When an American spy submarine suddenly goes silent in hostile North Korean waters, an angry president receives advice from the Assistant Secretary of State (guest star Hal Holbrook) and must decide whether he should notify the enemy or attempt a risky, secret rescue — while his wife, Abigail, learns that her past malpractice suits might be Bartlet's Achilles heel in his criminal investigation. In other White House action, C.J. is ecstatic over a potential presidential candidate's indecisive public remarks; Toby meets with a representative from an appropriations committee who wants to funnel money away from Congress' controversial funding of avant-garde artists.