Mackenzie Allen has a lot on her plate -- she has twin teenagers, a 6-year-old at home and an ambitious husband at the office, and she is about to become the first female president of the United States. Before that happens, however; Mackenzie, who serves as vice president, has to decide whether or not to go against the dying wishes of the current president, who has asked her to step down and let someone "more appropriate" fill his shoes in the Oval Office. Not only does the president want her to resign, so does the entire party that elected her in the first place. But when the moment of truth arrives, Mackenzie isn't willing to be a mere footnote in history. Instead of allowing her detractors to keep her down, she decides to trust her instincts and accept the most powerful job in the world.
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Mackenzie Allen has a lot on her plate -- she has twin teenagers, a 6-year-old at home and an ambitious husband at the office, and she is about to become the first female president of the United States. Before that happens, however; Mackenzie, who serves as vice president, has to decide whether or not to go against the dying wishes of the current president, who has asked her to step down and let someone "more appropriate" fill his shoes in the Oval Office. Not only does the president want her to resign, so does the entire party that elected her in the first place. But when the moment of truth arrives, Mackenzie isn't willing to be a mere footnote in history. Instead of allowing her detractors to keep her down, she decides to trust her instincts and accept the most powerful job in the world.
Season 1 episodes
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Episode 1
Pilot
10.0 / 10
Mackenzie Allen, who serves as Vice President of the United States, has a tough decision to make, whether or not to go against the wishes of the dying current President. He has asked her to step down and let someone a little more appropriate take his place in the Oval Office. However, it's not only the President that is calling for her resignation, it's her entire party which elected her as the Vice President to start with.
Episode credits
Directed by Rod LurieWritten by Rod LurieGuest stars Julie Ann Emery, Kristen Shaw, Leslie Hope, Mary Page Keller, Will Lyman, Talia Balsam, Ato Essandoh, Dean Shelton
As Mackenzie begins the transition into the office of President, she has to select a Vice President, a situation in which Nathan Templeton tries using to his advantage. Mackenzie's daughter, Rebecca, faces a crisis when her diary goes missing, which contains information about her mother that could hurt her.
Episode credits
Directed by Rod LurieWritten by Dee Johnson, Rod LurieGuest stars Julie Ann Emery, Kristen Shaw, Mary Page Keller, Ted Porter, Peter Coyote, Natasha Henstridge, Bruce Boxleitner, Lisa Waltz
Faced with her first national crisis - the death of nine DEA agents in Latin America - Mackenzie shows strength and resolve in dealing with a corrupt leader. Meanwhile, Nathan Templeton is approached by an ambitious congressman who served with Mac's Vice Presidential candidate, Warren Keaton, and is eager to divulge potentially damaging info in an effort to derail his nomination. Mac's teenage twins resume public school, only this time it's complete with secret service detail and press spectacle, and while popular Horace welcomes the attention, shy Rebecca finds it overwhelming.
Episode credits
Directed by Rod LurieWritten by Dee Johnson, Rod LurieGuest stars Julie Ann Emery, Kristen Shaw, Leslie Hope, Mary Page Keller, Ted Porter, Al Brown, Peter Coyote, Natasha Henstridge
All eyes are on Mackenzie Allen as she hosts her first official summit with the Russian President -- which is threatened to be overshadowed by Nathan Templeton's plan to engineer a series of cabinet resignations to coincide with the summit. Templeton goes after Mac with a vengeance, vowing to run - and win - against her in the next presidential election. Meanwhile, as First Gentleman, Rod must host his first state dinner for the Russian President and his wife.
Episode credits
Directed by Vincent MisianoWritten by Steven A. Cohen, Ali AdlerGuest stars Kristen Shaw, Mary Page Keller, Natasha Henstridge, Jason Wiles, Ned Vaughn, Kate Jennings Grant, Michael Shiraef, Jenna Gavigan
In the middle of the announcement of her new National Security Advisor, Anthony Prado, Mac is caught off guard by the breaking news of a terrorist smuggling explosives across the Canadian border. The way in which Mac and her Attorney General deal with the situation pits them squarely against each other, and Nathan Templeton takes great pleasure in publicly second-guessing Mac's every move. Meanwhile, it's Halloween, and Amy - who desperately wants to go trick-or-treating like a normal kid - is disappointed to learn that, due to security concerns, she may have to settle for a party this year instead. When Rod as First Gentleman finds himself fodder for late-night comics, it hits his son Horace especially hard.
