User Reviews

During or after every episode of this show, I have commented to my family that it is just a bit (or quite a bit) too earnest, idealistic, wholesome, etc. Although this episode was no exception, we are treated to a moment of realism from talented veteran actor Linda Lavin, playing the character of Joan, Russell's wise assistant. When "Stevie" explains to Joan that she wants to be valued, not for her connection to Russell or her mother, but for "what I've accomplished around here," Joan says very little in words, but speaks volumes with her slight twitch of a smile and her silence as Stevie talks herself into an embarrassing snit. Rarely do guest actors bring the skills Lavin does to this scene. Contrast this with the rather lame scene with Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, and Hillary Clinton-none of whom can act worth a damn-and Lavin deservea a Emmy.

Yea, twas soothing to watch Fmr Secretaries Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell educate and enlighten us on the dangers of nationalism, and on the need for us to embrace...diversity and inclusion as is evident in the speech of their fictional successor, Madam Elizabeth McCord, played by Ms Tea Leoni.

"Nationalism is the existential threat of our time. I wanna be clear: nationalism is not the same as patriotism. It's a perversion of patriotism. Nationalism is the belief system held by those who attacked us. Promotes the idea that inclusion and diversity represent weakness. That the only way to succeed is to give blind allegiance to the supremacy of one race over all others. Nothing could be less human. Patriotism on the other hand is about building each other up. And embracing our diversity is the source of our human strength."

I really liked this show - especially the 1st 2 seasons. Now, like most entertainment, we get our weekly dose of "this is how you should view the world". When the last episode ended with Elizabeth announcing she was going to run for president and Henry responding "I'm with you" as in I'm with her, I knew what we would be in for. I know this is a political show, but must it hit the viewer over the head with the Hollywood version of what is good and right?

I have watched a lot of TV in my life, but never before I have found a single episode of a TV show become so political within seconds. When "Madam Secretray" talks to the advisory council of her predecessors, Colin Powell, Madleine Albright and Hillary Clinton, the tone set send shivers down my spine. No, the three are not notewothy actors, but they need not be. They are former politicians who shaped an America that was a trusted Partner and Power in the world. To see a TV show stand up and act out against trupism, against white supremacist feels good. The speech at the end, hailing Nuclear Weapons the second biggest threat to humanity, was right on point. I do not mind American Patrotism. Americans should be proud of their country. I do mind the stupid and cringeworthy nationalistic doctrine of "America First", which aims to alienate the world from the US... Thank you for going beyond entertainment,this time round.

Judging from some of the reviews it seems some folks either didn't pay attention during the episode or have trouble grasping the values this country was founded on. Nationalism is not patriotism. To be honest I can't believe these folks ever really watched this show in the first place. Every episode has more nuance than they could handle.

To all the people giving negative views, there is such a thing as an off button.

Seeing the former Secretaries of State was amazing, and then hearing them discuss the situation and how to bring it all together was awesome!!!!!

Preachy and political with no balance. Not how this show usually operates. Disappointed in the sledgehammer used in this episode.

Lots of negative reviews for this episode but I really enjoyed the drama of it.

I don't claim to know a lot about politics but the scene with former Secretary of State heads was cringe worthy.

It's just Hollywood folks! Watch and relax. Don't be so critical. A lot more to be critical about than TV

Hands-down the best episode ever written for a broadcast television procedural drama. This is the gold standard for more like this come.

I love this show, however what is going on?!. I was finally able to catch up on season 5 on demand. The part where the previous Secretary's of State (in episode one) came together sounded like a really bad TV ad. Throwing in the political views.. just ridiculous .

CBS is determined to ruin one of their very few good shows. I enjoyed watching this show until now. It started this season as another propaganda piece for CBS and the Clinton Broadcasting Service.

It started out bad with Elizabeth compromising her principles for political gain. The low point was the gathering of talking heads offering insipid views. The laughable moment was when the person who labeled more than half the country as "deplorables" talked about tolerance and inclusiveness

This episode has done major damage to what used to be a good show. A series that explored complex topics with at least the appearance of neutrality and objectivity. Now it's become just another CBS attack on America.

I have been a fan of this show from the start, but how they managed to make an interesting storyline during the season premier this utterly boring boggles my mind. Hopefully this is a horrible one off and they get back to normal.

Shelf your liberal, opinionated propaganda. I don't watch drama TV programs to be converted to the progressive viewpoint. Anymore episodes like this and I will no longer be watching Madam Secretary. I used to love this program. This episode -- I can't stomach it.

Used to be a good show somewhere until the third season. After this episode, I am not watching this show ever again.

I've loved this show for seasons 1-4, but this first episode of season 5 really struck a nerve, crossing the line of a fictional show into more of a political narrative. I hope this doesn't set the precedent for the remainder of the shows. That's not what I come to watch. I come to watch a smart, well-told story about a woman and her faintly negotiating the challenges of holding the second highest office in the US.

I'm British, and enjoy the show for what it is. As other reviewers have said, I was really enjoying this episode, explosion in the White House, great stuff. Then it got way too political, old politicians wheeled in to show how great America is again. Give us a break, and just get on with the drama. I could just see right wing Americans throwing their beer cans at the tv! Tone it down, and hopefully the show will improve