The First Lady (2022) s01e08 Episode Script

1 Just a little bit ♪ Just a little bit ♪ Just a little bit ♪ Just a little bit ♪ I ain't gon' do you wrong ♪ While you're gone ♪ Ain't gon' do you wrong ♪ Honey.
Oh, Mrs.
O.
Your face is lookin' fine.
Thank you.
So, fundraiser in the DMV.
- Yep.
The usual.
- All right, so the usual then? We've been using a lot of heat on your hair lately.
The edges need a break.
But you're really rocking this natural look.
Could you wear this to the fundraiser? You want me to wear this to a DNC fundraiser? So you want me to stroll on in there in my Reem Acra and Jimmy Choos rockin' Yeah! my natural texture? You would break Twitter.
That's not the only thing I would break.
Oh.
You know, it it It do look good though.
- Hmm.
- But we're trying to get these white folk to give us some money.
Mm, and scared white people - don't open their pocketbooks.
- Mm.
Mm-mmm.
So Straighten the Black right on out.
For sassy Sasha, french fries, chicken legs.
- Been working on the golf swing? - Thank you for your information.
Yes, and I'm ready for a rematch.
Oh, you think so? Hey, honey.
Ah, Ms.
Obama.
So the next time you're in New England, please come join us at the club.
- You're gonna get on the course? - Yes.
- She's not - Mr.
President.
May I steal your wife for a second? Please.
Oh, if we could only have you for another four years.
That we can't do.
- Mrs.
Obama? - But, donations like yours are an investment in the future of the party.
Mrs.
Obama.
Mrs.
Obama, I'm Jennifer.
Excuse me.
And it is an absolute honor to donate today.
- Thrilled that you're - Jennifer, so nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
- So good to meet you, too.
- Erica.
- Erica.
Erica.
It is an honor to meet you, Mrs.
Obama.
- Call me Michelle.
- Oh, Mrs.
Obama, I'm so glad you're here today.
We appreciate your generosity.
Gorgeous necklace.
Oh, thank you.
That means a lot.
My daughter will be so mad she's missed seeing you today.
Girl.
At least she didn't assume I was a maid.
- Oh, my God.
- Mm.
It is funny how you got two, uh, uncomfortable Black women bending over backwards so she doesn't feel discomfort.
- Um, yeah.
- Right? Two terms in office, and she still don't know what I look like.
I could've been Aretha Franklin, and she would've said, - "Hey, Michelle!" - Uh, I mean, probably more like Halle Berry.
- Nah, nah, nah.
Oprah.
- Oprah? - We all look like Oprah.
- Naomi Campbell.
- That's what you look like.
- What? You look real good, actually.
So what time you gotta be up? We have some returns now from the states that have had polls closed in them.
Uh, the polls aren't all closed in any state yet in the country, but here are some of the returns that we have so far.
In, um, Indiana, we have projected Ford the winner the polls have all closed now in Kentucky.
And 9 electoral votes for Kentucky are now, by our calculations, belonging to Jimmy Carter.
- Shucks! - And peanut farmer.
Let's not be mean, Steven.
It's the truth.
His whole family farms peanuts.
Honey, will you hand me my drink, please? Mr.
Ford, where in the world did your voice go? He left it on the campaign trail.
I'm gonna make you a hot toddy.
Thank you.
Carter is now ahead with 21 electoral votes, and Ford with 13.
It's okay.
It's early, we have time.
Jimmy Carter has won in Mississippi.
51% to 49%, uh, we believe the final returns will be.
And that puts Jimmy Carter over the top, uh, to be the next president of the United States.
He is the president-elect tonight.
He now has 272 electoral votes.
One reason for this move back to the Democratic party may be that Watergate still seems to be alive as an issue.
Carter voters in our sample said Carter would restore trust to government, though Ford voters said the same thing about their man.
And the Carter voters cited Watergate and the Nixon pardon as a big reason for voting for Carter.
Asked what they disliked about Ford, again, the thing those Carter voters said most was that Ford had pardoned Richard Nixon.
You fought an incredible race, Jerry.
I'm very proud of you.
I love you.
Mm.
It's, um perfectly obvious that, um my voice isn't up to par, and I shouldn't be making very many comments, and I won't.
