Original subtitles

[Mac] Previously on Commander In Chief:

We've received word that one of our subs is in trouble.

What do we know?

At 0450, the Seattle struck a seamount 14 miles off the coast of North Korea.

Captain Duggan. How is your crew?

[Duggan] A little banged up here, but managing to hold our own.

If the North Koreans find out, we could be dealing with a nuclear confrontation.

- Thank you for coming. - Let's get these young people home.

- Do you think the Chinese will help? - They're going to ask for a lot.

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

I understand. There are certain purchases we would like to make.

The weapons. No.

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?

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

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

- How are things at the office? - What do you think about coming back?

I'm sorry. I like what I'm doing.

[telephone rings]

Yes. 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.

- Oh, my God. - I'm on my way.

[man on TV] North Korea claims the U.S. nuclear submarine,

allegedly crippled somewhere in its waters,

was part of a mission preparing for attack.

North Korean radio and television are broadcasting orders

for reserve soldiers to report to duty.

We will get you details as they become available.

[man 2] Thank you, Matt.

So far the Pentagon has only confirmed that an American submarine

suffered a collision with an underwater mountain yesterday

and a rescue is being prepared.

If that submarine is in North Korean waters, though,

the stakes could be much higher than a risky undersea rescue.

North Korea is, of course, a nuclear power

that may have nuclear weapons at its disposal.

We have reports that they are moving more troops to the border,

and experts are saying this looks more and more like a precursor to war.

- What happened? - We will monitor the situation…

The North Koreans are stepping up air patrols and making runs into the DMZ.

[Mac] Making runs?

Quick incursions into the air space, draw in our fighters.

- Playing chicken. - Rules of engagement for our pilots?

Not to fire unless threatened or enemy crosses the border.

The more they test us, the more chance that something happens to escalate.

It looks like they've got every boat sweeping the waters.

- Are they close to our sub? - Their search patterns are even,

indicating they know the sub is there, but don't know where.

So they know exactly what we told the Chinese.

Why would the Chinese leak that we have a sub

when we just made a deal with them?

It embarrasses us.

It also escalates tensions on their border.

A lot of factions at play in the Chinese government.

If someone didn't like the idea, they could have talked to the North Koreans.

That makes the most sense.

Now that it's out there that we have a sub in trouble in North Korean waters,

there's no covert rescue option.

So we have to presume that Chinese cooperation is up in the air again.

- No word from the Chinese ambassador? - He's being unreachable.

- How much air do they have left? - About 33 hours.

I don't care what it takes. We have to get the Chinese ambassador back in here.

We have to work with Templeton.

We have to make a new deal fast. Anything else?

Put our troops on high alert, coordinate with the Japanese,

step up our AWACS patrol so we can track enemy movements in greater detail.

Put the troops on high alert, step up AWACS.

Hold off on the Japanese. I want to talk to their prime minister.

- Where's the vice president? - On his way to Cheyenne Mountain.

Military and Secret Service thought he should be in a secure location.

Hey. How about getting Owen Latimer in here?

- Owen Latimer? - A friend from University of Richmond.

He's been studying Korea for what, 20 years?

More like 30. He knows the region inside and out.

I'll let you know as soon as the speaker gets here.

- Thank you. - Ma'am.

- No running in the halls, Vince. - I'm sorry, I just...

She's kidding.

People run in the halls, trip, the government gets sued.

The president gets punchy when she hasn't slept.

The secretary of state is flying back from Bangalore.

He's given me a list of calls you should make.

South Korean president, Japanese PM, EU leadership, Canadian PM.

I might have forgotten that one.

Our ambassador in Seoul needs to talk to you about evacuating American civilians.

We're not evacuating anybody yet.

- Make the calls. Start with him. - Yes, ma'am.

- Jim! Press is already gathering. - Walk with me.

I need a statement.

I don't think "Secretary of state's in Bangalore" is gonna fly anymore.

