‘Madam Secretary’ Season 5, Episode 7 ‘Baby Steps’ Recap: A Mother’s Love

Madam Secretary’s “crisis of the week” deeply roots itself in the issue of human trafficking and global policy. Season 5, Episode 7, titled “Baby Steps,” shows us just how the US Foreign Policy can sometimes be detrimental to the survival of allies and domestic issues. But that’s not the only thing that gripped me tonight. Apart from the social relevance of tonight’s episode, the writing and dialogue stood out as one of “Baby Steps'” best features.

But of course, before we dive into that, here’s everything that went down tonight on Madam Secretary.

One Cannot Simply Judge a Mother From Protecting Her Own

Elizabeth McCord (Téa Leoni) is put front and center with Vice President Teresa Hurst (Jayne Atkinson) as the two engage in a personal and political battle. “Baby Steps” opens with President Conrad Dalton (Keith Carradine), his Chief of Staff Russell Jackson (Zeljko Ivanek), Vice President Hurst, and Elizabeth meeting about a report on the global scale of human trafficking and the latest toll that it has taken, particularly in East Asian countries. Dalton decides to threaten Laos by cutting off their aid package if they don’t get their human trafficking woes under control.

In Laos, a couple loses their opportunity to meet with their surrogate mother when the police round up the mother’s family to be taken away for human trafficking. Apparently, surrogacy is punishable by law in Laos. Vice President Hurst wanted to save the lives of the mothers, but Dalton wanted to impose sanctions instead. They had to stay out of Laos’ domestic issues. After the meeting, Hurst reveals to Elizabeth that the couple is her daughter and son-in-law. The surrogate mother, Ailani (Meadow Nguy), is carrying Hurst’s grandchild and she’s due any day now. She pleads for Elizabeth’s help to get her to deliver the baby in safe conditions.

Elizabeth has her Chief of Staff, Jay Whitman (Sebastian Arcelus), help her in tracking down Ailani. They also visit Donna Parler (Maddie Corman), the head of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, to make sure that proper attention is given to the people affected in Laos’ latest crackdown on these surrogate mothers. Jay knows that there’s something behind this task that Elizabeth gave him, but she tells him that she couldn’t say anything further about it and that they need to keep this between the two of them.

When Jay finally locates Ailani, Elizabeth formulates a plan to come up with a coalition for surrogates with their allies and try to get Laos to join. She brings this to Hurst, but the Vice President thinks its a long shot, given the complex variables of the situation.

That night, Elizabeth and Henry get wind of a news item about the Vice President. The media is calling her daughter a sex slave who’s doing it for surrogacy. In a fit, Dalton calls all of them to the Oval Office. Dalton and Russel are furious at the fact that Hurst kept that detail away from them. Henry weighs the ethical implications of the situation and sides with Hurst to put the lives of the surrogate mothers carrying American babies first. This puts Elizabeth’s coalition plan into smoke. Dalton thinks its a good enough tactic, so he ultimately decides to cut off Laos’ aid package.

On their way home, Henry apologizes to Elizabeth for not having her side. He’s only doing his job as an Ethical Adviser to the President. Upon further discussion about the media leak, Elizabeth figures out that Hurst released the leak herself as a desperate measure in an effort to have the President bank on her idea of saving the mothers who are carrying American children.

The next day, Elizabeth tries to talk Laos into joining the coalition, but Minister Vong Phommapanya (Claro Austria) refuses, saying that they only want the aid package to help combat their human trafficking problems. When Elizabeth doesn’t budge, Phommapanya cuts off the conversation and considers turning to China for help.

Finally, Elizabeth decides to cave into what Hurst is planning—but she isn’t doing it without some form of retribution for her quashed coalition plan. She meets with Hurst privately and reveals that she knows that Hurst leaked the information to the media. Hurst is unapologetic, saying that she’s willing to sacrifice her career and image just so her grandchild could live. Elizabeth then reveals the plan—Hurst will have to lead the families with surrogate mothers to Laos personally and apologize for what America did to the country during the Vietnam War.

