US President Ronald Reagan has been shot. Elizabeth and Phillip are up against the clock and the FBI in trying to find out who is responsible and whether they need protecting.
A crucial agent crumbles under emotional distress and threatens to topple a valuable network of KGB informants. Professionally, Philip and Elizabeth are tasked with infiltrating the FBI's new communications encryption system.
A mole hunt within the KGB causes suspicion amongst allies and shatters trust within the Jennings' marriage, meanwhile Stan's plan to keep his mole safe puts her at even greater risk of discovery.
When Philip and Elizabeth are given an urgent task to plant a bug in Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger's office, they risk exposure when an unwilling maid of the Weinberger home refuses to cooperate.
Philip and Elizabeth both find themselves faced with painful turns in their various missions. Stan fights to gain access to an American military program that could give him the upper hand in his battle of wills with Oleg.