Original subtitles

[Mac] Previously on Commander in Chief:

[man] Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States!

[Rod] You have a country full of people who believe in you.

If one bomb goes off tomorrow, I'm gonna put this all on her shoulders.

No one's noticed Mom's the first female president.

They're busy laughing at her wuss of a husband.

I guess being a wuss runs in the family.

If I'm not a part of this, what am I doing?

We want you to be the next commissioner of baseball.

No first person's ever worked outside the White House.

I mean, there's no legal reason I can't take that job.

You might be happier.

[door opening]

Madam President, it's an honor to meet you.

It'd be if you weren't in my daughter's bedroom.

[Nathan] You understand the burdens of the necessary evil.

I didn't think that was part of your make-up.

[engine rumbling]

[woman] OK, so, what's first on the president's agenda?

She and the speaker will be met by Governor Nuñez soon as we land.

The president intends to get a look at the effects of the hurricane,

meet with the people of Florida, see how to be of service.

[woman] What's the president doing?

She and the speaker are going over their itinerary...

What about your boss forming an exploratory committee?

Nobody's talking politics right now, guys.

In the 36 years I've spent in Congress,

I've made this trip... Oh, wow, so many times.

- Do you still have family? - Yeah, a couple of cousins.

- Nieces and nephews. - Must make it that much harder.

This is terrific. Really, this is terrific.

I love that quote from Jeremiah.

"'I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord.

'Plans to give you hope. Hope and a future.'"

[Nathan yawns] My goodness. Excuse me.

If you don't mind, ma'am,

I think I'll, uh, go back and catch 40 winks before we land.

Would you like to use my cabin?

Thank you, ma'am. No. I'm very cozy in my seat.

Nathan, I'm... I'm sorry about your family home.

Oh, dear.

It.. It was a Craftsman.

My grandfather built it in 1910.

Spent every dime he had on it.

It had weathered the fiercest of hurricanes.

This was just a little one, by our standards,

but I guess it was our turn.

Yeah. Nathan, I'm sorry about the circumstances,

but I'm glad we're doing this. Good to work together.

Sarah says where there's a will, there's a way.

And we had the will. It was my pleasure, ma'am.

[knocking on door]

Sorry to interrupt, ma'am. Sir.

Advance recommends we divert to Tampa.

- Why? - Power's out in Jacksonville.

Access points blocked...

I need to get there. We need to get to the site.

- Stay the course, Vince. - Yes, ma'am.

[chuckling]

No matter what else they say about you, ma'am,

for sure you're not a shrinking violet, are you?

What else do they say about me?

- You guys started early. - Oh, sad but true.

- No school today? - Uh, yeah, yeah. In a few.

I was thinking of running for senior class president.

I know it's not what you do anymore,

but I wondered if you'd help me with a speech.

Wow. You're just a junior. Planning ahead.

- Um, yeah. Sure. - OK.

- [Rod] Horace! - Mr. Calloway.

Hey, Kelly. Your sisters are waiting.

- Come on. - OK.

- See you later. - [Kelly] Bye.

So, you stayed around to manage the trade agreement?

Yeah, and the VP confirmation, and the president's tax relief bill...

You heard anything about the baseball commissioner job?

- Through the rumor mill? - You mean about you?

- [Rod] Mm-hm. - No. Why?

- It shouldn't be discussed. - So, you're still considering it?

I'm meeting with some owners at Camden Yards.

So, uh, guess I am.

- You have a gun, don't you? - Uh-huh.

- Could I see it? - Amy.

- Stop bugging her, OK? - She's not.

Well, she's bugging me.

Joan, so you know, I'm not going to practice.

- All right. - Wait. What?

You wanna hang with Mike,

- do it on your own time. - Becca loves Mike.

- Shut up. - Never said two words to you.

- It's none of your business. - I'm friends with the guy. I know him.

OK, Horace, at this point, I think I know him better.

[siren wails]

I dated a friend of my brother's in high school.

Really got under his skin too.

Sorry, Mr. Templeton, you'll de-plane through the rear.

