Jack drives to Bellevue, Washington, for his interview, energized by the bustling city. At the production company, an employee, Lori Hansen, greets him and leads him to producer Mark Wilkerson’s office. Wilkerson acknowledges Jack’s past triumphs, including his time with the New York Jets, but then immediately confronts him about his past drug use. Jack admits to a painkiller addiction that began after his knee injury and cost him his chance at Monday Night Football, but insists he has been clean for years. Wilkerson refuses to hire him, calling him “damaged goods” and stating that he does not believe in second chances. Jack leaves defeated, his self-esteem eroded.

Elizabeth spends the day at home preparing a romantic dinner to celebrate Jack’s anticipated success. She lights candles, builds a fire, and puts on lingerie Jack bought her years ago, feeling self-conscious but determined to create a new beginning. Jack arrives home very late. Elizabeth immediately knows he did not get the job. He tells her Wilkerson rejected him because of his past drug use. Jack pulls away from Elizabeth’s attempts to comfort him, comparing their current distance to better times after his knee injury. He asks her to turn on the lights, ruining the romantic atmosphere, and begins working from his briefcase. As she walks away to get him food, they exchange I-love-yous, but the distance between them remains.

The next morning, Jack confronts Elizabeth about their unhappiness, but she is afraid to be honest. Frustrated, Jack accuses her of complaining without being willing to discuss their issues. Jack goes to work covering a high school football game in Portland. At the station, production assistant Sally approaches him with a tip about Drew Grayland, a star college basketball player rumored to have been involved in a sexual assault and a separate incident of driving under the influence of alcohol, both of which were covered up. Jack realizes this story could be his big break, especially since the lead sportscaster, Henry, is on vacation. He makes Sally his assistant on the story.

That Thursday evening, Meghann calls and persuades Elizabeth to attend the Women’s Passion Support Group meeting. After learning that Jack will be home late working on the story, Elizabeth decides to go. At Astoria Community College, group leader Sarah Taylor greets her and introduces her to members including Charlotte and Joey. During the meeting, members like Mina, Fran, and Kim share their stories and dreams. Mina is learning to drive after her husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Fran’s husband left her for his male secretary. Kim, recently divorced and struggling with sobriety, expresses anger and bitterness. When her turn comes, Elizabeth reluctantly admits she used to paint. To end her turn, she agrees to try painting again, though the meeting leaves her feeling worse. Elizabeth notices Kim staring at her with knowing eyes.

Jack and Sally work tirelessly for a week on the Grayland story but find no concrete evidence. At dinner one evening, a defeated Jack suggests giving the story to Henry. Sally asks about the end of his career, prompting Jack to reveal the  painkiller addiction and alcohol abuse that followed the end of his football career, culminating in what he calls “The Accident”—a crash that occurred when he was driving under the influence of alcohol. Though no one was hurt, the incident ruined his professional reputation. Feeling dangerous intimacy developing with Sally, Jack suggests they return to the college campus, which is closing for winter break. At 1:00 am, campus police officer Mark Lundberg approaches them anonymously and hands Jack an envelope containing incident reports detailing four previous rape accusations against Grayland.

Elizabeth prepares to leave for her annual Christmas trip to her father’s home in Tennessee. She goes to the TV station to pick up Jack for their flight, where she greets the receptionist, Eleanor. She watches Jack break the Grayland story live on air, citing Police Chief Stephen Landis, Athletic Director Bill Seagel, and Coach Rivers. An ecstatic Jack greets Elizabeth warmly but realizes he has forgotten they are supposed to leave that day. Sally interrupts with news that three more women have filed complaints and one will speak on camera. Jack tells Elizabeth he must stay to cover the story, promising to join her before Christmas Eve.

Elizabeth flies to Nashville alone, rents a car for the first time, and drives to Sweetwater in Springdale, Tennessee. Her father, Edward Rhodes, and her stepmother, Anita, greet her warmly, though Elizabeth and Anita have a strained relationship. Later that evening, while sitting on the porch with her father, Elizabeth reminisces about her mother’s funeral. The mention of her mother makes Edward uncomfortable, and he ends the conversation.

Jack, Sally, and cameraman Kirk arrive at the home of Andrea Kinnear, a young woman who has agreed to an on-camera interview. Andrea recounts meeting Grayland at a party, being charmed by his attention, and going to his room. There, he became violent, hit her, and raped her. She explains that Athletic Director Bill Seagel intimidated her into not pressing charges, warning her that she had no proof and that coming forward would ruin her college years. She finally came forward after seeing Jack’s news report. Moved by her story and thinking of his own daughter Jamie, Jack tells Andrea she did the right thing, breaking his professional detachment. After hours of editing, Jack realizes he cannot make his scheduled seven o’clock flight to join Elizabeth.

Elizabeth drives back to Nashville and waits at the airport for her daughters. Her older daughter, Stephanie Shore, arrives first, perfectly put together. Her younger daughter, Jamie Shore, arrives last, dressed in black leather and combat boots. They drive to Sweetwater and are greeted by Edward and Anita. While playing cards, Jamie reveals that school is difficult and she broke up with her boyfriend, Eric. Jack calls to tell Elizabeth he cannot get away that day as hoped.

On Christmas Eve morning, Elizabeth finds a box of old ornaments and hangs a porcelain angel given to her by her late mother, one of her few cherished memories. Anita reveals she left the box out for Elizabeth, and they share an awkward but meaningful conversation about Jack’s absence. The doorbell rings. Jack has arrived, having flown all night to be there. Elizabeth forgives him, and they embrace.

On Christmas Day, the family ice-skates on the pond at Sweetwater, a longstanding tradition. While skating with Elizabeth, Edward tells her she is missing out on her own life and that he knows her marriage is unhappy. He almost reveals something about Elizabeth’s mother but stops himself. Jack joins Elizabeth on the ice and begins recounting his story’s success, but she remains distracted by her father’s words.

After Jack and Elizabeth return to Echo Beach, Jack’s career takes off as the Grayland story goes national, making him a media hero once again. Elizabeth feels diminished by his success and is secretly jealous, recalling the negative aspects of his first period of fame when he was a star in New York. In a moment of impulsive frustration, she takes a sledgehammer and knocks a large hole in the dining room wall, planning to install French doors. That evening, Jack comes home excited, announcing he has been booked to appear on Larry King Live and that they have two first-class tickets to fly out together.

Elizabeth is forced to show him the massive hole in the wall. They acknowledge that the hole makes it impossible to leave the house unattended, complicating her ability to travel with him and creating tension between them. However, Elizabeth is privately relieved at the prospect of spending a few days alone. They smooth over the conflict, but Elizabeth feels the strain, noting that even a romantic getaway has become difficult. Instead of arguing further, they discuss what he should wear on the show, ending the night by exchanging I-love-yous.