Designated Survivor (TV Series)

Suckers (2017)

Natascha McElhone: Alex Kirkman

Quotes 

• Tom Kirkman : Have you made a decision about a lawyer for your mother?

  Alex Kirkman : What about McKinley and Bradshaw?

  Tom Kirkman : They're a great firm.

  Alex Kirkman : Their white-collar practice isn't as big as it used to be, but... Davenport and Williams?

  Tom Kirkman : They got a full acquittal for Senator Downing.

  Alex Kirkman : Yeah, but that place is a Republican stronghold.

  Tom Kirkman : Alex, any one of these firms will do a great job. But you know my recommendation.

  Alex Kirkman : Kendra Daynes.

  Tom Kirkman : Present company excluded, she's the best lawyer I know. With the added benefit that she's easy to find.

  Alex Kirkman : The way she handled Hannah's investigation, it just... it rubbed me the wrong way.

  Tom Kirkman : Wasn't it you who once told me that that's what a good lawyer's supposed to do, rub you the wrong way? That's how you know they're doing their job?

• Alex Kirkman : I think my mother's subpoena is prosecutorial bad face.

  Kendra Daynes : How do you figure, ma'am?

  Alex Kirkman : There's no evidence of any contemporary wrongdoing. And... and this attempt to tie her into some conspiracy involving bribery and Eric Little's recent d- I mean, it's ridiculous.

  Kendra Daynes : Agreed. But you need to keep emotion out of it.

  Alex Kirkman : We're talking about my mother.

  Kendra Daynes : I understand. But John Foerstel is a former U.S. Attorney. He will use your emotion against you.

  Alex Kirkman : As proof that we're trying to hide something.

  Kendra Daynes : Yes. Which is why I'd like to be clinical. Sticking to the four corners of the document is our best hope of quashing the subpoena.

  Alex Kirkman : I need to know my family is protected. And I just haven't seen enough evidence from you that you really understand that.

  Kendra Daynes : I do, ma'am. And I've represented eleven Senators who have been targets of a criminal investigation. Not a single one was indicted. I'm experienced. And I'm good.

  Alex Kirkman : What do you need from me?

  Kendra Daynes : Just your trust. Let me do what I do. And I'll keep you posted.

• Kendra Daynes : Mrs. Kirkman, I wasn't expecting you.

  Alex Kirkman : I thought I should be here.

  Kendra Daynes : Of course. That's absolutely your right.

  [to her assistant] 

  Kendra Daynes : Uh, Cindy, make sure there's a chair for Mrs. Kirkman in the gallery.

  Alex Kirkman : Oh, I'd like to second chair.

  Kendra Daynes : [to Cindy again]  I'll see you inside.

  [turning back to Alex] 

  Kendra Daynes : Respectfully, ma'am, I don't think that's a good idea.

  Alex Kirkman : Well, why not?

  Kendra Daynes : Because this proceeding is about a subpoena issued to your mother.

  Alex Kirkman : Exactly.

  Kendra Daynes : Which is precisely why I recommend against your involvement. Because of your personal interest.

  Alex Kirkman : I appreciate your concern. But I need you to appreciate mine. I can't stand by and watch determinations being made about my family and not participate. If anything went wrong, I would never forgive myself. I'm sure you understand.

• Kendra Daynes : Your Honor, this subpoena is a classic fishing expedition.

  John Forstell : The simple fact that we're seeking documents from the President's mother-in-law does not make it a fishing expedition.

  Kendra Daynes : Thirty years of documents. And in service of a wild theory alleging a convoluted bribery scheme that spans decades. A theory for which Mr. Forstell has no evidence.

  John Forstell : It's called discovery, Your Honor. If we had the evidence, we wouldn't need the subpoena.

  Kendra Daynes : Yes, but we still need probable cause to prove a crime has been committed.

  John Forstell : A crime was committed.

  Alex Kirkman : Thirty years ago.

  Judge Tamara Best : Mrs. Kirkman. Are you also appearing as counsel?

  Alex Kirkman : Yes, Your Honor.

  Judge Tamara Best : So noted on the record.

• Alex Kirkman : A crime was committed thirty years ago. A crime which can no longer be charged.

  John Forstell : The warrant alleges an ongoing conspiracy...

  Alex Kirkman : I know what the warrant alleges.

  Kendra Daynes : Your Honor, I believe my co-counsel's point...

  Alex Kirkman : That this is a malicious prosecution.

  Judge Tamara Best : How is the mere issuance of a subpoena malicious prosecution?

  Alex Kirkman : The suggestion that there was some nefarious pay-for-play scandal involving my mother. That she could be implicated in the murder of Eric Little, a man she hasn't even seen for thirty years.

  Kendra Daynes : Your Honor, can we please get a ten minute recess so I can consult with my co-counsel?

  Judge Tamara Best : I think that would be an excellent idea.

• Kendra Daynes : Mrs. Kirkman, we agreed to keep these arguments technical.

  Alex Kirkman : But not antiseptic. You're not making any headway in there.

  Kendra Daynes : The best basis for quashing the subpoena is its overbreadth.

  Alex Kirkman : I totally disagree. The subpoena is based on investigational subterfuge. Illegal activity.

  Kendra Daynes : Which are arguments I will now have to make now that our procedural tack is out the window.

  Alex Kirkman : Well, then make them.

  Kendra Daynes : I will. But not with you as co-counsel.

  Alex Kirkman : Excuse me?

  Kendra Daynes : Ma'am, I was asked to do a job. And I will do it to the best of my ability. But I cannot do it if you're compromising me.

  Alex Kirkman : Well... that was not my intent.

  Kendra Daynes : But it's your effect. If you want to argue the motion, you're welcome to. But if I'm arguing it, it needs to be without your interference.