- Just the president up front. - What? He's speaker of the house.

I believe this is protocol. I apologize for any inconvenience.

- Let me speak to Jim. - Jayne.

Whatever your gal wants. It's not the time.

Where's Nathan? He should be doing this with us.

He's exiting the rear of the plane, ma'am.

Did I misunderstand? I told him presidential staff only.

- I should've been clearer. Jim? - I'll take care of it.

[Mac] Maria.

Madam President. We appreciate you coming.

- It means a lot. - Getting everything you need?

Yes. Thanks for acting quickly on the disaster package.

- Of course. - Isn't the speaker with you?

He is. There was just a little mix-up.

- He'll be right along. - Oh, all right.

[Jayne] Unbelievable.

- What is...? - It was a mistake, Jayne.

Vince made a rookie mistake. Please accept my apology.

The president'd like for you to join her at the press conference.

- That's fine. Thank you. - [radio chatter]

Statewide we have over 60,000 homeless.

- How many shelters have gone up? - Seven in this county alone.

From what they've told me, that's not nearly enough.

Bloody hell.

This county was hit hard. Over 500 homes destroyed.

Oh.

Could you folks hang back a bit?

[Mac] You'll get what you need. I promise. Thanks.

- [reporters talking] - [Mac sighs]

[indistinct chatter]

[man] You're doing fine, miss.

You know, we're gonna do all we can.

- We'll be OK. - I know you will. I know you will.

[Mac] Here you go.

Our prayers are with you. With you and your families.

- I always voted your way. - [Nathan chuckles] Hey!

- Just don't tell her that. - [Mac] I heard it.

Grab some water. Food here. We're a strong people, Madam President.

Oh, I can see that.

Strong and resilient and extremely good-looking.

[crowd laughs]

[Nathan] We'll get back up on our feet.

They work well together.

- Strange bedfellows often do. - Excuse me, Mr. Gardner?

Bill Skinner, FEMA division director.

Jayne Murray, Templeton's chief of staff.

- Pleasure. - Can I borrow Jim for a moment?

Of course.

Do we have a problem?

Just got word that an oil tanker, the Cambria,

is foundering 60 miles off the coast of Florida.

- We need to rescue crew? - Crew's not the problem.

Tanker took a beating in the hurricane. She's leaking oil.

How many gallons?

Hundred thousand so far. This is a supertanker.

Bigger than Exxon Valdez. Carries 50 million gallons of heavy crude.

She breaks, it's enough to blanket the East Coast.

How many know?

I figured the president should be the first.

Thank you.

- [whispering] We need your attention. - OK. Who wants to finish this book?

- [children] Me, me, me! - OK. See ya, kids.

[children] Bye!

- Something's going on. - Sure looks that way.

[plane engines rumbling]

[man] Fracture in the plating, coupled with flooding

- of an empty ballast wing tank. - [Mac] How much oil she losing?

- Estimating 10,000 gallons an hour. - Coast Guard have recommendation?

Two, neither risk-free. The first is we send her beyond the continental shelf

- and sink her in deep water. - With cargo?

Yes. The hope being the other tanks

don't rupture and the crude congeals in frigid waters.

- If the tanks do rupture? - Oil would hit the Gulf Stream,

blanketing the Eastern Seaboard. Trouble is, we can't predict when.

Could be now, years from now, never.

I hope your other option is better, captain.

Make temporary repairs. Bring the ship into Port Canaveral.

We could contain the spill and offload the balance of the oil.

- Where's the "but"? - Patch might not hold.

- Tanker could break up. - The risk is the same.

Yes and no. The closer to shore, the more localized the problem.

So our choice is between risking Florida or half the East Coast.

- Bring her in, captain. - Yes, ma'am.

I've been talking to Mackenzie about this baseball commissioner thing,

and, uh, well, she's pretty busy as...

As you might imagine.

Any concerns you'd be seen as influencing policy?

Well, first of all, I wouldn't be. But there are other issues.

Rod, we need to move on this.

