Richard flies solo to Washington D.C. to present the team's proposal at the Department of War. But without Jack there to do the talking, Richard must turn to his relationship with Marisol to find the confidence he needs. Back in Los Angeles, Jack continues to drift away from Susan and closer to Thelma, skipping work to go on a spontaneous road trip with a troubled Ernest. Meanwhile, Susan searches for answers behind Jack's behavior by confronting Jack's mother Ruth and the potential source of all Jack's troubles, the Grand Magus himself.