There is a sub in trouble. It was in the Sea of Japan on a routine exercise

which should in no way provoke a response.

We're doing everything we can to save the crew.

We call on North Korea to respect the laws of maritime rescue.

They're gonna ask if we're in North Korean waters.

Countries claim a 12-mile offshore limit. North Korea, a 200 mile limit

not recognized by the international community.

Not answering, got it. Our sole focus is on the lives of the crew.

We're talking to everyone who matters.

- Except the North Koreans. - Don't have a red line to the Oval.

Hey. Are we gonna be OK here?

I mean, we're OK, right?

We're fine.

[door shuts]

Mr. Speaker. Thank you for getting here so quickly.

I finally got through to the Chinese ambassador.

And?

He's backpedaling. Says everything's changed since it's gone public.

Nate. Can we get them to stick to their agreement

on the use of their underwater rescue system?

Well, the best case, they'll probably ask for a better deal.

I'm trying to get him in here to see you but he's stalling.

He's waiting for Beijing to figure out where they stand on this thing.

Have we been able to come up with any way

to get the sailors out without the Chinese technology?

We've had our crews working nonstop to repair the submersible rescue module,

but our sub only has 27 hours of air left and we won't be ready.

We can't get another one there in time, not ready to go.

So the Chinese are still our only option. How soon will we know?

Well, they know we don't have a lot of air left.

They need you an awful lot more than they need the North Koreans,

so it'll be soon.

Hey, Owen. Thanks for coming down.

I'm so glad to see you, Rod. Anything for Mac. I mean, the president.

Flight OK?

- Uh, fine. It's just, uh, fast. - Good.

I... I didn't think they could go that fast.

- You're not afraid of flying, are you? - I didn't think I was.

General, what's your take on the North Korean military position?

Their movements indicate they're gearing up for attack.

[Prado] So do ours.

Which is why we need to de-escalate. Back off.

Backing off to those people means backing down,

and that is not the message you send to them.

- But war is? - Oh, please.

Seoul is a city of ten million, powered by natural gas.

When the North Koreans say they'll turn it into a fireball, they mean it.

If North Korea pursues a war strategy,

ten million in Seoul will be the least of our problems.

- Exactly. - They'll draw us into a conflict.

If they're backed into a corner, we can't rule out they'll use nukes.

Right now all we have is a lot of saber rattling and troop movement,

and our guys are still down there on that sub.

Until somebody starts shooting at us,

our focus is on getting our sailors home safe.

What's the Korean leadership saying?

All we're hearing is what's on the news.

Is it true the sub's inside the 12-mile limit?

Owen, there's something you got to understand.

From now on, every conversation you're a part of, every document you read,

anything you see or do is classified. Doesn't matter if the story is public.

Now I don't know the statutory penalties,

but if you reveal anything that you learn here,

I expect it's a couple decades in prison.

I... I assumed.

Well, good. We're in here.

Everyone, this is Owen Latimer.

He's the, uh, Korea expert we told you about.

[Mac] Welcome. We'll do introductions when we finish.

For now, suffice it to say, Professor Latimer has my complete confidence.

- Thank you. - Thank you for coming.

All right. Presuming we can still get the Chinese

to loan us their rescue technology, what are our options?

North Koreans are gonna be all over anyone near their waters,

so there's no covert option.

The Joint Chiefs have worked out a preliminary plan.

Ma'am, the Seventh Fleet's already in the Sea of Japan.

Presuming we have a Chinese rescue module,

we'll need to tether it to a ship on the surface.

Now, the plan would be to send in Navy battleships to secure the rescue site,

hold it while we take the men out

and make sure all classified technology is destroyed

- before we leave the area. - Too much of a provocation.

Imagine what we would do if North Korea put warships

eleven miles off the coast of New York or San Francisco.

- Do you have a better idea? - Yeah.

Acknowledge that we violated their sovereign territory. Be humble.