Right. Right.

Rod, how's your swing these days?

Got somebody we want you to meet.

[bell ringing]

- Hey. - Oh, hey.

I was thinking, maybe we could study for the biology exam tomorrow.

- Yeah. - I could use some help.

J, I'm getting a C. Thought you were good in bio?

Or I could help you. I mean, that'd be OK too.

My, uh... My mom and dad'll be at work. So the house will be quiet.

I don't know. Me going anywhere lately...

- [phone rings] - ...is kind of a big deal.

Hello? Oh. Hey, Dad. [whispering] Sorry.

Uh... yeah.

Are you serious?

Sure... no. No, that'd be great.

Yeah, I'm there.

Sorry, J. Something came up.

Governor Nuñez, we're joined by the president.

- [intercom beeps] - [Nuñez] Madam President.

I'm pleased to report we've restored power to all but two counties.

[Mac] That is good news.

Maria, have you been brought up to speed on the Cambria?

- Yes, I have. - We'll have to work together to get

the ship into Canaveral as soon as possible.

I wanna minimize the spill.

We've just been hit by a category-three hurricane.

We don't need another disaster.

May I suggest bringing the Cambria north?

The Coast Guard is telling us that risk increases exponentially

the farther the ship has to travel.

My experts think it's best to share the risk.

Perhaps the Cambria should be taken out to sea and sunk.

Maria, even if that worked,

we'd just be leaving the problem for future generations.

We have to deal with this in the right way.

I'm sorry. I won't authorize this.

Under state pollution and safety laws, you have to obtain my permission

before you bring any toxic material into my state.

Governor, you know the Clean Water Act supersedes those laws.

That's something we're prepared to fight.

Well, I'm sorry we don't see eye to eye on this, Maria,

but the Cambria is coming into port.

- We'll speak later. - Yes, we will.

[intercom beeps]

- I thought you two were friendly. - So did I.

[beeping]

- Unbelievable. - They're right on the law, you know.

Technically, yeah. But with a friendly judge and a little time...

Mr. Speaker, your support is greatly appreciated...

...and quite unexpected.

Because you're a Democrat? You're a Floridian.

You're the governor of our state.

We cannot allow the federal government

to push us into this environmental catastrophe.

This is Jim Palmer, three-time Cy Young Award winner.

Nice to meet you. Welcome to Camden Yards.

- [Horace] It's an honor. - This is Rick Dempsey.

- 1983 World Series MVP. - How ya doin', Horace?

It's a pleasure.

Hey. Tell your dad to take the job, will ya?

- [laughing] What job? - Commissioner of baseball.

- Are you serious? - Yeah.

- [Horace laughs] - [men clapping] All right. Yeah.

- [locker slamming] - [boy] You're not coming to practice?

Horace completely blew it off, so I can't. I'm sorry.

- Maybe I'll blow it off too. - You ready?

Um... one sec.

Really?

Um... Well, what are you going to do if you don't go?

Just, you know, hang out. Maybe grab a burger at Fred's.

- I don't know. - All right.

- I'll see ya. - Yeah.

- Where's Horace? - Went to meet your dad somewhere.

- Got Velour. Heading out. - [man] Copy that.

Wait. You mean Dad let Horace ditch class?

- Well, then, I'm not rushing home. - Becca.

What? If Horace gets to go someplace, then I do too.

- Ah... - Pretty good swing.

- Good swing. Keep the back elbow up. - OK.

- Dad, you want to take a crack at it? - Sure.

You're sure Mom's OK with this commissioner thing?

[clears throat] I wouldn't say "OK," but, uh...

Wait a minute. Move back a little bit.

Give yourself some room. You can really get into it.

All right.

[Horace] Nice.

Madam, governor of Georgia's been calling.

- As has leadership from Greenpeace. - Thank you, Laura.

- Welcome back. - Thank you.

- Anything I can do for you? - I'd like an hourly

progress report on the FEMA teams on the ground.

Will do. It's pretty bad down there, huh?

