Henry McCord quotes from Madam Secretary

(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.

Henry

We're at war with Iran?

Elizabeth

No. Canada.

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

This is why the intelligence community shouldn't keep secrets from me.

Henry

I agree. Not that we're doing a very good job of it.

Elizabeth

You lied to me.

Henry

Under penalty of law and for your own safety, you know that.

Elizabeth

More like parameters. I think we're talking north of 40 with 35 as the floor for someone really spectacular.

Henry

I'm not Hugh Hefner. 40 is just fine.

Elizabeth

Good.

Elizabeth

Do you think you'll have God on your side?

Henry

I have you.

Henry

When she hates you, it's a crisis. When she hates me, it's natural progression.

Elizabeth

I know. It's so weird.

Henry

Tell me, Jackson. Does this midnight menacing usually work?

Russell

On most people.

Henry

You don't want Juliet to die.

Elizabeth

Does that make me a traitor?

Henry

No. It makes you human.

Henry

[on phone] How bad did I make things for you?

Elizabeth

You're still my hero.

Henry

No, I'm not. I went off like a hopped up undergrad.

Elizabeth

You did what I have been wanting to do all day. Instead, I have to listen to my staff imply that I shouldn't be sitting down with the virgin goddess of Nepal while my slutty daughter is all over the internet. [Under her breath to Grant] Not you.

Henry

[In a hushed reverent tone] You have a meeting with the Kumari?

Elizabeth

[to Grant, endeared and in love] He knows what a Kumari is. [to Henry] Don't ever change.

Henry

May I make a request?

What is it?

Henry

Before you finish questioning this guy... fifteen minutes alone with him. Off the radar.

You got it.

Elizabeth

[after they left the oval office] Well, that was very Godfather. You thinking piano wire or bare hands?

Henry

I haven't decided yet.

Elizabeth

Is it wrong that I find it kinda hot?

Elizabeth

Don't answer that.

Jason

How about Markes? It's pretty crazy, huh?

Elizabeth

What are you talking about?

Jason

It's all over the news. Markes is resigning.

Elizabeth

Senator Markes?

Jason

Yeah.

Elizabeth

Is resigning?

Jason

Yeah.

Elizabeth

Senator Gregg Markes is resigning?

Jason

Why does she keep asking me that?

Henry

Processing the ramifications.

Jason

Which are?

I-I... I h-have to go. Here, go.

Henry

Yeah.

Elizabeth

I have to go.

Henry

Your mom's about to change the world.

Elizabeth

You're so much nicer than I am.

Henry

I am.