Elizabeth McCord quotes from Madam Secretary

Elizabeth

Honey? Their eyes are glazing over. They're just listening to you because you're so cute.

No way. I hated religion before I took his class. Now I'm totally caught up. He's brilliant.

Elizabeth

Wow. Well, do you mind if I just steal his brilliance for a minute?

Henry

So, how am I supposed to develop a cult following?

Elizabeth

Oh, I think you'll figure it out. Hey, listen. Did you remember you got to cook tonight? 'Cause I'm going into DC.

Henry

Right, the spy reunion.

Elizabeth

Yes. And since I'm the only one who can talk about work, I get to be the center of attention.

Henry

You're always the center of attention with me.

Elizabeth

Really? Tell that to your cult following.

Elizabeth

Why don't you call our former boss and complain to him about your desk job?

Oh, I did.

Elizabeth

George! You called POTUS about your desk job!

It's a bad time to be without diplomatic representation.

Elizabeth

Because of the peace talks with Iran and President Shiraz's upcoming visit to the U.S.?

So you understand why I can't waste any time on this decision. I want you to step in.

Elizabeth

Step into what?

Secretary of State.

Elizabeth

You're joking. Um, I don't mean you're joking, but you can't be serious. Obviously, you're serious, I just... Why?

I recruited you for the CIA. I trained you as an analyst. I know how you think, how you work. I trust you. I wanted to nominate you right after I was elected. I was talked out of my choice by... well-meaning advisers. Vincent Marsh was always running for office. You have no such ambition. You quit a profession you love for ethical reasons. That makes you the least political person I know. You don't just think outside the box. You don't even know there is a box. I believe I can effect real change in the world. I want you to help me do that. I know you won't let me down.

Nadine

I've charted out all ten of his wives by their names and ranks. Basically, it's a seniority system. You look like you have a question.

Elizabeth

Um... Yes. Why are we doing this?

Nadine

The chart?

Elizabeth

The dinner.

Daisy

The press loves stuff like this. The guy's flamboyant, exotic.

Elizabeth

Polygamist.

Matt

We're not using that word.

Elizabeth

We're not? What are we calling it?

Matt

It falls under cultural diversity.

Elizabeth

I see. Well, is it important to have all the wives? You think maybe we could cut it off at say three?

Elizabeth

Hey Blake, on a scale of one to ten how much does Nadine hate me?

Blake

I think that one goes to eleven.

Elizabeth

Do they all hate me that much?

Blake

No...It’s a mixture.

Elizabeth

Why don’t you hate me?

Blake

Because you hired me. And you’re awesome… I might have inadvertently reversed those.

Blake

Meeting with the chief of staff and the secretary of defense in half an hour. Oh, that's Russell Jackson and Gordan Becker, respectively.

Elizabeth

Blake? I know their names.

Blake

Yeah. Yeah.

Russell

We got you the name of a stylist, right?

Elizabeth

A stylist?

Russell

You're going to find it useful. It's a tough transition.

Elizabeth

So we're fine?

Henry

We're fine.

Elizabeth

Totally fine?

Henry

Totally fine.

Elizabeth

We used to have sex more often.

Henry

We had sex this weekend.

Elizabeth

But we used to have weeknight sex.

Henry

Stop overthinking things.

Elizabeth

Is it my masculine energy? I've got too much of it? Because I know some men, they're turned off by women in positions of power.

Henry

I totally love women in power positions.

Elizabeth

Ugh.

Henry

I'm completely attracted to your masculine energy... Tell me what to say.

Blake

This is Roxanne Majidi, the newest addition to our staff.

Elizabeth

I see. In what capacity?

I was sent by the chief of staff. Mr. Jackson says I'm to be your personal appearance specialist.

Elizabeth

Okay, I have no idea what that means.

Your stylist.

Elizabeth

Oh. Well, I'm sure that you're very good at what you do. But, um, I don't need a stylist.

Madam Secretary, I just do as I'm told. But I was sent by the chief of staff. He was pretty insistent. The way he conveyed it to me, you don't have a choice in the matter.

Elizabeth

See, here's the problem. I've never met a situation where I don't have a choice in the matter.

Daisy

Madam Secretary, we need to review your statement about the King of Swaziland visit.

Elizabeth

OK.

Matt

Yeah, I have a rough first draft. I’m still working on the adjectives, right now you’re happy and excited.

Elizabeth

You need to work on the adjectives.

Daisy

Well I have to get something to the press by tomorrow.

Elizabeth

Can I be resigned and conflicted?

Daisy

You can never be either of those things.

Matt

You can be eager and optimistic.

Daisy

No she can’t be eager, that’s too Jimmy Carter.

Elizabeth

Can I be cautiously optimistic?

Matt

Well that’s for more serious world events.

Daisy

You can be forward thinking.

Matt

You know what, I’ll do the writing, thanks!

Elizabeth

What if I’m grateful for the opportunity to expose the world to a variety of cultural differences as we move toward a more global thinking society?

Matt

That’s really good.

Elizabeth

Should I write it down for you?

Matt

No, I’m the writer, I can do it.

Elizabeth

Just as long as our roles are clear.

Jay

The intel on the prison location was bad and when the special forces made their way inside the structure they found goats.

Elizabeth

Is that code for something?

Jay

No Ma’am, actual goats.

Nadine

It was disinformation.

Jay

The good news is that there were no casualties, and no goats were harmed.

Elizabeth

That’s just not helpful.

Henry

What's going on?

Elizabeth

I can't tell you.

Henry

Okay. Let me take the Socratic approach. Why did you take this job?

Elizabeth

Because who wouldn't take this job?

Henry

Hey, wise guy, I'll be Socrates.

So you're cashing in your chips?

Elizabeth

No. I am appealing to your humanity. And if that doesn't work, I'm reminding you that the Secretary of State can have any foreign diplomat removed off of U.S. soil for any reason.

I am feeling very... humane.