Kate contends with her complicity in a stunning political shake-up, while a disenchanted Todd explores his options across the pond.
It's an exciting time to be in London. A new Prime Minister is being selected. That's not why Todd has arrived. He wants to escape his wife. He no longer enjoys looking at her while she has disdain for him. He doesn't know what he plans on doing. He hopes it includes international travel. He's floated being named a Special Envoy. That's a vague title that doesn't mean much. The job is whatever he makes of it. The Secret Service propose London for where he should operate. It would be easy to secure both him and Kate at the same time. Todd has no diplomatic experience. He's not even excited about the honor he is receiving. It's just an excuse to get out of the country. He's along for the ride with Kate. He's in the meetings where the Americans welcome the new British Prime Minister. He hopes to make a good impression while understanding his place. He also hopes to confide in Kate about his struggles. It's just a terrible time to do so. She's busy trying to navigate this geopolitical relationship. The Brits are suddenly coy with their intentions. It's a period of transition in their government. Kate knows all of this is happening because of the threat she delivered.
Kate tries to pass off her constant vomiting as reflux. Todd even suspects she's pregnant. Instead, it's the guilt she's carrying manifest into physical symptoms. They intensify initially because the new Prime Minister may be a candidate even worse than Trowbridge. That doesn't happen after it's exposed he's been paid by the Russians. That news arrives on the last round of voting. The country was nearly led by a heinous individual. The Americans celebrate. The staff at Winfield House are relieved. Bethan Vaughn was viewed as the consensus pick. The Americans will be able to work with her. Kate talks up how much Grace and Bethan will get along. Part of it is her trying to speak it into reality. She's upset by Trowbridge's resignation as it means she'll have to forge new relationships with the country she's operating within. The problems are the same. The history is no longer relevant. No one can deny all of this occurred because of what Kate said. Hal tries to take some of that burden away. He told Kate to do it. It was still Kate's decision. She delivered this threat. Trowbridge took the only action he thought he had left. And now, the Brits have elevated a leader who takes the time to think about what her next move will be.
American intelligence panics upon learning the Russians have called Vaughn. Everyone hopes it was just a congratulatory call. It didn't delve into any sensitive matters. It's suspicious because the Brits didn't share it with the Americans. The Russians being a threat is what has united the countries in the past. And now, no readout is presented for what was discussed. Kate is stonewalled during her first meeting with Vaughn. They don't get to talk about anything that's on the agenda. That's purposeful. Vaughn doesn't want to engage until she has things figured out. The Russians have found their missing submarine. They ask to retrieve the bodies of their dead. They are covertly asking to obtain the Poseidon as well. Vaughn needs to deny the request so the Russians don't know the Americans have it. That would be the answer in the era of cooperation. That's not where the relationship currently is. Vaughan rationalizes that the Brits won't have a problem if the Russians discover the deceit. The Americans would receive the blame. They would suddenly be in an escalating conflict with the Russians. That's all a consequence of Grace taking action. She has bold ambitions for the future. She wants to bully others into submission. That also means they won't cooperate when the Americans desperately need them to.
Kate has to compose all of her thoughts in preparation to debrief the President. American leadership needs to be aware of this threat. Kate is told precisely to relay the message. Vaughn will be more tactical. She will consult experts. She won't bow down to the pressures imposed by the Americans. The relationship between the leaders has changed. It's best to be prepared for that. Todd's pursuit of purpose is silly in comparison to that. And yet, he also occupies Winfield House. He wants to talk things over with Kate. She's busy. He doesn't have the security clearance to know the details of what's happening. Grace has the power to declassify. She is afforded the right to tell her husband anything. Kate doesn't. Todd's confident he'll get the story. He's still talking with Grace. There's a lot of back and forth that runs the risk of things getting lost in translation. Kate asserts that she isn't pregnant. He should stop suggesting she is. But now, her vomit is words instead of indigestion. She blurts out everything that has been happening while not in a secure room. She compromises security while Frances listens in. Frances knows everything that goes on in Winfield House. She's part of the local support staff. She's invested in which politician becomes Prime Minister. She has a working relationship with Kate. Her loyalties will now be questions as she's faced with a relationship between the two countries that continues to worsen. She's been loyal to a lot. Now, she hears Kate admitting to destabilizing a democratically-elected government of an ally country. That's a damning revelation.
