In a realm of pompous politicians and meticulously crafted deceptions, 'The Girls on the Bus' sheds light on the raw truth of American elections. As Sadie, Grace, Kimberlyn, and Lola, four determined journalists, strive to carve out their niche in the industry, they navigate the tumultuous terrain of journalism. Each woman, with her unique background and political ideologies, contributes her distinct voice to the mix. Despite their varying journalistic styles, they forge an unlikely bond in this cynical world that often lacks authenticity.
In the previous chapter, the introduction of Felicity Walker into the Iowa campaign left jaws dropped. Grace Green's explosive revelation about Caroline Bennett's sex scandal saw Felicity step in as a beacon of hope. Given Felicity's staunch feminist stance portrayed in the third episode, it's evident why Caroline chose her. Felicity, a highly esteemed politician, was the perfect foil to divert attention from Caroline's personal woes. However, Kimberlyn's disclosure of Caroline's troubling past led to the governor's withdrawal from the race. Surprisingly, it was Felicity herself who emerged as a contender once again.
For Sadie, Caroline's resurgence was a seismic shock. It was Senator Walker who propelled Sadie to quit political journalism and inadvertently catapulted her into meme stardom. Walker, on the contrary, blames Sadie's biased reporting for her downfall and holds her in contempt. Amidst this turmoil, Sadie receives a mysterious burner phone in her hotel room.
This episode takes the campaign trail to the glitz and glamour of Vegas. With Felicity Walker joining the fray, Sadie hopes to seize the moment. She eagerly seeks an interview with Felicity, but the senator dismisses her advances with disdain. Felicity's dismissive attitude enrages Sadie. Meanwhile, a voicemail from the enigmatic 'Hot White Guy' offers Sadie an interview opportunity. Despite her efforts to secure a meeting with Felicity, Sadie opts for the interview with the former actor-turned-candidate. The Hot White Guy, devoid of political experience, seeks Sadie's pen to showcase his credentials. He aims to convince the world that he's worthy of the position. As a slightly left-leaning representative, his political agenda revolves around empowering union workers. However, beyond his undeniable charm, Sadie finds little intrigue in his candidacy.
Lola's perpetual struggle, as it often does, revolves around proving her worth as a journalist, despite her fame initially stemming from TikTok. She finds herself in a challenging position within the journalistic circle, viewed more as an influencer than a peer. Furthermore, her lack of even the basic political jargon often leads to misunderstandings, such as the embarrassing incident where she misinterpreted 'pool' as a swimming pool, turning up in a swimsuit expecting to find water.
Amidst her confusion, Sadie tried to lend a helping hand but was overwhelmed with her own schedule. However, Lola's path crossed with Josie, an organizer who noticed her struggle and took it upon herself to tutor Lola in the intricate jargon. The unlikely bond that formed between them even led to a night spent together.
Later, Lola secured an interview with Felicity Walker, initially denied by Malcolm, Walker's Press Secretary. But Malcolm struck a deal, allowing the interview if Lola also posed the questions Sadie had intended to ask. In a surprising turn of events, Lola's presence at the pool allowed her to capture Felicity Walker burning her bra in protest, sparked by misogynistic remarks from a male chef. This video went viral, proving that Lola didn't need elitist education or fancy tools to make a mark as a journalist.
The election year was a whirlwind for all involved, especially the four main characters on the campaign trail. Grace's daughter desperately tried to reach out to her mother, needing her attention as she faced challenges in college. But Grace's hectic schedule left no room for a meaningful connection. Kimberlyn, newly engaged, had to rush off to the campaign trail, leaving her fiancé Eric and even his mother pleading for her attention through incessant messages and emails. To Kimberlyn's relief, Eric surprised her with a visit to her hotel room. The topic of their wedding came to light, and though Kimberlyn was annoyed by the lack of time to prepare, Eric's understanding led him to propose a Vegas wedding, which Kimberlyn gracefully declined, insisting on a wedding that suited his vision.
Grace, a renowned journalist known as the 'Scoop Queen,' was approached by her friend John with a unique request. He wanted her to craft a portrait of his boss, the enigmatic "Geriatric," an elderly candidate whose frail appearance seemed to undermine his presidential aspirations. After Caroline's withdrawal from the race, the Geriatric emerged as the frontrunner, yet Grace, despite her respect for the man's past contributions to the nation, harbored doubts about his physical fitness for the rigorous campaign. Moreover, portraiture was not her forte; she excelled in uncovering the truth.
Meanwhile, Kimberlyn, adhering to the sensationalist tactics of her media outlet, Liberty Direct News, indulged in disparaging the Geriatric's age, spreading muddled accusations. Grace's encounter with the Geriatric was cordial, yet she couldn't ignore the telltale tremor in his hands, a sign of frailty or perhaps an underlying illness. John, eager to dispel rumors of his boss's declining health, proposed a 5K marathon as a demonstration of his vitality. Tragically, the geriatric candidate, with an undetected coronary blockage, succumbed to the exertion, leaving the nation in mourning.
In a parallel narrative, Sadie had stumbled upon a burner phone addressed to her outside her Iowa hotel room. Throughout the episode, she was on a relentless quest to uncover its secrets, yet the mystery remained elusive. However, an anonymous tipster contacted her boss, Bruce, claiming to possess damning information on Walker, now a formidable contender in the political arena. This revelation intensified Sadie's quest to expose Felicity's secrets, though she encountered numerous dead ends. Yet, following the Geriatric's untimely demise, Sadie received a call on the burner phone, the caller eager to speak as Walker's political stock rose.
With an anonymous whistleblower poised to reveal Felicity's dirt, Sadie's path would undoubtedly change. She would embark on a journey to gather evidence against her rival. Now, as Walker emerged as a formidable contender, Grace and Kimberlyn would also set their sights on her, seeking to capitalize on her political ascension. In fact, Grace, having learned of Sadie's burner phone, might attempt to usurp this opportunity in this cut-throat world of journalism.
