Mac wants her Attorney General to look into an urban situation in Maryland because it's where Gardner is from. Mac is also briefed on the situation of the missing surface-to-air missiles that went down in a military plane crash over Pakistan and has to make sure that the weapons do not end up in the hands of terrorists. Templeton is ralling support for the Templeton Act which focuses on domestic crime and Mac is threatening to use her veto power in the hopes for more law enforcement and education over the bill's calls for tougher sentencing. Dickie learns that Vince is planning a commitment ceremony with his partner and he warns him not to invite Mac because it might hurt her in the polls.
Mackenzie Allen, the 45-year old Independent Vice President, is about to enter a world in which no woman has ever stepped foot in before. While in attendance at a ceremony with her husband, Chief of Staff Rod Calloway, Mackenzie is given the startling news that President Bridges needs emergency brain surgery to treat a brain tumor. Mackenzie is given an additional shock when she is also informed that in the event the President doesn't make it through surgery, the party doesn't want her succeed him.
However, despite sexist insults from both the dying President and Speaker of the House Nathan Templeton, Mackenzie decides to fulfill her duty as Presidential successor and take her rightful place as Commander in Chief of the United States of America.