Original subtitles

[Mac] Previously on Commander in Chief:

- Like to introduce Richard McDonald. - Dickie, what are you doing here?

Nice to see they're keeping you in the loop.

You let me know when you bring someone new.

You're right. I'm sorry.

- You going to run for re-election? - I hadn't really thought about it.

You don't start running today, you're a lame duck for the next two years.

You should close up the Connecticut house and move in here with us.

Be careful. I just might accept.

No Mike! I...

...um, I just...

I'm sorry. I just can't.

What's up with him?

- About your sister. - Did he say something?

- Horace! Stop! - Flemming, I wanna talk to you!

Keep your mouth shut. How hard is that?

I tried but... you know.

Sometimes a guy's just gotta share.

I did the president's daughter!

People make mistakes.

You know what they say. It's a contact sport. Wear a cup.

You may want to put on a cup for this.

She just ambushed me in the Oval Office.

She knew I had the story of her gay assistant.

- And she knew how I got it. - You'll have other opportunities.

No. I don't want to hear your excuses. Just get out of here.

- I shouldn't have fired Jayne. - Jayne was an excellent chief of staff.

- You won't find any better. - Well, I can't hire her back.

Why not?

Because I'd have to beg.

[chuckling] It's just a tactic, sweetheart.

- They also serve who only sit and wait. - Nathan.

- You're up early. - May I?

I'm expecting someone.

He's always late... Alex Tucci.

You're going to try and persuade the good senator from Arizona

to allow more what?

- Navajo casinos in his state? - Apache casinos, actually.

Lobbying becomes you.

Word has it that the clients are just pouring in.

- It's going well. - I would expect nothing less.

- You're top-notch. - Thank you.

How are things at the office?

[grunting, inhaling deeply]

It's not easy finding someone to fill your shoes.

Well, I hear you're talking to Jim Carrigan.

- He's good. - Give me a break.

Jim Carrigan in your shoes lacks a certain...

...something.

- Well, I'm sure you'll find someone. - What about you?

What do you think about you coming back?

- Why the change of heart? - It's not a change of heart.

My heart never changed.

It broke a little and it's back together now.

We're a good team. Real good.

I don't remember you saying anything like that when you fired me.

I was intemperate and... I regret that.

You hurt me, Nathan.

I hurt you?

You betrayed me, Jayne.

I'm sorry, Mr. Speaker.

- I like what I'm doing. - Yeah. Of course you do.

Senator Tucci's here.

It's a tricky business. This casino stuff, Jayne.

So watch your back, okay?

Thank you.

It's "if" I run. No decision's been made.

I've been thinking it over and wanted to talk about it with all of you.

And we know a campaign won't be easy on anyone.

It means more travel for Mom and me.

- Even less family time. - Do you think you can win?

- The first question is, "Do I run?" - Of course you do.

You're not going to settle for two years of borrowed presidency, are you?

- I say go for it. - You mean that, Horace?

Yeah. Absolutely.

Can I stay up and watch the election returns this time?

- Yes, you can. - Then I think you should do it.

Becca?

Does it matter what I think?

It's a family discussion. Matters what everyone thinks.

So does that mean if I say no, you won't run?

It means that everyone gets a say.

So then it doesn't really matter what I think.

If you don't want to be part of a campaign, fine.

- You don't have to do anything. - I'm a part whether I wanna be or not.

You think I'll be left alone just because you say so?

We'll talk to the press. We'll control the media.

And the tabloids and talk radio and the net?

Remember when bloggers claimed Tommy wasn't President Bridges's son?

That was a lie. Nobody believed that.

- There are people who believe that. - Come on, Bec. It's not like that.

In an election they can say whatever they want about us.

You think people care if it's the truth?

Becca...

Mom, do whatever you want, okay?

Just don't pretend you care about my opinion.

Becca's first reaction is always to strike back.

- Then she comes around. - She's right.

If I run, it'll get ugly. Templeton will see to that, if no one else does.

