Madam Secretary (2014) s02e05 Episode Script
The Long Shot
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ELIZABETH: Was that your publisher? Yeah.
Apparently, my book is a best seller.
Congratulations! Hey, you think they'll make it into a movie? Okay, let me clarify what "best seller" means in the religious nonfiction market.
Just over 1,000, baby.
(laughs) I guess my sales shot up when my rant on C-SPAN went viral.
Nothing like a well-placed tantrum to spike your popularity.
I prefer trenchant social commentary.
Oh, whatever, Kanye McCord.
But I take him every day.
I know, and I would, but I have an early class.
Can you drop Jason off this morning? - Mm-hmm, sure.
- Thanks.
I have to be at school early today.
I joined the school paper.
- Really? That's great news.
- Oh, that's awesome.
You're a reporter? What's your beat? That's, you know, journalist talk.
I'm writing a weekly column.
- HENRY: About what? - ALISON: Fashion.
But your school has uniforms.
All the more reason to obsess about the weekend looks.
I'll write about trends, what's in, what's out.
Some of it's psychological, too.
Like, why do we keep giving block heels a chance? Right? Nobody look good in those.
Hey, hey, hey.
I wear block heels.
You walked right into that one, Dad.
I thought I might contrast expensive looks with affordable alternatives.
- (phone buzzing) - Then I can write about makeup, too.
Oh, that's a good idea.
Maybe we could go to the mall this weekend and check out the higher-end makeup lines.
Then I can find similar shades in the drugstore brands.
Compare and contrast, you know? - Mom.
- Hang on one second.
Anton Gorev wants to speak to me.
- Last I heard, he was holed up in London.
- Mom.
Just baby, give me a minute.
Forget it.
I have to go.
Is she mad? I heard mall, makeup, and then I kind of went out.
She wants you to take her to the mall.
Oh, I can do that.
I gotta make this call, though.
Okay.
And, for the record, I think you look great in block heels.
- Nice try.
- I GOREV: I'm sure you know that Prime Minister Rozovsky is stepping down as Acting President of Russia, and that Maria Ostrov asked for a special election, to be held in 30 days.
- A blatant power grab on her part.
- Yeah.
She's asking for an open and vigorous debate, but given the amount of influence she's amassed in the last month, I doubt anyone's going to step up to challenge her.
I will challenge her.
And I will win.
I'm listening.
Mrs.
Ostrov may have the generals in her pocket, but the tensions she is fomenting with Ukraine are bad for business.
Russia's highest-ranking officials and billionaires want peace, not war.
They want me.
But to mount a campaign, I need my money.
When Pavel Ostrov died, you said you hoped I would succeed him.
And I meant it.
Well, Elizabeth, the wheel is still turning.
JAY: Good morning, "A" team.
DAISY: Reading your memo.
More like battle plan.
But thanks.
You up to speed? Skimmed it.
So, no.
Essentially, Russia is waging an "information war" in Eastern Europe.
The Russian television network broadcasts these cheesy game shows that can be picked up in the eastern part of Ukraine and the Baltic states.
Where a lot of ethnic Russians live.
Just read that part.
Right.
The shows are popular with those folks, and when they're over, the Kremlin airs a "news hour.
" Otherwise known as state-controlled propaganda.
Exactly.
False reports that ethnic Russians are being murdered in the west.
Estonian nuclear plants are melting down.
That Ukraine is secretly planning to invade Russia.
Without any truth to counter it, people believe the lies.
And every day, U.
S.
security interests in Europe are undermined.
So what's your battle plan? Public Diplomacy thinks that if we could license a popular American program, we could air it opposite the Russian game shows.
Steal those viewers away.
Baywatch or Let's Make a Dealski? I mean, it's it's no contest.
And then we follow our show with a real news hour.
I talked it over with the secretary and she feels strongly that we need to fight Russian aggression on all fronts, and that means implementing a long-term media strategy.
Game on.
What's our budget? Nothing Hollywood would be interested in.
As we know, an extremely malicious piece of malware allowed our bad actor to hack into Air Force One's computer system and shut down communication.
It took 100 software engineers a month of decoding millions of lines of encrypted code, but they were finally able to uncover this PLC rootkit code sequence.
Which is what, exactly? If hackers today think of themselves as brands, this sequence is a digital autograph.
It's unique to a legendary black hat who goes by the handle Dash.
Legendary, huh? OLIVER: In the last decade, this guy has executed offensives for China, North Korea, Russia and Iran.
If you've got the cash, he's your go-to guy for cyber terror.
So who hired him this time? Working on that.
Do we have an ID? Allegedly, this is Dash.
I pulled the photo off the darknet, sent it to Interpol.
So far, nothing.
Here's the bad news.
According to the chatter I've been listening to, he's planning another attack.
How do you top hacking Air Force One? Hit the White House.
ELIZABETH: Pentagon.
Our missile systems.
We've shored up our firewalls, but since the best defense is a good offense, we're also setting a few honeypots.
Dummy servers with false software and decoy information to lure him in.
And once he's on the hook? Then we can hack back.
Maybe locate his actual server.
Then, boom.
He's ours.
This is our top priority.
Get into it with CYBERCOM.
That's the next stop on my whirlwind tour.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I got an interesting call from Anton Gorev this morning, saying he wants to return home to run against Maria Ostrov next month.
Is anyone else experiencing déjà vu? We went down this road, Elizabeth, and we crashed and burned.
This election is another opportunity to get a moderate in the Kremlin.
Election.
Do we really think Maria Ostrov has any respect for the democratic process? About as much respect as she has for Ukraine's border.
At least with our lethal aid package we can deal with that situation directly.
The Ukrainian president is at the Pentagon as we speak.
But here's the thing.
If Gorev was in power, Ukraine wouldn't need aid.
That whole situation could be dialed back.
Maybe.
But has he got a shot? Gorev's numbers have been steadily rising, particularly with disaffected young Russians.
He still has influential friends, and if he can lure one or two generals over to his side, that moves the needle.
So what does he want from us? He needs cash.
The sanctions in the UK have frozen his accounts.
They want our okay to lift them.
I can reach out to the British ambassador, see if there's a deal to be made.
All right.
- Keep me informed.
- Okay.
HENRY: I understand your commander's in town.
General Doroshevich.
DMITRI: I've been invited to a luncheon for the general at the embassy this afternoon.
You have instructions? Just keep an ear out.
Especially if there's any talk of Ukraine.
You okay with that? If I say "No, I won't spy on my country," your people will refuse care to my sister.
Maybe beat me with a phone book again.
So, yes, I'm okay with that.
- Is that all? - Okay, listen to me, Dmitri.
I know that you don't like this.
I don't much like it, either.
But I'm here, doing the work, because Russia is heading down a path that could be disastrous I don't need to hear about Russia.
- I know - Then stop behaving like a child and help me.
Have you ever heard of Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov? I'm assuming he's not a relative.
Petrov is a common name.
No, I've never heard of him.
He's a Russian hero, although your government doesn't like to acknowledge that.
I don't understand.
One night in 1983, Petrov was at his post at the missile attack early warning system when suddenly, all the alarms went off.
There was a "high reliability" that the United States had launched ICBMs into the Soviet Union.