Let them save face. And then ask for their help in saving our sailors' lives.

Professor Latimer?

Uh... In... in such a scenario,

I... I believe the North Koreans would make promises to help,

would drag their feet long enough to ensure the crew died below,

then plunder the sub for its classified technology.

We have 30,000 troops in South Korea,

two aircraft carrier battle groups,

a Marine Amphibious Ready Group, not to mention ICBMs.

They don't wanna mess with them.

We have to get the Chinese rescue technology back into play.

That's the priority. The men on that sub have 27 hours of air left.

We're not gonna let them die.

The president has spoken with the leaders of South Korea, Russia, England,

Japan, Germany, China and other nations.

A full list is available at the press desk.

She's also arranged a call with the UN Security Council

in advance of their emergency session tonight.

[all] Kelly!

One at a time, please. Pam?

We understand U.S. troops in the region have been put on alert.

Does this mean the administration feels an attack is likely?

And if so, might that be why the sub was there in the first place?

The alert is in response to North Korean troop movements.

It's not an indication of anything other than ordinary military protocol.

[all] Kelly!

Hello, Jayne.

Mrs. Templeton.

Please, come in.

Nathan at the White House?

Since... yesterday.

He did come home last night for about an hour, but then the news broke

and he went right back. I don't think he's slept in 36 hours.

Heaven knows when he last had a decent meal.

The man couldn't be happier.

He's good in a crisis.

They're lucky to have him.

Yes. Yes.

You know what Nathan is not good at is, um...

...is apologizing.

Proud men never are.

- Sarah... - Oh, he won't say it, so I will.

He is sorry, truly. He wants you back.

He needs you.

I can give you the names of a dozen people qualified to run his...

It's not about qualifications.

It's about understanding and trust.

The truth is, I... don't want to go back.

I like this job. Frankly, I could never make this kind of money on the Hill.

And I'm just starting to get my credit card bills paid off. It feels good.

Right now, at the White House, they're trying to prevent a war.

You could be there with Nathan, right in the thick of it.

Or you can sit behind this expensive glass desk

and watch it on television.

By the way,

we never had this conversation.

Helping with a covert rescue operation is one thing,

but publicly putting our military technology in North Korean waters...

It's an at-sea rescue.

Of a U.S. nuclear attack submarine.

What does Beijing want?

Lift your embargo on our weapons imports.

That's not going to happen.

You ask us to act like allies, we ask you to treat us like allies.

[laughs] Allies.

How did North Korea find out we had a sub there?

It had to be a leak from your end, ally.

We cannot control every faction inside our government.

Which is why Congress will never agree to lift the weapons ban. Mr. Speaker?

It's not realistic.

Then neither is our involvement with your rescue operation.

The Chinese government is gonna let our sailors die?

We were ready to help. We had a deal.

But you must understand we cannot publicly take part

in a U.S. military operation in North Korea.

What if it isn't public?

I'm sorry?

Now that the North Koreans know, we don't need your boats as cover.

We can't get our undersea rescue module to the area in time, we need yours.

Let us use it covertly.

The technology is complex.

From what I understand, it would take months to train new pilots.

We would need to use your pilots,

but we would tether your module to an American ship.

No one would need to know you were involved.

We'd provide the full protection of the United States military

and guarantee deniability.

And if it leaks out that we were involved?

If the rescue works, our military will be happy to take full credit.

And you will stand by your original deal?

Weapons exports, not imports, yes.

The original deal would stand.

It's still a big gain for China.

[speaks Chinese]

I need to check with Beijing,

but I will do my best to get them on board.

Now I will stand by the original deal.

If the rescue doesn't happen, it's off the table.

Those men are running out of air.

I will get back to you as soon as possible.

We can get you to a secure line in the building.

Very good.

Tell your leaders that we appreciate their help in saving these lives.

- They will not be forgotten. - Thank you.

