‘Madam Secretary’ Season 3, Episode 11 Spoilers: “Gift Horse” – Elizabeth Receives Controversial Present from Mongolia

‘Madam Secretary’ season 3’s episode 11, titled “Gift Horse,” is set to follow Elizabeth as she struggles to deal with a controversial present from Mongolia. Meanwhile, Governor Sam Evans is preparing to file a lawsuit against Ohio for including President Dalton’s name in the election ballot and not following protocol.

The synopsis for “Gift Horse” posted on TV Guide reads, “Elizabeth (Tea Leoni) is unsure what to do with a literal gift horse given to her by Mongolia, which creates a controversy as she contemplates returning it so as not to upset other Asian countries.

Meanwhile, Gov. Sam Evans (J.C. MacKenzie) threatens to sue Ohio for putting President Dalton (Keith Carradine) on the election ballot; and Stevie (Wallis Currie-Wood) has an eventful first day as Russell's (Zelko Ivanek) new intern.”

It seems that Elizabeth will have to weigh out the pros and cons of accepting a controversial gift from the Mongolian government as a token of remembrance. One of her main concerns is the potential insult she may do to other Asian nations should she receive the gift horse openly. She will need to put her exemplary diplomatic skills to the test once more.

In the sneak peak video for episode 11 posted on Spoilers Guide, Elizabeth receives a call from her personal assistant Blake (Erich Bergen), who is stuck at the Baltimore port informing her that she has been given a real live horse courtesy of Mongolia. Blake explains that he is unable to bring the gift to her since it is still under quarantine. When Elizabeth expresses her confusion, Blake explains that the government has sent in a horse, the country’s “symbol of national pride and unity.”

In her disbelief, Elizabeth insists that they give it back saying, “Make it clear that we are respectfully declining the gift horse.” When Blake asks for the reason, she explains, “So many reasons – not the least of which, we don’t have anywhere in the State Department to put her!”

Blake tries to make a compromise but Elizabeth insists, “This is about the Mongolian referendum vote to become an autonomous region of China.” She explains that by accepting the horse will be a sign of “tacit endorsement” of the nation’s autonomy thereby angering China as well as other Asian countries.

Meanwhile, Gov. Sam Evans doesn’t seem to be taking his loss to President Dalton lightly. Sam is set on filing a huge lawsuit against Ohio for including Dalton’s name in the election ballot. Sam first believed that he was going to claim victory when he got the endorsement.

 ‘Madam Secretary’ season 3’s episode 11, titled “Gift Horse,” is scheduled to air on CBS on January 8, 2017. It was directed by Jonathan Brown and written by Barbara Hall. It will be followed by episode 12, titled "The Detour," scheduled for January 15.