- We can handle it. - It won't be like last time.

The president's family takes much more heat than the vice president's.

We're tougher than you think.

Morning, everyone.

- Madam President. - Thank you for coming.

- Dickie. - Rod.

Well, I love the smell of a new campaign in the morning.

We're not running yet. Just talking.

Well, so what do you think? Can we pull it off?

Like to start by assessing a candidate's strengths and weaknesses.

I've put together a list of all the assets we have on hand

to win the election.

None. We have nothing.

We have no states we know we can win. No electoral votes we can count on.

No party to support us. No endorsements. No money.

She's a sitting president. A significant asset.

We're on TV every day.

We have the front page of the papers any time we want.

Well, last time I checked, our poll numbers weren't so bad.

Your likeability and trustworthiness numbers are through the roof.

Majority of Americans think you're a good person.

They also think you're president by accident. That doesn't bring in votes.

Now, I polled a hypothetical election.

You against Templeton and an unnamed Democrat.

If that race were held today...

...you'd come in third.

We lost to someone with no name?

Dickie, this is starting to sound like a meeting to convince Mac not to run.

If you run, you can win.

But you have to define yourself for the people.

Show them why you're not just Teddy Bridges's replacement.

Excuse me. Madam President, the National Security Advisor has asked to see you.

Thank you. You'll have to excuse us.

I'll stick around in case your day opens up later.

Don't bet on it.

What is it, Tony?

Ma'am, we've received word that one of our subs is in trouble.

It's the Seattle. An Ohio class SSGN. Crew of 155.

- We think it struck something. - What's the damage? Casualties?

Don't know. Communication's difficult. I'm afraid it gets worse.

She's off the coast of North Korea.

How far off the coast?

Fifteen miles from the city of Chongjin. That's why the comm's so bad.

They're transmitting on low frequency so the North Koreans won't intercept.

Fifteen miles... That's practically inside their waters.

Yes. Fortunately, right now, it looks like they have no idea we're there.

CIA says there's nothing on North Korean media.

NSA reports no increase in chatter on military channels.

- They find out, they'll throw a fit. - [Mac] They'll throw worse than that.

We had operations in that area? What is it doing there?

I don't know. This is the first I've heard she was in the region.

The Joint Chiefs and the secretary of defense are on their way.

How long can the men last?

At this point we estimate 96 hours, at most.

[bell ringing]

- Hey. - Hey.

Way to throw Mom a little support, Bec.

Why is it always about us supporting her?

- I mean, how about her supporting us? - She's supported us plenty.

- Lately? - She's been busy.

My point exactly.

I'm not saying it's gonna be easy if she runs.

Look, I don't like the campaigning any more than you do.

Liar. All that attention. Come on, you love it.

You don't have anyone on the high dive saying "I did the president's son."

- Flemming is a jerk. - It's not about him, okay?

It's about... having some privacy.

Bec, Mom has got a chance to do something really extraordinary.

We should be there for her.

You just don't get it, Horace.

I mean, it's not just the election.

This could be ten years of our lives.

I mean, think about it.

Every girl you date, every test you fail,

every time you screw up... It's public property.

And God forbid you get your hands on a bong

and someone's got a digital camera in the room.

'Cause ten minutes later you'll be on the Internet.

I'm just saying I want my life to be my life.

Is that so much to ask for?

- Ten-hut! - Everyone.

[door closing]

Please be seated. General Krieger, what do we know?

At 04:50 the Seattle struck a seamount 14 miles off the coast of North Korea.

- How? Isn't it on the charts? - We checked against satellite imagery.

The mountain's charted location is off by almost 1200 yards.

How bad is the damage?

The starboard forward section was breached.

They were able to seal off the compartments aft of the collision point,

but there are cracks in the hull.

Which means there is flooding in some compartments throughout the boat.

They have power, but they've lost propulsion. They can't move.

And where's the sub in relation to the 12 mile limit?

After the collision, it drifted. It's on the ocean floor just inside the limit.

