at the center of the series is u.s. senator william powers, a parody of the political establishment in washington, d.c. margaret, the senator's status-hungry wife, treats charlotte, their maid, with comedic disdain. caitlyn, the senator's daughter, has an eating disorder and is married to representative theodore van horne, who is suicidal; their son, pierce, is mature beyond his years from having to care for his unbalanced parents. sophie lipkin, the senator's illegitimate daughter, is a loud, crass new jerseyan who surprises the family when she moves to washington and begins to bond with her father. the senator's staff includes an intelligent and beautiful aide, jordan miller — who is also powers' mistress — and the feckless aide bradley grist.