[sighing] Yeah. It's, uh, getting better,

but it certainly makes you count your blessings.

Laura. I want everyone home for dinner tonight.

- Call Rod and see if he can make it? - He's probably still at Camden Yards.

- Sorry? - The baseball commissioner thing.

The job?

Oh, I see.

Well, um... Let's see if we can reach him anyway.

Yes, ma'am.

The leaking tanker is now 50 miles off the Florida coast.

The repairs made have held so far, but this incident has brought attention,

once again, to the dangers inherent in transporting oil.

Several environmental groups have come out in support...

[woman] This way. The speaker just got back.

He's expecting you.

[reporter] Governor Maria Nuñez's on the right track.

Jared. Denise. Come on in.

- Thanks for coming on short notice. - Sit down. Please.

Can't say we weren't surprised by the invitation.

I felt it was imperative that we meet.

You haven't exactly voted pro-conservation in the past.

Well, differences can be creative. It's just a question of degrees.

I mean, sure, there've been big government regulations

that I'd had trouble with in the past,

but we're not talking about trace pesticides in beer here.

We're talking about what could be the largest

environmental disaster in our state's history.

Secure Habitat's primary focus is wildlife preservation.

We're talking about 1500 miles of fouled coastline.

Anyone can see that it's not just people

whose lives and habitats need to be preserved.

Let's be frank.

You hold a press conference, two or three local reporters show up.

We hold one together... national coverage.

Next time we'll make a day of it.

- [Horace] It was great, Dad. Thanks. - Yeah. Yeah, you bet.

- Hey, Nora. - Hello, Horace.

- How was your trip, sir? - Oh, fantastic. How are you?

May I speak freely, sir?

- Of course. - I'm feeling a little,

- um, I don't know, in flux. - In flux.

My position. Your position.

What with you spending so much time... away.

Ah.

You missed several phone calls, sir.

- One from the president. - Nothing urgent, I imagine.

She'd like the family home for dinner.

That sounds great.

- Ye... - [footsteps receding]

[man talking on radio]

[Joan] Copy that.

OK, Becca.

You know, when Horace has friends over it's no big deal.

Uh, we're going in. Keep the cars close.

Mike stays late one night and Mom totally kicks him out.

You know, I don't think they like him.

And I have no idea what Horace's problem is.

Velour's in.

Look, there he is.

- He's cute, isn't he? - Yeah, he's cute.

[Rebecca giggles]

[Rebecca] Hey, Mike.

- Hey. - Oh, hey.

- You made it. - Yeah.

Finally.

- [door closing] - Hey.

Hey. Didn't know you were here.

Makes us even. I didn't know you were at Camden Yards.

- I had a meeting. - So I hear.

Why does Kelly know about it before I do?

It's just something that I mentioned in passing.

You could've mentioned it to me in passing.

Say, when we were lying in bed next to each other at night?

Or over coffee in the morning?

- I haven't signed anything. - I can't believe...

I can't believe you'd pursue this.

Seriously pursue it without even a word to me.

You know, um, I feel like I should apologize, but I don't know why.

And frankly, I am starting to resent it.

'Cause I was offered a job. That's all. That's it. It's a good job.

As it turns out, I'm uncomfortable with the job I've got here.

We had an understanding.

At least, I thought that we had an understanding.

You see, that was a fantasy. And I had the same one.

I thought we could do this together. We can't.

You're where you should be. I'm not.

[Nathan] The people of Florida need shelter.

- [cameras clicking] - They need power. Food. Clothing.

They need the prayers of their fellow Americans.

What they do not need is a leaking tanker

that threatens to foul our already tragically damaged coastline.

I've joined forces with Jared Lyons and Denise Lambert of Secure Habitat,

so that together we could express our outrage.

As cavalierly as this,

the president is putting our lives and our wildlife at risk.

The president pledged that she would do whatever she could

to secure that hope, and that future.

And then just a few hours later she turned her back on us,

and she embarked on a reckless course of action that will destroy that hope,

- that will sabotage... - He knows how to put on a show.