Petrov's training dictated that he launch Russian missiles as a retaliatory strike against the United States.
But his gut told him that it had to be a false alarm.
So he called his superiors and he told them not to launch.
And then he waited for 23 long minutes, and when no missiles fell, he knew he was right.
Stanislav Petrov saved the world, because he trusted his instincts.
I think your instincts are telling you to work with me, because you know it's best for Russia and for the rest of the world.
BLAKE: I will talk to the secretary.
Well stall him.
The British ambassador's already here? No, ma'am.
It's Ukrainian President Mikhail Bozek.
His motorcade just drove up.
What? He's requesting a meeting with you.
So he's done picking up weapons at the Pentagon and he doesn't have any lunch plans? It's highly unusual, ma'am.
What would you like to do? Mikhail, what a surprise.
Thank you for seeing me.
Of course.
Uh, this is Nadine Tolliver, my chief of staff, and Jay Whitman, my chief policy advisor.
Pleasure to meet you both.
I hope everything was satisfactory with our aid package.
It is all very much appreciated.
I want to assure you that our support of Ukraine extends beyond military aid.
Um, Jay I Sit, please.
Jay is working to counteract the propaganda that's been coming out of Russia lately.
Russian news anchors say my government is illegal.
That I'm a usurper.
We're doing everything we can to fight that message.
Unfortunately, the situation is approaching a crisis point, which is why I am here.
Ukraine must become a full NATO member, immediately.
Well, applying for NATO membership is a years-long process.
Yes, but the situation has drastically changed.
You have influence with President Dalton.
You can convince him that Ukraine requires this protection.
But it's more than protection.
If Russia invaded Ukraine, the NATO response force would be required to challenge Russia militarily.
We're talking about a global conflict.
Even if the president was willing to fast track your admission, the NATO members will never agree to admit your country while there are tensions with Russia.
Tensions? The moment Maria Ostrov is elected, she will launch an invasion into Western Ukraine.
Will you just sit by and watch? I'll let the president know that we spoke.
Please.
Also let him know that Ukraine's fate is in your hands.
The next time you see me, I may be strung up in Mykhailivska Square.
Thank you for your time, Elizabeth.
Of course.
I'll see you out, Mr.
President.
(indistinct chatter) See, the truth is whether or not Ukraine is a member of NATO, I don't believe that we'll let Russia attack the west without launching a military strike back of our own.
BLAKE: Ma'am? Uh, British Ambassador Graham Shenton - is on his way up.
- Right.
I hope Shenton is in an accommodating mood.
(chuckles) We really need the U.
K.
to lift those sanctions on Gorev's cash.
You you think he can beat Maria Ostrov? I hope so.
Anton Gorev becoming president of Russia might mean the difference between peace and World War III.
ELIZABETH: Mr.
Ambassador, Anton Gorev is under the impression that the U.
K.
is willing to lift the sanctions on his accounts.
Uh, given U.
S.
approval.
Well, that's what we told him.
But we assumed it be a non-issue, because you would refuse.
Well, the president is considering his request.
So, what's the real problem? The 138 oligarchs whose sanctions won't be lifted.
Ah, so if you release the sanctions on Gorev, the rest will beat a path to your door.
There should be some way to get the man back his own money.
ELIZABETH: Wait a minute.
Didn't I read an op-ed? By, um, Sir Richard Edgemont in, it was in The Sunday Times.
He was he was complaining that-that the Londoners had sold too much of their property to the Russians? He said his hometown was beginning to look like "Londongrad.
" Uh, yes, the gentry made millions off the oligarchs.
Now they're complaining there's too much coffee and vatrushka on the corner shops.
Not enough tea and scones.
Anton Gorev owns at least three properties in England.
They've got to be worth close to a 100 million total.
What if we could convince Sir Richard to buy them from him for cash? Well, that would certainly fill Gorev's coffers.
Uh, but would it trigger the sanctions? It shouldn't, if he used an offshore bank.
And I could make sure the Finance Ministry doesn't throw up any red flags.
Mr.
Ambassador, thank you so much for coming in.
I really appreciate it.
- Madam Secretary.
- Great.
(short laugh) (door closes) Oliver Shaw sent over a hardcopy of his report on the Air Force One cyber-attack.
Any news on his hacker trap? No, not yet.
Oh, uh, your studio executives are on their way up.
Show time.
Think I'm ready for my close-up.
DAISY: And this is the conference room.
Where many important deals have been struck.
Well, thanks for the tour.
There is so much history here.
I've always wanted to develop some kind of historical political drama.
Like John Adams, but as a series.
Well, I've tried it.
And, uh, it's cost prohibitive.
MAN: And boring.
Unless they're all sleeping together.
That's very Washington.
Not in this office.
So I gave you a rough outline of what we're hoping to achieve in the e-mail I sent.
Right, so you want to air our shows in Eastern Europe, and then follow them with pro-western news.
I'm sure you've heard about Russia's recent aggression.
I can't get into the classified details, but in the next few months, we could be on the brink of war in Europe.
DAISY: Altering the negative perceptions of the U.
S.
in the minds of ethnic Russians could literally change the course of our future.
Well, I-I just want to say that, uh, it-it's an honor to be asked to contribute to the cause.
"Contribute.
" Now, that's an excellent word.
We're asking you to make a contribution to your country, in the name of patriotism.
Okay.
So, our studio produces television shows at a deficit.
And we make our money back over time through license fees.
So, um, what were you thinking in terms of a fee? Actually, I was using the word "contribute" literally.
Mm.
(imitates explosion) You should not be on your own.
People will say you keep secrets.
They can say what they like.
I will stand with you.
We'll look like we are being social together.
You're a good friend, Ivan.
And a good Russian.
Sometimes I find it is not so easy to be both.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (buttons beeping) (line ringing) (cell phone ringing) Hello? It's Dmitri.
Yeah, what's up? Sir, I can't do this.
Where are you? I'm-I'm, uh, I'm in the embassy.
I drank too much.
Okay, listen to me.
You got to get yourself together and get out of there.
Do you understand? No, you don't understand.
Now, Dmitri.
We can talk later.
_ _ _ _ _ (door opens, closes) DALTON: Did Bozek really ask to join NATO? That lethal aid package he got from us must've included a pair of brass ones.
Okay, he's right to be concerned.
The situation is growing worse by the day.
We need somebody who can deescalate it.
I know you think that someone is Anton Gorev.
But he doesn't have the money to run.
It's true that the British refuse to lift the sanctions, - But - But you have a backup plan.
I just spoke to Sir Richard Edgemont.
And he is willing to purchase Gorev's two London townhouses and his country home in Wiltshire for 80 million cash.
It's a great deal for everyone.
CRAIG: Except us.
With all the hoops we're jumping through on his behalf, Anton Gorev should be required to work with our intelligence people.
When Pavel Ostrov was president, Gorev was his right-hand man for God's sake.
He has information we could use.
He will never go for it.
He's not gonna betray his country for money.
Even if that money was the difference between a return to power and a lifetime in exile? For one minute, let's think of Gorev as an asset.
Not just the answer to our Russian problem.
