We start with a bombing in Angola, not to be confused with Algeria, which is another area of turmoil du jour this season. In reality, there were actually two bombings this episode: one in Angola and one in Rome. It’s a rare two-for. I guess we had to make up for the fact that there hasn’t been a bombing thus far in Season 3. (Yes, I realize the reason for the 2 bombings was to show how terror incidents in areas like Angola are so often overshadowed or ignored. I just side eye another bombing.) At least this explosion was simply a way into the international storyline of the week and didn’t happen near a McCord. I’m looking at the silver linings here.
30 seconds into the episode and Russell is already screaming. Everybody drink! Conrad isn’t on the ballot in the all-important states of Ohio or Minnesota and as usual, Russell is blaming Elizabeth. Consistency. He manages to strong-arm her into going to Ohio in an attempt to persuade state officials to add Conrad to the ballot. More on that a little later.
Because nothing is ever easy in Elizabeth’s life, she’s dealing with a new problem in her role of Secretary of State: dissent from those below her. Literally. Assistant Secretary Susan Thompson is less than thrilled with how the United States is handling.. or not handling, as the case may be.. the bombing in Angola, and she’s not shy about making her voice heard. Neither is the Bureau of African Affairs. Employees issue an official Memo of Dissent, going on record that they’re upset with the lack of U.S. involvement in preventing election fraud in Angola. This is new for Elizabeth and it’s bothering her. She’s used to getting criticism from the White House and foreign leaders, but to disappoint those in her own department is a different kind of blow on a personal and professional level. This puts Elizabeth in the middle between the State Department and the White House. What two fun rocks to be pinned between. The last thing she needs is people on her own team questioning her intent or integrity and throwing her a curveball. I swear this woman’s entire professional life is one giant shell game.
Elizabeth visiting Ohio to don’t-call-it-campaign for Conrad felt a bit off to me. It was just such a random scene. I understand it was a tie-in with CBS Sports and was a way to relate to the real election going on right now, but it felt disruptive to the episode. I guess it helps prove that the woman has 3849573 balls in the air at once. Campaigning is not Elizabeth’s strong point, as we saw in 3.01 when she was running as Conrad’s VP, so maybe that’s what felt odd. A lot was mentioned about whether this visit was or was not technically campaigning. So much so, I’m wondering if this will come back to haunt her or the Dalton Administration somehow. It was the first thing she asked Russell, who assured her it was legally allowed, and the first thing multiple people on her staff questioned. In the end, it could be nothing and that’s the last we’ll see of Ohio. Side note: as an Ohio native, I did appreciate the nod to how important the state is in presidential elections. Go, Bucks.
As for Henry, he’s still playing Hot Religious Scholar Indiana Jones. He and José are attempting to track down Algeria’s stolen antiquities as a way to nab Hizb al-Shahid. This is an out-of-the-box approach, much like something Elizabeth would employ in her work. It’s an important job and little historical lessons are interjected along the way, but I have to admit that my eyes glaze over a bit during some of these scenes. There were moments in this episode when Henry sounded more like Charlie Brown’s teacher. It’s absolutely unfair of me to be so indifferent to this storyline because it has the makings of everything I want in a job for Henry: he’s calm and not battling inner torment, he’s doing something he loves, he’s using his skills and background, he’s making a difference, he’s in open communication with Elizabeth and not hiding anything from her. I care. I just don’t feel multiple-scenes-per-episode care. Again, I admit this is unfair on my part and I can’t explain why I feel slightly apathetic. I’m not a fan who’s all-Elizabeth-all-the-time. I adore Henry. ADORE. I’m just conflicted.. and conflicted about why I’m conflicted. I also feel guilt for feeling conflicted, but I attribute that to being Catholic.
Side note on Black Dog Station: I wish Jane was still a part of the trio.
The saga about the antiquities did take a turn this week when a CIA agent who was pretending to be an architect working with Hizb al-Shahid was captured. We know based on the press release for 3.05 that French intelligence is behind the kidnapping, and that this will have ripple effects through multiple aspects of next week’s episode.