Let me call on the, um the real spokesman for the family.
Betty? The president asked me to tell you that he telephoned President-elect Carter a short time ago, and congratulated him on his victory.
It's been the greatest honor of my husband's life to have served his fellow Americans during two of most difficult years in our history.
I still can't believe it's coming to an end.
Do you know what you'll do next? I'm not sure yet.
But whatever it is, it won't hold a candle to documenting my favorite First Family.
Aw.
Now, is there any room in particular you'd like to shoot these last few images? Actually, yes.
- May I help you? - No, I am perfectly fine.
There we go.
Oh, I should've done this a long time ago.
I don't think there are many women who have had the chance to even sit at this table, let alone dance on it.
Think you're probably right about that.
Here's hoping that changes.
- Mr.
President.
- Hello, Jerry.
Is my wife dancing on tables again? Oh, I was just celebrating all that we accomplished.
It's the perfect way to do it.
Mm.
Care to join me? Oh! And give Chevy Chase more ammunition? Beautiful.
Again, as at the beginning of World War I, we had proclaimed our traditional neutrality.
Millions of Americans were more interested in Joe DiMaggio and the New York Yankees taking four straight from Cincinnati in the World Series than they were in the deadly games being played in Europe and Asia, where aggressors were out to take all.
Thank you for seeing us.
You remember Martha? Of course.
Mrs.
Hemingway.
It is very kind of you to take the time.
Please.
Mr.
President the SS Quanza is filled with Jewish refugees fleeing Hitler's regime.
They've been sailing port to port looking to be granted asylum.
But even with the work of the lawyer we've retained for them, Jacob Morewitz, no one will take them.
If we don't get them legitimate visas, they will be sent back to Europe and a horrible fate.
As you know, Franklin, last year the MS St.
Louis was turned away and 254 innocent lives were lost.
We have an opportunity here with the Quanza to right that wrong.
We've exhausted every other avenue, Mr.
President.
- The ship is due here any day.
- Yes.
Thank you for bringing those to me.
A horrific plight indeed.
Yet still, I am afraid I cannot help you.
Franklin, we cannot turn a blind eye to this atrocity again.
The people elected you to office to act.
The American people have chosen not to act in this European conflict.
Therefore I cannot act.
Mrs.
Hemingway, again, I am very sorry.
I wish I could do more, but right now my hands are tied.
Anna! Yes? Tell my two o'clock that I am ready.
Will you wait for me outside, please, Martha? Mrs.
Hemingway, I am very sorry.
- Good day, Mr.
President.
- Good day.
I think you are making a mistake, Franklin.
Why is it the people that are supposed to be the closest to me cannot understand that I cannot simply wave my hand and make things happen? Well, you certainly can't make things happen if you insist on sitting on them while the rest of the world is falling apart.
Eleanor, stop! Stop right there.
You need to stop thinking about me like some man without a soul.
I can be emotional and practical all at the same time.
You cannot insulate yourself against people's suffering, Franklin.
- Mother.
- Anna.
- We must move the day along.
- Mrs.
R, your radio broadcast is in 14 minutes.
Thank you, Tommy.
Franklin.
Anna, please close the door behind you.
What did the papers say about the photographs? Hearst won't print them.
Propaganda through omission.
And Sulzberger's afraid they will incite something.
What? Empathy? Action? Panic, paranoia, anti-Semitism.
Not all fascists live in Europe.
Yes.
Tommy, who here grants the power to have visas? I believe that is Patrick Malin with the political refugees' committee.
Let me make a call.
Uh, Mrs.
R, we really have to go.
- Yes.
- Thank you.
Well, don't lose heart, Martha.
I will think of something.
"It may seem to you that a racial or religious prejudice that does not touch you is something about which you need not concern yourself.
But unfortunately, one prejudice engenders another, and people soon find themselves prey to fears of all kinds.
We must do all we can to prevent the rise "of racial or religious hatred in this country.
" Here at home, outrage over the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is spreading now around the country.
On Wednesday, marchers took to the streets in New York City and in Miami.
Protesters are calling for the arrest of the shooter.
Cleveland police this weekend shot a 12-year-old boy who was seen waving a gun at a local playground.
The boy later died.
The gun turned out to be fake.