The crew was able to seal itself off in the aft compartments, here.

They're reporting 24 injured. No fatalities. Yet.

What's our rescue plan?

We're still putting one together. Obviously, the location is a problem.

- What's the captain's name? - Andrew Duggan.

- Do we have communication with him? - We're working on it.

All right. Let me know when you do.

General Krieger, Secretary Frances, Director Shoop. A minute.

- [telephone ringing] - [indistinct chatter]

What was one of our submarines doing that close to North Korea?

Ma'am, the Seattle was on a covert intelligence mission monitoring the

possible sale of nuclear material from North Korea to the black market.

A spy mission? First I've heard about it.

- Who authorized it? - [Frances] President Bridges.

- Shortly before his death. - And why wasn't I told?

When President Bridges died, it had not been ordered to North Korea.

- There was no mission to inform you. - He just said there was.

- One of you is lying. - The mission had been approved.

Operational orders hadn't gone out.

[Frances] We've got assets on the move every day.

If we told you every tank we moved, we wouldn't have time to do anything.

This is not a tank, Mr. Secretary. This is a submarine

the size of two football fields armed with a 154 cruise missiles.

The next time you want to put one in the waters of a hostile nation

that might have nuclear weapons aimed at San Francisco. I wanna know about it.

Is that clear?

Noted.

Let me know as soon as you have voice contact with the sub.

Why did they keep this a secret? Does the military distrust me that much?

[Rod] Of course. At budget time,

Bridges gave the Pentagon everything they asked for. You won't.

You're a civilian. Never been in uniform.

- That's not supposed to matter. - It does.

- They'll learn to trust you. - The question is, can we trust them?

We're not talking coup d'etat. This mission had Presidential approval.

- Not this President's approval. - That was wrong.

But... honestly, ma'am.

If they had come to you, would you have said no?

If North Koreans are moving nuclear material, we want to know.

The point is, they didn't ask. Did you know about this?

No. Bridges was close to Krieger and Frances.

- They met without me all the time. - Really?

- Are you insinuating something? - I'm just wondering.

No time for this, guys. Look, is the secretary of state in Bangalore yet?

- Arrived about an hour ago. - Brief him, but tell him to stay put.

If he cuts his trip short it raises questions.

Maybe we want the vice president here. He knows the military.

- I trust him. - I'll call.

- Good. - The Joint Chiefs are ready.

I wanna meet in the Cabinet, not the Sit Room.

Any particular reason? The Sit Room's better equipped for this.

We can move equipment to the Cabinet Room if we need to?

- Of course. - That's where we're meeting.

- All right. - The Sit Room is their tree house.

I want to meet on my own ground.

- Rod! - Mmm?

That's the last time you question my loyalty or honesty

- in front of the president. - Just asking.

We've enough trouble getting the military and president on the same page

without selling her some conspiracy about generals plotting a coup.

- Think the military's against her? - I think they don't know her.

Treat them like the enemy, they become the enemy.

Well, maybe they are. The Chiefs. The secretary of defense.

They're Bridges' people. I don't trust 'em worth a damn.

Oh, and by the way, I'll sell my wife on any conspiracy theory I like.

Unusual setting, ma'am.

It's an unusual problem. What's your plan?

Ma'am, we're going to use a Pressurized Rescue Module System. PRMS.

It allows us to extract the crew

and remove them to a site outside the 12 mile limit.

Then return in a couple of months.

- Tow the sub out. - The Koreans won't know?

No. There is one catch.

The PRMS has to be tethered to a ship outside the 12 mile limit.

Obviously, it can't be American. That would be a red flag.

- How about a Japanese ship? - The same as one of ours.

What kind of ship did you have in mind?

The Chinese have oceanographic research vessels that work around the limit.

- The Chinese? - North Koreans won't look twice

at a Chinese ship, Mr. Vice President.

Let me get this straight. You want me to ask the Chinese government

to rescue an American crew in Korean waters?

