Madam Secretary, a little behind than the US run, is premiering its fifth season on AXN in India. And having watched the first couple of episodes sent for the press viewing, I wonder how is the show even going to survive here. The very first episode begins with a meeting and peace resolution between India and Pakistan which is being signed at The White House. I had no idea the show was departing from the political drama genre and taking a fantasy route. Well, not that it is not possible one day in the future, but the wildly inappropriate circumstances that bring India and Pakistan together are unjustifiable. Even for fiction.

The new season of Madam Secretary begins with a terrorist attack at the White House, while Indian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and Pakistani delegates are in the same room with the US president. That is not even the focus of the tension. It is that Muslim minorities are living under threat from Hindu extremists in India and the Indian government is doing nothing about it. Yes, that is what is bothering our main lead Elizabeth "Bess" Adams McCord, who is planning to run for the presidency next term.

I have no issue with a show pointing out a pertinent, uncomfortable truth about the current state of Indian politics. But to state that in a scenario, where Pakistan (that fares comparatively worse in minority welfare) is present, is absolutely undesirable. The Americans can blame the reviewer for not being objective here, but let me present an idea for you - what if we make a Cold War movie, where we blame the US for the mess while remaining silent on Russia's misdemeanours.

Also, as one character in the film (who is obviously shut down quickly) points out, how does America even consider itself eligible to talk about issues in India when its own people are suffering from racism and xenophobia. To put the blame entirely on India is a low blow even for a fictional show. Haven't they learnt anything from the Quantico season 3 fiasco? For which ABC even had to issue an apology. So, that was my take on the inapplicable writing on the show.

Now, if I look at the episode 'objectively', the show-runners have done a good job of building tension in the proceedings. The actors also bring their best to the table. There is a scene between Elizabeth's daughter Stephanie and Russell's longtime assistant June, where the former teaches the latter, a super-senior, a lesson in feminism. It is one of the best moments on TV ever. The conclusion of the scene at the climax of the first episode will break your heart. "I understand that women of your generation did not necessarily learn to be comfortable with ambition in the same way, and it can look obnoxious and overreaching. But we have to demand more power ourselves. Otherwise, we all get stuck serving powerful men," the intern tells her boss.

At the very end of the episode, it's America's time to shine again. Elizabeth delivers a surprisingly enigmatic and inclusive speech on nationalism VS patriotism which is the need of the hour. The speech also applies to the current political scenario in any country across the globe.

Yay

The tension works

The performances

Two particular scenes - the feminism jibe and the patriotism speech

Nay

The ill-informed plot that is driven by the geopolitics of India and Pakistan

Lack of logic at so many points that it becomes painful to watch

Final Thoughts

Madam Secretary season 5 will divide the Indian fans into two sections for sure. Some will continue watching the show keeping in mind that everything is fictional. Some will be too appalled by the casualness of the fictional narrative to watch it any more. Points where due, the technical finesse of the show is something that we still lack here in TV series. That said, the chances are high that you will fall in the first category.

Rating:2.5out of 5

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 19, 2019 08:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).