This review will be similar in tone and feeling to another recent, and very positive one. In fact, that so reflects my own reaction to the episode that I can think of very little to add. I've quite enjoyed the program in general, but initially felt a teeny bit disappointed in myself for doing so. It's slowly grown on me, however, probably because things aren't necessarily tied up in a neat bow at the end (for example, with regard to Dimitri, and to the McCord children's being written with a fair degree of attention to just how complex such lives are likely to be). The acting is always competent, and sometimes, even of great calibre. Téa Leoni has long been a favourite, and in Madam Secretary she never fails to be convincing as essentially a woman of principle, but who is humanly subject to the myriad conflicts between ethics and political expediency. This episode had me sitting up with a jolt. My view is that the writers excelled themselves. My opinion may of course be because the plot lines have usually more to do with the world stage, and any departure from a norm is refreshing. Nevertheless, I defy anyone (who has congregated as a family under stressful circumstances) not to identify strongly with the finely-drawn bitterness, grief, anger and helplessness that the McCord clan has to confront here. A tour de force.