The opening of "Iterum Nata," the tenth episode of Absentia season 3, unfolds with Emily opening the files and urging Nick to input the password. The files are filled with chemical purchases and communications, and Emily, aware of the imminent threat posed by the bioagent, is on a tight deadline. As she grapples with this information, Interpol arrives and arrests them both, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
As the episode progresses, we see a warm return for Emily as she reunites with her family. Flynn asks her if it was difficult to rescue his father and thanks her for bringing him back. Meanwhile, the FBI sifts through the files, which will take weeks to decipher.
Emily's investigation deepens as she delves into Dawkins' phone in the basement, looking at photos of Julianne and continuing to suspect her involvement. Her father gives her the phone, and she asks someone to access the residual data. Her endgame has always been Julianne, especially after she ruthlessly killed Alice.
Emily and Crown meet up, and Crown believes he has missed something with Foster. They both look intently at each other and Crown says they have to play smart. On the news, Brigitte Kerlan, CEO of Border Outreach, is discussing the refugee breakout. The coincidence that this woman who is in charge of a non-profit for refugees is at the party with the same guy who is testing on refugees cannot be overlooked. The plot thickens in this intense finale.
Emily is alerted that she is in the Meridian file as part of Project Quill. Cal offers her a drink, but she declines, focused on following Julianne. There's a sense of foreboding in "Iterum Nata" that this could end badly.
As Emily once again meets with the investigator over the files, the hunt for connections to Brigitte Kerlan and Meridian intensifies. Brigitte, along with her husband, is at the helm of one of the largest pharmaceutical conglomerates, with wire transfers between Kerlan Pharmaceuticals and Meridian's offshore shell accounts, orchestrated by Elliot. Despite her saintly facade at Border Outreach, Brigitte was secretly working with Elliot. The truth begins to unravel in the final act as Emily peels back the layers, revealing a web of deceit.
As Cal pays a visit to Emily's abode, he and Emily descend into the basement, his heart beating with anticipation as he wants to see where she truly lives. He apologizes for the phone texts with Julianne, claiming he was merely buying time to keep her safe. Emily dismisses the need for protection, prompting Cal to ask, "What do you truly need?" Just as he's about to kiss her, he whispers, "Let me know," and exits, knowing there's more between them. This moment is a testament to the unspoken chemistry between them.
With urgency in his step, Nick makes his way to Kerlan Pharmaceuticals and requests to speak with Brigitte at reception. When Brigitte refuses to come downstairs, Nick turns to Julianne, begging her to bring Brigitte in, as she has met her before. However, Julianne hesitates, reluctant to involve Emily in this delicate situation. As time seems to be running out for Julianne with new information surfacing constantly, she eventually relents.
The interview commences, with Cal and Nick accusing Brigitte of using Border Outreach as a shield for illegal experiments. They present her with wire transfers that Julianne was unaware of, causing her to enter the room and halt the proceedings in disbelief. Julianne's fury boils over as she demands to be kept in the loop regarding evidence that wasn't vetted by her. It's clear that Julianne is grappling with the fear of exposure, her anxiety palpable in every breath she takes.
As the midpoint of Absentia season 3, episode 10, "Iterum Nata," Emily climbs into the elevator with Brigitte and demands her lawyer's departure. Brigitte, sensing the tension, warns Emily that "this could get ugly." Their mutual threats echo through the elevator as they exit, leaving a sense of unease. Once Emily returns home, a photo of her and Flynn is stuck on the window, reminding her that the family is still a target.
The revelation that Julianne is the mole is a major turning point in the story. As the man who has been snooping on Dawkins' phones calls Emily, he shares the unlisted calls to Europe from Boston. Emily dials the number while spying on Julianne, but her phone rings unanswered. Crown deems it insufficient evidence, but when Emily shares the texts revealing Julianne's tip-off to Elliot about Kai's hiding spot, it becomes clear that Julianne is connected to Kerlan Pharmaceuticals.
The emotional climax of the episode comes when Emily and her father leave the house just in time for it to explode, with Nick and Flynn inside. It's a shocking moment, but Nick and Flynn have faked their deaths for their own protection, ensuring Emily can complete her mission without worrying about their safety. As they prepare to leave for good, Emily stares at Flynn's face, etched in her memory. Nick assures her it was the right decision, and he'll keep Flynn safe, signaling his readiness to be a full-time father.
Brigitte's arrest adds another layer of drama to the episode. As news spreads during a board meeting that her company was involved in illegal medical research, the source is revealed to be a hacker named Kai. It's fitting that Kai gets her moment of revenge. The FBI finds biological agents, and Brigitte is arrested.
The chase for Julianne reaches its peak as Crown tracks her trying to delete files in the office. Emily follows closely behind, and when Julianne meets a man on the roof and hands over the data, he punches her to the ground. Emily springs into action, fighting with the man until she finally impales him with a metal tube. The violence is shocking but necessary to finish the season on a high note.
In their final meeting, Emily confronts Julianne in federal prison. Julianne asks why Emily didn't kill her on the rooftop, and Emily is unsure. As they discuss their motivations, it becomes clear that Julianne wanted to be part of the privileged world like Emily's but soon realized she was disposable too. This scene highlights the contrast between the two women: Emily embraces morals while Julianne craves power.
The episode ends with Emily working behind a bar and being visited by Cal with a big smile on his face. They flirt and Em hits a break to ask him if he wants to work together again before leaving him a drink with a hotel room key under the coaster. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving audiences eager for more of this brilliant character and storyline in Absentia.
