‘Madam Secretary’ Season 5, Episode 11 ‘Family Separation Part II’ Recap: No Greater Love

In one of the most potent and reality-charged episodes of Madam Secretary, the winter premiere, titled “Family Separation – Part II,” hits us in the face with “too real” political issues and an occasional smack in the face of a real-life administration that’s hell-bent on pushing through with their border security deal.

The first part of the episode showed Secretary Elizabeth McCord (Téa Leoni) arrested for federal property trespassing. Despite the retorts from President Conrad Dalton’s (Keith Carradine) side, though, Elizabeth remained adamant on her stand—she will allow herself to be detained in an effort to make a stand against Arizona Governor Richard Barker’s (Lee Tergesen) inhuman law about separating families from the Mexican border. It’s a heavy episode, but one that packs the grit and power that a true presidential hopeful can only exude.

The Stand

“Family Separation – Part II” opens with Elizabeth turning in all her belongings before her mugshot is taken. There she evaluates her options with an activist priest, Father Justin DiNardo (Brian Hutchinson). After the ordeal, the mugshot makes rounds online, eventually becoming a meme.

In the White House, Chief of Staff Russell Jackson (Zeljko Ivanek) is furious over the news. He brings the matter to Henry (Tim Daly) and Dalton, who both agree that things have to be controlled. Adding to the injury is the state of their border security deal with Mexico hanging in the balance and the possible implications of Elizabeth’s arrest to her candidacy. Henry, however, believes that what Elizabeth is doing might work out to her advantage, seeing how noble her intentions are when it comes to saving the lives of the children and reuniting them with their families.

Back in Arizona, Mike B (Kevin Rahm) is brought in as Elizabeth’s defense lawyer. It’s going to be a breeze for Mike to get her out—if only Elizabeth would cooperate. During the arraignment, Elizabeth refused to plead guilty over her misdemeanor charge of trespassing. Now, this is a deal that Mike B had to work hard to get her out quickly. Because of this, the misdemeanor now becomes a felony charge against her (also endangering the state of her candidacy). But Elizabeth stood her ground. She’s not leaving Arizona state prison until the children are reunited with their parents. Her conscience couldn’t handle being free without the families brought back together.

Elizabeth’s actions are met with overwhelming support from the public, even those from Arizona itself. At Russell’s office, he brings in the Attorney General Nolan (John Bolton) and Elizabeth’s Chief of Staff, Jay Whitman (Sebastian Arcelus), to discuss possible options to contain the fire that Elizabeth stoked. Jay believes in what Elizabeth is doing, but Russell wants to think big picture.

After they see a video of an Arizona state trooper standing with Elizabeth, the narrative shifts to their advantage.

Dalton calls up Governor Barker to offer him a deal—release Elizabeth and the children so he could have a seat at the Mexican border security advisors table. But a stubborn Barker wouldn’t give, believing that Arizona’s laws still stand. Furious, Dalton, Jay, and Russell evaluate their other options. They need to draw blood. That’s when Attorney General Nolan offers an extreme (but plausible) solution—charge Nolan with kidnapping as he is acting beyond his role as governor with this separation policy.

That night, Jay updates Daisy (Patina Miller), Elizabeth’s press secretary, about the developments. He’s also carrying the stuff that pot lobbyist Win Barrington (Sam Daly) sent him as a peace offering for “accidentally” breaking his ankle. As Jay winds up for the day, he decides to eat the marijuana-infused treats, making him high. Elizabeth calls Jay up to tell him to take another shot at having Senator Carlos Morejon (José Zúñiga) back a bill supporting the end of family separation in Arizona. Left with no other options, Jay finally caves and asks for Win’s help in convincing Morejon.

The next day, Jay and Win flank Morejon about the deal. Since Morejon is a strong supporter of border security, Jay pitched a new deal—end the family separation law in Arizona while strengthening his grip on border security by legalizing marijuana. Win gave a very convincing pitch about how illegal marijuana increases border security issues, and so if the US legalized it, there would be less trouble on the borders. Finally, Morejon agrees.

The Renewal of Vows

Meanwhile, Stevie (Wallis Currie-Wood) comes to Daisy for help in organizing Henry and Elizabeth’s renewal of vows after party. Bands have been declining and canceling the last minute, and it’s giving Stevie the ultimate stress of her life. Daisy, though, offers a better plan to have anyone say yes to the gig—drop MSec’s name for more clout.

Back home the McCord siblings strategize over their plans for the party. Stevie has finally booked a good band, with more lining up as well. But for Jason (Evan Roe) and Alison (Kathrine Herzer), things are not working to their advantage.

Elsewhere, Kat Sandoval (Sara Ramirez), Elizabeth’s foreign policy advisor, visits her father to have him apply for US citizenship. Kat sees that it’s not enough for him to only have a green card, so she has her father promise him to see the application through. Even though Kat’s relationship with her father is a bit bumpy, she still wants the best for him, especially in a racially-charged America.

Later, with all things settled, Henry visits Elizabeth together with the McCord siblings. Since Elizabeth won’t make it to the vow renewal ceremony, they decided to bring the ceremony to her. Father DiNardo officiated the renewal, and it ends up with Henry and Elizabeth exchanging emotional vows. But as soon as they lean in for the kiss, Stevie gets a text from Russell that the bill has passed Senate, and that all charges against Elizabeth will now be dropped.

The next day, The McCord family look on as the children run back to their parents.

Back in D.C., the after party organized by Stevie finally happens, and all is good. In light of the recent events, Elizabeth also found it best to officially inform her staff that she is running for president and that they would be the same team she’d want to work with if she wins.

The episode ends with Elizabeth freaking out over Peter Frampton in her house, singing “Baby I Love Your Way,” Elizabeth’s all-time favorite jam.

‘Madam Secretary: Family Separation – Part II’ Overall Verdict

It’s rare for a Madam Secretary episode to make me tear up. Both parts of “Family Separation” did the job, though. The first part was a heavy one, especially with what’s going on during the partial government shutdown to get that stupid border security deal going. I took it hard, but I took the second part harder. It’s clear that sometimes, politics has to give way for morality and human rights to take center stage. With all the talks about border security and families being forcibly separated, it rings true for a noble social cause to take effect. Politics doesn’t always have to be about the process. Sometimes, the heart can also play a massive part. I hate this episode for making me emotional, but I love it for showing us that there’s always something greater than borders and laws.

Madam Secretary continues next Sunday, January 13th, with “Strategic Ambiguity” at 10/9c on CBS.