Similar to the real-life model, Martha Logan becomes contemptuous of her husband's conduct in office and decides to go public and end his career.

[4][5][6] Mrs. Mitchell was a key whistleblower who contacted the press to disclose facts about the Watergate scandal, and for a time her statements were discredited because people believed she had a mental illness.

"[7] Howard Gordon, the executive producer of 24, said that, during character development, they "wanted an actress that had the strength and intelligence to be a first lady, yet have the unpredictability of never knowing when she might snap."

[4] Smart later told The New York Times that she decided she was eager to play the role after reading the character's introductory scene, and commented that in her almost 30 years of acting she had come across few roles that offered the possibilities that this one did: a character that is sexy, mysterious, and powerful, yet is mentally unstable and has lost her trust and respect for her husband.

'"[2] On her first day on set, Smart was shocked to learn the producers wanted to cut the scene, a decision she felt was a mistake.

[11] Prior to his death, Palmer asks to meet Martha to discuss a "matter of national security" involving Charles Logan.

Several hours later, Martha is frustrated to see her husband negotiating with terrorist Vladimir Bierko and his willingness to compromise Yuri Suvarov and his wife's safety.

[14] Martha continues to question Logan's motives as her husband attempts to prevent her from finding out about his role in Palmer's death.

[17] Joe Rhodes of The New York Times devoted a review to the character on February 19, 2006: About the only thing viewers might not have been able to anticipate was that this season's break-out character would be a high-strung, sharp-tongued and off-her-meds first lady of the United States, a woman who screams, "I will have your family eating dog food out of a can" at Secret Service agents trying to keep her away from a presidential news conference.

"[6] Smart was also nominated for an Emmy for her performance, Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Category, but lost the award to Blythe Danner.