Episode 5 of Special Ops: Lioness opens with Cruz waking up in a CIA safe house, finally regaining her bearings after the confusion and panic of episode 4's climax. Tucker briefs her on the events of the previous night, leaving Cruz bewildered and searching for answers. Her voice trembles with a mixture of apprehension and horror as she queries the mysterious disappearance of her underwear, only to be reassured by Tucker that her dignity remains intact.
Meanwhile, Joe and Kaitlyn arrive at the hospital to visit Kate, whose pregnancy has tragically been rejected by her body. Kaitlyn grants Joe a couple of precious hours to be with Kate, before she must return to her professional duties. Kate's recovery remains uncertain, leaving them without any guarantees that she will soon return to her former self.
In a deeply emotional confrontation, Joe confronts Kate about her life choices. It's a pivotal moment in the series, as Joe pleads with her not to take out her anger towards him on herself. The CIA veteran bares her soul, confessing that she hasn't fulfilled her role as a mother, among other regrets. This candid moment could be a turning point in their relationship, and one can only hope that it leads to positive changes.
As Kaitlyn and Joe ride together in the car, she offers Joe some sage advice. She warns him not to repeat the mistakes of her own marriage to Errol, even suggesting that he might be better suited as a station chief elsewhere. She then takes Joe to Langley, the CIA's headquarters, for a meeting with Deputy Director Byron Westfield. Kyle is also present, and Byron makes it clear that their unsanctioned and illegal operation has broken the CIA's rules of engagement. The tension in the room is palpable, as they face the consequences of their actions and the uncertain future that lies ahead.
Despite the ambiguous gray area surrounding the intelligence on Al-Qaeda operatives, the information was actionable and vital. Joe's team had already made their way to San Antonio, determined to apprehend these individuals. Kyle would spearhead the operation, while Joe would orchestrate the tactical maneuvers.
However, Westfield wasn't quite ready to let Joe off the hook. He issued a stern warning: no deployment of CIA assets without his explicit consent. To prevent any further missteps, Kaitlyn herself would oversee this crucial mission.
During the briefing, Joe's team voiced their discomfort with the strict orders. They were instructed not to return fire if engaged, but only to capture their targets alive. The stakes were sky-high as they watched the terrorists busy arming bombs, seemingly preparing for an imminent deployment. The possibility loomed that they might have to abandon the bombs without disarming them, potentially leading to casualties on their side.
Due to the limited size of the team, Cruz and Joe would join the field operatives. But at the eleventh hour, the mission parameters shifted as Joe's team was authorized to eliminate the targets due to the imminent threat posed by the bombs. They carried out the orders successfully, but one of the subjects triggered his suicide vest, sparking a frantic evacuation of the neighborhood and summoning a bomb squad to secure the site.
It soon transpired that the mission hadn't been kept under wraps as the media got wind of the operation and the identities of the targets. When Kaitlyn returned home, Errol showed her the news report, hinting at the likelihood of similar incidents in the future as Mexican cartels continued to send operatives across the border.
Kaitlyn seemed deeply affected by the events, announcing that she would invite their daughters for dinner that week. Perhaps this was inspired by what Joe had gone through. Meanwhile, Joe made his way to the hospital to visit Kate and Neal, who informed him that their daughter had been administered morphine to ease her pain. The entire scenario was fraught with tension and emotion, leaving everyone on edge and awaiting the next move in this high-stakes game.
At the secure hideout, Cruz flips open her phone and discovers that Aaliyah has been leaving frantic messages. As Cruz dials her number, Aaliyah's voice quivers with anxiety as she pleads for a FaceTime call, revealing the strain their friendship has been under. The mutual attraction between them is unmistakable, simmering beneath the surface.
The episode comes to a cliffhanger with a brilliant scene that showcases Joe striding purposefully towards Neal in the hospital lobby, a critical mission update flashing across the TV screens. But her determined gait is abruptly halted by the jangle of a phone call, causing her to pivot and attend to the incoming communication. The tension mounts as the viewer wonders who could be calling at such a crucial moment.
