Episode Report Card M. Giant: A | 1 USERS: A YOU GRADE IT Good News, Bad News
By M. Giant | Season 7 | Episode 18 | Aired on 04.13.2009
At 1:17:35, a White House functionary tells Seaton and Hodges that the president is ready for them, and they enter the Oval Office. Hodges introduces Seaton. "He's a remarkable man. He doesn't look remarkable, but believe me, he's a genius." Seaton looks a little uncomfortable at what's verging on sexual harassment, and of course Taylor knows him already. She dismisses the Secret Service agents from the room, and now that it's just the three of them, Hodges gushes about the history of the Oval Office. "This is the first time I've been in this room since you were elected," he says by way of small talk. "Under your predecessor, I used to drop by every couple of months. I'd brief President Daniels on what was really going on in the world." Taylor asks if that's what this is about, but Hodges assures her it's not. "It's about allowing Starkwood to fulfill the purpose for which it was founded. Protecting this country." After it's done threatening it, that is. Taylor calls him out on what he and Juma have been up to, specifically killing "hundreds of innocent people. Including my son." Sure, make it personal. Hodges stands and imitates some human-sounding noises about the deaths, but claims to be "shocked that you would think that I had anything to do with this." Taylor says they have evidence, but Hodges says it's all lies. And anyway, he wants to put all that behind them. Bygones! "I'm listening," Taylor says, which right there would tell Hodges that she's just playing for time, if only he were aware of the fact that he is a lunatic. Hodges claims that the country needs private armies. "Look how easy it was to get bioweapons into this country." Yes, good point. Who was it who did that, again? Oh, yeah, a private army. Excellent point. So Taylor asks what Hodges wants to do about it. "In short, I want a seat at the table," Hodges says, coming right back to what he denied this was about at the beginning of the meeting. "Starkwood needs to be involved in the shaping of military policy. Domestic and global... Think of Starkwood as the fifth branch of the military." Holy God, is he serious? What a nutbar. Before Taylor can concede that yes, right now the country's armed forces is sadly lacking in a branch that'll be prepared to pull a military coup any time the president does something it doesn't like, Seaton hands out copies of a slim binder. Hodges says this is "the basis of our agreement," and he wants to go over it with her right now. Taylor throws hers on her desk and says he's proposing blackmail. "Well, that's putting it in the worst possible light," he protests. She proves him wrong by saying, "You are threatening to kill thousands of people." Hodges actually says, "I'm not proud of this chapter. I'm the first to admit it... But this country's seen enough bloodshed. For the sake of the American people, Madam President, I implore you to work with me." I love that "For the sake of the American people" bit. Presumably the ones he's going to kill if he doesn't get his way. "Let's move past this. Pick up the document, Madam President." So, is he planning to keep biological weapons pointed at domestic targets throughout the "partnership" he's envisioning with the government? Because that seems to me like it might get kind of awkward. But Taylor might consider this: those long, boring meetings with the Joint Chiefs will go a lot more quickly when everyone can just show up and get their marching orders from the new Secretary of Starkwood.