If you want to save the lives of the Seattle's crew...

- ...yes. - We can't do that.

The sub is there. What other choice do we have?

It'd be an intelligence catastrophe if that sub fell into North Korean hands.

Or Chinese hands, for that matter.

It'll endanger the lives of every sub crew in the water.

We have to assume the North Koreans have nuclear weapons.

If they have them, they'll use them. It's not a rational state, ma'am.

It's the international equivalent of a paranoid schizophrenic.

If they find out we've got a sub in their water,

we could be looking at mushroom clouds in 15 minutes.

Ma'am, there is no one who wants those men home more than I do.

No one.

But they were briefed on the mission... and they understood the risks.

You're saying, "don't rescue them."

Ma'am, it repels me to even to suggest that.

But that may be our only option.

I'm not ready to consider it.

Ma'am, if you don't want to work with the Chinese.

You don't want to abandon the sub...

What do you want to do?

Let's contact the Chinese.

Templeton knows the Chinese ambassador.

Golf buddies. He might be able to help.

Templeton? I don't trust Templeton.

Neither do I. But... if he can help, I want him here.

I'll make the call.

Excuse me. The state's attorney's general. They're waiting in the OEOB.

Do you want to skip that? I could make an excuse.

Start changing the schedule, people will know something's up.

For now we keep up appearances.

[indistinct chatter]

Ma'am.

- You up on North Korea? - Why? Should I be?

- It's on the radar. - How would you know?

Prado calls the president in for a meeting.

President goes down to the Sit Room. Huddles in the Oval with Keaton.

Then goes to the Cabinet Room.

Meets with Frances, Krieger, Shoop, and a whole mess of Navy boys.

Including not one, not two, but three East Asia experts.

A couple of countries in that part of the world could rattle our cage.

- My money says North Korea. - You're making this up.

Foreign policy crisis can be big for a press secretary.

- Right. - Capital is Pyongyang.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

[phone ringing]

What are you still doing here, Dickie?

I'm here to help you out.

- With what? - Your Korean problem.

I don't claim national security expertise.

The last place I should be is in the Cabinet Room with the generals.

But... if this is even half as big as I think it is,

it's gonna be a pivotal moment for the president.

Once decisions are made, you need someone to help shape the message.

Listen to me, Dickie. There is no Korean problem.

There are no generals in the Cabinet Room.

And there is not going to be a message.

Whatever it is, I hope you're right.

You brought me here to help protect the president's flank.

I have a hunch she might need some protecting.

Well, let's hope not.

But... if she does... We'll call you.

Rod.

- I just want to help. - I know.

- [phones ringing] - [indistinct chatter]

Mr. Speaker. Thank you for coming.

The game's afoot. Let's get those people home.

- Think the Chinese'll help? - It's an unprecedented request.

They're going to ask for a lot. But the ambassador's a friend of mine.

I've been giving him mulligans for the past ten years.

I'm confident we can make a deal.

- Good. - [Keaton] Problem.

The Seattle's reporting that the scrubbers are contaminated.

- How extensive is the damage? - They estimate 10% capacity left.

Scrubbers do what? They take oxygen from seawater, right?

How long do they think the system can last?

Forty to 48 hours.

Can we get the rescue vehicle down to them before then?

- There's not a chance. - [door opening]

Ma'am? The sub's was able to get a buoy to the surface.

We have communication with the captain for a few minutes.

[radio static, male voice] The hull is still holding with even pressure.

We're at 39 centimeters.

Captain Duggan, this is the president. Can you hear me?

Yes, ma'am, I can hear you. It's coming in and out, but I can hear you.

It's good to hear your voice. How is your crew?

All present and accounted for. We're hanging in there.

A little banged up here. Managing to hold our own.

Good. We're doing everything we can to get you and your men out

as soon as possible.

- [feedback, static] - Captain?

Captain Duggan, can you hear me?

Is there any way to get a rescue vehicle down to the sub in time?