I believe I can get the right people in Beijing to agree to this,

but if the U.S. troops fire on North Korean troops without provocation,

China will not be with you.

I can assure you that will not happen.

- Nathan. - [speaks Chinese]

[sighs]

You think he can get them on board?

He has a very good feel for the people there.

I told him it was the best deal he could get.

They want the deal.

Now we have to pray that their rescue technology works with our sub hatch.

Madam President, you're needed in the Sit Room.

[man] Ten-hut!

Madam President, 14 minutes ago five North Korean jet fighters scrambled

to engage one of our AWACS off the coast of Wonsan.

Fighters responded, but the AWACS took fire.

- Casualties? - Injuries, no deaths.

The plane is heading back to Pusan under escort.

Madam President,

they turned this into a shooting war. We need a response.

[woman on TV] No details yet on injuries to the U.S. flight crew,

but we have been told that the damaged plane has landed safely.

[man] What is the likelihood of a nuclear confrontation here?

[woman] Well, North Korea is a nuclear power.

We know they have the fissile material, the fuel

to produce at least six to eight bombs.

Whether or not they have done so is unclear.

But it is disturbing we haven't heard at all from President Allen

as the situation continues to escalate.

She's playing with fire here. Nuclear fire.

[man on speaker phone] My XO has wired the boat for demolition.

If we get off of here we will be able to destroy

all classified data and technology.

We appreciate your crew keeping focus, Captain Duggan.

Must be tense down there.

Thank you, Madam President. We're following the situation as best we can.

- We heard a plane's been hit? - You just worry about your men.

I just wanted to let you know, I've spoken with the entire crew.

We volunteered for this mission.

If a rescue isn't feasible or costs are too high,

we're ready to do what we need to do.

- We're not there yet, captain. - Yes, ma'am.

Know that the sub's wired and we can destroy her at any time on your order.

We're working hard to get you home.

Some of my men have asked, if we get that order,

if you could tell our families that it wasn't a choice.

Say it was an accident.

We're doing everything we can to see that it doesn't come to that.

Thank you, Madam President. We'll stand by for orders.

[electronic beep]

[speaks Chinese]

I've just spoken with the Chinese ambassador.

We have their rescue system and their pilots, covertly, but we have it now.

Good news.

Now, the Joint Chiefs want an immediate response to the shooting of our plane.

There are missile batteries we can take out

as well as a couple of their warships we can sink on your orders

with minimal operational risk.

If we're about to send in ships to rescue the Seattle,

I'm not sure a "who can sink more boats faster" contest is the best move.

[laughing]

It'll be no contest, Jim. We will crush them.

I wish I had your confidence, sir.

Let's table the AWACS shooting for now. I want to focus on the rescue.

The shooting makes it very clear

the North Koreans will use force to keep us off their coast.

If we go in for this rescue, we have to be prepared for confrontation.

That could mean war.

Let's say it's war. What's the worst-case scenario?

The North Koreans have a million man army,

chemical and biological weapons, maybe nukes, thousands of missiles.

Worst-case, full-scale conflict,

we have 300,000 to 500,000 military casualties inside 90 days.

And civilians?

It's 50 kilometers between Pyongyang and Seoul.

33 million people live there. Pick a number.

You saying we should abandon the Seattle,

making me the president who ordered the only mass suicide

in U.S. military history?

- I'm urging caution. - Don't hedge. I need answers.

Are you recommending that we destroy the sub and kill the crew?

I don't like it any more than you do.

But it might bring us from the brink of something worse.

- If there is a chance of a rescue... - That's all there is, is a chance.

We could send in ships, start a war and still lose the sub.

I'm with you.

I think we should go in after our men.

If North Korea attacks, we fight back.

And I'll bet my bottom dollar we'll be in Pyongyang by the end of the week.

But if we back down, it'll be a stain on our reputation for decades.

We may never recover.

- I don't agree. - I do.

If you back down to bullies today, there's going to be another tomorrow.