Attorney General Eric Holder said today the Justice Department is monitoring the case of a New York City man who died in police custody last month.
The dramatic cell phone video shows 50-year-old Walter Scott running away from Officer Michael Slager.
The 33-year-old officer fires eight shots at Scott's back.
Thought that my brother was gunned down like an animal.
It was just unbelievable to me to see that.
The amateur video paints a different picture than the one that first emerged Saturday.
Authorities originally said Scott tried to run and the two men struggled over the officer's Taser.
Slager said he feared for his life.
An hour after city officials saw the footage, North Charleston mayor Keith Summey announced that Slager would be charged with murder.
When you're wrong, you're wrong.
And if you make a bad decision, don't care if you're behind the shield, you have to live by that decision.
Late Tuesday, Slager was denied bail Malia, you finished your homework? No.
Malia, you don't have to watch every single one of these videos.
Mom, they shot him in the back and left him in the streets for four hours, like his life just didn't matter.
I mean, how many more? Trayvon, Tamir, Eric.
I-I just don't understand why this keeps happening.
I know.
Malia, I know.
Trust me, I understand, honey.
I Mom Look at us.
I mean, look at this house that we live in.
If we can't make a difference, who can? Aw, thank you! And we appreciate you all coming down to see our new home.
- Oh, of course.
- Been real nice here so far.
Cocktails with the neighbors and everything.
- Oh! - Yeah.
Whoa, the real life George and Weezy.
Y'all really did move on up out of the neighborhood right into one of theirs.
Except the Jeffersons don't have Daddy! Daddy, look.
Well, ain't that a bitch.
Come on.
Get in the car.
It's time for us to go.
I am so sorry.
I think you could probably get that buffed out.
- That's some bullshit.
- Craig.
But It's fine.
It'll come out.
You know, just reminds me of how gorgeous this beauty really is.
You know, sometimes when folks see something they hate looking so beautiful, first thing they wanna do is scuff it up.
But Robinsons, we just buff that right out.
- Get in the car.
- You heard your daddy.
Let's go.
Well, have a nice easy drive.
You guys have a safe trip home now.
Mm.
Hello.
I thought you were coming Thursday.
It is Thursday.
Oh, dear.
How long do I have you for this time? Mm, about seven hours.
Oh, hmm.
I'm sorry I won't be with you later on.
Sara's having one of her dinner parties tonight and I'll be forced to trade small talk with the British ambassador and his wife over a plate of aspic or some such.
What is aspic anyway? Aspic is a lukewarm, gelatinous, punitive insult.
Oh, well.
Mm.
- Delicious.
- Very.
That was very good.
Clearly you should have been a A restaurant critic.
If I could just do this one thing, Hick.
If I could just help these 86 souls on the Quanza, then that would be something.
I am sure you'll think of a way.
You always do.
The White House has become something of a family affair these days.
The Roosevelts may well be America's answer to our royal family.
- Oh.
- Absolutely not.
Well, that's why we thought it might be nice to have you to our private dining room, Mr.
Ambassador.
Please consider yourself part of the family.
It's our honor to have you as our guest.
- Yes.
- Ladies and gentlemen, Mr.
Malin, Ambassador.
I believe that dinner is served.
If you would please join us inside.
- After you.
- Thank you so much.
Oh, hello.
Mr.
Ambassador, you are over here.
- Thank you so much.
- Hello.
It's so nice to see you.
Thank you for coming.
Mr.
Malin, you're next.
Everybody, please sit.
Oh, look.
Ooh, a photo exhibit.
- Oh.
- How modern.
- My, May, what have you got? - Oh, Lord.
Quite disturbing images.
What ones do you have here? Mine are sort of Honored guests, Ambassador Lindsay, Mr.
Malin, I would like to introduce you to two personal friends of mine, Martha Gellhorn Hemingway, a brilliant journalist who has provided these photographs this evening, and Mr.
Jacob Morewitz, a wonderful young lawyer who is representing some of the refugees that you will see in these photographs.
Some of these individuals are trapped at this very moment on the SS Quanza, having been denied the right to safely disembark.
We feel very fortunate to be here tonight at this vital crossroads.
Had I known we'd be discussing politics this evening, - I'd have paced myself.
