While Templeton's forcing a harsh crime bill through Congress, an old friend of Jim Gardner's from their gritty suburban Washington home town shows up at the White House to tell Jim that his wife has been murdered. Meanwhile, missiles lost in a military-plane crash in Pakistan surface on the black market, and Keaton is particularly testy as he deals with it; and Dickie urges Vince not to invite Mac to his commitment ceremony because he fears political fallout.

On Mac's birthday, Kurdish militants take Americans hostage in Turkey. Meanwhile, Mac interviews vice-presidential candidates, with Dickie's opinions about the political implications of her choice ringing in her ears. And daughter Rebecca makes a new friend.