Ep 3. Heat

The Oval season 1 episode 3, titled "Heat," follows the dramatic events that occur within the walls of the White House as the first family and their staff navigate personal and political conflicts. The episode opens with President Hunter Franklin (played by Ed Quinn) addressing the media in the aftermath of a scandal involving his son Jason (played by Daniel Croix Henderson) and his secret relationship with a member of the White House staff. While the President attempts to put on a facade of calm and control, tensions within the family are palpable as the First Lady Victoria Franklin (played by Kron Moore) struggles to come to terms with the revelations.

Meanwhile, new tensions arise as the President's chief of staff, Donald Winthrop (played by Ptosha Storey), begins to feel the pressure of running the West Wing. She clashes with the head of the Secret Service, Kyle Flint (played by Javon Johnson), as they both struggle to maintain control over the situation. In particular, Flint is suspicious of the President's new personal assistant, Ellie Carter (played by Paige Hurd), and begins to unravel her dark past in an attempt to protect the President.

As the day wears on, the temperature inside the White House rises both literally and figuratively. As the air conditioning system breaks down, staff and family alike are forced to deal with the unrelenting heat and the tensions that come with it. While some, like the President's daughter Gayle (played by Ashley LeConte Campbell), seek solace in the swimming pool, others continue to plot and scheme behind the scenes.

As the day draws to a close, the president and his family are forced to confront the truth of their situation. With secrets and scandals threatening to destroy everything they have worked for, they must decide how to move forward. Will they be able to weather the storm, or will the heat prove too much to bear?

Overall, this episode of The Oval is a compelling and suspenseful drama that highlights the complexities of life in the White House. With strong performances from its talented cast and intricate plot twists that keep audiences on the edge of their seat, "Heat" is a must-watch for fans of political dramas.