And I'm afraid that if we push him too hard and he walks away, we'll be handing Maria Ostrov the presidency.
I'm not convinced he will walk away.
He's a loyalist.
He's a desperate man in need of money.
(sighs) Hold the cash.
Let's turn the screws.
(car engine starts up) I can make parts of the State Department and White House available for film shoots.
Oh, that's a nice offer, Jay.
But it's pretty easy to shoot in L.
A.
or New York and make it look like D.
C.
And even if we did agree to forgo our profits, someone still has to pay residuals to the actors in the show, the writers and directors.
We can negotiate waivers.
With the talent unions? I mean, maybe you should try something easier, like a, uh, Middle East peace accord.
Now, Jay, you want an expensive product for virtually nothing.
Just because you have a special interest, it doesn't meant that I-I'm sorry.
Helping to prevent World War III is a "special interest"? 'Cause that's what's at stake here.
What the hell are you doing? What? I'm walking down the street.
- This is a free country, right? - Not for you.
Not right now.
You have got to stay sharp, Dmitri! You make one stupid mistake, and you can get yourself killed.
Yeah, what doesn't matter as long as I do my job? It matters to me.
It matters to your sister.
Go get sober, then call me.
Wait.
Is Anton Gorev gonna run against Maria Ostrov for the presidency? Why do you ask? Well, I overheard some intelligence officers say that they were bringing Gorev's daughter to the embassy.
- Olga? - Yeah.
They said she would stay for a month.
Then I thought maybe she's some kind of leverage.
But maybe this is at her request.
Go back to your dorm.
LEHANE: I know this is disappointing, but in many ways, the entertainment industry is like the federal government, right? It's large, somewhat inefficient, and it's very resistant to change.
If you would just agree to keep working with me, I Much as I hate to do it, I can't.
It's-it's just not feasible.
I have to pass.
I can get you ten minutes with the president.
I already met him fundraiser at Gwen Stefani's house.
MATT: It's nice to meet you.
DAISY: Great meeting you, thank you so much.
- It was so nice to meet you.
- (elevator dings) - Thank you.
- Okay, appreciate it.
- Okay, nice to see you.
- Nice to see you.
Okay, let's go.
Listen, you're right, okay? I don't I don't have anything to trade with you.
Come on.
Ten years ago, I was stationed at a consulate in Herat, Afghanistan.
It was dangerous, but we'd been there for months, no problems.
We let our guard down.
One of our SUVs hit a roadside bomb, and three foreign service officers were killed.
Friends of mine.
I'm so sorry.
I'm-I'm not done.
We were evacuated the next day.
I was getting on a h I was literally getting on a helicopter.
When the consul came up, he wanted me to stay with him and-and handle the arrangements for the bodies.
We needed to get them back to the States, to their families.
I said, "No.
Let someone else do it.
" I was young and scared, and I wa I wanted to go home.
But the next morning, I regretted it, and every day since, I regret it, because when it was my turn to help, I I said no.
This is your turn.
And if you say no, if you say, "Let someone else do it," I promise you, you'll wake up tomorrow morning and you'll you'll regret it.
(elevator dings) I'm sorry, Jay.
I, uh, I really am.
(buzzing) Professor McCord.
Is everything all right? Olga, I think it would be a good idea if you came to stay with Elizabeth and me for a couple of days.
Do I have time to pack a bag? I'm gonna say no.
Olga Gorev, come with us.
Hey, guys, what can I do for you? This is not your business, mister.
Her father send us.
Oh, it must be some kind of mistake, 'cause just got off the phone with her father.
Anton and I are old friends.
I'll have him give you a call, let you know that everything's okay.
Elizabeth, I will not trade government secrets to the Americans.
The price you're asking is too high.
The president was very insistent.
(phone rings) This is my daughter calling.
But my answer to the president is that he should find another chump.
- (beeps) - BLAKE: Ma'am.
Henry's on the phone, he says it's urgent.
HENRY: Hey, girls, don't fill up on popcorn.
I got dinner.
Mom will be here soon.
No worries, Dad.
Olga, you settling in okay? Yes, thanks.
Alison is taking excellent care of me.
Good.
JASON: I don't get it.
She's here for a long visit, and she doesn't pack a suitcase? Yes.
- But everything's fine.
- Yeah.
Oh, yeah, she's just visiting like any other normal person.
You know, without extra clothes.
Yes.
- You probably want me to stop asking questions, huh? - Yes.
ELIZABETH: I'm home.
Run upstairs and tell the girls dinner's in about ten minutes, would you? - All right.
- Thank you.
Okay, so I've had about to process this news, and I think I know what's going on.
No.
No, I don't.
What's the official story again? Olga Gorev spontaneously decided to come for a visit.
Okay, so is there an unofficial story? Yes, but I can't discuss it with you.
I have a very high security clearance.
HENRY: (chuckles) I'm aware.
Even so.
So how long is she staying? A while.
- Days or weeks? - Weeks.
About three to four weeks? Elizabeth, don't interrogate me.
This is about the Russian elections, isn't it? Does Maria Ostrov think that Gorev is running, - that he's a threat? - Can't say.
Is Gorev gonna run? Is that why he called this morning? Was Olga gonna be used as leverage - to keep him out of the race? - I don't know.
That's the truth.
Babe, wait a minute.
Things are in play.
Delicate moves are being made.
If any of it has been compromised - by something that you've done - It was a judgment call.
You and I made a promise to Anton Gorev.
(sighs) That we would look after Olga.
I'm gonna go get changed.
And then I'm gonna call the president and tell him that we have a house guest.
Hey.
(knocks on door) I'm sorry that didn't work out today.
Thanks.
And I appreciate the support, you and Daisy.
Any time.
Hey, you know what they call you in the office pool? Saint Jay, patron of the long shot.
That doesn't sound like a compliment.
Well, it is.
I didn't know that you lost friends over there.
I'm sorry.
I-I don't talk about it much.
For a long time, you know, I felt guilty.
Not just for leaving when I did, but for not being in the car with them.
Yeah, but if you were in the car, you'd be dead too.
And that's why they call it survivor's guilt.
Look, I don't pretend to know what you went through.
All I know is what I see.
And every day, I see you here, fighting the good fight.
You may not always win, but you never stop fighting.
And it counts, man.
It counts for a lot.
ALISON: Hi, Mom.
ELIZABETH: Hey, sweetheart.
Can we talk about my column? It's due tomorrow.
Yeah, I read it at work.
I e-mailed you.
I really liked it.
I was kind of hoping for more.
Well, um there were there were things in it that really surprised me.
Like, uh like adding different layers and wearing pointed shoes makes you look taller.
I mean, I've done that I can't remember since how long, and I never knew why.
And what about my idea for the second column? Um, was that in the e-mail? We talked about it this morning.
You-you were going to go to the mall, and it was to shop If you don't remember, just say so.
I-I do, I remember the mall.
And then then I got that text.
Oh, Alison, I'm sorry.
It has been such a long day.
I I'm sorry, I don't remember what your second article was, uh, gonna be about.
But why don't you tell me about it now? Why bother? Nothing I do makes any kind of impression on you.
It's like you couldn't care less what I do.
- I'm invisible.
- Hang on a second.