- And I wish I had not.
Earlier today, I was able to win an injunction in court for the ship to remain in American waters, but only for six more days.
Six days before these human beings will be forced back to Europe, where they will have a terrible fate, not unlike some of the other images you see before you.
And that is where Mr.
Malin comes in Eleanor, you are making our guests uncomfortable.
Uncomfortable dinner parties are a British tradition.
You can act, Mr.
Malin, even if my husband and the other men in this White House will not.
- Eleanor, enough! - Mr.
President, there must be something we can do.
I'm afraid there isn't.
My hands are tied.
Larger issues are at play and Eleanor knows this.
Please, remove these photographs from the table immediately.
These people are suffering.
They are dying.
If they were your children, your parents, uh, your brothers and sisters, just think, what would you do? Ambassador Lindsay, am I to understand that Winchester City is your football club of choice? Unfortunately, it is.
Unfortunately indeed.
I've seen them play.
There we have it.
Just denying the reality of the world around us and enjoying the duck confit.
Well, I adore duck confit.
As do I.
Our chef at home makes a quail confit.
He also makes the most delightful deviled quail eggs.
Little teeny tiny things.
How can we be so utterly complacent? Eleanor, there is no complacency in this room, only decency.
And I do wish you would exercise some restraint so our friends can enjoy their dinner.
Ah, wonderful.
Endive is here.
- I hope you all like endive.
- Thank God.
Mrs.
Roosevelt, is Bendel's in New York still the place to go for the latest fashions? I did hear that they have some lovely gowns this year.
Mrs.
Roosevelt, would you join us for a day of shopping in New York? We can take the train.
Well, I'll certainly consult my schedule.
Anna? Close the door, please.
I asked you to arrange an appointment with Mrs.
Rutherfurd.
I do not see it in my calendar.
Um About Lucy I After all this time, are you sure Of course, I'm sure.
That's why I asked you to arrange it.
Now, please get it done.
Now.
Anna, I'm sorry.
I-I don't expect you to understand.
I And I know you think I'm putting you in a terrible position, but I I need her.
I need something too.
I see.
Thank you.
Yes, the Rutherfurd residence of New York City.
I'll hold.
This is Lucy Rutherfurd.
Hello, Mrs.
Rutherfurd.
This is Anna Boettiger.
Anna Roosevelt.
How are you? I am very well.
Thank you for asking.
And yourself? Very well indeed.
Uh, the president has instructed me to arrange a meeting with you.
I'd be delighted.
Let me tell you when he's available.
Oh.
Psst, psst, psst.
Psst, psst.
There are just not enough hours in the day.
You do so much.
And yet somehow, it always feels like a drop in the bucket.
Let's just enjoy each other while I'm here.
Rest.
It's hard, Hick when thousands are being forced from their homes every day.
Can you allow yourself just a Just a moment of satisfaction? Do you know what a concentration camp is? - Do you? - Yes, I do.
And yet you're fine to while away the hours drinking bourbon in the afternoon.
Where are you going? To find somewhere else to while.
Don't leave, Hick.
I'm really beginning to understand how your husband and your children must feel.
Constantly judged, scrutinized, abandoned.
That is an unkind thing to say.
I'm sorry.
Um, Mr.
Malin for you.
Oh, yes.
Mr.
Malin.
Madam First Lady, I wanted to thank you in person for inviting me to that rather uncomfortable dinner.
Well But comfort isn't appropriate when discussing great suffering.
No, it's so true.
Would you have a seat? I've brought you the visas you need for everyone onboard the Quanza.
- Oh, my! - Human rights are indeed not reserved for Americans.
Thank you.
I hope you know how brave this act is.
It's - Yes, I hope it was worth it.
- "Worth it"? There were ships coming in all the time and we've only just gotten started here, so Unfortunately not.
I have now been stripped of my visa oversight.
- Oh, I am very sorry.
- All requests now have to go through Assistant Secretary Long.
Please, if there's anything that we can do.
I'm afraid that won't be possible.
Mr.
Long is so infuriated by what we did, he has vowed never to allow a single refugee onto our shores again.
Does my husband know of this? Yes, I'm afraid so.
Well, thank you very much, Mr.
Malin.
Thank you.