Ma'am, the problem is half the equipment's in Guam for repair.

- The other half... - Yes or no, admiral.

No.

Madam President, I'm afraid at this point

we have to consider abandoning the Seattle.

A rescue's impossible.

Our paramount responsibility

is keeping the North Koreans from learning about the sub.

Best way to do that is stay as far away as we can.

Ma'am, if the North Koreans find out where the Seattle is,

we could be dealing with a nuclear confrontation.

We can't afford to take that risk.

I think the Chinese have...

Admiral, don't the Chinese have a deep sea rescue system similar to the PRMS?

They do.

- Could we use their system? - In theory.

Borrow a Chinese rescue vehicle?

They'd never go for it.

Why not? We're asking them to borrow a boat.

Even if they loaned it, there's not time to train Americans pilots to run it.

What if the Chinese provided the pilots?

Ma'am, a Chinese crew inside the Seattle

would be an unacceptable intelligence breach.

Would a Chinese pilot have to enter the Seattle?

What if we sent an American crew down in the Chinese ship?

The Chinese would never have to leave their vehicle.

If the Chinese went along...

You think we can get the Chinese to make a deal?

We can always make a deal. It's just a question of price.

How long before the ambassador gets here?

Hour. He's on his way from New York.

- Let me know as soon as he gets here. - Yes, ma'am.

What are the Chinese going to want to make this deal?

Weapons. I mean, not from us directly.

But they've been trying to buy high-tech weapons parts from the European Union.

We've been blocking it. They'll ask you to look the other way.

- I can't agree to that. - Good. I mean, right. Right.

Bring their military up to speed. Run the risk of cutting your own throat.

How do I keep that off the table and still make a deal?

[inhaling] Well, you start by offering them to cut tariffs on steel, textiles.

Dial back the rhetoric on human rights.

- Is that going to do it? - No.

We're asking for a lot. They're going to want a lot.

I just don't know what else we have to give.

If you don't want them to buy weapons, how about letting them sell weapons?

I mean, the Chinese have been trying to export arms to Algeria and Myanmar.

- We've stood in the way. - Hmm.

You could sure get their attention if you offered to turn a blind eye to that.

Hmm. Putting more weapons into the Third World? I'd rather not.

It's not what you want. It's what you can't.

The bottom line is, they're not going to ask for something you want to give.

Hmm.

- [telephones ringing] - [indistinct chatter]

Ninety minutes. We're waiting 90 minutes for this guy.

Mr. McIntyre. It's the White House. They get busy.

I'm busy. I got here at three on the dot.

[sighing heavily] It's Gardner himself

- that we're meeting with, right? - That's right.

I don't want to be staffed out to the assistant.

Jim has the president's ear, OK?

Talking to him is as good as talking to the president herself.

Oh, here he is. Jim, this is Andrew McIntyre.

He's vice president of the Automobile Retailers Consortium.

Mr. McIntyre, I'm sorry. We can't meet today.

- What? - We have an appointment.

I do apologize. Check with me next week. I'll give you plenty of time.

- Jim... - I'm sorry.

Mr. McIntyre, again, my apologies.

What the hell was that?

- Obviously, there's some problem. - Oh yeah, there sure is.

I flew in from Saginaw for this?

- I'll get you another meeting. - Aw, the hell you will.

We're paying your firm $20,000 a month

for face time with senior White House staff.

That's what you deliver. That's what I expect. Get me that meeting.

Hey. A little respect when you speak to the lady.

- Who are you? - Her fiancé.

You tell your boss you just lost him an account.

My fiancé?

Jayne Murray, Dickie McDonald.

I can't believe we haven't met before now.

- Let me buy you a drink. - Thank you, but I should talk to him.

And do what? Apologize?

- You'll hate yourself. - I know.

Unfortunately, I need to do it so...

How about later? The Wellington, 6:00?

- Sure. - All right. See you there.

Mr. Ambassador. Thank you for coming on such short notice.

