After Elizabeth receives advice from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, she chooses to ignore President Dalton's recommendation on how to negotiate the safe return of a State Department employee who was kidnapped in Afghanistan. Also, Henry must find a way to persuade his student, Dmitri, to spy for the U.S. government.

Elizabeth finds herself pushed out of the President's inner circle after she disagrees with his response to the growing tension with Russia. Also, when incriminating photos of Stevie and Harrison surface, Elizabeth and Henry must deal with the aftermath and try to protect their daughter from the media