The thrilling opening episode of Alex Rider season 3 begins with Alex, Tom, and Kyra embarking on a daring mission to Malta, far from the usual touristic pursuits. Their objective? To track down the enigmatic Widow, a crucial piece in Alex's past puzzle and potentially the key to unlocking his biological father's identity. Malta, a stunning backdrop, holds more secrets than meets the eye. It's the birthplace of a shadowy organization, Scorpio, hell-bent on world domination.
The trio faces obstacles in their hunt for the Widow, but Alex's instincts are telling him she's lurking somewhere in Malta. Tom suggests enlisting the help of Alan Blunt from MI6, but Alex rejects the idea, citing Blunt's infamous penchant for keeping him in the dark.
As the episode unfolds, Max crosses paths with Julia, a woman intrigued by Alex's search for the Widow. Max informs her about Alex's whereabouts in Malta and his mission. Julia insists that Max sit down and spill the beans about Alex, hinting at a deeper connection or interest in his quest.
It becomes increasingly evident that Julia has been keeping a close eye on Alex since his arrival in Malta, suggesting a more profound involvement or stake in his mission. She arranges a video conference with the high-ranking members of Scorpia, where she reveals her involvement in a sinister project called "Invisible Sword." This operation aims to strike fear into the heart of the UK by targeting innocent citizens, hoping to coerce the nation into submission.
To demonstrate the devastating power of Invisible Sword, Julia remotely triggers a heart attack in Leary, a prominent banker, resulting in her untimely death. The scene is chilling, leaving no doubt about Julia's ruthless intentions and the gravity of the threat facing Alex and his companions.
With ambitious plans to unleash the Invisible Sword upon millions in the United Kingdom, Julia remains confident that the nation will acquiesce to Scorpia's demands. The question remains: Who is this mysterious Julia? There's a strong suspicion that she might be the Widow, the elusive figure Alex has been searching for. Kyra trails the Widow to a secluded villa, but she's suddenly ambushed by a squad of heavily armed guards. Alex springs into action, valiantly fighting off the guards just in time, but Kyra sustains a stabbing injury in the fray. This attack only fuels their belief that they're on the right trail.
Kyra fears it might be a trap set by Yassen and Scorpia, but Alex disagrees, sensing that everything is somehow connected to his past. Then, a phone call from Jack Starbright sheds new light on the situation. He reveals that the villa was purchased through a shell company under the name of Nicolai Rothman, a man long deceased. His wife, Julia, inherited the villa. Nowadays, Julia is hosting a private event at the Valletta Museum, and Alex decides to infiltrate the venue.
Kyra, her hacking skills at the ready, manages to sneak Alex onto the guest list, giving him a seamless entry into the museum. Once inside, Alex carefully tails Julia to the museum's library, where she's engaged in a hushed conversation with Dr. Kovacic, the scientist responsible for the creation of the Invisible Sword. Kovacic demands more money to keep his silence, and Julia obliges, handing him a pouch filled with eight million dollars worth of untraceable diamonds.
Alex tries his best to remain unseen, but his luck runs out when he's spotted by one of Julia's henchmen. After a brief but intense chase and scuffle, Alex manages to elude his pursuers and escape unscathed, leaving the museum with more questions than answers.