I'm gonna go downstairs and talk to Olga, the stranger who finds me more interesting than my own mother.
Ali, that I (scoffs) Since when did you become the easy daughter? I'm actually learning all about that in my child psych class.
It's, like, classic middle kid stuff.
Okay.
But is she right? The truth? Alison gets the short end of the attention stick around here.
In what way? Well, this fashion thing, it's been going on for a long time.
Really? Years, Mom.
(groans) I mean, she reads magazines and blogs.
She follows trends.
She even sketches designs sometimes.
She does? Sketches? Mm-hmm.
The president agrees Olga should stay as long as she likes.
Obviously, we'd like to keep this quiet.
People could make political hay both here and in Russia if word got out.
I know this puts the president in an awkward position.
He's a father too.
Now I guess I'm waiting, as they say, for the other shoe to drop.
My daughter is in your house.
This puts you in a unique position to ask of me well, anything.
Anton, I would never use your daughter as a bargaining chip.
ANTON: I appreciate that.
But the president's original offer still stands.
Give us information, and we'll find a way to get you your cash.
It's impossible.
I can't give you anything that would hurt Russia.
I can't give you anything that could be traced back to me.
I wanted to be president, Elizabeth.
I was also hoping that it would mark the beginning of a better relationship between our two countries.
I am truly sorry that it could not be.
Anton, I believe the wheel is still turning.
Good morning.
Morning.
Alison.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry if I ever made you feel invisible or unimportant or unheard or anything other than cherished.
Because that is what you are.
Okay? Okay.
You know, when I was growing up, it seemed like the only thing that my parents ever talked about was my brother and what new trouble he was getting into, and it seemed like like they took me for granted.
And I swore that I would never do that when I was a mom.
I also swore I would never use pacifiers or disposable diapers.
- But - (chuckles) Noodle, I'm not perfect, but I am trying, and I need you bear with me, please? Please? I can do that.
Thank you.
So, Dash's real name is George Lasko.
Interpol confirmed Lasko is wanted for cyber attacks he committed as a juvenile in his home country of Algeria, but no one had connected him to the Dash alias until now.
How did you do it? Anton Gorev.
Reading over Oliver's report, I see that the Russian government hired Dash to cyber-attack Estonia in 2007.
That's when Gorev was head of the GRU, and they would've handled the payment.
Gorev told me they paid George Lasko five million in cash.
Did you happen to discuss any current events? The Air Force One attack.
He says it wasn't the Russians.
What else can he say? Well, it's also possible that it was them, and Gorev was just out of the loop.
When Air Force One was hacked, President Ostrov was sick.
It's possible the attack was ordered by the generals, or Maria, bypassing government channels.
She strikes me as the type to go rogue.
I've got Interpol working to track Lasko down.
Hopefully they can grab him up before he can execute his second attack on us.
And don't worry, Bess.
Anton Gorev's help today will stay with the three of us.
Along with the fact that you're harboring his daughter.
I prefer to call it "hosting.
" Mr.
President, aside from keeping Olga safe, I would like to give Anton Gorev something else in exchange for his help.
Something, I think, could benefit all of us.
Something like $80 million? Yes, sir.
Go ahead.
Sir Richard can close the deal.
Thank you.
And, uh, good work.
Thank you, sir.
_ _ _ _ _ _ - No, oh.
23 years of marriage means nothing to this woman.
- She's coming for you, Dad.
- I'm so sorry.
- You are not sorry, Elizabeth McCord.
- You are not sorry.
- OLGA: #Sorrynotsorry, right, Mrs.
McCord? (phone buzzing) (sighs) Okay.
You just sorried yourself.
Hello? When did it happen? (laughter) All right.
Thanks for letting me know.
It's Gorev.
Olga.
It's your dad.
I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.
(crying) Come, come, come.
_ _ How are you doing? Not so well.
But, uh, sober, at least.
I heard the news.
Gorev is dead.
The police in London are saying it was a pay dispute with his aide.
Perhaps later I will arrange for you to buy the Manhattan Bridge.
Brooklyn Bridge.
But I agree with you Anton Gorev was assassinated.
And there's something I didn't tell you before.
Something else I heard at the embassy.
It's all planned.
The invasion.
As soon as Maria Ostrov is elected, Russia will attack Western Ukraine.
There are good people in this country, Dmitri.
People who want peace.
They're working for it every day.
I believe you are one of them.
ELIZABETH: Are you sure you don't want to just stay a little bit longer? Olga, the situation at home is very unstable.
And I think that if Maria Ostrov gets it into her mind I have to go back to Russia to bury my father.
And whatever happens, I can't give up on my country yet.
Not when he sacrificed so much.
He was very proud of you.
Thank you.
(sighs) And, uh, thank your family.
I hope when Dr.
McCord took me in, that didn't cause you any trouble.
No, no.
Dr.
McCord always does what he believes is right.
That's why I love him so much.
Look, you have a safe flight and (door opens) (sighs) (clattering) Hey.
What are you doing? I'm weeding.
You What? That's what fashion people call cleaning out your closet.
The rule is if you haven't worn it in a year, it has to go.
It's midnight.
Did you know that if you have big shoulders you can't wear boxy jackets? And if you have orange in your skin, you have to stay away from anything in the pink family.
Okay.
You don't have boxy shoulders or orange skin, so.
Did you know that our daughter knows all this stuff? I didn't.
(sighs) Did you know that she sketches? Yeah.
Not me.
Alison thinks I'm not interested in her.
And you know why she thinks that? (sighs) Because she's not a crisis.
And that's what I do.
I deal with one crisis after another crisis after another, while my life just passes by.
Babe, Alison is okay.
You guys had a fight.
It's over.
I What is this really about? You think you have your eye on the ball, and then you just end up missing everything.
And how am I supposed to guard against things I never even see coming? Effect real change in the world.
That was Conrad's pitch.
I didn't go looking for the job.
And (sighs) I know you feel bad about Anton.
I feel bad about him, too.
Please don't say anything about God.
(chuckles) I wasn't going to.
(sniffles) What happened? Mikhail Bozek was on his private plane, headed back to Ukraine.
They went down about 100 miles west of Kiev.
Rescue teams are on the scene.
OLIVER: The president and his crew managed to bail out before the plane hit the ground.
We're waiting for Here they are.
President Dalton? DALTON: Yes, Mikhail.
I'm here with Craig Sterling and Elizabeth McCord.
Are you all right? We're all okay, but it's a miracle.
Mr.
President, can you describe what happened with the plane? There was some kind of malfunction.
The autopilot suddenly programmed itself to drop 20,000 feet, and our pilot couldn't shut it down.
We had parachutes on board, and we bailed out.
The plane crashed on empty land.
So no one was killed? No, no, thank God.
(chuckles) We were very lucky.
You should have the medic check you out, Mikhail.
We'll talk tomorrow.
Yes, that's a good idea.
Just like Air Force One.
This was Dash's next attack.
ELIZABETH: Well, whoever hired Dash to hack your plane just tried to assassinate the Ukrainian president.
Then it must be the Russians.
No one else has motive to attack both the US and Ukraine.
Maria Ostrov is crossing names off her enemies' list on her way to becoming president.
