Episode 9 of "Countdown" kicks off with a harrowing scene: Blythe, bloodied and faint, manages to propel himself towards his vehicle, desperately punching in an emergency call. Meanwhile, at his residence, Mark is caught in a tempest of panic as the pills that once numbed his pain have lost their efficacy. Despite his discomfort, he dashes to the hospital upon hearing Blythe's plight. There, he encounters a wall of uncooperativeness, but Oliveras spots a glimmer of hope in the form of his childhood acquaintance, Dr. Julio, who provides crucial updates on Blythe's surgery through a back channel.
The task force dives into the crime scene, piecing together the narrative with precision. While Mark deftly diverts the LAPD's attention, Oliveras slips away with the file Astapov was meant to deliver to Blythe. Fears about Borys' next steps prompt Finau to urge his wife to flee Los Angeles. The breakthrough comes when they discover Sergei, the Russian forger who betrayed Borys to Rolf, mentioned in the file. Inevitably, a thrilling chase ensues, culminating in Sergei's capture. Mark, woozy and on the brink of plunging from a towering building, is narrowly saved by Finau. Their persistence pays off as Sergei agrees to cooperate in exchange for a deal.
Shepherd unearths that all of Borys' aliases have been incinerated, save for Karel Novak. As they track Karel, Molly's persistent calls go unanswered by Shepherd. Mark, overwhelmed with self-reproach, creates a commotion in the bathroom, only to be soothed by Oliveras' calming presence.
Blythe, miraculously alive, is eager to resume his duties, but after some playful banter and a bout of petulance, he concedes to remaining under hospital supervision. Oliveras enlists Julio's help for Mark, who is participating in clinical trials and willingly agrees, hinting at a burgeoning fondness for Oliveras.
Elsewhere, Nina Finau is at her daughters' school, initially hesitant when their teacher proposes they participate in a poetry competition at the Vine. Her resolve melts, and she gives her consent.
Back at headquarters, Shepherd and Bell share an intimate moment. He confesses his initial skepticism towards her, given her rookie status, but now admires her tech prowess. She aspires to prove herself in the field as well. Mark apologizes to Oliveras for his earlier outburst and, in return, she gently nudges him towards considering Julio's assistance. Though hesitant, he seems to relent.
The task force uncovers a movie production office bearing Karel's name—Kestrel Entertainment, yet the premises stand desolate and abandoned. Blythe returns to the fold, and together they delve into uncovering the nexus between Kestrel Entertainment and Borys's sinister designs. Mark's memory jogs at the mention of a seemingly out-of-place production truck. With filming permits in their arsenal, Gallagher Freight trucks, cleverly disguised as filming vehicles, can roam and park with impunity. Not surprisingly, Shepherd discovers a filming permit granted to Kestrel, and the location is none other than Vine.
As if on a cue, two such trucks are stationed close to the Finau kids' elocution competition. Andrej and Borys, with sinister smiles, prepare the trucks for a fiery demise via remote control. Borys delivers a monologue, relishing the notion that this act will cement their infamy. Their final vision, they muse, will be the chaos they unleash.
The task force sprints towards Vine with all haste. Scrutinizing the short-range, remote-controlled bombs, they deduce that this is a murder-suicide plot. Shepherd and Bell step up to the plate, tasked with defusing the bombs until the bomb squad arrives. With minimal clues to go on, they exert every ounce of their expertise to decipher the deadly devices. Meanwhile, the rest of the team embarks on a manhunt for Borys.
Horror strikes as a stunned Finau, glimpsing his family in peril, draws a gun and initiates an urgent evacuation. Amidst the ensuing pandemonium, Mark spots Borys. His face a mask of smug satisfaction, Borys depresses the ignite button, sending Countdown Episode 9 into its climactic throes.
