Ep 6. A Tincture of Madness

In Graves season 1 episode 6, titled "A Tincture of Madness," we see President Graves struggling to balance his personal life and his job. The episode starts with Graves waking up hungover from a night of heavy drinking with his political advisor, Isaiah, who has proven to be a less-than-ideal drinking buddy. Graves' son, Jeremy, comes over for breakfast with his girlfriend, which leads to some awkward conversations, as Jeremy's girlfriend reveals she is pregnant.

Meanwhile, Graves is dealing with a crisis at work. A group of scientists have come forward with evidence that a pesticide company Graves had previously worked with is causing environmental damage and harming local wildlife. Graves is torn between protecting the environment and the jobs of the people in his constituency who work for the company. He ultimately decides to visit the affected area to assess the situation himself.

While on the visit, Graves meets a local eccentric named Stevie who claims to have a treatment for the environmental damage caused by the pesticide. Graves is skeptical but takes some of Stevie's tincture with him to test. The tincture has some unexpected side effects, leading to some comedic moments and awkward situations for Graves and his team.

Meanwhile, Graves' wife, Margaret, is in New York City attending a charity event. She runs into former President Richard Graves, who is attending the event with his new girlfriend. Margaret is not happy about this and confronts Richard about his behavior. Margaret also runs into Samantha, a young woman who has been following Graves around and making public statements about their affair. Margaret is angry about the situation, but Samantha reveals a surprising truth that shocks Margaret and complicates the situation even further.

Back in Washington, Graves' staff is dealing with the fallout from his visit to the affected area. They are worried that the tincture is causing Graves to make irrational decisions. Isaiah and Graves' chief of staff, Olivia, attempt to keep things on track, but things quickly spiral out of control, leading to some unexpected outcomes.

Overall, "A Tincture of Madness" is a fast-paced, comedic episode that touches on serious issues around environmental protection and political maneuvering. The episode also delves deeper into the personal lives of the characters, revealing surprising truths and complicated relationships. The standout performance comes from Nick Nolte as President Graves, who brings depth and humor to the character, making him both relatable and larger than life. The episode sets up some interesting plot points that are sure to be explored in future episodes, leaving the viewer wanting more.