Political Animals Episode 1.02 Second Time Around

With three American hostages just hours away from execution in Iran, Elaine puts a daring plan in motion, asking President Garcetti to send Bud to negotiate for their release. Knowing that she will resign if he doesn't sign off on the plan and unwilling to lose her, Garcetti agrees and Bud is dispatched to Oman to meet in secret with Iranian President Hakam. And he has a surprising traveling companion: Susan Berg, with whom Elaine has formed a tentative alliance after it was revealed that Susan's now-ex boyfriend was unfaithful both personally and professionally, leaking the story on T.J.'s suicide attempt to the blogger he was sleeping with.

Though Elaine's plan nearly falls apart when Vice President Fred Collier (Dylan Baker) - bitter that he wasn't the one chosen to negotiate - derails the secret meeting in Oman, she manages to get Bud and Hakam in a room together in Turkey. Now, with the lives of three innocent Americans hanging in the balance, Bud has the chance to remind the world that he's more than just a skirt-chasing political has-been.

Back in DC, preparations are underway for Doug and Anne's engagement party. T.J. has reappeared after going radio silent following the release of the suicide story, and after he steals a check from his grandmother to fund his nightclub investment, Douglas steps in to help his brother out. Meanwhile, when Elaine reveals to Douglas that she plans to run for president again, he worries what that choice could cost the family-and makes a decision that could destroy Elaine's presidential hopes.