Episode Report Card Sobell: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Madame Evil's administration -- dead!
By Sobell | Season 2 | Episode 19 | Aired on 03.04.2007
The boys toast, and Linc says fervently, "I wish I could have seen the look on her face." Michael averts his eyes and says softly, "No, you don't." I am torn on whether it's because Madame Evil was too cold and angry to behold, or whether Michael saw her bleak grief. Michael clicks on the TV so they can see their televised moment of validation.
We cut to Madame Evil pacing back and forth in the kitchen, her men flanking her. As she prepared to walk into the impromptu press room, Kim slithers into view and says, "You are not going to do this." Madame Evil says, "I have made my decision and I would appreciate you not second-guessing me." Kim hisses, "I don't think you understand! We know your secrets too. We can reveal them just as easily. You need to ask yourself who you fear more: Michael Scofield, or us." The angry resolve drains from Madame Evil's face; all that's left is despair.
Madame Evil walks out, a wide, confident grin on her face. She speaks: "Thank you for waiting so patiently all afternoon. If it were not for the support of this great state, my home state of Illinois, I would not be here today." We move from the vibrant-looking president to the watchful Kim in the back of the room, then to Michael, staring intently on the couch in Derek's office.
Madame Evil then assumes a grave face: "This is why I have chosen today to make this very important announcement. A situation has recently come to light, and I feel that I must take action." We cut to a shot of Kellerman watching, slumped on his bed, then to a shot of Dr. Sara listening as she drives: "It is my job as president of this country to make rational decisions when I am given facts. Decisions that are best not for me, but for the people." We cut to Kim, relaxing a little. Back to Madame President, looking bravely resolute. She continues, "And so, after much consideration, I regret to inform you that I have been diagnosed with a highly malignant form of cancer." We cut to a stricken-looking Michael. Ah, that's a facial expression with which we're all familiar. Madame Evil continues, "And because of that reason, I am no longer fit to serve as your commander in chief. In the best interests of this country, effective immediately, I am stepping down as president of the United States." We cut to Kim, who looks like he's trying to keep his head from exploding in a giant snit.
And with that, Madame Evil steps off the podium and out of the corridors of power. I suppose I should be thinking about the practical implications for Michael and Kellerman and Linc, but I am more concerned about the political succession here. I mean, didn't Madame Evil just take office? Has her vice president already been confirmed? Is Congress up to doing that again so soon, or is the speaker of the House in this universe all, "You know what, guys? You already know me. I'm a-hopping up a step in the presidential succession"? Also, why has Illinois not broken out into untrammeled mayhem, what with losing its governor and now the U.S. commander in chief? And since the Iraq war is going on in this universe... how's that going to go, what with three different commanders-in-chief in six months? Do you think maybe other countries are going to drop a bomb on the U.S. since we're so busy trying to figure out who's in charge?