Missy, can you put me through to Franklin, please? Yes, I'll hold.
Pa is on his way.
He'll be here in a couple of hours.
Oh, good.
Thank you, dear.
And Eleanor? I'm here.
Oh.
You know I never thought you were the right wife for my Franklin.
I always pictured someone less complicated.
You've always done what you believed in.
Nobody could fault you for that.
I'm grateful that Franklin found you.
Huh.
An extraordinary man deserves an extraordinary woman.
Oh, Mother.
You're quite extraordinary yourself.
Hmm.
Thank you.
Ah.
Deep inside Alabama is a famous school called the Tuskegee Institute.
It has graduated many thousands into agriculture, into science, into industry.
This school was the first of its kind, and its founder, Booker T.
Washington, was a pioneer who broke open a road for others to follow.
He lifted the veil of ignorance from his people, and pointed the way to progress through education and industry.
Dang it.
Excuse me.
It's Michelle Robinson.
Oh, hi, Michelle.
Uh, we were supposed to meet 27 minutes ago.
Oh, my goodness.
I'm so sorry.
Our meeting must've just fallen through the cracks.
Please, come in.
I've just been so busy filling out this report.
I'm so sorry about that.
Here, please have a seat.
I'll be with you in just one second.
Okay.
Oh.
What am I looking at here? Uh, my report cards, test scores, a few news clippings about my accomplishments.
Um, as you can see, I've excelled in academics, in extracurricular activities and community service.
Oh, I almost forgot.
I'm also a member of the National Honor Society.
Wow.
Uh Thi I love this spirit.
I have Um, yes.
I have some info on some local universities that I think would be a great fit for you.
Oh.
Uh, that's not necessary.
I already know where I'm going.
Princeton, and then Harvard Law after that.
Well, that's certainly a very ambitious goal.
Yeah.
But I think it would be a good idea to widen your search just a bit.
Uh, but that's where I wanna go.
I mean, why should I waste my time applying to schools I'm not interested in? Well, your accomplishments at a school like Whitney are certainly very impressive.
I, um I'm not I'm not sure that you're quite Princeton material.
- Um - Look, I know your brother, Craig, is there now on a basketball scholarship.
But I don't see any involvement in athletics and Princeton doesn't give out athletic scholarships.
How do you not know that? You're a guidance counselor.
Okay.
There's no need to have an attitude, miss.
Remember, I'm here to help you out.
And my advice is that you consider whether your school of choice is the right culture fit.
Hmm? Think about it.
These are wonderful schools.
I'm so sorry.
I've got to get back, but thank you so much for coming in, Michelle.
I'm sorry.
Uh, what exactly about me isn't the right culture fit for Princeton? Hmm? Is it the way that I dress or talk or my hair or something else you're just not saying? Please, be specific.
I just don't want you to be disappointed.
- Hey, Mich.
- Santita! Hey, girl.
- How you doing? - I'm good.
Can't complain.
Or I can, but I'm not going to.
I hear that.
- Yeah, what's up? - I saw your email about the commencement speech at Tuskegee.
Yeah, I already told them that you were probably too busy.
I am too busy, but I wanna do it.
For real? I will make the time.
Oh, they're gonna be over the moon.
I'll get my team to get in touch.
Oh, great.
This is huge, Mich.
Thank you.
Bye, girl.
You are in some hot water with Val.
- Tuskegee? - Uh-huh.
You're not consulting the West Wing any more? I know exactly how that conversation would go.
"The West Wing is concerned that white people" White voters might be scared that a Black First Lady is talking to a Black audience about race"? Yeah, that's about the sum of it.
Yeah.
So So, I I probably can't stop you.
Damn right.
Well, hey, I understand that it's a Black college, right? But as you know, we're always talking to a national audience.
- Right? - Mm-hmm.
So, hit 'em with those hard truths, sure.
All right? But I think it will be more effective if you can tie 'em to our common goals as a nation.
Just my two cents.
I want those Black kids at Tuskegee to know that we feel their pain, share their fears, and that their lives matter too.
And I want our own children to know how we feel.
And I want those news channels to listen and eat it, and to hell with their, "This isn't the America I know.
" - Fuck holding back.
- So you just wanna play right into the hands of the conservative media? Just give 'em what they want? Those murders happened while we were here, Barack.
