In the preceding installment of "The Girls on the Bus," our protagonists navigated the tumultuous landscape of a grueling election cycle, balancing the rigors of reporting with the complexities of their personal lives. Grace struggled to fulfill her duties as a loving mother, while Kimberlyn scarcely found time for her fiancé amidst the chaos of wedding preparations. Meanwhile, Lola, a self-taught journalist, stumbled through the jargon of the media world, leading to humorous mishaps like her unexpected appearance in a swimsuit at a journalists' gathering. And Sadie delved into the mysteries surrounding a burner phone, until an anonymous source revealed damning information about Felicity Walker's campaign.
With Caroline Bennett's exit from the presidential race, Walker emerged as the new contender, but Bennett's scandalous past hardly bolstered her chances. The Geriatric emerged as the frontrunner, trailed closely by the 'Hot White Guy,' with Walker trailing in third. Kimberlyn relentlessly challenged the Geriatric's youthfulness, questioning his ability to lead effectively due to his advanced age. Grace, on the other hand, was commissioned by Jack, the Geriatric's press secretary, to paint a portrait of his boss. Though it wasn't her forte, she complied, only to realize the frailness beneath the statesman's facade. To bolster his image, Jack organized a marathon to showcase the Geriatric's vitality, but the plan backfired tragically when the old man succumbed to a heart attack.
With the frontrunner's demise, the anonymous informant reached out to Sadie again, urging her to uncover the truth about Walker's involvement in the race. In the realm of politics, every public appearance is a calculated move to woo voters. This episode of "The Girls on the Bus" vividly portrayed the candidates' calculated condolences at the Geriatric's funeral, a strategic display of sympathy. The Hot White Guy, realizing his newfound leadership position, delivered a heartfelt eulogy to the Geriatric's widow, captivating the hearts of the congregation.
For the journalists, the situation was more complex. Grace and Kimberlyn felt a sense of guilt for mocking the Geriatric's age while he was still alive. They blamed themselves for pressuring the elderly man to participate in the marathon, ultimately leading to his untimely demise. As Walker officially entered the race, following her Vegas stunt and the Geriatric's passing, the stakes skyrocketed. The informant behind the burner phone was determined to assist Sadie in exposing Walker's true motives. He advised Sadie to scrutinize Walker's electoral donations, claiming that there were irregularities in the funding, suggesting that Walker might be using campaign funds for illicit money laundering.
The presidential campaign trail has steered the candidates and journalists to Youngstown, Ohio, where residents grapple with a pressing issue: access to clean drinking water. This predicament has emerged as a pivotal campaign issue for the contenders. Felicity may be basking in the spotlight once again, but her popularity pales in comparison to Hot White Guy's. His arrival at Felicity's rally, dressed as a superhero character from one of his films and arriving in a garbage truck, created a sensation. This publicity stunt took a decisive turn when he pledged 16 million dollars to alleviate Youngstown's water woes, sealing the deal for many voters.
Hot White Guy's ascent was further fueled by Sadie's article in The Daily Sentinel. Facing such formidable competition, Walker realized it was time to set aside her animosity towards Sadie. She summoned her, proposing a truce and asking her to vouch for her articles.
In the previous episode, Grace's campaign obligations had left her struggling to keep tabs on her daughter, Annie. It was only when Annie appeared at her Ohio hotel that Grace managed to catch up with her. Annie disclosed that she had been suspended from university for selling adderall to peers to assist a "friend." She sought Grace's intervention by appealing to the Dean, but Grace, enraged, refused, advising her daughter to face the consequences and learn accountability. Annie was devastated by her mother's words, sparking a heated argument. Annie felt neglected, recalling that it was her father who had been there for her through thick and thin. Grace had often prioritized her career over family, even missing Annie's ballet recitals. Grace justified her actions, arguing that her career was her life's work, and she had diligently worked her way up to win four Pulitzer awards, which Annie couldn't possibly understand. Annie disagreed, accusing Grace of abandoning her family due to misplaced priorities. The argument ended with Annie leaving in a huff.
Later, during a conversation with Sadie, the latter defended Annie, making Grace realize how daunting it must have been for Annie to approach her for help. Annie had reached out in need, but Grace, as an adult, had turned her away. However, when Grace finally contacted Annie's university, the Dean informed her that Annie had already dropped out.
Since Sadie's indiscretion with Malcolm, the two have been on tenuous ground. When they met, Malcolm was jobless, but soon after, he found employment with Walker. Sadie realized it had been a poor decision. If their relationship became public, not only her name but her firm's reputation would be tarnished. Their credibility as an objective media outlet would be questioned.
Sadie's fears materialized when her colleague, Dale, confronted her about spotting her and Malcolm kissing in the lobby. He threatened to expose her to Bruce or face the consequences. Under pressure, Sadie complied. Over dinner with Bruce, she confessed about her fleeting romance with Malcolm. Bruce was enraged. Already on thin ice, Sadie's actions threatened to undermine the firm. Bruce ordered her to step down from the campaign trail.
