State of Play

On a fateful night in Georgetown, thief Deshaun Stagg finds himself in a harrowing pursuit through the streets. His fate is sealed when he encounters a mysterious man with a metal briefcase, leading to his untimely death.

A pizza deliveryman witnesses the crime and tragically gets caught in the crossfire. His newfound invulnerability leads him to a coma state, marking a grim consequence of the night's violence.

The following day, tragedy strikes when young Sonia Baker is struck by a Washington Metro train. Her death is initially ruled a suicide, deeply affecting Congressman Stephen Collins, who mourns the loss of his valued chief researcher.

Congressman Collins is devastated upon learning that Sonia was the woman who died. During a press hearing, he breaks down, revealing the emotional toll her death has caused and sparking media speculation about their relationship.

Collins, a military veteran, is leading an inquiry into PointCorp, a defense contractor with questionable practices. As he faces pressure from party leaders to cease investigations, he feels increasingly isolated and conflicted.

Collins confides in his old friend, Cal McAffrey, an investigative journalist. He admits to having had an affair with Sonia and shares details of a cheerful video message he received that morning, leading him to believe she was not suicidal.

Political reporter Della Frye uncovers a vital piece of information: Sonia's death occurred in a blind spot of the Metro's CCTV system. This revelation connects her death to a series of recent violent crimes.

Cal gets in touch with Mandi, a homeless girl who provides him with photographs linked to Stagg. The images reveal a gun and bullets along with a picture of Sonia with a well-dressed man, deepening the mystery.

As Della interviews the pizza deliveryman at the hospital, he is suddenly shot dead by a sniper. This tragic incident heightens the tension and escalates the threat enveloping the investigation.

Collins publicly accuses PointCorp of employing retired soldiers for mercenary operations. He reveals their manipulative practices involve leveraging government contracts while endangering lives, igniting further controversy.

Cal receives an anonymous tip about a key figure, Fred Summers, and tracks him down. However, he faces the alleged assassin, who threatens him before making a dramatic escape.

The investigation turns grim as Cal learns that Mandi, the girl who supplied the photographs, has been murdered. This shocking turn reinforces the violent reach of those involved in the conspiracy.

With the help of Sonia’s flatmate Rhonda, Della uncovers that Dominic Foy, a PR executive at PointCorp, is linked to the case. They learn about a complicated love triangle and potential motives behind Sonia's death.

Cal successfully entraps Foy into discussing Sonia during an interview, uncovering that she was spying on Collins for PointCorp. This revelation puts Collins in a precarious position, igniting questions of betrayal and complicity.

Cal exposes the intricate conspiracy, leading to Collins' arrest for his involvement in Sonia's death and other killings. In his moment of clarity, Cal credits Della for her support, highlighting the power of their collaboration against corruption.