: Spain, dealing with its own internal independence movements (a reference to Catalonia), is reluctant to support the deal, fearing it sets a precedent for secession.
Elizabeth and Jay Whitman work to preserve a historic peace agreement between that is being threatened by the government of Spain .
: Jay identifies that a Russian troll farm is spreading fake news to fuel sectarian violence and destabilize the peace process.
: On Matt’s advice to treat them like "competing bucks," Blake tricks both departments by threatening to let the Department of Defense take over their project. This perceived "common enemy" causes the two departments to cooperate immediately to retain control, successfully resolving the conflict. Madam Secretary Season 5 Episode 9 Recap: Winter Garden
: Following the encounter, the McCords suspect that a doctor is being pressured to withhold Alison's cough medicine as a way to silence them regarding Gordon's erratic behavior. Subplot: Blake's Efficiency Challenge
: Henry McCord (Tim Daly) has a bizarre and tense encounter with Secretary of Defense Gordon Becker .
In Season 5, Episode 9 of Madam Secretary , titled "," Elizabeth McCord (Téa Leoni) navigates a delicate diplomatic crisis while dealing with a personal family matter. Main Plot: The Serbia-Kosovo Conflict
: Jay manages to convince a social media executive to help shut down the troll farm. Elizabeth confronts the Russian minister with evidence of the disinformation's deadly consequences, eventually forcing a pivot that allows the peace agreement to proceed. Personal Plot: The McCord Family and Gordon Becker