Madam President, I only wish the situation were less grave.

- Thank you. Please. - Thank you.

As you know, we have very little time.

We need your government's help to save the men on our sub.

I understand. And we do have technology to perform the rescue.

Unfortunately, the situation is complicated.

Your submarine's position relative to the North Korean coast, for example,

is a complication.

The Seattle was outside Korea's waters when the damage was sustained.

Then why were you so close in the first place?

Time is short, let's be blunt. It was spying.

- Well, we're not saying that. - Of course not.

[Ambassador] Relations with North Korea are good.

They are not stable in dealing with enemies or allies.

If we help you, and the North Koreans discover it, our relationship

could change dramatically and catastrophically.

We understand the risks.

That's why we're offering consideration in exchange for help.

My good friend Nathan has mentioned the trade concessions.

And softening of your pronouncements on human rights.

While my government appreciates these things,

given the scale of the request,

we're looking for more consideration.

What did you have in mind?

There are a certain purchases we would like to make with your allies in Europe.

- The weapons. No. - Communications systems.

- Sensor systems. - Communications for weapons.

Sensors for weapons. That's not on the table.

Then it will be difficult for me to convince my government to help.

[inhaling and exhaling deeply]

Look. There's the matter of China's...

...how shall I put it...

...frustrated efforts to complete the sale of certain

equipment to Algeria and Myanmar.

So you are saying you would deny our ability to purchase weapons,

but would allow us to sell them.

Put that way, it sounds almost poetic.

- Would your government accept it? - I'll get back to you.

Then please do. And quickly. We're dealing in hours.

- If you'll excuse me. - Of course.

Thank you, Mr. Ambassador.

- What do you think? - I hope we don't live to regret that.

That's always a possibility,

but it's a certainty we would have regretted the alternative.

Arms sales to Myanmar and Algeria.

It's a lot for the Joint Chiefs to swallow.

You just tell them to open their mouths a little wider.

I think I'll put it a little more delicately.

I guess if you've moved into the White House,

that means the president's running, right?

I can neither confirm nor deny.

Come on. You didn't just come in to prop her up for the next two years.

What about you? You were Nathan Templeton's right hand.

- What happened? - I wanted a change.

So you became a lobbyist?

- What's wrong with being a lobbyist? - After today? You tell me.

There are good days. I get to work on issues I care about.

The money's not bad. Not all the clients are jerks.

You're never going to be happy as a lobbyist. You're a power chick.

- A power chick? - Forgive me.

- A hot power chick. - [Jayne laughs]

Only somebody very interested in power could be Templeton's chief of staff.

- Maybe I'm interested in more. - You are who you are.

When you were working for Templeton, you were the buyer.

Everyone came to you. Now you're a salesman.

Is that really what you want to be?

- It's more complicated than that. - No, it's not.

It's simple. Power.

You have it. Or you don't.

Everything else is conversation.

- What's going on at the White House? - What are you talking about?

I know Jim Gardner, and I know when something's up with him.

- Sounds like you know him pretty well. - Something break while you were there?

Nope. Didn't hear a thing.

[door opening]

- Where are we with the rescue plan? - Nowhere without the Chinese.

We're waiting. Let's presume we have 'em.

It still won't be easy, ma'am.

The Seattle's turned approximately 50 degrees.

That's why they couldn't use the emergency escape vehicles.

We can't get to the main escape hatch.

Is there a secondary we have access to?

Yeah. It's here.

But the Chinese hatches don't fit ours.

It's kinda like American plugs in European sockets.

So how do the two ships dock?

We'll equip the rescue vehicle with a modular docking collar.

It'll bridge the gap. It's a tight fit. There's no margin for error.

So the Chinese pilot better know what he's doing.

Assuming we'll have a Chinese pilot.

- I'll place another call. - Will we have them?

- We're running out of time, ma'am. - We'll have an answer soon.

- Boning up for the morning briefing? - Yeah. Anything I need to know?

Stock market's up. Housing starts are down.

