We do need a catch-all term but "The Situation" isn't cutting it. "The Crisis" is an apt description. Would you prefer another word perhaps?
straits, exigency, emergency, turning point, urgency, necessity, dilemma, puzzle, perplexity, pressure, embarrassment, pinch, juncture, pass, change, contingency, plight, imbroglio, impasse, deadlock, entanglement, predicament, corner, decisive turn, decisive moment, critical juncture, critical situation, trauma, quandary, extremity, disaster, trial, crux, climacteric, moment of truth, hour of decision, crossroads, climax, clutch, pickle, stew, fix, mess, big trouble, kettle of fish, hot water, crunch
See also my earlier post on this and John's response.