Most of the bullies don't have nuclear weapons.

Come on. I don't go along with that doomsday scenario.

North Korea's million-man army,

it's a million starving men suffering under a brutal dictatorship.

The key is China.

The ambassador warned us that Beijing would not support us

in an unprovoked military action.

But if North Korea attacks our rescue ships,

unquestionably, that will be a provocation.

And I'm convinced that China will be with us when we respond.

In a war with North Korea?

Every year we let North Korea get away with this crap, they get stronger.

In five years or ten years, they could have a missile

that could hit San Francisco or Chicago or New York, for heaven's sakes.

The Japanese prime minister's on the line. There's a translator in the Oval.

- Excuse me, everyone. - Ma'am.

[speaks Japanese]

Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for calling again.

- [man on phone speaks Japanese] - [woman] Of course, Madam President.

I understand your military leadership is doing an excellent job

of coordinating our joint defense preparations.

- [man speaks Japanese] - I understand your desire to...

...do all you can for your trapped sailors.

But I assume the military preparations are... cautionary.

Sir, at this point I'm keeping all my options open.

- [man speaks Japanese] - Madam President, may I remind you

that while Korean missiles probably cannot reach your country,

they can easily reach mine.

I am aware of that.

There is a great deal of concern here.

The airports are crowded with people trying to get out of the country.

We are closing the Nikkei tomorrow.

The consequences of your actions are already considerable.

We are proceeding as responsibly as possible.

I know you are. But with respect,

you govern from thousands of miles away.

It is our people who would die in this war.

- I know that. - Thank you.

We await your decisions.

Anything else, ma'am?

No, Randy. Thank you.

There are concerns, but the overwhelming response

in the international community has been supportive.

Yeah?

I got a call from The Times.

There's a report that we've ordered an evacuation of Americans in South Korea.

There's been no such order.

Here's the communication plan Gardner asked for.

Great. Thanks.

- Wait. - Hey. You need another set of hands?

Yeah, there's nothing on here for radio.

- There's no surrogate list. - I got it.

What are you going to do? Start typing like an intern?

- Don't worry about it. You have calls. - Thanks.

I just heard from my aunt in San Diego

who asked if she should buy duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal windows.

My mom says her neighbors are saying they should stock up on iodine

in case there's radiation poisoning.

You think it's gonna happen?

From the looks I'm seeing on the guys outside the Cabinet Room,

I'd say it's 50-50.

Hey.

Thank you.

What are you doing here? How'd you get in?

I told them I was the speaker's chief of staff.

Oh, you did, did you?

I know that you think I betrayed you.

[sighs] I never thought that talking to Jim Gardner

would cause you the embarrassment that it has.

And for that, I am sorry.

Truly.

But if we can put this behind us, I'd like to work for you again.

Done. Behind us. Gone.

All morning I've been thinking of how much fun you were missing.

How you would've loved to be in on this.

I love working with you. I'm really glad you're back.

[electronic beeping]

We've been talking as if it's either-or:

Abandon the sub or go to war.

What if we don't do either?

What if we send the rescue mission in without a battleship escort?

Make clear we have no plan to do anything except get the crew out?

No, no, no. They shot down an unarmed plane.

For sure they will sink the ships if they're not defended.

Is there anything we can offer the North Koreans? A show of good faith?

Good faith, no.

But they could use hard currency.

Dollars for goods.

Are... are you suggesting that we pay North Korea money?

As in what, blackmail? Ransom?

I... I was just answering a question.

Madam President, it's possible that you will have the unique opportunity

to deal, once and for all, with a rogue nation

that has plagued us for over half a century.

This is a country that's enslaved its people

and threatened its neighbor, threatened us.

Do you think it's appropriate for you to go to them,

hat in one hand and a dollar in the other, and ask them for a favor?

No small favor to prevent a war.

[woman] I doubt it can work.

It's a tenet of North Korean propaganda that they can defeat us in battle.