Episode credits
Directed by Daniel MinahanWritten by Anya Epstein, Dahvi WallerGuest stars Julie Ann Emery, Leslie Hope, Ted Porter, Natasha Henstridge, Jason Wiles, Pamela Dunlap, Donzaleigh Abernathy, Ned Vaughn
When a destructive hurricane hits Florida, Mac and Templeton fly to Florida to survey the damage. While there, Mac learns of an emergency situation with an oil tanker off the Florida coast which could have devastating consequences. Meanwhile, Rod is seriously considering an offer to become Commissioner of Baseball.
Episode credits
Directed by Vincent MisianoWritten by Crystal Nix Hines, Richard C. ArthurGuest stars Julie Ann Emery, Kristen Shaw, Natasha Henstridge, Hira Ambrosino, Donzaleigh Abernathy, Ned Vaughn, Michael Shiraef, Jenna Gavigan
When a tell-all book is published about Mackenzie Allen that contains confidential information suspicions arise. Meanwhile, the confirmation hearings for Vice Presidential nominee Warren Keaton begin, but raise questions about his past.
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Directed by Dan AttiasWritten by Dee Johnson, Rod LurieGuest stars Will Lyman, Peter Coyote, Natasha Henstridge, Pamela Dunlap, Hira Ambrosino, Donzaleigh Abernathy, Michael O'Neill, Jenna Gavigan
After she announces new direction for her administration, President Allen finds herself in need of allies within the West Wing and decides that she needs to appoint her closest adviser, Rod, to an official position.
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Directed by Jeremy PodeswaWritten by Joel Fields, Steven Bochco, Dee Johnson, Alison CrossGuest stars Natasha Henstridge, Pamela Dunlap, Matt Barr, Samantha Eggar, Scott Atkinson, Andi Chapman, Barbara Eve Harris, Michael Trevino
Mac has more than Thanksgiving turkey on her plate. She juggles military base closures in her home town, a death penalty case the Supreme Court will not hear and a visit with Mom. Joining her team is a young and savvy media strategist/advisor.
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Directed by Chris LongWritten by Joel Fields, Steven A. Cohen, Steven Bochco, Alison Cross, Stuart StevensGuest stars Kristen Shaw, Peter Coyote, Natasha Henstridge, Hira Ambrosino, David Wells, Samantha Eggar, John Sloan, Rey Herrera
A submarine strikes a seamount just off North Korean waters and Mac must ask the Chinese for help. Meanwhile, Dickie's constant need for information has begun to irritate everyone. Meanwhile the first family deals with the question of reelection.
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Directed by Jesse BochcoWritten by Joel Fields, Tom Szentgyorgyi, Steven BochcoGuest stars Peter Coyote, Natasha Henstridge, Christopher Allport, Alex Fernandez, Samantha Eggar, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Polly Bergen, Mary-Joan Negro
While trying to coordinate the rescue of the crew of a damaged U.S. submarine off the coast of North Korea with help from Chinese, Mac must deal with war fever among her advisors and a leak from China to the North Korean government that threatens to start a nuclear war. Meanwhile, Speaker Templeton’s wife secretly encourages Jayne Murray to accept Nathan’s offer to rejoin his office as chief of Staff.
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Directed by Bobby RothWritten by Joel Fields, Tom Szentgyorgyi, Steven BochcoGuest stars Natasha Henstridge, Pamela Dunlap, Steve Tom, Christopher Allport, Alex Fernandez, Samantha Eggar, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Polly Bergen
Mac and Templeton head out west to pay tribute to the dedication of former President Bridges' Presidential Library. While there Air Force One is held hostage by a guy who wants to speak with Mac. Meanwhile Horace and Rebecca have some friends for a party.
