At a meeting of world leaders, a diplomatic breakdown edges the U.S. closer to an international crisis - and compels Kate to make a seismic decision.
Stuart crafts a cable for the State Department's dissent channel. He needs it to be known that he disagrees with the President's actions in the North Sea. He sees it as a valuable tool and a protection of free speech. Eidra and Billie laugh. They don't take this seriously. They were afraid he was planning on doing something much more drastic. He could jeopardize his entire career if he went public with these concerns. He aims to use the proper channels as they have been established for moments like this. He believes in the system. It will work if people let it. Kate has her own doubts about its effectiveness. She sees the importance. Stuart's words will be a part of the historical record. That's important for understanding this moment in time. Stuart wants it to make a difference now. He's not writing for the future. He wants his objections to be read and change policy. Instead, Grace recalls him. She punishes him for disagreeing with her. He suffers the most immediate and damning consequences. He and Eidra are having fun in their hotel room. And then, he's asked to pick up his life and return to Washington, D.C. All of his professional aspirations have been destroyed as Grace seeks retribution upon him. It's concerning. It's not quite enough to inspire immediate action. That's the most striking part of this development.
Todd delivers the President's message to the United Kingdom. In fact, she has already decided to move three warships into British territory. She can't allow the Russians to retrieve their missing submarine. She pledges to shoot at anyone who stands in her way. Robyn obviously has follow-up questions. Todd believes he's prepared for this meeting. He's not. He's woefully out of his depth. Kate said everything she thought she could say. And now, she's ordered to be quiet. She can't be removed from her job because of the poor optics. Her voice no longer matters. She will attend but won't speak. This is her punishment. Hal agrees with what Grace is doing with Kate. He too can't trust her. He doesn't know if what she's told him is real. He has enough awareness to know this is the precise behavior he did to her all the time. She could never tell if he was being genuine. He doesn't like it. He's baffled as to why Kate stayed for so long. She should have left him a long time ago. She didn't. She remained committed to the marriage. That's true even now. She wasn't trying to manipulate him. She was honest about her feelings. They were simply caught up in the professional catastrophe the country is in. That's the prime focus. Kate and Hal reiterate the threat to British sovereignty and the NATO alliance to Vaughn. That's what Grace truly means with her actions. That can't be denied.
Kate believes she can still talk her way out of this precarious situation. Stuart being recalled amplifies her pleas. She wants the President to reconsider. It doesn't make a difference whatsoever. Grace has already made up her mind. Moreover, she's growing more fond of removing the Wylers altogether. Having Hal as the Vice President isn't worth putting up with Kate. Even though Hal sided with the President, his job isn't secure. Kate notices that this is the first thing he has loved as much as he loved her. It's alarming. He's not guaranteed to return to her. He will advance his own interests. The ebbs and flows of their marriage may not repeat as they always have. Some may see that as inevitable. It could still fall apart at any moment. That's what this threat represents. Hal and Kate suddenly must become compliant to whatever the President demands. Todd just needs direction. He's happy to follow Grace's lead no matter what. He simply needs her guidance first. As such, he becomes her loyal yes man. He supports the decisions she makes. That's the only way to survive. Kate and Hal must agree as well. It's the only way to maintain their proximity to power. They see the benefits as outweighing the costs. Everything then changes during the meeting of the G7 nations. Grace continues to make her moves and exert her power. That reveals how far people are willing to go for their devotion to these institutions and their missions.
Grace flexes her military muscle. She won't let any objections prevent her from confronting a nuclear-equipped superpower. She's fine if the other countries in the alliance remove the United States. She provokes them by reminding them of her power. Without the United States, the G7 and NATO won't have any influence over the world. They will be drastically weakened. As such, it's better to just accept whatever the United States wants. That doesn't abide by the spirit of cooperation. In fact, it tears it to shreds. Every remark that comes afterward by the Italian leader is laughable. It's just been ruined. Yet he still must convene this meeting. It then dawns on Kate that the only way to push back is to resign in protest. It's a visible demonstration of Grace not having the loyalty of her own officials. It's daunting when it's Kate all alone. Grace tries to wave it away. And then, Billie and Ganon follow. They expressed the exact same concerns. Billie tried to deflect by focusing on a wildfire in Montana. No one can turn away from the devastation the President has wrought. The way to dissent is to make this public spectacle. Hal eventually joins them. He stands loyally by his wife. That empowers what they strive to have. It's also daunting given the service they've provided to the country over the years. Hal is still technically the Vice President. Kate sets him up to make an announcement. She wields the power. This approach mattered because she had the determination to stand up. She didn't know if anyone would join her. They did.
