"Madam Secretary" deserves a round of applause, for it finally stopped emphasizing how Elizabeth McCord is just like us, grounded the plot in urgency, and told its best story to date. The teleplay contains densely packed plot action surrounding the case of the week which is a step in the right direction. The White House dramatics feel tense in "Blame Canada", and the family subplots stay out of the business of the United States foreign relations (thank god). The story was bit murkier than usual, but I can accept that flaw when the bigger problems abate. Elizabeth's characterization was more believable and less hokey, the build-up pays off in the climax, and the husband subplot supported the central story nicely. Here's to "Madam Secretary", for surmounting some of its problems...let's see how long it can keep it up.
Grade: B
Grade: B