“Apologizing isn’t weakness,” Elizabeth says. “It’s weakness that leads to the need to apologize. And who knows? It might get us something in return.”

Hurst agrees and is able to get the surrogate mothers home safely. It might look like Hurst did all the hard work in doing something about the problem, but it’s Elizabeth’s covert planning and collaboration that made it all happen. This just proves that when the time comes for Elizabeth to go head to head with Hurst for the Presidential nomination, the odds will be on Elizabeth’s favor.

Blake, the Ever-Faithful Secretary

Elizabeth’s Secretary, Blake Moran (Erich Bergen), has always been there for her and always idling in the sidelines. Tonight, though, Blake is given the monumental task of securing a deal between the Parks committee and the Japanese government regarding a “peace garden” to serve as Japan’s way of apologizing for what they did during the Second World War.

When the Parks committee refuses the 50-year care deal for the garden due to lack of funds, Blake is tied up with a problem and no solution. Then he remembers the expensive watch that Mr. Usuki (James Chen) sent to Elizabeth’s office so he can have a one-on-one sit down with her. Of course, the State Department doesn’t allow these kinds of meetings, but Blake had the idea of having Usuki donate to the garden’s care in exchange for recognition from Elizabeth. Usuki agrees, but only if a Pagoda will be erected in his name. Blake refuses and angrily calls Usuki out on his desire for pride. Usuki, however, sees this as a show of integrity, and ultimately agrees to donate money for the garden.

Elizabeth delivers the speech during the garden’s opening. It’s a job well done for Blake, especially when Mr. Usuki gushes over a bench with his grandmother’s name inscribed on it.

Stevie and Dmitri Reconnect

Elsewhere, Henry meets with FBI Director Ephraim Ware (Clifton Davis) about a concerning predicament involving Stevie (Wallis Currie-Wood). Dmitri Petrov’s (Chris Petrovski), sister, Talia (Masha King), was photographed following Stevie for an entire day, raising concerns that she might have been strongarmed by Russia to work for them after Dmitri was taken to Alaska for military duty.

Henry has FBI operatives track her down at a cafe and proceeds to interrogate her. It turns out that Dmitri had Talia follow Stevie to see if she is okay. Dmitri heard about the White House bombing and was heavily concerned about her safety. Talia’s story checks out, and Henry mulls over telling Stevie about this. With a little encouragement from Elizabeth, Henry decides to break it to Stevie over breakfast.

Now, it’s clear that Stevie still thinks about Dmitri all the time. She also apologizes for putting her family in this awkward and possibly life-threatening situation. Henry then gives Stevie a letter from Dmitri. Apparently, the CIA’s directive of never having the two meet again still stands, but they were gracious enough to have Dmitri write a letter to Stevie.

Stevie returns to her usual meeting place with Dmitri and reads the letter as she cries. Back in Alaska, Dmitri receives another letter from Stevie. Although it’s only a one-time deal, it’s good enough for him to hear it straight from his almost love.

‘Madam Secretary: Baby Steps’ Overall Verdict

“Baby Steps” is written out of pure genius and good execution. Written by Kristi Korzec, the episode exudes dialogue so funny and clever that it also doesn’t lose sight of the big task at hand—tackling the issue of human trafficking and past war crimes head-on. I couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer brilliance of its writing, even leading me to pause at crucial moments to internalize what I’ve just heard. Director Kevin Dowling also put on a nice touch to tonight’s episode, making it one of the most meaningful chapters of Madam Secretary.

On the other hand, this is what the show does best—humanizing politics in a way that makes the viewer think for themselves instead of the show dictating ideals and beliefs straight up. This is the kind of show that weighs both sides before it even decides for itself. And with a track like this, Madam Secretary almost makes me wish that I live in that reality for America.

Madam Secretary continues next Sunday, November 25th, with “The Courage to Continue” at 10:30/9:30c on CBS/