With Anton Gorev dead, there's no one left to stop her.
Apparently, my book is a best seller.
Congratulations! Hey, you think they'll make it into a movie? Okay, let me clarify what "best seller" means in the religious nonfiction market.
Just over 1,000, baby.
(laughs) I guess my sales shot up when my rant on C-SPAN went viral.
Nothing like a well-placed tantrum to spike your popularity.
I prefer trenchant social commentary.
Oh, whatever, Kanye McCord.
But I take him every day.
I know, and I would, but I have an early class.
Can you drop Jason off this morning? - Mm-hmm, sure.
- Thanks.
I have to be at school early today.
I joined the school paper.
- Really? That's great news.
- Oh, that's awesome.
You're a reporter? What's your beat? That's, you know, journalist talk.
I'm writing a weekly column.
- HENRY: About what? - ALISON: Fashion.
But your school has uniforms.
All the more reason to obsess about the weekend looks.
I'll write about trends, what's in, what's out.
Some of it's psychological, too.
Like, why do we keep giving block heels a chance? Right? Nobody look good in those.
Hey, hey, hey.
I wear block heels.
You walked right into that one, Dad.
I thought I might contrast expensive looks with affordable alternatives.
- (phone buzzing) - Then I can write about makeup, too.
Oh, that's a good idea.
Maybe we could go to the mall this weekend and check out the higher-end makeup lines.
Then I can find similar shades in the drugstore brands.
Compare and contrast, you know? - Mom.
- Hang on one second.
Anton Gorev wants to speak to me.
- Last I heard, he was holed up in London.
- Mom.
Just baby, give me a minute.
Forget it.
I have to go.
Is she mad? I heard mall, makeup, and then I kind of went out.
She wants you to take her to the mall.
Oh, I can do that.
I gotta make this call, though.
Okay.
And, for the record, I think you look great in block heels.
- Nice try.
- I GOREV: I'm sure you know that Prime Minister Rozovsky is stepping down as Acting President of Russia, and that Maria Ostrov asked for a special election, to be held in 30 days.
- A blatant power grab on her part.
- Yeah.
She's asking for an open and vigorous debate, but given the amount of influence she's amassed in the last month, I doubt anyone's going to step up to challenge her.
I will challenge her.
And I will win.
I'm listening.
Mrs.
Ostrov may have the generals in her pocket, but the tensions she is fomenting with Ukraine are bad for business.
Russia's highest-ranking officials and billionaires want peace, not war.
They want me.
But to mount a campaign, I need my money.
When Pavel Ostrov died, you said you hoped I would succeed him.
And I meant it.
Well, Elizabeth, the wheel is still turning.
JAY: Good morning, "A" team.
DAISY: Reading your memo.
More like battle plan.
But thanks.
You up to speed? Skimmed it.
So, no.
Essentially, Russia is waging an "information war" in Eastern Europe.
The Russian television network broadcasts these cheesy game shows that can be picked up in the eastern part of Ukraine and the Baltic states.
Where a lot of ethnic Russians live.
Just read that part.
Right.
The shows are popular with those folks, and when they're over, the Kremlin airs a "news hour.
" Otherwise known as state-controlled propaganda.
Exactly.
False reports that ethnic Russians are being murdered in the west.
Estonian nuclear plants are melting down.
That Ukraine is secretly planning to invade Russia.
Without any truth to counter it, people believe the lies.
And every day, U.
S.
security interests in Europe are undermined.
So what's your battle plan? Public Diplomacy thinks that if we could license a popular American program, we could air it opposite the Russian game shows.
Steal those viewers away.
Baywatch or Let's Make a Dealski? I mean, it's it's no contest.
And then we follow our show with a real news hour.
I talked it over with the secretary and she feels strongly that we need to fight Russian aggression on all fronts, and that means implementing a long-term media strategy.
Game on.
What's our budget? Nothing Hollywood would be interested in.
As we know, an extremely malicious piece of malware allowed our bad actor to hack into Air Force One's computer system and shut down communication.
It took 100 software engineers a month of decoding millions of lines of encrypted code, but they were finally able to uncover this PLC rootkit code sequence.
Which is what, exactly? If hackers today think of themselves as brands, this sequence is a digital autograph.
It's unique to a legendary black hat who goes by the handle Dash.
Legendary, huh? OLIVER: In the last decade, this guy has executed offensives for China, North Korea, Russia and Iran.
If you've got the cash, he's your go-to guy for cyber terror.
So who hired him this time? Working on that.
Do we have an ID? Allegedly, this is Dash.
I pulled the photo off the darknet, sent it to Interpol.
So far, nothing.
Here's the bad news.
According to the chatter I've been listening to, he's planning another attack.
How do you top hacking Air Force One? Hit the White House.
ELIZABETH: Pentagon.
Our missile systems.
We've shored up our firewalls, but since the best defense is a good offense, we're also setting a few honeypots.
Dummy servers with false software and decoy information to lure him in.
And once he's on the hook? Then we can hack back.
Maybe locate his actual server.
Then, boom.
He's ours.
This is our top priority.
Get into it with CYBERCOM.
That's the next stop on my whirlwind tour.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I got an interesting call from Anton Gorev this morning, saying he wants to return home to run against Maria Ostrov next month.
Is anyone else experiencing déjà vu? We went down this road, Elizabeth, and we crashed and burned.
This election is another opportunity to get a moderate in the Kremlin.
Election.
Do we really think Maria Ostrov has any respect for the democratic process? About as much respect as she has for Ukraine's border.
At least with our lethal aid package we can deal with that situation directly.
The Ukrainian president is at the Pentagon as we speak.
But here's the thing.
If Gorev was in power, Ukraine wouldn't need aid.
That whole situation could be dialed back.
Maybe.
But has he got a shot? Gorev's numbers have been steadily rising, particularly with disaffected young Russians.
He still has influential friends, and if he can lure one or two generals over to his side, that moves the needle.
So what does he want from us? He needs cash.
The sanctions in the UK have frozen his accounts.
They want our okay to lift them.
I can reach out to the British ambassador, see if there's a deal to be made.
All right.
- Keep me informed.
- Okay.
HENRY: I understand your commander's in town.
General Doroshevich.
DMITRI: I've been invited to a luncheon for the general at the embassy this afternoon.
You have instructions? Just keep an ear out.
Especially if there's any talk of Ukraine.
You okay with that? If I say "No, I won't spy on my country," your people will refuse care to my sister.
Maybe beat me with a phone book again.
So, yes, I'm okay with that.
- Is that all? - Okay, listen to me, Dmitri.
I know that you don't like this.
I don't much like it, either.
But I'm here, doing the work, because Russia is heading down a path that could be disastrous I don't need to hear about Russia.
- I know - Then stop behaving like a child and help me.
Have you ever heard of Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov? I'm assuming he's not a relative.
Petrov is a common name.
No, I've never heard of him.
He's a Russian hero, although your government doesn't like to acknowledge that.
I don't understand.
One night in 1983, Petrov was at his post at the missile attack early warning system when suddenly, all the alarms went off.
There was a "high reliability" that the United States had launched ICBMs into the Soviet Union.
