Ep 9. The Mom Who Came to Dinner

The Mom Who Came to Dinner is the ninth episode of the first season of the American political drama television series Commander In Chief. The show centers around the first female president of the United States, Mackenzie Allen, played by Geena Davis, and her struggles to balance her personal and professional life while effectively running the country.

In this episode, President Allen is faced with the prospect of hosting her overbearing mother, Kate, played by Polly Bergen, for Thanksgiving dinner at the White House. Mackenzie's mother is highly critical of her daughter's decisions and has a habit of making her feel inadequate. The President is worried about the dinner turning into a political nightmare, as the press will be present, and she fears her mother may cause a scene.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kinsey, played by Donald Sutherland, sees the dinner as an opportunity to make a move against President Allen's policies. Kinsey knows Kate is a staunch conservative and sees her visit as a chance to turn her against Mackenzie's liberal agenda. Kinsey invites Kate to his home for a private dinner and begins to plant the seeds of doubt in her mind. He wants to use Kate as a pawn in his political game and hopes to weaken the President's support in Congress.

Additionally, First Gentleman Rod Calloway, played by Kyle Secor, is feeling neglected as his wife's job becomes more demanding. The relationship between Mackenzie and Rod is strained, and he feels like he is no longer a priority in her life. Rod decides to take matters into his own hands and plans a surprise Thanksgiving dinner for Mackenzie in their private residence in the White House. He hopes the dinner will bring them closer together and improve their relationship.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the tension in the White House is palpable. Mackenzie is worried about her mother's visit, and the press is eagerly awaiting the dinner to see if any political drama will unfold. Kate arrives, and tensions rise immediately. The two women barely speak at dinner, and the evening is filled with awkward silences and passive-aggressive comments.

Meanwhile, Kinsey's plan backfires when Kate disagrees with his conservative policies, and he realizes he has no control over her. The Vice President is left with no choice but to regroup and come up with a new strategy to take down President Allen.

In the end, Rod's surprise dinner is a success, and Mackenzie and Rod are able to reconnect and reaffirm their love for each other. Kate leaves the White House, and the President is relieved the dinner did not turn out to be a political disaster.

The Mom Who Came to Dinner is a poignant episode that examines the personal and political struggles of the first female president of the United States. The show's talented cast delivers powerful performances, making this episode a standout moment in the first season. The script is witty, touching and insightful and allows audiences to get a glimpse into the personal life of the President while still dealing with pressing political issues.