Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 8 Review: Breakout Capacity
Elizabeth Harlow
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Will this election never end?
The presidential race is dragged out once more on Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 8. At least this time the situation at State might actually be relevant. I still doubt we'll see enough to make this arc worth it though.
On the upside, the party at the bar provided some good non-work scenes for the Senior Staff. Oh, and Jason got a dressing down from Henry. So there was that anyway.
Starting with the poor little rich boy: While I was glad to see Henry finally school him in how much he doesn't know, this kid also needs to figure out just how privileged he is before he starts waxing about the people's revolution.
He's a white, seemingly straight, cis male from a family that is easily in the top percentages of the population when it comes to wealth.
Boy needs to check himself. Also, rebelling by supporting a major party candidate? Puh-lease.
While Henry's little field trip was touching, I was disappointed when he only talked about the early days of the labor movement and not the many homeless people who were RIGHT THERE. That would have been a good reality check.
The chastisement at home seemed more effective in getting Jason to realize that he doesn't know everything.
Elizabeth: If Jason genuinely believes that Reynolds would make a better president, I don't have a problem with him wearing it.
Henry: No matter how obnoxious and disrespectful it may be.
Russell Jackson's constant obsessing over the election has been reading as a caricature for a while now. Entertaining at times, but it's a little one note. His "anything to win" attitude is cliché and beneath the writers, a lazy way out.
And it annoys me on a personal level as it reinforces negative stereotypes when there's such rampant cynicism about the US political system these days.
Of course Reynold's attitude in the secret meeting annoyed me even more. He seemed so reasonable when we met him in Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 7! But disparaging compromise? For real? That's even worse than the ludicrous idea of total isolationism.
I just really wish that Russell's biting wit would be put to use belittling the ideas of the crackpots dreamed up to run against Dalton instead of freaking out about how everything is somehow Elizabeth's fault.
Use your powers for good, Russell!
In theory, I'm eligible to be Pope. Other than being married and not Catholic
Russell
The senior staff's alcohol soaked evening was the bright spot for me. It was nice to have a little levity back, and to see the staff's camaraderie. Blake and Daisy's ditty's had me cracking up, and I swear to god you could walk into any bar on Capitol Hill on in the Golden Triangle and over hear the exact conversation between Mike and Nadine.
Now there was a liaison I did not see coming. Now that it's happened though, I can totally see the possibility's. He may have a reputation in DC as a shark, but Nadine's no pushover. They could be the next Mary Matalin and James Carville.
As for Daisy hooking up with ex-boyfriend Win instead of Matt...I was relieved. I'm not saying that they don't have potential, just that this would have been bad timing for so many reasons.
I am now confused about why a big deal was made about Oliver's Air Force assistant though.
Blake {about the election returns]: I prefer to watch at home where I can curl into the fetal position with my blanket.
All election shananigans aside, I'm hopeful about this new development with the Iran deal. Okay, hopeful is an odd word choice since the Republican Guard has probably killed at least some of the IAEA inspectors.
But I like the diplomatic problems that aren't wrapped up in forty-five minutes.
The Russian complication got resolved a touch too quickly for my liking, but you can't have everything. I'll cross my fingers that the Iran situation only ramps up on Madam Secretary Season 3 Episode 9.
Elizabeth: Thing is...I just don't want a nineteen year old zoning our neighborhood.
Henry: We could end up with a bunch of juice bars and artisanal vape shops.
Since that episode ("Snap Back") will be dealing with Israel's response to Iran's violation of "The Deal," I'm feeling pretty good about that item on my wish list. We'll have to wait until December 11th to see if Elizabeth heads over to the Middle East to cool tempers or if she handles it from the seventh floor of State.
Meanwhile, politics becomes personal the McCords with some quid pro quos. Russell is still obsessed with his coalition, and asks Henry to butter up his old pilot buddy who is now a member of the House.
Stevie needs a recommendation to Harvard Law because apparently her family name isn't enough, and of course she asks Russell to write her a letter. He just knows her so well!
If you missed out on the musical stylings of Daisy and Blake, not to worry. You can always watch Madam Secretary online! Let us know what you thought of "Breakout Capacity" down in the comments section.
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Elizabeth Harlow was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She left the organization in October 2018.