- You wrote the starting points? - Nothing's changed?

- I'm hearing rumors... - What rumors?

- Well, Southeast Asia, North Korea... - Who are you hearing this from?

You're all holed up in the Cabinet Room

with Frances, Krieger, Shoop, Navy brass. The East Asia team.

President's back and forth to the Sit Room. Person can connect dots.

Secretary of state's in Bangalore. We're working on labor deals.

- That's the story? - That's the truth, Kelly.

Okay. I know how to answer the question if I get it.

Stock market's up. Housing starts are down.

Mm-hmm.

Isn't it about time for lights out, dear?

Oh, sure, Grandma. Just give me a second.

Um... Where's Mom and Dad?

[sighs] They're still working.

Oh... big surprise.

I'm sure it's important.

Yeah. Sure.

Very important. The President of Mongolia is here,

or stock market dropped a point, or... Congressman needs his ass kissed.

Becca.

What? It's true. It's what she does every day.

Meanwhile, we stay here and eat dinner... alone.

And watch her on the news.

If you weren't so wrapped up in yourself,

maybe you'd notice something very serious is going on.

Now I don't know what it is, but I know this.

When we're in trouble,

there's no one I'd rather see in charge than your mother.

And if you don't feel that way. If you aren't proud to feel that way.

Then I just don't know you.

I guess we feel differently.

I guess we do.

I can't sleep.

Well, let's see what we can do about that.

- Any word? - Still waiting.

Has she had anything to eat since this started?

- No. - She needs to eat. And rest.

This could be a long haul.

I'll... I'll talk to her.

About earlier. I'm sorry if I flew off the handle.

But you touched a sore point. I should have known about the sub.

Bridges liked to keep that to himself.

It's okay, Jim.

But somebody has got to talk to the generals.

- This can't happen again. - Agreed.

But once this is all over, all right?

Sure.

You could tell him I haven't ruled out import sanctions

and we have domestic industry to think of.

Right. I know you will.

Don't feel pressure to make a deal on this trip.

I don't mind making them sweat a bit. Good. Call me when you know.

Sorry, secretary of state's in Bangalore and his day's just getting started.

I was just coming down to say goodnight.

Aw. Sorry we never made it up to the residence tonight.

Hey. It's fine. I'm... I'm sure whatever it is, is important.

- It is. - I know.

Look, Mom. Um...

I was thinking about what you said earlier and...

I know you're going to run. I mean, it's your choice. Whatever.

You shouldn't change your life because of me.

I get that.

But you said that I wouldn't have to be a part of the campaign

and... I... I really don't want to be.

Okay. I know it's hard being in the spotlight.

No, you don't, Mom.

You are a natural at it. You always have been.

I'm not like that.

I... I don't like people staring at me, and talking about me.

I just...

I want to have a normal life. Mom, that's... that's all.

Okay. Dad and I meant it when we said you're not going to have to do anything

- you don't want to do. - Okay.

I mean, I'll... I'll be in college in a year and a half anyway.

- It's not like I'll be around. - [door opening]

Ma'am, the speaker's here. Everyone's waiting in the Cabinet Room.

[both sigh]

- Baby, I'm so sorry. - I'll see you in the morning.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight, Mom.

- [indistinct chatter] - [door opening]

Mr. Speaker?

It's a deal. Beijing's accepted it.

They're gonna give us access to their ships and underwater rescue technology.

General, I'm signing authorization for a covert joint rescue mission

with the Chinese: Operation Homecoming.

- Let's get started. - Yes.

- What's our time-frame? - We're ready on our end.

Start prepping the Chinese now.

- Rescue underway in nine hours. - Good. Keep me posted.

- I want to at know every step. - Of course.

Thank you, everyone.

You've done a great job today.

Mr. Speaker, we couldn't have done it without you.

- Thank you. - Here, here.

Hang on. We gotta get them out of there.

It's been a wonderful day. Thank you for it. Congratulations.