Stevie and Jareth are back in action this week, a first for Season 3. If they were a Facebook relationship status, I’d say they’re firmly in the “it’s complicated” category. Stevie didn’t appreciate the way she was treated in England, feeling belittled by both Jareth and his family. Talks with Elizabeth and Henry help to reassure her about her relationship and offer a bit of realism. “You can’t pretend you’re fine when you’re not. That’s not how marriage works,” Elizabeth explains. She should know. The McCords rarely sweep things under the rug, instead preferring to air all their grievances in order to fix them. Failing to talk openly just leads to a giant blowup fight in a farmhouse kitchen… but let’s not go back to Season 2. Henry offers his own advice to Stevie, ending with, “Welcome to marriage. It’s the greatest journey you’ll ever go on… and you get to go on it with your best friend.” Cue the warm music. My heart swells. I love that Elizabeth and Henry draw from their own marriage to offer relationship guidance. If anyone should be dishing out advice, it’s those two. At some point, they should write a book or offer a class on marriage. The world could use their tips.
Stevie takes her mother’s advice and opens up to Jareth about her concerns. Jareth is overly receptive to what she’s saying and decides right then and there to give up his internship and stay in the U.S. I’m pretty sure I’ve taken longer to make a decision about what to order at Starbucks. I’m happy the two had an open discussion about something that was bothering them. I just wish it didn’t end happily after, like, 30 seconds. Give them a beat to disagree or work their way through a real argument. All may not be rainbows and lollipops for the two, however. Jareth’s parents, including his mother who has a royal-esque title, is ready to kick him to the curb over the news. He seems to take that with as much ease as if he was told his Amazon order would be delivered in 2 days instead of 1. I assume the road ahead for these two will have some curves and speed bumps. There’s no way it can’t with such major decisions being made without much thought. That was also hinted at towards the episode’s end, when both board a bus, appearing to uncertainly look into the future.
Elizabeth and Henry discussing Jareth staying with Stevie leads to a quasi-walk down memory lane. Elizabeth questions if they’ll be comfortable in Stevie’s twin bed, to which Henry responds, “Well, I remember we got pretty comfortable with your…” Little references like this are precious nuggets into the early dating years of Elizabeth Adams and Henry McCord. If I can’t have flashbacks, I’ll take these breadcrumbs.
Speaking of Henry’s corny lines, Elizabeth used the word “autocratic” in this episode, which immediately took me back to 2.03. I’m positive I’m not the only one who noticed this.
WARNING: this paragraph is speculation, so stop reading now if you don’t want to take part. I’m looking forward to next week’s episode. It seems we make some headway on the stalker storyline. Promo photos show the word “quit” spray-painted on Elizabeth’s office wall, leading us to assume the stalker is someone politically motivated, which I’m not necessarily buying. I’m actually hoping it’s not related to Elizabeth’s work. I’ve talked with a few other fans about stalker possibilities and the options I like best are the ones who are close to the family personally: Jareth, Jason, Dmitri. My biggest wish: don’t let it be an obvious choice.
Other things:
--When it comes to the stalker, Henry is taking a step back, saying he’s staying positive and trusting the system. His opinion on this changed so much and so fast, it gave me whiplash.
--The election in Angola was wrapped up neatly in a bow. So… yeah.
--“I haven’t been mansplained that hard since Craig Sterling was in office.” My joy that the writers used “mansplained” is perhaps only overshadowed by the fact that Craig Sterling is no longer around.
--Henry hands Stevie a beer and quips, “It’s vegan.”
--When Henry revealed to Stevie what Patrick told him the night before his wedding, Stevie responded with, “You should write that in a song.” Yes, Henry. Listen to your daughter. A scene with Henry McCord and a guitar is all I’m asking for before this show ends.
--“I’m sensing an Eeyore footnote.”
--Nadine called Russell “Russ.”
--“I definitely don’t have time for Bush v. Gore,” Jay lamented. That line made me shudder, given the U.S. election that’s taking place next week.
I feel like I’m being overly critical of the show this week. I think it’s a situation where we criticize things we love the most because we know how good they can truly be. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. On to next week and the fancy dance scenes with Elizabeth and Henry!
What was your favorite part this week? How do you feel about Henry’s job? Do you have any guesses who’s behind the stalking?
