the hell do you want me to say? That you believe me.
Of course I believe you.
I didn't want to, but yeah, I do.
Who else have you told? No one.
Why? What are you thinking? These people, whoever they are, they killed almost every senior member of the federal government and tied up any loose ends before we even knew there were any.
So, we need to find out the how and the why Yes, we do, but we don't know who to trust.
So you cannot say anything to anybody.
Do you understand me? No one.
[Engine roaring.]
[Helicopter blades whirring.]
Marino: Mr.
President.
I'm sorry.
I had no idea you were here, sir.
I wanted to pay my respects to Commander Clarkson.
Thank you for your incredible bravery.
Just doing my job, sir.
You know, Max wasn't even supposed to be in the raid.
He was supposed to coordinate the mission off site.
But when Denton got injured in the chopper crash, Max took his place to ensure the operation would go as planned.
It's because of him none of those kids were hurt and I get to see the birth of my first child.
I should've waited for a better window of opportunity.
Don't, sir.
Feel guilty? A little part of me does, as well.
I also feel honor, respect, because that's what this man deserves.
That's how he needs to be remembered.
Don't ever question your decision, Mr.
President.
Because none of us ever did, especially Max.
I'll leave you to it, sir.