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Directed by Greg YaitanesWritten by Steven A. Cohen, Steven Bochco, Stuart StevensGuest stars Kristen Shaw, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Polly Bergen, James Handy, Judith Hoag, Ana Ortiz, Tony Plana, David Warshofsky
While Mac is busy working on her first State of the Union address, Rod becomes a tad tipsy and is found in compromising position with an intern for all the world to see. Meanwhile, Templeton sets out to find a way to sabotage Mac's Homeless Initiative Bill. Plus, Dickie and Jayne, who has gone back to being Templeton's chief-of-staff, go out on a dinner date.
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Directed by Steve ShillWritten by Dee Johnson, Alison CrossGuest stars Ted Porter, Natasha Henstridge, Eyal Podell, Angela Martinez, Chris Ufland, John Sloan, Scott Atkinson, Rey Herrera
Mac decides to stand by her friend and Attorney General nominee, Carl Brantley, after he gets hammered in his confirmation hearings. A cargo plane which contains military weapons goes missing over Pakistan and it's up to Vice President Keaton to resolve the situation. Meanwhile, Rod tries to settle in the domestic life, but soon faces a crisis when Kate is nowhere to be found.
Episode credits
Directed by Jesse BochcoWritten by Joel FieldsGuest stars Leslie Hope, Peter Coyote, Natasha Henstridge, Pamela Dunlap, Steve Tom, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Polly Bergen, Tony Plana
Mac wants her Attorney General to look into an urban situation in Maryland because it's where Gardner is from. Mac is also briefed on the situation of the missing surface-to-air missiles that went down in a military plane crash over Pakistan and has to make sure that the weapons do not end up in the hands of terrorists. Templeton is ralling support for the Templeton Act which focuses on domestic crime and Mac is threatening to use her veto power in the hopes for more law enforcement and education over the bill's calls for tougher sentencing. Dickie learns that Vince is planning a commitment ceremony with his partner and he warns him not to invite Mac because it might hurt her in the polls.
Episode credits
Directed by Dan LernerWritten by Alex Berger, Cynthia J. CohenGuest stars Peter Coyote, Natasha Henstridge, Eyal Podell, Alex Fernandez, Mark Thompson, Samantha Eggar, John Sloan, Carmen Nicole Tonarelli
Mac suffers a burst appendix while aboard Air Force One. Since there is no Vice President in place, Templeton becomes acting President since he is the Speaker of the House and next in line. Meanwhile, there is an air strike that is crippling travel on Memorial Day weekend and Templeton ends up overstepping his bounds and handles the situation the way he wants to.
Episode credits
Directed by Bobby RothWritten by Dee JohnsonGuest stars Natasha Henstridge, Pamela Dunlap, Hira Ambrosino, Donzaleigh Abernathy, Ned Vaughn, Steve Tom, Michael Shiraef, Eyal Podell
On Mac's birthday, she is faced with the fact that there are American hostages being held in Turkey by a militant Kurdish group. Meanwhile, she also has to interview new candidates to be her Vice President and Dickie tries to convince her of the type of person she needs to choose because her choice will affect her re-election campaign.
Episode credits
Directed by Jeff BlecknerWritten by Steven A. Cohen, Stuart StevensGuest stars Natasha Henstridge, Ned Vaughn, Alex Fernandez, Samantha Eggar, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Polly Bergen, Tony Colitti, Dale Dye
After a critic of the Equal Rights Amendment passes away and his wife takes over his seat, Mac believes she can amend the Constitution and pass the ERA once and for all. Meanwhile Templeton turns a Get Out the Vote campaign meeting into a presidential debate, Rod is asked to write a story about his relationship with Mac, and Rebecca finally learns the identity of her IM buddy, and both are shocked at just who the other person is.
Episode credits
Directed by Rick WallaceWritten by Dee Johnson, Steven A. Cohen, Cynthia J. CohenGuest stars Natasha Henstridge, Donzaleigh Abernathy, Eyal Podell, Mark Thompson, Samantha Eggar, John Sloan, Rey Herrera, Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Dee Johnson, Rod Lurie, Steven A. Cohen, Cynthia J. Cohen, Alison Cross, Joel Fields, Ali Adler, Dahvi Waller, Crystal Nix Hines, Anya Epstein, Richard C. Arthur, Alex Berger, Stuart Stevens, Joel Fields, Alison Cross, Tom Szentgyorgyi