- [Nathan continues talking] - And with Secure Habitat.

Only time they've ever been in the same room. Trust me.

...filled with 50 million gallons of...

[Horace turns TV off]

- You OK? - Oh, yeah.

I'm not gonna let him get to me.

- No. You and Dad. - Yeah.

Yeah. We're fine, Horace.

It was pretty, uh... It was good out there today.

Yeah. I'll bet.

He was happy, Mom.

[sighing]

- So she really is all over you, huh? - Oh...

Yeah. Guess so.

I mean, how's a guy supposed to kiss you good night?

Um...

Just give me a sec, OK?

You ready?

Um, Joan, I don't really know how to say this, but...

Well, you were a girl once, right?

Well, you are a girl. Obviously.

Anyways, I... I really, really like this guy.

I know, Becca. That's why we're here.

I was wondering if I could have some time with him alone.

We have procedures. I can't let...

I know, but his car's parked right out back. And I have my panic button.

We'll only be ten minutes. I'll be right outside the door.

I promise. Please, Joan? Please?

- [door closes] - [radio plays]

- Ten. - Thank you.

- [whispers] Go! - Right. OK. Thank you.

- Come on. Let's get out of here. - All right.

[mouths silently]

If the Cambria breaks up on our shores,

will this administration find our citizens jobs or homes?

Never know who your next friend will be in politics.

Will it pay to clean up the worst environmental disaster in our history?

The people of this state cannot take that chance.

Federal Judge Virgil Hayes

has granted our request for a temporary restraining order

- forbidding Cambria - That legal?

- from entering Florida's... - She got it ex parte.

Or he did. Hayes is an old crony of the speaker's.

...the captain of the Cambria and directed him

to turn the tanker out to sea.

- You the president's daughter? - Can we get an autograph?

- Sign this. - Don't have a pen.

Guys, come on.

- Oh, I have a pen. - Guys, come on.

Hey, man. Look. Back off, all right.

[all talking]

I wouldn't vote for your mom, even if I could.

- Please leave me alone. - Guys.

- Get off me! - [girl] I got it!

- Out of my way! - [man] Did you do anything...?

I said back off, all right?

[all shouting]

Step back! I got you.

[Joan] Step back now!

- [man] We'll get the TRO overturned. - But how long

before we hear from the appeals court?

- A day or two, at best. - If we used the press?

If we get the public behind us, they won't care if we violate the TRO.

Meaning we're above the law? That's how it's gonna look.

Maybe Kelly has a point. I mean, it's a bogus order.

But a legal document. We violate it only as a last resort.

- OK, give me a first resort. - If the Coast Guard, the EPA

and the tanker's captain go on record that it's safe to bring Cambria to port,

the judge might feel comfortable overturning.

- Might move quickly. - What'd we hear from the Coast Guard?

Hairline stress cracks appeared in the hull.

For now, the ship's stopped leaking.

OK. I want the public inundated with the message that what we're doing is right.

Governors from surrounding states are with us.

[Jim] Get them on air.

I'll have EPA, the Coast Guard, NOAA make statements.

We lined up like-minded environmental groups.

Let's talk to Templeton's chief of staff.

- Jayne Murray. - Wanna see what the speaker's brewing.

Thank you, everyone.

Admiral, please stay.

- There's something else. - Yes, ma'am.

- You wanted to see me, sir? - [Rod] Yeah.

I was just given an incident report.

- Yes, sir. - Needless to say,

- I'm not happy about it. - Yeah, I'm sorry.

She just... She got away from me for a moment.

You know, time gets away from us.

And the budget gets away from us.

But my daughter doesn't just get away from us.

- She wanted a little privacy... - Do you have kids, Joan?

- No. - See, they're always asking

for things you can't give them. Not because you can't or don't want to.

[shouting] But because you know better!

I've requested you be transferred.

I hope you understand why.

[stuttering] I do, sir. I'm sorry.

So how long we gonna wait for Mom?

I don't know. How about until she gets here, Rebecca.

