The Prime Minister resigns and the race is to replace him. Environment Minister Michael Samuels and Foreign Minister Patrick Woolton are the apparent front-runners, though the Chronicle newspaper comes out publicly in support of Urquhart. At his wife's encouragement, Urquhart seduces journalist Mattie Storin but doesn't realize she recorded their conversation. She traces Charles Collingridge to the rehab center and begins to doubt that he was the engineer of the scandal. When she learns that someone altered the files at the Conservative central office, she has proof but her editor has different plans.When Urquhart learns that she's found Charles, he arranges for a clear message to be sent to her. As Mattie's investigation reveals even more information, she turns to Francis Urquhart foe help.
—garykmcd