'Madam Secretary' Season 6 Episode 4 highlights the rampant PTSD among war veterans and the need to spread awareness

Things start when veteran Brad Jenkins, who was about to speak at the Veteran Affairs committee dies mysteriously in a police shooting after a trauma-related outburst in public
PUBLISHED OCT 28, 2019

This article contains spoilers for Season 6 Episode 4

In tonight's episode four of 'Madam Secretary' season six titled 'Valor', we see our Madame President Elizabeth McCord (Tea Leoni) and her husband and First Gentleman Henry McCord (Tim Daly) discuss the rampant issue affecting most veterans — PTSD.

The official synopsis reads: "Henry teams up with a Marine veteran to fight for legislation that helps Veterans Affairs provide better mental health care," but before important steps can be taken, Henry has a very open and honest conversation with his wife and commander in chief.

The two of them discuss their personal struggles with trauma and how important it is to spread awareness among the masses on the topic.

Things start when veteran Brad Jenkins, who was about to speak at the Veteran Affairs to pass the bill that addresses PTSD and depression amidst those in the service, dies mysteriously in a police shooting.

Jenkins was in a car, stuck at a red light when his trauma began resurfacing. When the light changed and he didn't move, the car behind him dashed against his and caused Jenkins' car to rear-end the one in front of him.

When commotion ensued, he got out of his car and climbed atop the roof, and a sudden outburst took over him. He talked about being cornered when the police arrived and asked him to get down, and as he reached for the gun in his back pockets, the screen faded to black.



 

Later, over the news, it is announced that Jenkins died in what was believed to be a suicide attempt — something that causes Henry and Liz to discuss their own ordeal with trauma.

Henry talks about still being triggered by fireworks, while Liz admits to hiding her PTSD and blocking it out mostly, in an attempt to invalidate it by refusing to acknowledge the triggers.

We do get our daily dosage of the McCord relationship goals cuteness as Henry convinces his wife to be more open about the impacts of her trauma, but what they also discuss are higher suicide rates among veterans.

These numbers are double than those among civilians — a matter that they both believe the Veteran Affairs doesn't address with enough significance.

Later, when the bill is in session, Henry also reads out the letter Jenkins had written as part of his argument to the committee to get them to pass the bill calling for attention to trauma and depression among servicemen.

Through a truly poignant speech, Henry is able to win over the entire audience inside the courtroom, expressing how it is about time they give back to those that give their whole life to the country.

And fans seemed to approve of their agenda for the episode, as one of them tweeted: "This convo on #MadamSecretary needs to be had. PTSD is rough & unpredictable and not truly talked about enough. Thank you. @TeaLeoni @TimmyDaly @MadamSecretary."

'Madam Secretary' airs on Sundays at 9 pm only on CBS.

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