Episode
Madam Secretary: Strategic Ambiguity
Overview
Elizabeth must salvage a deal with a military contractor by supplying fighter jets to Taiwan, but she risks triggering a war with China in the process. Also, Daisy gets frustrated with Matt for failing to help take care of her dog like he promised.
Details
- Series
- Madam Secretary
- Season
- Season 5
- Episode
- Episode 12
- Air date
- 2019-01-13
- Runtime
- 43 min
Episode context
Strategic Ambiguity is Episode 12 in Season 5 of Madam Secretary. It aired on 2019-01-13. The runtime is 43 min.
Previous / Next
Episode 11: Family Separation (2)
Elizabeth goes head to head with a U.S. governor over the state's new policy of separating unauthorized immigrants from their children. Also, she and Henry plan to renew their wedding vows.
Episode 13: Proxy War
When innocent Syrian children are killed by an American-made cluster bomb, Elizabeth races to figure out what went wrong before Russia can use it as an excuse to escalate its military presence in the region. Also, Russell faces a PR nightmare after he gets into a heated argument with a homeless protester.
More episodes from this season
Episode 10: Family Separation (1)
Elizabeth goes head to head with a U.S. governor over the state’s new policy of separating unauthorized immigrants from their children.
Episode 14: Something Better
When a group of American missionaries become hostages during a violent uprising abroad, Dalton must confront demons from his past in order to help Elizabeth secure their safe return home. Also, Stevie takes over Russell’s social media presence, and Henry helps his niece, Sarah, mentally prepare for her military deployment.
Episode 9: Winter Garden
Elizabeth and Jay work to keep an historic agreement between Serbia and Kosovo from falling apart, after a mass grave is discovered in Serbia dating back to the Kosovo war. Also, Henry deals with a bizarre encounter with Secretary of Defense Gordon Becker.
Episode 15: Between the Seats
Elizabeth visits the Middle East to finalize a deal to bring U.S. troops home, but complications arise when a local woman’s life is threatened by rumors of a romance with one of Elizabeth’s staffers. Also, Henry provides relationship advice to Elizabeth’s brother, Will.
Episode 8: The Courage to Continue
When Haiti’s democracy is threatened by a president who refuses to step down after losing the election, Elizabeth tries to solve the problem without resorting to military action. Also, Blake has one week to find a new job before Elizabeth fires him as her assistant.
Episode 16: The New Normal
When a super typhoon threatens a small Pacific island, Elizabeth tries to relocate its population before the storm makes landfall. Also, Henry gives a speech to an evangelical group about climate change.
Episode 7: Baby Steps
Vice President Teresa Hurst asks Elizabeth for help when a surrogate carrying her future grandchild is arrested in Laos for human trafficking. Also, Henry tries to protect Stevie from danger when he suspects that she’s being followed by a Russian operative, and Blake deals with the demanding and costly instructions of a delegation of Japanese gardeners.
Episode 17: The Common Defense
While Elizabeth is away on a retreat thinking about her presidential campaign, her staff tries to secure an international agreement to protect citizens who have been displaced due to global warming. Also, the staff works to contain a measles outbreak that threatens the life of Daisy’s daughter, Joanna.
Episode 6: Eyjafjallajökull
When the eruption of an Icelandic volcano strands Elizabeth at an airport in Ireland with the Turkish foreign minister, she tries to broker a deal with him to save the lives of thousands of Syrian refugees. Also, Henry gives advice to Alison about an awkward topic.
Episode 18: Ready
A NATO ally carries out a state-sponsored assassination attempt against one of its own citizens, who is also a U.S. resident and old friend of Elizabeth’s. Also, Alison starts dating the son of one of Elizabeth’s political rivals.