You can’t judge a book by its cover. Or, in the case of Madam Secretary, a magazine.
Elizabeth is possibly in the running for the Nobel Peace Prize, notably for her work with the tenuous Iran/Israel Peace Deal. To commemorate that potential achievement, she’s on the cover of a magazine. The cover photo, however, looks like it’s straight from Madame Tussauds… no offense to the wax figures of the world. It’s so Photoshopped, whoever did it probably now has carpal tunnel syndrome. The picture inside the article isn’t any better; a bizarre shot, peering down her shirt and showing her legs. The issue isn’t that Elizabeth looks like a rubber chicken. It’s the implication that her beauty matters more than the reason she’s even on the cover: her diplomatic and humanitarian work. That theme runs throughout the episode: you’re more than your outward appearance. As the episode title suggests, it's "The Beautiful Game." Sure, every woman wants to look and feel beautiful, but if beauty is all people care about, they’re not letting you live up to your best potential. You immediately get pigeonholed into the “pretty” column, which could prevent you from also being included in the “smart” column or “talented” column or “empathetic” column. Women can be all of those, but it does a disservice to everyone in society when they’re ONLY relegated to one of the columns. It’s the reason many people take issue with red carpet interviews. Now I love the heck out of a red carpet. I’m in for the fabulous (or not-so-fabulous) gowns and shoes. However, don’t just ask a woman about what she’s wearing. Ask her about what she thinks or how she feels. There’s an entire movement called “Ask Her More”... but I digress. Piling onto Elizabeth’s agitation is Victor Boseman, a math expert who uses equations to mansplain how Elizabeth can solve the world’s diplomatic crises. Because, of course, he knows best. The issue of beauty is even more important to Elizabeth for 2 reasons. 1: she’s a female leader whose competency is automatically questioned simply for her gender, as Madeleine Albright explained last season. 2: she’s raising two daughters, girls with intelligence, independence and integrity. Beauty is also internal. It’s empathy. It’s generosity. It’s humor. Elizabeth tries to explain this convoluted walk through womanhood to Alison, in a heartfelt mother-daughter chat. The final words of the episode were purposeful: Elizabeth telling Alison “You’re really beautiful, you know that?”
Throughout all of this, the Iran/Israel Peace Deal that Elizabeth and Jay have been working so hard on is about to fall apart and Elizabeth feels like a failure. Jay isn’t much better. The littlest thing can disrupt the talks and a bombing in Israel is about to derail the entire process. From table shape to linen colors to the wording of a minor phrase, we’re once again reminded about how sensitive bringing peace to the world truly is. In a last ditch effort, Elizabeth hatches a plan… because that’s what Elizabeth does. A ceremonial soccer game between kids from Iran and Israel was set to be played in Jordan, but that plan exploded. Literally. Elizabeth works her contacts and brings the teams to play in Virginia. It’s mostly a symbolic move, but it does have practical repercussions. As soon as the kids take the field, half of them switch sides, proving that they’re all on the same team. Leave it to the next generation to teach the adults a lesson on humanity. Kids don’t see each other in terms of religion or ethnicity. They just want to have fun. The real world did creep in a bit for me while I was watching. I thought about how if this was real life, this game wouldn’t have happened, given that no one from Iran is currently able to come into the U.S. In the end, both “sides” enjoyed themselves and found common ground. It’s yet another example of Elizabeth using her resources to bring about change without selling out her morals. If only real government officials could do the same.
Henry, who we haven’t seen in a classroom for weeks, is being tapped yet again for work with the federal government. This time, the FBI needs his help infiltrating the Virginia Field Force, an anti-government militia. Ironic that given the current events of the world, this episode focuses on homegrown terrorism, both in the U.S. and in Israel. The VFF may be trying to partner up with some former Covenant of John members, which is something the government doesn’t want to happen, considering there’s still a rogue bomb somewhere out there. Ian Conroy is an ex-Marine who’s being recruited to infiltrate the militia, but he’s less than an expert on apocalyptic Christianity. To say the least. This is where Henry comes in. The FBI wants Henry to give Ian a crash course in religious ideology, but Ian isn’t such a willing participant… and neither is Henry, really. Way to know your strengths and weaknesses, dude. Ian is definitely an odd one, which probably makes him perfect for the militia role. Proving how creepy he can be, he tracks down Henry in a dark parking garage and gives a very convincing (and disturbing) performance about what he’s been studying. Henry accepts Ian’s bizarre plea. So I guess he’s back in the quasi-handler role. Was Ian just playing his part well? Is he mentally unfit? Both? Time will tell because I’m sure this is hardly the last we’ll see of him. I’m wondering if this whole mission will be Henry’s second season storyline arc. In keeping with the episode’s theme, Ian is another example that you can’t judge a book by its cover. Or maybe you can. Get back to me in May.
Kevin from Budget and Planning was introduced this week. Daisy and her libido give him clearance to “grab coffee” on their floor, flirting all along the way. Later, however, when she goes to ask Kevin for funding for the soccer game, she gets shot down. He gives her a government line about budgets and planning. You know. His department. Could he have miraculously found a few extra dollars? Possibly. But I think she was a bit conceited to think she deserved whatever she asked from him, just because she flirted. Clearly able to separate his work life from his personal life, Kevin later asks (more like tells) Daisy that they’re going to have drinks. I’m not sure how much of Kevin we’ll be seeing, considering Justin Baldoni has a “minor” role on that other “tiny” show, but it’s nice to see him on Madam Secretary.
Other Things:
--”Go away, roommate.” My favorite line of the entire episode. I literally laughed out loud when Elizabeth said that to Henry.
--Elizabeth and Henry sucking down champagne like Hoover vacuums as a coping mechanism for Victor Boseman’s mansplaining was glorious. It reminded me of Season 1, when Henry took one for the team and was forced to listen to an exhaustive monologue about Canadian ice.
--”You guys are back early.” “Possibly drunk.” *finger gun*
--”Doing it for shalom.”
--Henry tried to pull the “Madam Sexy-tary” line on Elizabeth, to no avail. God bless Tim Daly for coming up with that nickname.. or at least bringing it into my life via twitter.
--Was the face cream that Alison used the stuff Elizabeth bought “a bucket of” from that informercial last season? Things that don’t matter, yet somehow my brain wanders to.
The show will be off for a few weeks. What are you still hoping to see this season?