Whatever, I just... I'm not hungry.

[grunts]

- Everything OK, Dad? - Yeah.

Hey. Sorry, I'm late.

- Mommy. - Hey, baby.

[Mac] OK.

- Thank you. - Mm-hm.

Who wants to do the honors?

Me?

[Mac] Dear Lord.

We ask a special blessing on those without homes, food or loved ones.

Encourage them in this difficult time and meet their needs.

And help us, as a family, to be grateful for all the gifts You've given us.

- Amen. - Amen.

[children] Amen.

Becca, you had quite a day.

With Agent Greer. She's no longer on your detail.

- Why? - I had her transferred.

- But I liked her. - Maybe something

we can talk about later.

Greer allowed you to go off radar and you got mobbed in a parking lot.

Dad, they just wanted autographs.

Because you lack judgment, it is crucial that your agent has it.

- Do you disagree? - No, I don't disagree...

Does anyone want potatoes?

- Becca never liked her. - Yes, she did.

She should've thought about that before sneaking off with her boyfriend.

OK. We are all at the table. Together. For the first time in weeks.

So...

...can we just eat? Please?

May I be excused? I'm not hungry.

No. We're gonna sit here and have dinner like a family.

[Jim] Is your boss working bankers' hours?

The speaker had a dinner engagement.

He'll be back. Work till ten, no doubt.

- Drink? - Not tonight.

Jayne, a TRO?

Now there was a day when you'd have given me a heads-up.

- Was a day we were on the same team. - This isn't time for politics.

Speaker's an advocate of state's rights, what's best for Florida.

It turns out that's what's best for the country,

which is to make this thing go away.

Sink that ship out in the middle of the ocean.

Let our grandkids deal with it when those tanks rust and implode

fifty years from now.

Tell her he's won, Jim. This time she backs down.

- Hey. - [Kelly] Hey.

Listen, I didn't realize that you hadn't said anything

about the baseball deal and I...

I hope I didn't cause any problems.

None that weren't already there.

- You looking for somebody? - Oh, no, I'm... wandering, I guess.

- Did you decide? - On...?

- On the job. - Oh.

[inhaling] Mmm...

All right. Well... I'm around if you ever need to talk.

Thanks. Yeah.

That means a lot.

[TV volume low]

[Sarah] I've come to shackle you and drag you home.

- I surrender. - [Sarah laughs]

[Sarah] Oh...

- How'd you get here? - [sighs]

You didn't drive, did you?

- Oh, it's two miles. - [Nathan sighs]

You can drive us home.

- Honey, I really wish you wouldn't... - Oh, I'm not a china teacup,

and you haven't been my doctor for over 30 years, so just...

Did you see it?

- The house? - No.

There wasn't... time.

[sighing] I couldn't bear to, really.

And there was all this stuff about the tanker, so...

You're protecting our home. Our friends. Our state.

- I'm proud of you. - [Nathan sighs]

You're doing the right thing.

I don't know.

No, I hope so. I mean, I think so.

[stuttering] I do think so.

But it's just...

I got so damn angry about that stupid airplane business.

Back door for God's sakes.

[Nathan chuckles]

Oh, you look positively regal, Mrs. Templeton.

You're gonna make one splendid first lady.

So, are you just gonna take this job?

- Can you make me a better offer? - Don't do that.

- Don't be a smartass when I'm... - All right. Look.

How about if we talk about something important?

Call the chief justice and tell him that you need an immediate decision.

Then you get Nuñez face-to-face. She's in D.C. for a FEMA meeting.

Bring Templeton. You need him to deal.

If you want cooperation, you're gonna have to make sure

they come out in better shape than they came in.

They've seen the same research you have on the risks of sinking that tanker.

My guess is they're looking for an exit. Give 'em one.

[sighs]

[phone ringing]

Yeah.

[approaching footsteps]

[man] Attention!

- [Mac] Evening. - [man] Good evening, ma'am.

Madam President. Sorry for the late call.

We have a Coast Guard C-130 overhead round the clock

and we pulled a cutter up from Key West.

