Episode 4 of "Countdown" kicks off with the task force meticulously scouring the charred remnants of the dance hall, while Mark, alongside Officer Damon Drew, rides in the ambulance, Drew's labored breathing filling the cabin with an air of impending doom. Tragically, Drew succumbs to his injuries during surgery, his life extinguished too soon.
As the LAPD hotly pursues Mikhail, Blythe steadfastly reminds the task force not to let Drew's ultimate sacrifice be in vain, urging them to press onward with their mission. Mark, his voice laden with gravity, reveals his newfound insights: blueprints, a map of the LA port, and the name Gallagher etched in his memory.
Drew's demise provides DA Valwell with an opportunity to report adversely on the task force, prompting the LAPD to request the return of Mark and Finau. Blythe, incensed, confronts Valwell, her voice a blend of warning and threat, daring him to withdraw his complaints and stand down.
Elsewhere, Mikhail and Borys convene, but it becomes evident that Mikhail's concerns lie far from terrorist plots, instead fixed on his family's welfare and his financial empire. Borys' menacing reminder of their shared mission cowers Mikhail into submission, his resolve weakening under the pressure.
Back at their base, Bell checks in on Shepherd, who has borne the heart-wrenching task of informing Cora, Drew's grieving widow, of her husband's passing. Mark is racked with regret over his harebrained undercover maneuver, but Oliveras offers him a blend of tough love and comfort, steadying his shattered nerves.
Shepherd's sleuthing uncovers Mikhail's true identity, setting the stage for their relentless pursuit. They corner Mikhail's wife, Tatsiana, in her desperate bid to flee. She feigns ignorance and sorrow, tears streaming down her cheeks, but their doubts remain unshaken. Threatening to ensnare her as an accomplice, they crack her façade. of Chinatown.
He makes an appearance, only to discern from her expression that something is amiss. His gaze falls upon Bell, and shortly thereafter, he recognizes Mark. A thrilling pursuit ensues, culminating in their capture of him. Concurrently, Blythe inquiries about Valwell with Bell, revealing that Valwell is indeed one of the heroes. Early in his professional journey, he dared to tackle a perilous case that others shunned, securing justice for the victims. Drew's desk is now barren, and Shepherd, looking sorrowful, takes possession of his Little League cap.
Transitioning to the interrogation, Mikhail remains steadfast, unperturbed even by threats to his wife's well-being. In search of dirt, the task force delves into the background of Dmitry, the driver who ferried Timur and Mark to Mikhail's dance hall. Fortunately, Shepherd and Bell manage to track him down.
They confront him at his workplace, sparking another exhilarating chase, which Mark ultimately brings to a halt with remarkable ease. Oliveras frames him with heroin and fabricates false charges. To their delight, they uncover leverage in the form of Mikhail's illegitimate daughter, Anya. As they head back to base, Mark expresses curiosity about the heroin, but Oliveras curtly silences him.
Shepherd volunteers to take the lead, her resemblance to Anya making her an ideal candidate, and the team concurs. Blythe adopts the role of the stern cop, while Shepherd plays the compassionate one, concerned about Anya's future. Under this pressure, Mikhail cracks, divulging information about Volchek, albeit limited, highlighting his patriotic motives.
A meeting with Borys is arranged at a private airport, but the task force falls into a trap, arresting a decoy instead. Meanwhile, the real Borys sits in a cinema, a flashback showing him noticing the task force as Mikhail orchestrates their meeting. In the present, he looks disgusted as the audience around him laughs at the movie.
As Countdown Episode 4 draws to a close, Blythe vows to crack the case. Cora arrives, pleading with the task force not to let Drew's sacrifice be in vain. They hold a poignant mini-funeral for him in the office, honoring his memory.
