Episode 5 of Shadow and Bone season 2 opens with Kirigan's return to his workshop, only to find it devastated, every corner in shambles. Vladim, present in the wreckage, attempts futilely to engage Kirigan in conversation about his relentless pursuit of perfecting the amplifier. But Kirigan is unyielding, his mind focused solely on his goal, and he strides out, slamming the door shut in Vladim's face.
With Genya and Baghra's escape fresh in his mind, Kirigan's desperation to reclaim the Sun Summoner intensifies. Meanwhile, Alina gathers her strength in the caves, surrounded by the wounded, including a Grisha who suffered the shadow creature's attack in the previous episode. Watching his treatment triggers Alina's turmoil, and she struggles mightily to harness her power, Kirigan's omnipresent image clouding her mind.
However, the arrival of Baghra and Genya brings a ray of solace. Alina embraces Genya warmly, yet Nikolai's rage ignites upon learning that it was Genya who poisoned the King. He teeters on the brink of losing control, but Alina's calming words remind him that Genya was manipulated by the Darkling. This shifts Nikolai's focus to Kirigan, vowing vengeance against him.
Amidst this turmoil, a tender moment blossoms between David and Genya. David's smooth words charm their way back into Genya's good graces, and he praises her beauty.
As the story progresses, Tolya and Zoya arrive in Ketterdam, proposing a mission to Kaz and his group: retrieving the lost blade. Inej, despite being excluded, intends to join regardless of Kaz's objections. Kaz delves deeper into the mystery and discovers that the Neshyenyer at Ahmrat Jen is a mere facade. The sword has been stolen by a cunning thief known as The Disciple, a man renowned for his expertise in stealing relics of the Saints.
The group travels to Ohval Saran, a woman who operates a tea shop and might possess crucial information on the sword's whereabouts. They converge in Bhez Zu, a bustling Shu town, and engage Ohval over a cup of tea. But the meeting takes an unexpected turn when Ohval snubs their offer, declaring that she does not associate with thieves and refuses to divulge any information.
After a tense exchange between Wylan and Jesper, the gang reunites, with each revealing secrets to the other. Jesper discovers Wylan's illiteracy, while Wylan realizes Jesper is a Grisha hiding in plain sight. Kaz shrewdly deduces that Ohval, their tea lady, is indeed The Disciple they've been hunting. Her ability to control emotions and heartbeat hints that she possesses the coveted sword. Convinced that Ohval betrayed them, Kaz decides to steal the sword while she's away, planning a daring heist.
Meanwhile, Alina realizes she must break her bond with the Darkling, Kirigan, if they stand any chance of stopping him. Confronting him directly, Alina unleashes her amplified stag power, nearly collapsing the entire structure in her hypnotic state. Mal, arriving at the scene, pulls Alina back from the brink, but unfortunately interrupts her just as she was about to sever the bond, leaving Kirigan lulled into a false sense of security.
Displeased, Alina and Mal hash out their differences, ending with Mal conceding and promising to retrieve the Firebird, though the exchange leaves a bitter taste. Baghra offers insights on the Firebird, suggesting Morozova's workshop as a potential starting point. Alina makes her choice, returning Nikolai's ring and embracing her true calling, refusing to be bound by marriage at this moment. Before departing, Nikolai hands her his Lucky Compass, a token that will guide her back to him.
Pekka Rollins is thrown into the depths of Hellgate, where a prisoner attempts to make a name for himself. However, the crime boss is too cunning to be taken down by a mere upstart. He easily defeats the challenger, rallying the other prisoners to work for him. Matthias, watching from afar, vows to exact his revenge.
Kaz's plan progresses, but as always in this series, things go awry. Nina is caught off guard by Ohval on the street, while Zoya loses track of them in the bustling marketplace. Unaware of these developments, Kaz and the others break into Ohval's house, only to find the place booby-trapped. The room fills with poisonous gas, and an egg timer begins its countdown, as our characters lose consciousness one by one.
As the episode draws to a close, Nina awakens to find Zoya at her side, having discovered her in the street. Nina, quick-thinking, had cleverly played dead, slowing her heartbeat to deceive Ohval. With Ohval gone, Nina and Zoya are left with no answers and a race against time to save the Crows.
