When a dangerous adversary makes its move, Grace issues a hard-line threat to the prime minister, forcing Kate to reckon with her role as the messenger.
Grace wants the United Kingdom to rescind their offer for Russians to retrieve the bodies of their dead soldiers on the submarine. If they refuse, then she plans on sending warships to the North Sea. She is given plenty of opportunities to elaborate about what she means. This is more than a clarifying statement or a red line. She intends to do this. It doesn't matter that the United States is now a signee to the Law of the Sea treaty. This is the best action to preserve the country's interests. Kate is entrusted to deliver the message. She's reluctant to do so. She sees it as needlessly escalatory. She wants to find another solution. She hasn't had any success in getting the President to change her mind. She hopes Todd will have better luck. He wanted this new position as Special Envoy. He needs guidance about what he is suppose to achieve. Everyone wants to avoid delivering the message for as long as possible. That moment still inevitably comes. It can't be ignored. Grace has proven herself capable of taking drastic actions. Things may have changed after the shooting. She's more impulsive and reckless than before. However, this all fits into a damning portrait of what the United States has now become. That includes an increasing amount of isolationism with allies not being able to trust the word of seasoned diplomats.
Kate believes she could be recalled if she fails to deliver the President's message word-for-word. She actually sees that as a blessing. She hopes Todd will tell his wife that Kate isn't up to the task. She should be replaced with someone who is. Kate isn't lucky. She succeeds in getting an elevated security clearance for Todd. He's now read into everything that's happening. She hopes his perspective will be illuminating. He questions the words the President used. Kate is definitive with what she heard. There is no doubt in her mind about what's being asked of her. She's grown weary of her position. She believed in the noble ideas of service. She tried to make a difference in the world. And now, she's representing a President who seems determined to destroy the world order. Todd's plea for guidance amounts in Grace trusting in his ability to do anything. She doesn't provide much clarity. He still has to decide where his allegiance lies. That will always be with his wife no matter how much dysfunction has entered their lives since she became President. He's not happy about Plan B. He encourages Kate to deliver the message nevertheless. Nothing will be prevented if she tries to cover up the ugly truth the President has spoken about an ally.
It's becoming harder and harder for Kate to keep a lid on all the malicious actions taken since she's become Ambassador to the United Kingdom. An open door is all it takes for Frances to doubt her loyalty to the mission. She was grateful to the United States for saving her father's life. The country has changed since then. She views Kate differently. She liked her. It has also come at the expense of the United Kingdom. That puts things into perspective. She raises her concerns with Stuart. He does the same with Kate. He doesn't know all the secrets that have come to define the narrative. Kate unloads on him. She provides details about everything. She drops it all at once so he has the clearest picture. She needs him to be perfectly candid about what this looks like. Is she following the mission? Or is she enabling a reckless President doing irreversible damage? It's the latter. Stuart has no doubt whatsoever. It's important to get Kate into a meeting with Vaughn and convince her to take Plan A. It's the only viable option. It's calamity otherwise. Todd can't know Kate is being deceptive either. She has fostered a relationship with Stuart and Eidra. They will help make this happen. It's still all for naught.
Vaughn understands that the Russians will blame her country for the disappearance of the Poseidon no matter what she does. If she shares the truth, it probably won't be believed. It's antithetical to think the Americans took this action without approval from the Brits. It's not in keeping with what the alliance has been. Vaughn sees the Russians as a more reliable partner. That doesn't make them immediately trustworthy. They aren't. They are upfront about what they want. They lost something and want it back. The Americans are asking for more. They do so with constantly shifting positions. The pledge of protection may not even be honored in the end. There is no guarantee Grace will send aid if something happens to the United Kingdom as a result of this disaster. As such, Vaughn needs to prioritize her own country. She must protect the citizens. That means upsetting the Americans. She and Kate aren't given the opportunity to be friends. It would be nice if they could. It's not where the relationship is currently at. Nothing will dissuade either side. And so, Kate lies about what she's accomplished. That may be completely short-sided and more disastrous. It's in opposition to what's been asked of her. She believes it's for the greater good. The President is focused on other things. However, she's not listening to her advisors about those issues either. She's decisive. That hasn't been reassuring. Even Hal is starting to question how far Grace will go to achieve what she wants. If that comes at the expense of every other country, is that really in the nation's best interest?
