Episode 3 of Kleo's second season kicks off with Kimberley nestled in bed, her red suitcase an enigmatic companion in the shadows, her whereabouts shrouded in mystery. Meanwhile, Kleo lands in Belgrade, diving straight into her quest for answers. She stumbles upon Rade, whose mellifluous voice echoes with an old melody, stirring memories long buried.
Rade, a confidant of Kleo's father, unravels a shocking truth: her dad's death in a car accident was a fabrication. He confesses that the man had betrayed his homeland, seduced by the allure of the West and its ideologies. A hit was ordered, and he abandoned Kleo in its wake. Though intrigued, Kleo senses there's more to this tale, but Rade's lips are sealed tight.
Determined, Kleo probes deeper, mentioning the Moni safehouse and The Bear mission, but Rade's revelations are scarce, save for confirming the existence of the former hideout. He cautions Kleo, urging her to tread cautiously. As Kleo departs, Rade swiftly phones Nikolai, divulging her whereabouts, bound by Nikolai's unyielding demands.
Kleo arrives at a hotel, only to find her stay already arranged, its interior a testament to questionable aesthetics. Sven's name adorns the reservation, their rooms adjacent, yet Kleo barely acknowledges his presence. Sven, in turn, attempts to charm a woman at the bar, unbeknownst to him that it's Kimberley. His charms fall flat as Kim gathers her things and exits gracefully.
Realization dawns on Kleo that Rade's words were but a veil, concealing the fact that her father didn't flee but faced a darker fate. She heads to the old Moni safehouse, Sven hot on her heels. On the balcony, a child-informant alerts her to a sniper's watchful eye in the neighboring edifice. A thrilling chase ensues, and Kleo emerges victorious, only to confront a grim sight—Rade, lifeless.
Back at the hotel, Sven confides in Kleo, sharing the tempting offer from Rose at the CIA that he promptly rejected. He vows his loyalty, eager to prove himself to her, his honesty a testament to his unwavering allegiance. But Kleo's trust remains elusive, his efforts seemingly falling on deaf ears.
Meanwhile, Thilo's descent into drug-induced escapades intensifies, accompanied by his newfound companion Ciana, embarking on wild adventures. Kleo's urgent call disrupts their haze, cautioning him of the CIA's relentless pursuit. She implores secrecy regarding her whereabouts, casting doubt on Ciana's true intentions, warning him to guard his words lest she be a spy in disguise.
Sven, on the other hand, persists in his charm offensive towards Kimberley, who entices him to join her on the dance floor that fateful night. As the music slows, their bodies intertwine, unaware of Kleo's envious gaze from the balcony, her heart heavy with jealousy. Retreating to her room, she seeks solace in the aged cassette left by Holger, its melodies echoing her turmoil.
Uwe storms into Margot's abode, furious at Kleo's departure to Belgrade. Yet, Margot remains unfazed, her knowledge of the KGB coup and Nikolai's ascendancy fueling her conviction that their Western appeasement will soon cease. The impending operation, Ludsch, led by her former mentor Rossbach, looms large on the horizon.
Sven, fresh from his tryst with Kimberley, seizes the red suitcase and flees as she indulges in a shower. Parallelly, Thilo uncovers Ciana's true colors, realizing she's a CIA operative through a subtle clue in her name's initials. Ciana confronts Rose, apologetic for the turn of events.
Sven, heedless, rushes to present the briefcase to Kleo, only to discover it's a decoy, merely containing Kimberley's attire. His detective instincts ignite, deciphering Kimberley's name as another cryptic clue, unmasking her as Agent Bear.
Kleo, gun in hand, confronts Kimberley, who maintains a façade of ignorance until the mention of Agent Bear prompts a confrontation. Their battle escalates, a breathless chase leading to the rooftop, where Kleo emerges victorious. Dangling precariously over the abyss, Kimberley's resolve cracks, revealing that Ludsch allies in Berlin possess the vital files. A sinister plan unfolds, orchestrated by the Stasi and KGB, to forge a Soviet Republic of Germany, fusing the Federal Republic and GDR into the Soviet Union's embrace.
The documents, as instructed, were deposited at a designated drop site in Ernst-Thalmann-Platz, Berlin. But this reveal culminates in tragedy as Kimberley lunges at Kleo, only to be hurled off the rooftop, plummeting to her demise. Sven, horrified, chastises Kleo for her ruthless actions, urging her to embrace her humanity. This pivotal moment forges an unlikely alliance between them, as they resolve to collaborate, albeit loosely, on their shared mission.
