Madam Secretary: The Ninth Circle Review

Brett Boris Madam Secretary

At the beginning of the episode, Isabelle (Marin Hinkle) pays Elizabeth McCord (Tea Leoni) a visit, at her home. Elizabeth apologizes, before they express their dismay over Juliet’s betrayal. Isabelle reads the note, which was left for Liz. The note insists Juliet is acting to help protect her country. Henry insists it feels like Juliet is working on something bigger. Next, Daisy is questioned by the media. The media questions Daisy about the body of Brett Boris. Meanwhile, Stevie (Wallis Currie-Wood) convinces Jason (Evan Roe) to unfriend a schoolmate from his Facebook page, because he is constantly posting insults about Liz.

Keith Carradine
Afterwards, Liz meets with Russell Jackson (Zeljko Ivanek). The pair discuss the search for Juliet. Liz insists they need to come clean and admit to running an operation in Turkey. Afterwards, Liz returns to her team, where Nadine questions about the status of Mr. Boris. Liz speaks directly to his mom, Mary Lou Boris (Debra Monk, Mozart in the Jungle). Mary insists the situation is strange and her son shouldn’t have been in Turkey. She admits Greg Taylor form the Chronicle has been trying to get an interview with her. She also gives Liz a photograph of Brett Boris. Nadine rushes in and informs Liz that the footage of Brett’s death is being aired on national television.
Zeljko Ivanek
President Conrad Dalton (Keith Carradine) meets with Liz and Russell. He informs them that they need to get the situation under control fast. Liz suggests flying Ankara and resolving the matter. The President gives her permission to travel, but insists the true reason remains unknown. Before she leaves, she discuss Jason’s bully, Preston, with Henry, who doesn’t seem too concerned. Nadine and Daisy argue over Liz’s secrecy. Afterwards, Mary Boris bursts into Liz’s room and accuses her of lying. She insists the government is hanging him out to die like a criminal. Liz invites Mary to travel with her to Turkey, in order to bring Brett home.
Madam Secretary Turkish Minister
At school, Jason is picked on by Preston. The pair begin to argue and fight, with Jason getting the best of Preston. Liz learns about the fight, after landing in Turkey. Henry reveals he has to speak to the Dean the next day, in order to sort out the situation. Isabelle reunited with Liz in Turkey. Isabelle provides her with pictures of Samila and reveals that the Turkish police confiscated a laptop.
Kathleen Chalfant
Liz finally meets with the Turkish Foreign Minister Ozan Canoglu (Erick Avari). Liz asks the Foreign Minister for Samila’s laptop, but he is not amused. He reveals that the Iranian Prime Minister requested access to the laptop earlier. Liz offers him American gas, at a considerable discount. Meanwhile, Henry and Jason speak to the Dean Ward (Kathleen Chalfant), who reveals Preston is going to have corrective surgery. Jason complains about Preston’s bullying, but the Dean isn’t impressed. She forces him to apologize. Mary finally gets to see her son’s body.
Madam Secretary Samila Mahdavi
Daisy complains to Matt (Geoffrey Arend) about Liz feeding her to the sharks. He reveals that Liz used him as a double agent against Russell Jackson. He mentions her plan about Dubai and insists the trip to Turkey might be connected. Liz speaks with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Zahed Javani (Usman Ally), who questions about the Americans going after Samila. Zahed insists Samila was an American asset. He insists the woman was working with the CIA and plotting against his country. He says if it is war that she wants, she will get it.
Next, Liz speaks to Munsey about the Iranian’s threats of war. Liz questions if Juliet could’ve been controlling Samila. Daisy and Matt share a drink, while contemplating Liz’s actions, before Daisy runs into Greg, who insists there is a conspiracy. Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Minister agrees to Liz’s deal, but refuses to give up the laptop. Liz suggests speaking to the President, before she leaves. Back at home, Jason insists Henry is a hypocrite, before they access a video call from Liz, who demands Jason to apologize. Still, Jason insists he isn’t sorry, but agrees to apologize.
Before she can leave, Zahed gives Liz a copy of Samila’s laptop contents and admits he was wrong. He insists the two countries can work together, before leaving. Back in the vehicle, Liz checks out the information. Back at Langley, Nadine briefs the team, but Daisy says she doesn’t want to spin this story. At the school, Jason and Henry are joined by Liz. The family argue, before the Dean invites them in and Jason apologizes for Preston’s nose. The Dean expels Jason, but Henry and Liz argue in his behalf. After they leave, Jason admits he wanted to be expelled. Jason reveals he just wants to go to a normal school again.
Phoebe gives the media conference, since Daisy refuses. Munsey speaks to the President, Liz and Russell. Liz reveals that Munsey was Samila’s handler. They accuse Munsey of murdering Marsh, but he insists the laptop is flimsy evidence. He insists he was only trying to fulfill the President’s objective of creating a free nuclear Iran. He reveals they’re trying to run a coup in Iran. He insists it is already in motion and the President can’t do anything to stop it.
Review
 
The Ninth Circle was an excellent episode, which brought some nice additions, including Erick Avari, Debra Monk, Kathleen Chalfant, and Usman Ally. Each played their roles wonderfully and helped to make the episode an overall success. Of course, the episode’s Jason story was fun, although a little cheesy, when Liz attempted to use the CIA against the Quaker Dean. The big reveal regarding Andrew Munsey fell somewhat flat honestly, but the Iran coup will definitely set up some nice controversy in future episodes. The episode deserves a 7.5 out of 10.
Be sure to catch up with more of our reviews and recaps for Madam Secretary here.
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  1. jon says:

    good one brother, dig this review!

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