Episode Report Card M. Giant: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Fed Sematary
By M. Giant | Season 7 | Episode 6 | Aired on 01.26.2009
At 1:31:12, one of the splitscreen windows is already showing a live CNB report of fire crews at the crash site. They certainly got there fast. In the White House basement, Taylor and her entourage enter the Situation Room, with Tim reading the vital stats off his phone. It was a flight from Chicago with 250 people versus a commuter jet with 21on board, plus a good chance that any number of people on the ground were squished by falling debris. Oh, and this just in: a congressman and his wife may have been on the flight from Chicago. Will the fun ever start? "How many planes are still in the air?" Asks Secretary of State Stevens. "Over 1,300," Tim says. Make that over 1,298. Stevens takes the floor to say they have to withdraw the invasion force from Sangala. "I'm forced to agree, Madam President," Tim agrees. Taylor sits, and all the suits in the room follow suit. In the Sit Room. She asks Tim to say his piece. He says the country is just not prepared to deal with the potential damage Dubaku could inflict. "The tragedy we just witnessed is nothing compared to what could happen if they begin targeting more sensitive installations. Power grids, nuclear facilities. We're talking deaths in the hundreds of thousands." Stevens chimes in again: "All in support of a policy that cannot possibly succeed without Matobo." Taylor takes her time before speaking, and when she does, she says there's still a chance to get Matobo back. "And while that chance exists, I'm not giving in." But how stupid is she going to feel if Matobo turns up dead later? Stevens stands up from his chair: "Madam President, you are guaranteeing another attack on our country." Taylor insists that she refuses to let the country be blackmailed or held hostage. "This country does not negotiate with terrorists," she repeats. "Tell that to the families of the dead!" Stevens retorts. "Do you have any idea what the public reaction will be when word gets out that these are acts of terrorism? Brought about by your reckless foreign policy? I can guarantee there will be a call for your impeachment." Ethan tries to shut Stevens down, but Stevens insists, "I will not stand by and let this happen." And with that, Taylor follows through on her earlier threat to ask for his resignation. "Now sit down or leave." Everyone waits to see which option he'll go with, and after a long moment, he shakes his head. "You people think about what you're doing here," he tells the room. "About the price you're willing to pay." After he clears out, Taylor looks around at all the grave faces staring at her. I'm a little disappointed that her first words aren't, "So who wants to be Secretary of State?" Instead, she begins a speech. "I know there are many of you here who agree with Secretary Stevens." That's ex-Secretary to you, Madam President. "If I can't alleviate your doubts, I can at least help you to understand my reasoning. When I took the oath of office, I swore to myself and the American people that this country would continue to be a force for good in this world. We're a nation founded on ideals. And those ideals are being challenged today. Now how we respond will not only define this administration but an entire generation. Not just Americans, but Sangalans, and anyone else who looks to us for guidance and strength. I wont fail them. And neither will you. We're in for some tough times ahead. Let's make sure we're ready." With that, she gets up and leaves as the triumphant music swells. Although the music seems to be the only one that's impressed, as all of the actual people in the room simply stare at her stone-faced. In the hallway, she leans against a wall, looking exhausted and devastated and hungry for a nice, juicy Emmy. It's 1:36:28. And while I agree that this scene was dramatic enough to merit a whole act to itself, I think it kind of screwed up the timeline on some other stuff that was supposed to be happening at the same time. As we'll see.