Anyone who can, go home.

Get some rest. We'll hope for good news in the morning.

Thank you.

Ma'am.

All right. We need to get General Krieger, Secretary Frances,

and Director Shoop in the Oval Office for a chat.

That should be pleasant.

I was thinking maybe I should talk to them myself.

I worked with them under President Bridges.

Let me put them on notice for you. I can make them listen.

Okay.

Gotta make a show of slapping our wrists for her, Jim?

You deceived the President of the United States, Mills.

You think that merits a wrist-slap?

President Bridges approved. We put through the paperwork.

Don't tell me about paperwork. Don't tell me about Bridges.

I worked for Bridges, but we all serve at the pleasure of the president.

This president.

She could pull your stars, retire you. She could transfer you to Prudhoe Bay.

But you know what she did?

She made a deal with the Chinese to save our sailors.

Didn't pass the buck. Put herself on the line for your screw-up.

You're going to owe her for that.

Let me tell you how it's going to be from now on. No more CYA memos.

No shortcuts. No surprises. You give her your respect.

Because if nothing else...

...she earned it today.

Hey, sweetheart. What are doing still up?

Oh... waiting for you.

The office didn't tell you I was going to be late?

Yeah, yeah. No. They called, but I had plenty of things to do.

I wanted to wait up for you.

So... how was your day?

It was a hell of a day, actually.

It went well, in the end, I think. I hope.

And Jayne?

Oh, bloody hell. I forgot about that.

She turned me down flat.

Said I'd hurt her feelings.

Well, she looked up to you and you fired her.

- Sarah. - Well, she has her pride.

I know that you can relate to that.

Very funny.

She wouldn't even acknowledge that she had betrayed my trust.

With Jim Gardner, for heaven's sakes.

You know, I don't know whether I can forgive her for that.

Give it time. She'll come around.

I don't think so.

I saw that look in her eyes. She called me "Mr. Speaker."

That's a long way from "Boss." I liked "Boss."

She's not coming back. And I don't think I want her back.

Nathan...

By any measure, she is wrong and I am right.

- You know I am right. - Oh, you want to be right?

- Or you want to be happy? - [exhaling loudly]

- How are you feeling? - Hmm.

I'll feel better when the rescue's over, and our sub crew is headed home.

Well, you did a great job today.

Maybe I shouldn't run.

- Mac! - We're parents first.

Look, Becca's a teenager.

She's going to go through these phases no matter what we do.

This isn't a phase. There's going to be pressure to trot them out.

She'll be fine.

I want her to be more than fine. I want her to flourish...

She will. Look, I'm not saying it's not a sacrifice,

but she will come to see there are things in life worth sacrificing for.

- They all will. - That's assuming I win.

- What if I don't? - You'll win.

I'm not so sure. All the money we have to raise.

Things to do to get on the ballot.

I could work my ass off and still place third.

- Is that worth the sacrifice? - If you commit...

I mean, if you really commit to this.

You're going to win.

We're going to look back on this. In two years. In six years...

[telephone ringing]

Yes. Vince.

Turn on the news.

Get him on the line as soon as possible.

North Korean State Television says the American nuclear submarine

was operating within its waters when it went down...

- My God... - No confirmation from the White House,

but the North Koreans are already calling the incursion an act of war.

- [Vince] Madam President. - How the hell did they find out?

- We don't know yet. - Have they located our sub?

We don't know. The sub's been silent for three hours.

- They're trained to stay hidden. - Okay. What do we know?

North Korea's put their troops on alert.

Our satellites are tracking missile launchers

moving toward the border.

We don't know if they have nuclear weapons,

but in this scenario we can't rule it out.

I'll be down at the Sit Room right away.

Madam President, the North Koreans keep using the phrase "act of war."

Could be rhetoric, but we need to be ready.

The generals are suggesting we put our Northeast Asian forces on DEFCON 3.

Move them into strategic readiness for a North Korean attack.

Don't do anything yet. I'm on my way.