And not just on the peninsula, but here in the United States.

In some ways I think they want a war.

Owen, do you think that's true?

Do... do the North Koreans want war?

No. They want us to think they want war.

But... but they know they have more to lose than we do.

They hate us.

They want to humiliate us, but... but they're not suicidal.

So if we send in our rescue ships with no cover,

make clear we have no intention to do anything but get our sailors out alive,

will the North Koreans withdraw their navy and back down?

No one can guarantee that.

The sub crew has about 17 hours of air left.

If we don't do something soon, it's gonna be too late.

Let's get the North Korean rep to the UN in here.

[police siren]

I can assure you, our nation has both the military power

and the political will to defeat the United States

in any war of aggression.

We have no intention of attacking your country.

You already have attacked our country.

Your planes have invaded our airspace.

Your nuclear submarine is in our waters.

With due respect, Mr. Nang,

if the United States attacked North Korea, you'd know it.

You're here because we want to do what we can to prevent that from happening.

You can prevent it very simply.

Stand down your military, withdraw from our borders

and return to the status quo.

South Korea is already an occupied U.S. outpost.

We won't become another.

I want to send a message to your leadership.

I hear they trust your integrity.

I am honored to believe so.

Good. This is the message from the United States of America:

We are going in to save the crew of the USS Seattle.

Our rescue operation will take us slightly within

your 12-mile maritime limit.

Our rescue vessels will be unarmed.

We have no intention of attacking your nation.

But we will consider any aggression against our rescue as an act of war.

Your incursion into sovereign waters will, I assure you,

be considered an act of war by our nation.

You shot down an American military plane.

I'm under a lot of pressure to respond.

You respect our rescue mission, I'll let it go.

I will also guarantee your UN food aid continues

and I will arrange for a payment, in cash,

of 500 million dollars to your country.

We'll call it humanitarian aid, but there will be no strings attached.

You are offering us 500 million dollars in cash?

This is not a negotiation, and we don't have time to be polite.

But I believe neither of us wants a war.

Our leadership will be getting its own pressure to respond,

to fire on your so-called rescue mission.

Tell your leadership they don't want to put me in that position.

And if they do?

We will retaliate with the full force of the United States military.

Thank you, Madam President.

[man talking on TV]

The North Korean UN rep just left.

Rod, she'd like you to join her in the Oval.

Thanks.

- I'll be in my office. - I'll let you know if she needs you.

Mr. Speaker, would you care to join us?

Thank you.

What do we do now?

We wait. Pray they blink first.

I sat in this office with Teddy Bridges

when we ran the raid on the Khyber Pass.

The waiting is the worst part.

The deciding isn't so easy either.

Madam President, our rescue vessels are a half hour from the 12-mile limit.

The North Korean warships are lining up to meet them in battle formation.

Their orders are to keep moving?

Yes. Our guess is if anything's going to happen, they'll wait for us to cross.

Thank you. Please keep me posted.

Yes, ma'am.

Maybe we should say a prayer.

[woman on TV] Major businesses are closed throughout Asia today,

and here in South Korea local markets are emptied

by people stocking up on water, canned foods and first-aid supplies.

South Korean and American soldiers wait by the demilitarized zone.

In the cities, the streets are empty.

Families have cleared out old bomb shelters from the Cold War era

that had been turned into storage units,

leaving bicycles, laundry machines, file cabinets

and other possessions outside so they can huddle together inside.

- Mrs. Allen. - Oh, Mr. Speaker.

- Excuse me. - Everything OK?

Actually, I came down here to ask you exactly that.

Um, well, Amy can't sleep, but she's going to be all right.

Sorry.

There's nothing to be done here. So I'll go.

You know what? They've barely seen me for two days. I'll go talk to them.

Oh.

"Each morning, as the sun rose from the East,

Ping and his mother and his father and sisters and brothers

and aunts and uncles and his 42 cousins all..."

