'Madam Secretary' Season 4, Episode 5 'Persona Non-Grata' Recap: Striking A Blow On Human Trafficking [SPOILERS]

Elizabeth is facing more troubles in this week’s episode of “Madam Secretary.” Planning for a Human Trafficking Summit will not be easy when an Ambassador to the U.S. is caught in a scandal. Despite the trouble heading her way, Elizabeth is still trying to push through with the summit at Kyrgyzstan. Meanwhile, her daughter Alison has been coming home from college too often, which worries Henry. With Russian Spies, diplomatic affairs, and fashion shows, “Madam Secretary” season 4, episode 5 titled “Persona Non-Grata,” is quite a doozy.

Madam Secretary Fighting Against Human Trafficking

Due to a kidnapping and discovery of human trafficking, Elizabeth plans a summit at Kyrgyzstan addressing their human trafficking problem. But what do you do when a country denies the problem? You push and you try the way Elizabeth does. It looks like a cause worth fighting for with the President of the United States ready to show face at Kyrgyzstan to meet with their leader.

The issue “Madam Secretary” is focusing on is based on facts. The Kyrgyz Republic has been a source of people trafficked from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and South Asia for purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. With such heavy subject matter, the show decided to focus on the planning of the human trafficking summit, especially the troubles it’s facing when Ambassador Julia McDonald admits in having an affair with Kyrgyzstan Minister of Health. It’s not only two political parties getting in bed together, but the Minister of Health was President Kenatbek Nogoyev’s brother-in-law. The affair was an insult to Nogoyev and his family. He demanded the President apologize for the ambassador’s indecency.
The scandal soon reached broadcast, which spelled trouble for Elizabeth. Kyrgyzstan pulled out as their host country and so did their other allies. Desperately trying to find another host for the summit, they reached another block on the road. Ambassador McDonald’s affair was not a whirlwind romance with Nogoyev’s brother-in-law, it turns out the Minister of Health is a Russian Spy.

Russian Spy Infiltrates Safehouse

Whilst the scandal, Henry and his team are trying their best to be a step ahead of Russia. The Russians are raising their efforts in bolstering the Taliban and undermine the democratic government in Afghanistan. Henry mentions the GRU has been funding weapons for the Taliban, as a way to strengthen the relationship between Russia and the Taliban in case the Afghan government falls. Henry visits Afghanistan to establish a safehouse and other operations against the Russian spies and the Taliban.

After finding out Ambassador McDonald was in a relationship with a Russian Spy, she was placed in interrogation.  She admits she had no idea her former lover was part of the GRU. She trusted him enough to let him have access to her laptop which contained exchanges with the President of Afghanistan. Henry was able to connect dots when he found out the President of Afghanistan and Ambassador McDonald were acquaintances. He informs his team their agenda has been compromised by the GRU, but their location has already been divulged and the Taliban attacked their safehouse. When Henry returns, he tells Elizabeth their Russian contact has been captured and no word yet of his safety. But it’s clear to everyone in the room that the Taliban’s source came from their own team.

Ali’s Self-Esteem And Success Of A Fashion Show

On the lighter side of things, Henry tries to figure out why his daughter has been coming home a lot. As a freshman in college, stress can get the best of you. This worries Henry when Alison looks like she’s avoiding her studies. She then admits to her father that she has been having second thoughts. She feels like her decision to be a fashion major is a mistake. It’s been taking a toll on her self-esteem to see her classmates who grew up around fashion and visited Milan and France. But after a pep talk from her father, she started to work on her design project.
In the end, Alison was able to design a killer dress worn by her older sister Stephanie. Before walking on the runway, Stephanie admits to Alison, her engagement has been called off. Not wanting a failing grade or her elder sister in tear Alison gives Stephanie a pep talk to motivate her out of her broken heart. Before the episode ended, we see the McCord family bonding over Ali’s design, as well as poking fun at Stephanie walking the runway.
“Madam Secretary” continues next Sunday with “Loophole,” at 10/9c on CBS.