I know that, Michelle.
I am still a Black man in America.
You don't think I wanna pop off every time I see another unarmed Black kid get shot? You know I wanna be out there on those streets, marching right along with those kids.
But that's not our reality.
- Because we're the First Family? - Yeah.
But, Barack, we're the first Black First Family.
And we've been called nigger in every way possible.
For once, let's be the niggers.
Okay.
Now, how many of them Uh-oh, Craig.
Mich just got home.
Look like something got her good and mad.
I'm gonna see about your sister.
Bye, Mom.
All right, now that your mother's gone, tell me how's it going with the ladies? How much time you got? So, what happened? Counselor said I wasn't "Princeton material.
" That's what she said.
What do you think? I don't know.
What if she's right? Let me ask you a question.
Why did hearing that from your counselor make you so angry? Because why can't a Black kid go to an Ivy League school without playing a sport? I mean, she's wrong.
And there it is.
She's dead wrong.
And if there's two things I know about Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, she's sharp as a whip.
And nobody is gonna tell her what she's not gonna do.
So I don't wanna hear any more of this "What if I'm not good enough?" Ma You understand me? Yes, ma'am.
I know many of you will be thinking of the many heroes that Tuskegee has produced.
The airmen who faced bigotry even as they fought for our country in World War II.
Perhaps you feel pressure to live up to that legacy.
Pressure to meet the expectations of others.
I get it.
And all that is gonna be a heavy burden to carry.
It can feel isolating.
It can make you feel like your life somehow doesn't matter.
And we've seen over the past few years, those feelings are real.
They're rooted in decades of structural challenges that have made too many folks feel frustrated and invisible.
As the first African American First Lady, I was the focus of speculations and conversations rooted in fears and misperceptions of others.
Was I too loud, or too angry, or too emasculating? My indignities are nothing compared to what many Black folks deal with every single day.
Police brutality and severe racial injustice, decades of institutional inequality playing out in communities.
Like you, I am pained and exhausted by these heartbreaking videos.
It is not enough to bear witness.
This war on Black people must stop.
She's really going for it.
Yeah, she is.
My daughters have taught me so much.
And I am inspired by the strength and the fortitude of young people.
You are our conscience.
You hold us to account and you urge us to do better.
And I want every one of you to know your dreams matter.
Your hopes matter.
Your future matters.
You matter.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Sir, if I may say, you should be very proud of your wife.
Sir.
Thank you, Wilson.
And yeah Thank you.
I am.
What do you think? The, uh, Indian raw silk, or Kravet silk? Uh, the first one? Hmm.
Though the Kravet does blend in nicely with the evening light, don't you think? Oh, I forgot to ask.
If If it were up to you, would you choose wrought iron fireplace tools or brass? What would the president like? I haven't the foggiest and since he's out of town once again, I can't ask him.
Brass? I think you're right.
Thank you, Bruce! Ma'am.
Thank you, dear.
I missed you.
- Cheers, darling.
- Cheers.
Mm.
Fresh lime from our tree in the backyard.
Isn't that something? Look at that.
We really are retiring in paradise, aren't we? Mm.
House looks wonderful.
Yes, well, I can't take all the credit.
Agent Bruce has a pretty good eye.
I've got a couple other quick trips this week.
I'm going to Detroit for a speech at Stroh's, and then over to Casper, Wyoming, - for a golf barbecue event.
- When are you leaving? I told you, Betty.
Tomorrow morning.
I'll be back before you know it.
Now, mother.
Don't "mother" me, Jerry.
Retirement isn't going out of town every week.
Good night, ma'am.
Good night, John.
Oh, for Chrissake.
Well, hello there.
Hey, everybody, look who's here.
It's the First Lady right in my own backyard! Betty Ford.
It's Barbara Knickerbocker.
I mean, Firestone.
Leonard's wife.
Barbara, nice to see you.
Oh, please call me Nicky.
Everybody else does.
Oh, we were wondering when we would run into you.
I guess a party finds everyone eventually.
- Eventually.
- What are you drinking? Oh, uh, gin and tonic.
Gin and tonic coming up.
We have that.
- Betty! - To Betty! Cheers! This last dance tonight ♪