Hey. What are you still doing up?

I can't sleep.

I told her I'd read to her. The news is scaring her.

Yeah. Thanks, baby. You having nightmares?

On the news they said there might be a nuclear bomb.

They're talking about someplace very far away. We're safe here.

What about the people over there?

I'm going to do everything I can to make sure nothing bad happens.

OK? All right. Try to get some sleep.

- Mmm. - [knocking]

Hey. Sorry. Vince is here. They need you downstairs.

We'll finish putting her to bed.

- Thanks, baby. - Mom...

Good night.

[Jim] Madam President, the UN ambassador would like a word.

- We have him on a secure line. - Where are our ships?

- About to cross the 12-mile limit. - North Korean warships standing firm.

- Put him on the speaker. - [electronic beep]

Representative Nang, this is President Allen.

[Nang] I have passed your offer along to our leadership.

- They have a request. - Go ahead.

They would like you to make a public apology to our nation.

Acknowledge what you did wrong.

Our rescue mission proceeds without incident, you'll have your apology.

I will let them know. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

What do we tell our rescue ships?

The order stands.

They're heading for a North Korean battle fleet. Maybe we...

They have the orders, I haven't heard her change them.

[telephone rings]

NSA reports intercepting new commands to the Korean warships.

They're being told to give our rescue operation a one-kilometer working area.

Getting reports from field recon. North Korean warships are moving.

Which direction?

[electronic beeping]

Away.

They're backing off. Letting our rescue ships in.

How long before we know if the rescue is working?

They have to drop anchor, bring down the rescue module.

We don't know if the hatches open.

- How long? - Six hours.

All right. Let's not celebrate yet.

[distant bell ringing]

How long has it been?

It's been five minutes since the last time you asked.

I'm gonna guess six hours and ten minutes. Water?

You should get some sleep.

At least go to the residence.

Someone will call the minute there's news.

I know. You're right.

I just... I can't leave the desk while they're still down there.

- Kids up yet? - No. Just your mom.

She said she'd call when they're awake.

I keep thinking...

...if Templeton were president right now,

we might very well be at war.

Yeah, well, it's reason enough to be president right there.

[quietly] Yeah.

And reason enough to run again.

- Hmm. - [footsteps]

[knocking] Madam President, they want you in the Sit Room.

[murmuring]

Ten-hut!

Madam President, we have a secure transmission from the USS Brighton,

the lead rescue ship.

They've asked that we put it through when we have you in the room.

USS Brighton, you have secure transmission with the president

of the United States.

Madam President, this is Captain Andrew Duggan of the USS Seattle,

radioing in to report that all classified material on our ship

has been destroyed and our entire crew is now safely aboard the USS Brighton.

[murmuring]

It's very good to see your face, Captain Duggan.

It's good to be seen, Madam President.

You had us a bit worried for awhile.

We knew you'd come get us.

It's an honor to serve under you, Madam President.

Thank you, captain.

You tell everyone there, you all have made us very proud today.

General Krieger, let's turn those ships around and get our sailors home.

[man] Excellent work, ma'am.

Madam President...

...we just wanted to say...

...thank you for your leadership through this.

We're honored to serve under you too.

- Thank you, general. - Thank you, Madam President.

- Thank you. - Madam President.

How do you want to make the announcement?

Release the video uplink to the press. Let them know the crew is safe.

We'll move the presidential press conference a day early.

Great.

I'll want to talk to world leaders first.

- I'll set it up. - Congratulations.

I really appreciate all your help.

It was a brilliant ploy, telling them you'd apologize.

It wasn't a ploy.

You're... you're not actually going to apologize to the North Koreans?

I promised I would.

With all due respect, ma'am, as a strategy, it was brilliant.

But a public apology will do nothing but make you look weak.

I want them to know they can trust us.

Better they should fear us.

They already fear us. A little trust won't hurt.

Well, let's hope you're right.

