In this episode, Dan Goldin officially starts on his job as the new NASA Administrator and uncovers what is the complex, carefully constructed, system of relationships that the folks of the Old NASA Institution have established in Washington. In doing so, he realizes what the situation of the Space Station Freedom actually is - it's at an impasse.

"Man in Black: Perhaps an arrangement can be reached?Vizzini: There will be no arrangements -- and you're killing her!Man in Black: But if there can be no arrangement, then we are at an impasse."

- The Princess Bride, 1987