Petrov's training dictated that he launch Russian missiles as a retaliatory strike against the United States.
But his gut told him that it had to be a false alarm.
So he called his superiors and he told them not to launch.
And then he waited for 23 long minutes, and when no missiles fell, he knew he was right.
Stanislav Petrov saved the world, because he trusted his instincts.
I think your instincts are telling you to work with me, because you know it's best for Russia and for the rest of the world.
BLAKE: I will talk to the secretary.
Well stall him.
The British ambassador's already here? No, ma'am.
It's Ukrainian President Mikhail Bozek.
His motorcade just drove up.
What? He's requesting a meeting with you.
So he's done picking up weapons at the Pentagon and he doesn't have any lunch plans? It's highly unusual, ma'am.
What would you like to do? Mikhail, what a surprise.
Thank you for seeing me.
Of course.
Uh, this is Nadine Tolliver, my chief of staff, and Jay Whitman, my chief policy advisor.
Pleasure to meet you both.
I hope everything was satisfactory with our aid package.
It is all very much appreciated.
I want to assure you that our support of Ukraine extends beyond military aid.
Um, Jay I Sit, please.
Jay is working to counteract the propaganda that's been coming out of Russia lately.
Russian news anchors say my government is illegal.
That I'm a usurper.
We're doing everything we can to fight that message.
Unfortunately, the situation is approaching a crisis point, which is why I am here.
Ukraine must become a full NATO member, immediately.
Well, applying for NATO membership is a years-long process.
Yes, but the situation has drastically changed.
You have influence with President Dalton.
You can convince him that Ukraine requires this protection.
But it's more than protection.
If Russia invaded Ukraine, the NATO response force would be required to challenge Russia militarily.
We're talking about a global conflict.
Even if the president was willing to fast track your admission, the NATO members will never agree to admit your country while there are tensions with Russia.
Tensions? The moment Maria Ostrov is elected, she will launch an invasion into Western Ukraine.
Will you just sit by and watch? I'll let the president know that we spoke.
Please.
Also let him know that Ukraine's fate is in your hands.
The next time you see me, I may be strung up in Mykhailivska Square.
Thank you for your time, Elizabeth.
Of course.
I'll see you out, Mr.
President.
(indistinct chatter) See, the truth is whether or not Ukraine is a member of NATO, I don't believe that we'll let Russia attack the west without launching a military strike back of our own.
BLAKE: Ma'am? Uh, British Ambassador Graham Shenton - is on his way up.
- Right.
I hope Shenton is in an accommodating mood.
(chuckles) We really need the U.
K.
to lift those sanctions on Gorev's cash.
You you think he can beat Maria Ostrov? I hope so.
Anton Gorev becoming president of Russia might mean the difference between peace and World War III.
ELIZABETH: Mr.
Ambassador, Anton Gorev is under the impression that the U.
K.
is willing to lift the sanctions on his accounts.
Uh, given U.
S.
approval.
Well, that's what we told him.
But we assumed it be a non-issue, because you would refuse.
Well, the president is considering his request.
So, what's the real problem? The 138 oligarchs whose sanctions won't be lifted.
Ah, so if you release the sanctions on Gorev, the rest will beat a path to your door.
There should be some way to get the man back his own money.
ELIZABETH: Wait a minute.
Didn't I read an op-ed? By, um, Sir Richard Edgemont in, it was in The Sunday Times.
He was he was complaining that-that the Londoners had sold too much of their property to the Russians? He said his hometown was beginning to look like "Londongrad.
" Uh, yes, the gentry made millions off the oligarchs.
Now they're complaining there's too much coffee and vatrushka on the corner shops.
Not enough tea and scones.
Anton Gorev owns at least three properties in England.
They've got to be worth close to a 100 million total.
What if we could convince Sir Richard to buy them from him for cash? Well, that would certainly fill Gorev's coffers.
Uh, but would it trigger the sanctions? It shouldn't, if he used an offshore bank.
And I could make sure the Finance Ministry doesn't throw up any red flags.
Mr.
Ambassador, thank you so much for coming in.
I really appreciate it.
- Madam Secretary.
- Great.
(short laugh) (door closes) Oliver Shaw sent over a hardcopy of his report on the Air Force One cyber-attack.
Any news on his hacker trap? No, not yet.
Oh, uh, your studio executives are on their way up.
Show time.
Think I'm ready for my close-up.
DAISY: And this is the conference room.
Where many important deals have been struck.
Well, thanks for the tour.
There is so much history here.
I've always wanted to develop some kind of historical political drama.
Like John Adams, but as a series.
Well, I've tried it.
And, uh, it's cost prohibitive.
MAN: And boring.
Unless they're all sleeping together.
That's very Washington.
Not in this office.
So I gave you a rough outline of what we're hoping to achieve in the e-mail I sent.
Right, so you want to air our shows in Eastern Europe, and then follow them with pro-western news.
I'm sure you've heard about Russia's recent aggression.
I can't get into the classified details, but in the next few months, we could be on the brink of war in Europe.
DAISY: Altering the negative perceptions of the U.
S.
in the minds of ethnic Russians could literally change the course of our future.
Well, I-I just want to say that, uh, it-it's an honor to be asked to contribute to the cause.
"Contribute.
" Now, that's an excellent word.
We're asking you to make a contribution to your country, in the name of patriotism.
Okay.
So, our studio produces television shows at a deficit.
And we make our money back over time through license fees.
So, um, what were you thinking in terms of a fee? Actually, I was using the word "contribute" literally.
Mm.
(imitates explosion) You should not be on your own.
People will say you keep secrets.
They can say what they like.
I will stand with you.
We'll look like we are being social together.
You're a good friend, Ivan.
And a good Russian.
Sometimes I find it is not so easy to be both.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (buttons beeping) (line ringing) (cell phone ringing) Hello? It's Dmitri.
Yeah, what's up? Sir, I can't do this.
Where are you? I'm-I'm, uh, I'm in the embassy.
I drank too much.
Okay, listen to me.
You got to get yourself together and get out of there.
Do you understand? No, you don't understand.
Now, Dmitri.
We can talk later.
_ _ _ _ _ (door opens, closes) DALTON: Did Bozek really ask to join NATO? That lethal aid package he got from us must've included a pair of brass ones.
Okay, he's right to be concerned.
The situation is growing worse by the day.
We need somebody who can deescalate it.
I know you think that someone is Anton Gorev.
But he doesn't have the money to run.
It's true that the British refuse to lift the sanctions, - But - But you have a backup plan.
I just spoke to Sir Richard Edgemont.
And he is willing to purchase Gorev's two London townhouses and his country home in Wiltshire for 80 million cash.
It's a great deal for everyone.
CRAIG: Except us.
With all the hoops we're jumping through on his behalf, Anton Gorev should be required to work with our intelligence people.
When Pavel Ostrov was president, Gorev was his right-hand man for God's sake.
He has information we could use.
He will never go for it.
He's not gonna betray his country for money.
Even if that money was the difference between a return to power and a lifetime in exile? For one minute, let's think of Gorev as an asset.
Not just the answer to our Russian problem.
And I'm afraid that if we push him too hard and he walks away, we'll be handing Maria Ostrov the presidency.