[Trenton] Steady at six degrees, starboard list.

[man] Captain, we have the president of the United States with us.

Get Templeton and Nuñez in here first thing.

- Yes, ma'am. - Captain, how are you?

Never been through a hurricane like that.

Glad you made it. Can you bring her safely to port?

If seas stay calm, yes. But that's just my opinion.

- Can we get a statement to that effect? - I can't do that, ma'am.

See, I've got family. I can't go to jail.

- Who said anything about jail? - Governor Nuñez.

She said if I violated the restraining order...

I can't afford a lawsuit or some big fine. Best to send her down.

Are you saying you want to sink your ship?

I don't have much choice.

Madam President, you may wanna look at this.

- Captain, keep this line open. - Yes, ma'am.

Ran projections to see what'd happen if the governor's successful

in sinking the tanker and the oil didn't congeal.

- And? - It'll travel up the Gulf Stream

at approximately six knots.

In seven hours, you would have intermittent contamination in Georgia.

In 48 hours, the Carolinas. And in four days...

Virginia.

The president is a firm believer in state's rights.

However, a potential disaster like the Cambria requires federal action.

Governor Nuñez represents her state.

President Allen represents the American people.

Her oath requires her to act in their best interests of all.

OK. I'll open up to some questions.

- [all] Kelly! - Charlie.

If the president can't get the order reversed,

- will she break the court order? - The president has every intention

- of following the law. - Follow up.

[clamoring]

- The president needs a few minutes. - Sure. Whatever. Anything.

Relax. The restraining order can't be overturned before tomorrow afternoon.

By that time, the captain'll have sunk the ship. You'll be a hero.

The state of Florida has stood up

- to the federal government. - I don't know if I disagree with her.

I hope she understands this was done in good faith.

Sure she does. She's a very principled person.

[chuckling] Very principled.

- Well? - Thank you.

- 211 to 212. - Bloody hell.

Last congressman cast a vote over an hour ago.

Dems are pushing for you to concede and bang the gavel.

How long's she been waiting?

- Forty minutes. - That oughta do it.

- Bring her in. - [woman] Yes, sir.

- [Nathan] Ms. Allen. - Mr. Speaker.

- Thank you so much for coming in. - Not at all.

- Hi. - Nice to see you.

- Thank you. - Sit down. Please.

Thanks.

So, how are you enjoying your first term?

- Well, still trying to feel my way. - Well, that I can appreciate.

I'm... I'm really sorry that we had to keep you waiting,

but we're in the thick of this airline resolution.

- Not a problem. - It's-It's such an important bill.

It requires every Republican vote.

I mean, if this thing doesn't get passed, it means hundreds of lost jobs.

Not just at the hub.

True, but I just don't think taxpayers should shoulder the burden

for executives who run their companies into the ground.

[chuckling]

Ms. Allen... Mac. That's what you go by?

Mac it is.

As speaker of the house, I have a lot of people talking to me.

Nonstop, really. They plumb wear my ear out.

Do you have any idea what they're telling me?

No clue.

They're saying, "Help breeds help."

Help those who help.

Hmm.

Well, people are free to say all kinds of things, I expect.

Personally, I think there are better ways to spend 15 billion dollars.

You're crossing a bridge, congresswoman.

- You know where you're going? - I do, Mr. Speaker. Home.

If you'll excuse me, I'd like to go home and have dinner with my family.

I'm, uh... not changing my vote.

Thank you.

[Mac] Thank you.

[door closing]

- [sighing] She's a piece of work. - [door opening]

- [Vince] She's ready for you. - Is she indeed?

Let's go.

I'm sorry, ma'am. I have not changed my mind.

The calls that I've been getting

say that the voters are totally in agreement with the governor.

How's your mail been going?

Nathan, as a congressman, your interests are bounded by your district.

But as speaker, third in line to the presidency,

I would have thought you'd think more globally.

- Well, each office has its obligations. - [Mac] And liabilities.

We try to limit the damage. Sometimes that's the best we can do.

