Field plays Ohio governor Kate Nolan, who, in the opener, is quickly confirmed by the Senate. That's no surprise: Nolan's capable, likable and hard to pin down philosophically. How she'll fit in on the sharply divided court remains to be seen, however, as she weighs in on her first case, involving an Ohio woman serving a life sentence. At the same time, back in the Buckeye State, a TV reporter is digging for dirt on Kate.

Nolan looks both good and bad in cases involving securities fraud and abortion. But her clerks don't exactly cover themselves with glory. Meanwhile, Harlan and Betsy pursue what could be a major coup in the abortion-case story; and Nolan's long-time Ohio aide rejoins her in Washington.

It's the day before a Texas man is to be executed for a rape and murder, and his petition for a stay arrives at the Court. As usual, Nolan has the swing vote. Recent DNA evidence throws his guilt into question, but the Court can't rule on that. It can consider procedural matters, though, so Kate's clerks scour the trial record (and play devil's advocate with each other). Meanwhile, Harlan, who's covering the story in Texas with Betsy, receives an intriguing proposal from an old girlfriend.