In the final episode of Special Ops, two pivotal moments stood out like bookends. Firstly, Mallorca was confirmed as the venue for the wedding, a location that held significant promise and excitement. Secondly, Cruz and Aaliyah shared a kiss that was charged with emotional intensity, leaving their relationship hanging in the balance.
As Episode 7 of Special Ops: Lioness begins, the scene shifts to Langley, where Byron, Kaitlyn, and Joe are frantically coordinating their efforts over the phone. Their mission is clear: to eliminate Amrohi without fail. The urgency is palpable, prompting Kaitlyn to advise Byron to bypass official channels and instead rely on their personal resources. They must assemble a team in Mallorca, and time is of the essence.
Meanwhile, Cruz and Aaliyah are driving into New York City, their hearts filled with excitement as they prepare to shop for their wedding. They head to Mindel's, where the tension mounts as they confront each other about the kiss. Cruz initially appears to be playing it off, but it soon becomes apparent that her feelings are genuine. Aaliyah leads Cruz to a hotel room, where their passions ignite in a fiery embrace.
Afterwards, Cruz breaks down in tears, overwhelmed by guilt and the realization of what she is about to do. She finds herself deeply in love with Aaliyah and texts Joe to request a meeting. Joe, who had earlier tasked Kyle with tailing Cruz, arrives at the hotel room shortly after Kyle lets Cruz in.
The two women engage in a profound conversation, with Joe striving to reassure Cruz that she can carry out the mission despite her personal feelings. Joe firmly states that Aaliyah's fate is already sealed, and there is no escaping it. Aaliyah, meanwhile, sees a glimmer of freedom in Cruz, a quality she has always desired in her life. Joe's powerful words seem to have a profound effect on Cruz, who is now more determined than ever to complete her task.
The climax of the scene comes when Joe reminds Cruz of the gravity of their mission. Amrohi, she reminds Cruz, is the financier of numerous terrorist activities worldwide, and their actions could have a significant impact on global security. Cruz, now fully aware of the stakes, prepares herself for the upcoming challenge, her heart heavy with both love and duty.
Cruz trudges back to the room, her footsteps dragging heavily as she nears the door where Aaliyah waits, anxiety visible in every twitch of her fingertips. Inside, the atmosphere is charged with tension as Cruz flips the switch, silencing the transmitter, and announces that she cannot accompany Aaliyah to Mallorca. Aaliyah's revelation explodes like a bombshell, shattering the silence. She whispers that her father will not be attending the wedding; instead, he will be lurking in the shadows of Riyadh, unable to risk a public appearance.
Cruz's face softens as she absorbs this news, and she flips the switch back, reactivating the transmitter. Joe and Kyle, poised to flee in a panic, halt their hasty departure and strain to listen to the unfolding drama. Cruz's abrupt departure from the hotel leaves them reeling, and Joe urges her to rendezvous at the base, where Kaitlyn is impatiently waiting.
The reunion is explosive, as Joe and Kaitlyn unleash a barrage of questions and accusations at Cruz. Their anger is palpable; Cruz has jeopardized the operation with her personal feelings. The marine confesses that she is not trained for such covert missions and cannot compartmentalize her emotions. Kaitlyn, seizing on Aaliyah's revelation, suggests aborting the mission to salvage the program. But Joe is resolute; she tells Cruz to clear her mind and compares her situation to a battlefield where stakes are high and margins for error slim.
Aaliyah had begged Cruz to accompany her to Riyadh, but Cruz had refused, realizing that canceling the wedding would spell doom for Aaliyah. Now, Cruz's path leads to Barcelona, and Kyle will be her shadow. Joe and Kaitlyn are divided over Cruz's role in the mission, but Joe concedes that she will follow Kaitlyn's orders to the letter.
Joe's domestic concerns loom large as her daughter Kate prepares to return home for her rehabilitation journey. The young woman will be confined to a wheelchair for at least a week before gradually progressing to crutches. Kate's heart sinks when Joe mentions that she'll be absent for the upcoming week, as the thought of Neal assisting her with personal tasks like using the bathroom and bathing fills her with discomfort. Joe attempts to reassure her, explaining that a nurse will be there to lend a helping hand.
It seems as though Joe is destined to walk away once again, accustomed to the cold shoulder she often receives from her daughter. But Kate's recent car accident has transformed her perspective, drawing them closer than ever. She calls Joe back, inquiring about her upcoming mission and expressing a heartfelt wish for her mother's safe return. Although a daughter's love and concern for her mother are natural and expected, the intensity of Kate's affection overwhelms Joe. Given the trials and tribulations they have faced together, this moment feels like a triumphant milestone.
Neal offers Joe his reassurance, vowing that everything will be taken care of at home. Meanwhile, Kaitlyn bids a fond farewell to Errol as she prepares to depart for the mission, her presence crucial in overseeing its success. Errol reminds her of the significance of eliminating Amrohi, stressing that it's the key to stabilizing the region and ensuring lasting peace. Such an action would also mend the frayed relations between the United States and the beleaguered people of these war-torn countries.
The episode comes to a close with Joe showing Cruz footage from various bombings that Amrohi has financed, her resolve to eliminate him now as solid as iron.