I want to thank you for allowing me to be a part of this process.

- Thank you. - Mr. Speaker.

Good morning.

[Duggan] ...all classified material on our ship has been destroyed

and our entire crew is now safely aboard the USS Brighton.

[man] Yeah!

Remember how I said the president needs to do something

to clarify her image with the American people?

- Done? - Done and done.

Money can't buy this kind of PR hit. I mean, this is...

...a very good day. I mean, do you realize how good this is? It's...

It's a good day.

OK, then.

When our sub got into trouble, it was too close

to the sovereign waters of North Korea. That was a mistake.

As commander in chief of the United States military, I take responsibility.

[clamoring]

Are you saying the North Koreans share no blame?

This isn't a time for blame. It's a time for moving forward.

And in that spirit, I would like to offer the people of North Korea

my personal apology for our part in this incident.

And my pledge to do better.

- Ma'am! Ma'am! - Roger.

Thank you, ma'am. North Korea is a totalitarian dictatorship.

They shot down a plane. Aren't they the ones who should pledge to do better?

We don't see eye to eye on most issues with North Korean leaders,

but today we saw eye to eye on the most important issue:

Peace.

I think we can all be proud of that. Thank you.

[all] Madam President!

I know you all probably have two million calls each to return.

We just want to grab you for a minute.

It's more like three million, but you're the president.

Speaking of which...

I wanted to tell you all how proud I am of you,

of us, of this team.

We accomplished something amazing in the last 48 hours.

And I can't help but feel

that, uh, there's so much more we could accomplish.

You're going to run.

[chuckling]

I think this team deserves another four years.

At least.

Absolutely.

Thank you.

When our sub got into trouble, it was too close

to the sovereign waters of North Korea. That was a mistake.

Hey.

I thought you were gonna go straight home.

[exhales] I can't sleep when it's light out.

How was the press conference?

She's spinning it pretty well right now.

Yeah.

How was she in the crisis?

Well...

...the good news is she did a hell of a job for the country.

What's the bad news?

The bad news is she did a hell of a job for the country.

She's not gonna be easy to beat.

[Mac] And when the last chick was safe in its nest,

Ricky winged up into the sky where he found his friends

waiting to take him home.

Could you read me another one?

No, but good try.

Bedtime.

Goodnight, baby. Mmm.

Is everything really OK now?

Mm-hm. Just like the chicks in their nest.

Promise.

- Hey. - Hey, Mom.

- You OK? - Yeah. I just, um...

[exhales] I just wanted to tell you I'm...

I'm really proud of you.

Thank you.

[exhales] I'm proud of you too, you know.

It's not like I just brought us back from the brink of nuclear war.

That was pretty good, wasn't it?

Yeah, well, don't let it go to your head.

- Good night, Mom. - Good night.

I smell cookies.

Oh. You always liked a snack after a long day.

It's been a long couple of days.

Hey! Hands off.

I made you some hot cocoa. Help you sleep.

Thank you.

You always had fresh cookies waiting when I got out of school.

Mmm. You know why?

Because you're the best mom ever?

Of course, that.

You'd come home for the cookies.

Hmm.

Tell me about your day. I'd have you at the table for ten minutes.

It was our special time together.

Every day. Guaranteed.

[chuckling]

So, how was your day?

The kids were really freaked. Thanks for taking care of them.

Hmm. We were all really freaked.

You did a wonderful job, you know.

The kids were...

...really impressed with their mother today.

It's not me. It's the presidency.

If the skirt fits.

You want to know the truth?

It was a rush.

Being the most powerful person on Earth...

...is a hell of a rush.

I'm happy to see you're enjoying your job, dear.

But you might not want to mention

the "most powerful person on Earth" part to your husband.

- You're probably right about that. - [laughing]

- All right. What do we got here? - Chocolate chip.

These are the plain. I made some nut, but...

What you've made is too many cookies.

I know. I get carried away.