In the tense and captivating fourth installment of "Bank Under Siege," entitled "Number 1," the series delves deep into the enigmatic persona of Jose, the genius orchestrator of the bank heist. The episode kicks off with a poignant flashback to Jose's childhood, where a traumatic incident—a harsh slap from a priest for stealing a coin from the donation plate—ignited the spark of criminality within him. This singular act of violence paved the way for a life marred by relentless robberies and an incessant cycle of violence and theft.
The narrative seamlessly transitions to a scene where Jose and his accomplice, Jose Maria, perpetrate a daring heist at a jewelry and watch store. The following morning, the police storm Jose's doorstep, demanding the whereabouts of the stolen treasures. Jose's steadfast silence incurs a brutal beating from the officers, painting a vivid picture of his life—a life where his unwavering silence and resilience serve as both his shield and his achilles' heel.
The episode then transports us back to the OJE camp, where Jose and his comrades undergo rigorous military training and are covertly recruited by Carrero Blanco for clandestine operations. These clandestine missions, ranging from robberies and kidnappings to blackmail, are strategically orchestrated to finance the shadowy operations of the Secret Service. Even as the unexpected demise of the president throws a wrench in the gears of the Secret Service, Jose and his team persist in their illicit endeavors with unwavering resolve.
A pivotal turn in Jose's life occurs when he is apprehended and incarcerated, where he crosses paths with a cellmate immersed in anarchist literature. This fateful encounter seemingly resonates with Jose, influencing his political beliefs and criminal modus operandi. Meanwhile, the police hot on the trail of a woman collaborating with Jose, eventually apprehend her. She identifies herself as Carmen, and a treasure trove of anarchist books found at her residence further underscores the ideological motivations driving the robbers.
In a poignant moment, Jose confides in Jorge, pouring out his heartfelt love for his wife, Christina, and expressing his earnest wish that she would know he thought of her until the very end, if fate were to call him away. This heartfelt confession unveils the profound depths of his personal relationships and the authentic, human side of a man often mistakenly perceived as a heartless criminal.
The episode then transports us through the tapestry of Jose and Christina's relationship, from the serendipitous moment of their meeting to their fateful entanglement in the bombing of the Spanish Consulate in Perpignan. As Franco's life ebbs away, their activism intensifies, ultimately culminating in their capture and imprisonment.
Switching to the present-day narrative, chaos reigns supreme inside the bank, where the hostages wreak havoc while only two robbers attempt to quell the tumult. On the rooftop, one robber capitulates after witnessing another fall to the Special Forces' bullets, ratcheting up the tension even further. In a cunning deception, Jose and his cohorts masquerade as hostages, slipping out of the building amidst the bedlam, leaving Lopez and the Special Ops team discombobulated, unable to discern friend from foe.
"Number 1" is a potent episode that delves deeply into the life of Jose, painting a multifaceted portrait of a man driven by a complex amalgamation of personal vendettas, political beliefs, and a life steeped in crime. The episode weaves the past and present together with masterful dexterity, illustrating how Jose's earlier deeds have sculpted the ongoing siege. As the episode draws to a close, viewers are left with a profound understanding of the man behind the mask and the motivations that propel him.
