Elizabeth McCord quotes from Madam Secretary

Elizabeth

Fine. You want to talk to the FBI, you can talk to the FBI. On one condition.

Henry

Name it.

Elizabeth

You have to put the shams on the big pillows.

Why would I agree to this?

Elizabeth

Because you want to build democracy. And because, if your company, KronicDM, is the force behind an internet led revolution that leads Angola to expose a corrupt regime and elect its first female president...that's gonna make a really kick-ass Super Bowl commercial.

Elizabeth

Marcia Forman is having a field day with this dissent memo.

Blake

Marcia Forman is an unhappy woman desperately trying to make herself relevant.

Matt

Aren't we all?

Henry

Are you kidding me? Who wrote these talking points? The Browns have got way bigger problems than finding a go-to receiver on third down.

Elizabeth

Can I just say how adorable it is that this is the most opinionated you've been about my job?

Russell

Here's a novel idea: stick to the Prime Directive. Let democracy take its course...without U.S. interference.

Elizabeth

Really? A Star Trek reference?

Elizabeth

It's a classic negotiating tactic. The more I chase after him, the more control he has over the discussion. Secretary Albright actually taught me that one.

Nadine

I believe it was, uh, Wendy Rogers who taught me another classic negotiating tactic. If a guy won't talk to you, send in a close companion to bridge the gap.

Elizabeth

Wendy Rogers?

Nadine

The most popular girl in sixth grade.

Elizabeth

We apologized. It's forgotten.

Russell

Really? The French forget? 'Cause every representative they send over here still manages to bring up "Freedom fries" at least once.

Elizabeth

And my remarks will be rich with praise for everything French?

Matt

Rich and thick like a fine béarnaise.

Blake

Good morning, ma'am. Russell Jackson's office needs your approval on this.

Elizabeth

Coffee?

Blake

Café au lait. The White House barista has been practicing for the state dinner.

Elizabeth

It's coffee with milk.

Blake

The French are picky...and easily insulted.

Forget it. I'll just power through, and develop an ulcer, and later in life, I'll send you a bill for all my therapy.

Elizabeth

[pause] Do you want to go to therapy?

So, Dad's just never coming back then?

Elizabeth

Yes, I forgot to tell you that your father's taken the cutest little apartment in the Pentagon.

Henry

She's used her YouTube tutorial as a metaphor for the democratization of media, third-wave feminism, and the internet as a virtual university.

Elizabeth

What? All of that in 500 words or less?

Henry

I never knew smokey eyes could be so poignant. [chokes up] It's really good. And now I'm getting misty eyed.

Elizabeth

You're very cute when you're overwhelmed by intelligence.

Elizabeth

As Russell said, when there's no rule book, you don't have to worry about breaking the rules.

Russell

[scoffs] Sometimes I just say stuff.

Henry

Jason's upstairs, claiming to be doing his homework. [sighs] He's probably gambling online.

Elizabeth

As long as he wins.