User Reviews

This review will be similar in tone and feeling to another recent, and very positive one. In fact, that so reflects my own reaction to the episode that I can think of very little to add. I've quite enjoyed the program in general, but initially felt a teeny bit disappointed in myself for doing so. It's slowly grown on me, however, probably because things aren't necessarily tied up in a neat bow at the end (for example, with regard to Dimitri, and to the McCord children's being written with a fair degree of attention to just how complex such lives are likely to be). The acting is always competent, and sometimes, even of great calibre. Téa Leoni has long been a favourite, and in Madam Secretary she never fails to be convincing as essentially a woman of principle, but who is humanly subject to the myriad conflicts between ethics and political expediency. This episode had me sitting up with a jolt. My view is that the writers excelled themselves. My opinion may of course be because the plot lines have usually more to do with the world stage, and any departure from a norm is refreshing. Nevertheless, I defy anyone (who has congregated as a family under stressful circumstances) not to identify strongly with the finely-drawn bitterness, grief, anger and helplessness that the McCord clan has to confront here. A tour de force.

The more I watch this show the more I like it. And this episode, "Invasive Species," although unusual in that its focus was not really so much on foreign affairs, but on Henry (husband of the Secretary), was one of the best. It was all about the dynamics in Henry's family home in Pittsburgh after they gathered to grieve his father's death. Considering that these characters were completely new to us viewers, the writers did a marvelous job of quickly introducing us to them and portraying how such a gathering exposed long-buried grievances and alliances. The dialogue was quite realistic, and touching.

Although the foreign crisis episodes--the show's usual fare--sometimes seem a bit too "ripped from the headlines" and too quickly resolved in order to meet the one-hour time frame, this one seemed just right, and it gave Tim Daly, who is one of the most likable actors on TV, a chance to shine. Tea Leoni as Madam Secretary is always likable, wise, and sympathetic and her home and office families are also made up of excellent ensemble actors--particularly the estimable Bebe Neuwirth.

Contrived plot, with terribly written dialogue. There was no depth or any character development. In fact it brought all the hard work done on this series by the amazing cast and crew back several steps. This episode was obviously pushing an agenda, which to me felt like nails scraping down a chalkboard. It reminded me of listening to a undergraduate writing assignment acted out. Very disappointed in the episode from writers to director. I hope this is a brief mistake and this doesn't become the norm of Madam Secretary. Corners were obviously cut and it shows. I would go into further depth to make this criticism delve into everything that went wrong, but if the production crew that is paid to make these episodes doesn't feel it necessary to try and create a critically acclaimed episode, I don't feel it my job to detail the failure. The amazing actors in this series must have felt so awkward making this episode...