[sighing] Let's get this straight.

This is not a matter of whether or not you can convince us.

- You can't. - Then perhaps we can entice you.

As you know, Mr. Speaker, the Pentagon's recommended

a number of base closures in other states.

You've lobbied forcefully to move a few of those to Florida, governor.

Madam President,

I can't negotiate away my obligation to do what's best for Florida.

Maria, I can't offer you a perfect solution.

But that's what we're paid for. To make the difficult decisions.

Bringing the Cambria in is the right thing. You know it.

I won't roll the dice. Not with the luck Florida's having. I am sorry.

Sounds to me like we're done here.

We're just getting started.

Please give us a few minutes.

[door opening]

- Politics. - The worst kind.

Coffee, anyone?

[indistinct chatter]

Rebecca.

Good morning. I'm Agent Powers. I'm your new point person.

- Right. - Was just on my way to find you.

You ready for school?

Um, yeah. So is Greer just gone or whatever?

She's clearing out her desk, but she briefed me on your particulars.

Oh.

Could you just, um...? Excuse me. Thank you.

- Joan. - Hey, Becca.

Um, look... I just wanted you to know...

- I really didn't mean this to happen. - Yeah, I know.

So is this... Is this, like, a big deal?

I mean, are you just gonna cover some other kid?

There's only one presidential detail, Becca.

Oh... Right.

[Rebecca] Joan...

[sighing]

I'm, really, really sorry.

Yeah.

- Rebecca? - Yeah.

- Time to go. - OK.

[Nuñez] Maybe she's right.

Our people are worried about the risks of sinking the ship.

We could gain thousands of jobs if the Pentagon shifts more bases to Florida.

Hey.

Somebody offers you crumbs, means they've got a loaf of bread somewhere.

Look, if we're gonna ease up on the Cambria...

And I don't like it. I don't think it's right.

But if we do, then we have to come away with a deal so sweet

our critics don't have a leg to stand on.

- We could leave empty-handed. - Nerves of steel.

- You're doing great. - [Mac] You're certain about this?

Just got final word, ma'am. This is usually reserved for wartime,

but under these circumstances you are well within your authority.

Madam President. How are you gonna play it?

Sun Tzu. The Art of War.

"Always leave your enemies an escape route."

[door opening]

You know the admiral.

- Hey, admiral. - Mr. Speaker.

- Governor Nuñez. - Sir.

I hope she hasn't asked you to bomb us into submission.

[all chuckle]

I've decided to bring the Cambria into Mayport Naval Base.

- That's Florida property. - Actually, it's federal.

I'm commissioning the tanker as a U.S. Coast Guard vessel.

- You're ignoring the restraining order? - You'll see it's overturned.

Judges know how to read tea leaves.

You guys are asking an awful lot from us

for a very small concession on your part.

I mean, shifting military bases around...

If you're worried about a flip-flop, I'm sure I can offer a graceful way out.

What more are you looking for?

Oh, you know, the terrible strain of a catastrophic situation

can sometimes be alleviated by solving lesser problems.

Such as?

- Increasing Medicaid funding, for one. - [Nathan] Support for my highway bill.

Making the ban on oil drilling permanent.

I am struck by your newfound interest in the environment.

We need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, so "no" on the ban.

But the other two items I will take under serious consideration.

- [inhaling] OK. - All right.

I'll expect an announcement of our compromise

when the Cambria's within ten miles of port.

Five miles.

If it breaks up before that, you take the heat.

I think we have a deal, Mr. Speaker. Governor?

Good. All right. Let's get the Cambria online.

Yes, ma'am.

- [Amy] What's an RBI? - [Rod] Runs batted in.

[Amy] What's runs batted...? Mommy!

- Can I watch cartoons? - No! No.

- Hey. - Hey.

I hear the Cambria made it back to port safely.

- Yes. - Congrats.

I wasn't in it alone.

Why do I have to watch dumb ol' baseball?

Well, because it's going to be Daddy's newest job.

- Really? - Really.