I'm not convinced he will walk away.
He's a loyalist.
He's a desperate man in need of money.
(sighs) Hold the cash.
Let's turn the screws.
(car engine starts up) I can make parts of the State Department and White House available for film shoots.
Oh, that's a nice offer, Jay.
But it's pretty easy to shoot in L.
A.
or New York and make it look like D.
C.
And even if we did agree to forgo our profits, someone still has to pay residuals to the actors in the show, the writers and directors.
We can negotiate waivers.
With the talent unions? I mean, maybe you should try something easier, like a, uh, Middle East peace accord.
Now, Jay, you want an expensive product for virtually nothing.
Just because you have a special interest, it doesn't meant that I-I'm sorry.
Helping to prevent World War III is a "special interest"? 'Cause that's what's at stake here.
What the hell are you doing? What? I'm walking down the street.
- This is a free country, right? - Not for you.
Not right now.
You have got to stay sharp, Dmitri! You make one stupid mistake, and you can get yourself killed.
Yeah, what doesn't matter as long as I do my job? It matters to me.
It matters to your sister.
Go get sober, then call me.
Wait.
Is Anton Gorev gonna run against Maria Ostrov for the presidency? Why do you ask? Well, I overheard some intelligence officers say that they were bringing Gorev's daughter to the embassy.
- Olga? - Yeah.
They said she would stay for a month.
Then I thought maybe she's some kind of leverage.
But maybe this is at her request.
Go back to your dorm.
LEHANE: I know this is disappointing, but in many ways, the entertainment industry is like the federal government, right? It's large, somewhat inefficient, and it's very resistant to change.
If you would just agree to keep working with me, I Much as I hate to do it, I can't.
It's-it's just not feasible.
I have to pass.
I can get you ten minutes with the president.
I already met him fundraiser at Gwen Stefani's house.
MATT: It's nice to meet you.
DAISY: Great meeting you, thank you so much.
- It was so nice to meet you.
- (elevator dings) - Thank you.
- Okay, appreciate it.
- Okay, nice to see you.
- Nice to see you.
Okay, let's go.
Listen, you're right, okay? I don't I don't have anything to trade with you.
Come on.
Ten years ago, I was stationed at a consulate in Herat, Afghanistan.
It was dangerous, but we'd been there for months, no problems.
We let our guard down.
One of our SUVs hit a roadside bomb, and three foreign service officers were killed.
Friends of mine.
I'm so sorry.
I'm-I'm not done.
We were evacuated the next day.
I was getting on a h I was literally getting on a helicopter.
When the consul came up, he wanted me to stay with him and-and handle the arrangements for the bodies.
We needed to get them back to the States, to their families.
I said, "No.
Let someone else do it.
" I was young and scared, and I wa I wanted to go home.
But the next morning, I regretted it, and every day since, I regret it, because when it was my turn to help, I I said no.
This is your turn.
And if you say no, if you say, "Let someone else do it," I promise you, you'll wake up tomorrow morning and you'll you'll regret it.
(elevator dings) I'm sorry, Jay.
I, uh, I really am.
(buzzing) Professor McCord.
Is everything all right? Olga, I think it would be a good idea if you came to stay with Elizabeth and me for a couple of days.
Do I have time to pack a bag? I'm gonna say no.
Olga Gorev, come with us.
Hey, guys, what can I do for you? This is not your business, mister.
Her father send us.
Oh, it must be some kind of mistake, 'cause just got off the phone with her father.
Anton and I are old friends.
I'll have him give you a call, let you know that everything's okay.
Elizabeth, I will not trade government secrets to the Americans.
The price you're asking is too high.
The president was very insistent.
(phone rings) This is my daughter calling.
But my answer to the president is that he should find another chump.
- (beeps) - BLAKE: Ma'am.
Henry's on the phone, he says it's urgent.
HENRY: Hey, girls, don't fill up on popcorn.
I got dinner.
Mom will be here soon.
No worries, Dad.
Olga, you settling in okay? Yes, thanks.
Alison is taking excellent care of me.
Good.
JASON: I don't get it.
She's here for a long visit, and she doesn't pack a suitcase? Yes.
- But everything's fine.
- Yeah.
Oh, yeah, she's just visiting like any other normal person.
You know, without extra clothes.
Yes.
- You probably want me to stop asking questions, huh? - Yes.
ELIZABETH: I'm home.
Run upstairs and tell the girls dinner's in about ten minutes, would you? - All right.
- Thank you.
Okay, so I've had about to process this news, and I think I know what's going on.
No.
No, I don't.
What's the official story again? Olga Gorev spontaneously decided to come for a visit.
Okay, so is there an unofficial story? Yes, but I can't discuss it with you.
I have a very high security clearance.
HENRY: (chuckles) I'm aware.
Even so.
So how long is she staying? A while.
- Days or weeks? - Weeks.
About three to four weeks? Elizabeth, don't interrogate me.
This is about the Russian elections, isn't it? Does Maria Ostrov think that Gorev is running, - that he's a threat? - Can't say.
Is Gorev gonna run? Is that why he called this morning? Was Olga gonna be used as leverage - to keep him out of the race? - I don't know.
That's the truth.
Babe, wait a minute.
Things are in play.
Delicate moves are being made.
If any of it has been compromised - by something that you've done - It was a judgment call.
You and I made a promise to Anton Gorev.
(sighs) That we would look after Olga.
I'm gonna go get changed.
And then I'm gonna call the president and tell him that we have a house guest.
Hey.
(knocks on door) I'm sorry that didn't work out today.
Thanks.
And I appreciate the support, you and Daisy.
Any time.
Hey, you know what they call you in the office pool? Saint Jay, patron of the long shot.
That doesn't sound like a compliment.
Well, it is.
I didn't know that you lost friends over there.
I'm sorry.
I-I don't talk about it much.
For a long time, you know, I felt guilty.
Not just for leaving when I did, but for not being in the car with them.
Yeah, but if you were in the car, you'd be dead too.
And that's why they call it survivor's guilt.
Look, I don't pretend to know what you went through.
All I know is what I see.
And every day, I see you here, fighting the good fight.
You may not always win, but you never stop fighting.
And it counts, man.
It counts for a lot.
ALISON: Hi, Mom.
ELIZABETH: Hey, sweetheart.
Can we talk about my column? It's due tomorrow.
Yeah, I read it at work.
I e-mailed you.
I really liked it.
I was kind of hoping for more.
Well, um there were there were things in it that really surprised me.
Like, uh like adding different layers and wearing pointed shoes makes you look taller.
I mean, I've done that I can't remember since how long, and I never knew why.
And what about my idea for the second column? Um, was that in the e-mail? We talked about it this morning.
You-you were going to go to the mall, and it was to shop If you don't remember, just say so.
I-I do, I remember the mall.
And then then I got that text.
Oh, Alison, I'm sorry.
It has been such a long day.
I I'm sorry, I don't remember what your second article was, uh, gonna be about.
But why don't you tell me about it now? Why bother? Nothing I do makes any kind of impression on you.
It's like you couldn't care less what I do.
- I'm invisible.
- Hang on a second.
I'm gonna go downstairs and talk to Olga, the stranger who finds me more interesting than my own mother.
