Ep 7. The Assassination of Payton Hobart: Part 2

The Assassination of Payton Hobart: Part 2 continues with the aftermath of Part 1's shocking ending. Payton's political campaign is left in tatters after he was shot by Astrid at a rally. The episode begins with Payton waking up in a hospital bed, much to the relief of his friends and campaign team. It quickly becomes apparent that he has suffered significant damage to his spinal cord and may never walk again.

As Payton grapples with the idea of having his political career cut short, his team rallies around him to come up with a new plan. They decide to spin the assassination attempt into a positive story about Payton's bravery and resilience, hoping that it will win him even more votes. Throughout the episode, we see various characters attempting to capitalize on Payton's situation, whether it's his mother Georgina trying to boost his spirits with lavish gifts or his opponent Dede focusing her campaign message on gun control.

Meanwhile, Astrid is dealt with in the aftermath of the shooting. She is arrested and prosecuted for attempted murder, but her guilt and motives are still uncertain. Her father, a wealthy media mogul, decides to use his influence to drum up support for her case, painting her as a victim of cruel circumstances rather than a manipulative would-be assassin.

The episode also delves deeper into the backstory of several characters, shedding light on why they turned out the way they did. Payton's mother Georgina has a heart-to-heart with him about her own childhood traumas and her fears of losing him. Alice, Payton's campaign manager, confronts her past demons in the form of a former flame who reappears in her life. And McAfee, another member of Payton's team, grapples with her own identity as a black woman in an overwhelmingly white campaign.

As the episode draws to a close, Payton is faced with a difficult decision: whether or not to continue his campaign. His health is in jeopardy, his opponents are gaining ground, and his dream of being president seems further away than ever. But with the support of his team and his inner drive, Payton must decide whether to give up or press on.

The Assassination of Payton Hobart: Part 2 is a thrilling continuation of the previous episode, showcasing the fallout from a shocking act of violence and the various ways in which it affects the lives of those involved. With clever writing and complex characters, this episode is a testament to the power of political drama in the world of television.