Elizabeth McCord quotes from Madam Secretary

Matt

Japan feels that by extending their hand first that it shows the world that they're in charge and aren't cowering to China.

Elizabeth

The world? Seriously? Like 14 guys watch C-SPAN.

Elizabeth

Listen, I have to go to my friend's memorial service. I'll be back by this afternoon.

Daisy

Okay, have fun. (realizes) Oh, God... you're going to a memorial service. It's the opposite of fun. So... have whatever the opposite of fun is.

Elizabeth

Hey Daisy, you're rambling. Please don't do that in the press room.

(At George's memorial service.) Munsey hardly even knew the guy.

Juliet

Sat him behind a desk.

Elizabeth

For his own safety.

Still. He irks me.

Elizabeth

You know what irks me? His ex-wife acting like the grieving widow. She left him for her personal trainer over a decade ago. (The three dissolve into quiet laughter)

Henry

Hey. Hey. Are you 12? Do I need to separate you?

When did Henry become this guy?

Elizabeth

He's a Cradle Catholic. He gets jumpy around priests.

Henry

Hey (Points up to God to imply he is watching as the girls laugh again)

Elizabeth

Isabelle thinks George had gone a little crazy.

Henry

George? Come on.

Elizabeth

He thought my predecessor was murdered and that I might be in danger.

Henry

Well, it would be nice to think that's crazy talk.

Elizabeth

The night he died, I said his death wasn't an accident and you said "I know." What did you mean?

Henry

What did you mean?

Elizabeth

Maybe we were both just in shock.

Henry

Do you want to do this? Do you want to have this conversation? Now? Because I've been waiting until you're ready.

Elizabeth

I can't go there.

Blake

Why does Daisy have on a weird face?

Matt

That's just her face.

Blake

No, that's her freaked-out face.

Daisy

Can I show you something over here?

Elizabeth

Yeah. There's some debate about whether or not you have on your freaked-out face or your regular face.

Daisy

Fu Xinpei, visiting Chinese high school genius, just stood up at Dulles and declared she wants political asylum. Now the news has got hold of her. I'm worried that she's gonna mess up the signing of the treaty, but I'm probably being paranoid. This is my paranoid face.

Henry

We're at war with Iran?

Elizabeth

No. Canada.

Elizabeth

Is he mad?

Nadine

In a Canadian kind of way.

Elizabeth

What do you need, sir?

For you to fix this. Have I been unclear about that?

Russell

Sir. In fairness, she inherited a lot of this, including Allen Bollings. This was Marsh's agenda.

Vincent Marsh is dead. When are you going to do your job?

Elizabeth

Thank you. And now I'm going to barf. That speech is so terrible. No offense Matt.

Matt

Trying to fit all that into one speech is ... super hard.

Blake

The White House is on the line.

Elizabeth

Of course they are. Because I just tied The President to a drug dealer.

Elizabeth

Let me guess ... The White House loved the speech?

Nadine

Russell Jackson has already texted several times.

Elizabeth

With lots of smiling faces?

Stevie

Honey, you are the descendant of some of the greatest heroes and villians the commonwealth of Virginia has ever seen. If you have got one thing running through your veins, it's guts. And don't call me back until you've reached the top of that mountain, little girl.

Elizabeth

I actually said that?

Stevie

Yup.

Elizabeth

What a pain in the ass I am. And why did I sound like Dolly Parton?

Stevie

I got to the top of the mountain.

Elizabeth

I bet you did.

Stevie

You'll think of something.

Elizabeth

I am a realist. But there are events that transcend national interests, and I believe this is one of them.

I know you do. But I don't.

Elizabeth

Are you having an affair? I heard it, but I don't believe it. But I need to hear it from you. [Henry gives her a blank look] Oh, my God.

Henry

No.

Elizabeth

Well, you're going to have to be a lot more convincing immediately.

Henry

Have you completely lost your mind?

Elizabeth

Okay. That's better. But what's going on? You haven't given me pages...

Henry

Pages? I can't even get you on the phone. How am I gonna...

Elizabeth

Henry, you've published eight books. I've seen you in writing mode. You can't stop talking about it. You're like, "Yak, yak, yak," you won't even shut up! I mean, this is different. This is... this is weird and you're being sneaky. I don't... Wait... I know this. You're working for the NSA again.

Henry

Yes.

Elizabeth

That's why you're not at the archives!

Henry

Well, I...

Elizabeth

That's why you're being seen around town with a cute young woman!

Henry

She's my handler.

Elizabeth

I added "cute."

Henry

No, she's...

Elizabeth

Is she cute?

Henry

...my handler.

Elizabeth

Okay. But then why didn't you just tell me, Henry?!

Henry

I told them it was absurd! I mean, they let me tell you the last time!

Elizabeth

Yes!

Henry

But this mission is so top secret that even the Secretary of State can't know.

Elizabeth

[after her speech] You think Minister Samant is warming up to me yet?

Nadine

Possibly.

Elizabeth

What is that? Is that a smile? Or a smirk?

Nadine

It's a little of both. It's a smirkle.