Dalton quotes from Madam Secretary

Russell

Okay, y-you guys are really gonna make me be the one to say it? The oppo research.

[sighs] What happened to being a knight?

Russell

The painkillers have worn off!

I have to say, breaking the president's nose is a whole new form of diplomacy.

Elizabeth

So is groping the Secretary of State, in my experience.

But you're okay?

Elizabeth

(Sighs) Yeah.

Russell

I know this doesn't bode well for the Singapore Interchange. Then again, Sugar Ray McCord has put the world on notice about how we deal with bullies.

Elizabeth

That's not funny, Russell.

Russell

I'm not kidding. It's badass.

Why did I want this job again?

Elizabeth

Your house does have a bowling alley in the basement.

I don't think we've met before.

Russell

I generally avoid daylight.

Elizabeth

Give me 48 hours to try to get Dupont to step down.

And if you can't?

Elizabeth

Then send in the Marines.

A good President accomplishes two, maybe three things that move the country forward. An excellent President, maybe four. I think you'll be an excellent President.

Elizabeth

Thank you, sir. But what does that have to do with Fossor?

You can spend your Presidency fighting this. But before you do, make sure this is really what's important to you, because it will consume your entire Presidency.

I'm not going to tolerate any more Russian expansionism. It's time we had a very tough talk with Syria.

Russell

A country with which we have no diplomatic relations.

Just because history repeats itself doesn't mean we have to keep making the same mistakes, not if people are willing to fight for something better. It takes time and courage to step outside our comfort zone and forge new paths.

Elizabeth

Yes sir, but the end result is always worth it.

Elizabeth

There were no easy choices then. Deaths under Stalin and Mao and Pol Pot numbered in the hundreds, whether by privation or outright murder. How could we not push back against that?

I guess you're right, but my God we made some horrible decisions. Myself included. Sandino Junior might not have turned out be such a monster if we hadn't killed his mother.

Measles was eradicated in the US. How did we get back here?

Because measles is awesome...at being a virus. It is not as sexy as Ebola but the virus can stay in the air for 12 to 18 hours after the infected person has left the room. That's why vaccine resistance is so serious.

Well done.

Russell

Indeed. Now we just have to explain why we kept the leadership out of the loop, kidnapped an ally, and interfered with Polish sovereignty.

Russell

Why take her out in broad daylight?

To send a message to other agitators. It's straight out of the autocrat's handbook.