Ali, that I (scoffs) Since when did you become the easy daughter? I'm actually learning all about that in my child psych class.
It's, like, classic middle kid stuff.
Okay.
But is she right? The truth? Alison gets the short end of the attention stick around here.
In what way? Well, this fashion thing, it's been going on for a long time.
Really? Years, Mom.
(groans) I mean, she reads magazines and blogs.
She follows trends.
She even sketches designs sometimes.
She does? Sketches? Mm-hmm.
The president agrees Olga should stay as long as she likes.
Obviously, we'd like to keep this quiet.
People could make political hay both here and in Russia if word got out.
I know this puts the president in an awkward position.
He's a father too.
Now I guess I'm waiting, as they say, for the other shoe to drop.
My daughter is in your house.
This puts you in a unique position to ask of me well, anything.
Anton, I would never use your daughter as a bargaining chip.
ANTON: I appreciate that.
But the president's original offer still stands.
Give us information, and we'll find a way to get you your cash.
It's impossible.
I can't give you anything that would hurt Russia.
I can't give you anything that could be traced back to me.
I wanted to be president, Elizabeth.
I was also hoping that it would mark the beginning of a better relationship between our two countries.
I am truly sorry that it could not be.
Anton, I believe the wheel is still turning.
Good morning.
Morning.
Alison.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry if I ever made you feel invisible or unimportant or unheard or anything other than cherished.
Because that is what you are.
Okay? Okay.
You know, when I was growing up, it seemed like the only thing that my parents ever talked about was my brother and what new trouble he was getting into, and it seemed like like they took me for granted.
And I swore that I would never do that when I was a mom.
I also swore I would never use pacifiers or disposable diapers.
- But - (chuckles) Noodle, I'm not perfect, but I am trying, and I need you bear with me, please? Please? I can do that.
Thank you.
So, Dash's real name is George Lasko.
Interpol confirmed Lasko is wanted for cyber attacks he committed as a juvenile in his home country of Algeria, but no one had connected him to the Dash alias until now.
How did you do it? Anton Gorev.
Reading over Oliver's report, I see that the Russian government hired Dash to cyber-attack Estonia in 2007.
That's when Gorev was head of the GRU, and they would've handled the payment.
Gorev told me they paid George Lasko five million in cash.
Did you happen to discuss any current events? The Air Force One attack.
He says it wasn't the Russians.
What else can he say? Well, it's also possible that it was them, and Gorev was just out of the loop.
When Air Force One was hacked, President Ostrov was sick.
It's possible the attack was ordered by the generals, or Maria, bypassing government channels.
She strikes me as the type to go rogue.
I've got Interpol working to track Lasko down.
Hopefully they can grab him up before he can execute his second attack on us.
And don't worry, Bess.
Anton Gorev's help today will stay with the three of us.
Along with the fact that you're harboring his daughter.
I prefer to call it "hosting.
" Mr.
President, aside from keeping Olga safe, I would like to give Anton Gorev something else in exchange for his help.
Something, I think, could benefit all of us.
Something like $80 million? Yes, sir.
Go ahead.
Sir Richard can close the deal.
Thank you.
And, uh, good work.
Thank you, sir.
_ _ _ _ _ _ - No, oh.
23 years of marriage means nothing to this woman.
- She's coming for you, Dad.
- I'm so sorry.
- You are not sorry, Elizabeth McCord.
- You are not sorry.
- OLGA: #Sorrynotsorry, right, Mrs.
McCord? (phone buzzing) (sighs) Okay.
You just sorried yourself.
Hello? When did it happen? (laughter) All right.
Thanks for letting me know.
It's Gorev.
Olga.
It's your dad.
I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.
(crying) Come, come, come.
_ _ How are you doing? Not so well.
But, uh, sober, at least.
I heard the news.
Gorev is dead.
The police in London are saying it was a pay dispute with his aide.
Perhaps later I will arrange for you to buy the Manhattan Bridge.
Brooklyn Bridge.
But I agree with you Anton Gorev was assassinated.
And there's something I didn't tell you before.
Something else I heard at the embassy.
It's all planned.
The invasion.
As soon as Maria Ostrov is elected, Russia will attack Western Ukraine.
There are good people in this country, Dmitri.
People who want peace.
They're working for it every day.
I believe you are one of them.
ELIZABETH: Are you sure you don't want to just stay a little bit longer? Olga, the situation at home is very unstable.
And I think that if Maria Ostrov gets it into her mind I have to go back to Russia to bury my father.
And whatever happens, I can't give up on my country yet.
Not when he sacrificed so much.
He was very proud of you.
Thank you.
(sighs) And, uh, thank your family.
I hope when Dr.
McCord took me in, that didn't cause you any trouble.
No, no.
Dr.
McCord always does what he believes is right.
That's why I love him so much.
Look, you have a safe flight and (door opens) (sighs) (clattering) Hey.
What are you doing? I'm weeding.
You What? That's what fashion people call cleaning out your closet.
The rule is if you haven't worn it in a year, it has to go.
It's midnight.
Did you know that if you have big shoulders you can't wear boxy jackets? And if you have orange in your skin, you have to stay away from anything in the pink family.
Okay.
You don't have boxy shoulders or orange skin, so.
Did you know that our daughter knows all this stuff? I didn't.
(sighs) Did you know that she sketches? Yeah.
Not me.
Alison thinks I'm not interested in her.
And you know why she thinks that? (sighs) Because she's not a crisis.
And that's what I do.
I deal with one crisis after another crisis after another, while my life just passes by.
Babe, Alison is okay.
You guys had a fight.
It's over.
I What is this really about? You think you have your eye on the ball, and then you just end up missing everything.
And how am I supposed to guard against things I never even see coming? Effect real change in the world.
That was Conrad's pitch.
I didn't go looking for the job.
And (sighs) I know you feel bad about Anton.
I feel bad about him, too.
Please don't say anything about God.
(chuckles) I wasn't going to.
(sniffles) What happened? Mikhail Bozek was on his private plane, headed back to Ukraine.
They went down about 100 miles west of Kiev.
Rescue teams are on the scene.
OLIVER: The president and his crew managed to bail out before the plane hit the ground.
We're waiting for Here they are.
President Dalton? DALTON: Yes, Mikhail.
I'm here with Craig Sterling and Elizabeth McCord.
Are you all right? We're all okay, but it's a miracle.
Mr.
President, can you describe what happened with the plane? There was some kind of malfunction.
The autopilot suddenly programmed itself to drop 20,000 feet, and our pilot couldn't shut it down.
We had parachutes on board, and we bailed out.
The plane crashed on empty land.
So no one was killed? No, no, thank God.
(chuckles) We were very lucky.
You should have the medic check you out, Mikhail.
We'll talk tomorrow.
Yes, that's a good idea.
Just like Air Force One.
This was Dash's next attack.
ELIZABETH: Well, whoever hired Dash to hack your plane just tried to assassinate the Ukrainian president.
Then it must be the Russians.
No one else has motive to attack both the US and Ukraine.
Maria Ostrov is crossing names off her enemies' list on her way to becoming president.
With Anton Gorev dead, there's no one left to stop her.