Commander in Chief/The Mom Who Came to Dinner

The Mom Who Came to Dinner
Season 1, Episode 9
Airdate	November 29, 2005
Production Number	109
Written by	Joel Fields, Alison Cross Story: Stuart Stevens, Steven A. Cohen, Steven Bochco
Directed by	Chris Long
← 1x08 Rubie Dubidoux and the Brown Bound Express	1x10 → Sub Enchanted Evening
Commander in Chief — Season One

The Mom Who Came to Dinner is the ninth episode of the first season of Commander in Chief, and the ninth episode overall. Mackenzie has two decisions with personal impact to make while a PR consultant helps to shape the administration's image.

Guest Stars: Samantha Eggar (Sara Templeton), Anthony Azizi (Vince Taylor), Natasha Henstridge (Jayne Murray), Polly Bergen (Kate Allen), Peter Coyote (Warren Keaton)

Plot Overview

Rod brings on a media and image consultant, Dickie McDonald, to help Mackenzie develop her image and to possibly prepare for re-election. McDonnell makes the point that without sufficient preparation a campaign to win re-election is likely to fail because they lack party support. Jim corners Rod and tells him that not informing him ahead of time undermines his authority and the trust others give him.

An independent bi-partisan commission concludes its findings on recommended base closures and the top of the list is Essex Naval Base from President Allen's home state. Previously protected by a private agreement made by President Bridges, the closure of the naval base would be extremely damaging to the 30,000 people in the town it supports as well as being personally difficult for Mackenzie as she's very close to the community and the base itself. In a personal talk with Templeton, who supports the base closure and advises her not to stand against it, Mackenzie suggest she's going to fight heard to keep the base open. However, following the rationale that it is the best thing for the country and too important to play favorites, Mackenzie sides with Templeton and supports the base closure with an appropriate amount of support to help the community readjust.

Mackenzie is approached by a former law school collegue, Mike Stanton, who is representing the Texas death penalty appeal of mentally retarded murderer Linda Bodem. Driving the issue is the state's right to conduct executions independent of federal interference. Mackenzie's own feelings are that life in prison is the only acceptable sentence for a person of diminished mental capacity. McDonald warns that the majority of the nation supports the death penalty and that her interference will cost her the large number of electoral votes Texas represents should she seek re-election. Despite this recommendation, Mackenzie informs the governor that she will commute Linda Bodem's sentence rather than allow her to die.

Arc Advancement

Characters

• Mackenzie has Nathan Templeton, his wife, and Dickie McDonald over for Thanksgiving dinner.

• Dickie McDonald and Kelly Ludlow show signs of romantic involvement.

• Jayne has been hired as a lobbyist and is able to use her history with Jim and Mackenzie to get substantial access and exposure for her issues. Meeting her accidentally, Templeton regrets having fired her.

• Mackenzie Allen's mother, Kate Allen, visits for the Thanksgiving dinner. Rod notes her loneliness and how happy she seemed working on the preparations, they offer her to stay at the White House.

• Mackenzie gives Templeton the original tapes of his racist remarks and vows never to use the issue for politial gain.

• McDonald tells Mackenzie that they worked together and was originally inspired by her when she quit the campaign of Congressman Leland because of improper campaign finance activity..

Quotes

• Keaton: Does no one here care that closing the base might be what's best for the country?
  Jim: No, Mr. Vice President. You're the only one that cares about the country. The rest of us are here for the book deals.

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