Episode 2 of Season 2 of Special Ops: Lioness opens with Joe's return to the country, her steps purposeful as she heads straight into a crucial meeting with Kaitlyn and the JSOC officers. Her demeanor soured when she discovers that JSOC is attempting to select the next Lioness, having already narrowed down three potential candidates. Joe's patience snaps, insisting that she, and no one else, has the authority to choose her asset. With a storm of emotions, she exits the room, leaving Kaitlyn to attempt to smooth over the tense situation.
Joe argues vehemently that allowing JSOC to pick the new Lioness would be a mistake, emphasizing that the candidate must possess a skill set tailored to the mission's demands, not the other way around. She pleads with Kaitlyn for three days to find the right person. Kaitlyn, understanding the gravity of the situation, agrees and informs Joe that she will oversee the team's operations on the ground. With eyes watching their every move, they must proceed with utmost caution.
Returning home, Joe's heart skips a beat when she spots her youngest daughter, Charlie, and a friend selling lemonade outside. In a harrowing moment, Charlie steps into a stranger's car to assist them in hanging drawings they had purchased. Joe's instincts kick in, her hand instinctively reaching for her gun before relaxing when she realizes there's no immediate danger. She sternly warns Charlie never to enter anyone's vehicle, even potential customers.
Inside the house, Kate confronts Joe about her job, her curiosity piqued by a recent news appearance. Joe initially tries to brush it off with a lie, but Kate's persistence forces her to come clean. Joe shares with her daughter the truth about her work, prompting Kate to ask why she risks her life for the country. Joe responds with a poignant story about her grandfather, who, like her, joined the army to safeguard the nation from ever being invaded.
Later, Joe informs Neal of her impending departure, explaining that he feels less anxious when kept in the dark about her dangerous missions. Their conversation takes a intimate turn, leading to a passionate encounter before Joe packs up and bids Neal farewell once more. This time, Kate, watching her mother leave, can't help but shed tears.
Kaitlyn and Joe then drive to Fort Bliss, where they reunite with the team. Kaitlyn introduces Joe to new members, and Mason is notably displeased to see his ex, Tracer, among them. Joe isn't thrilled to be working with Kyle again, but accepts it as a necessary evil. Kyle briefs the team on the latest intelligence about the Mexican cartels, setting the stage for their next mission.
Their focus shifts intently towards the Los Tigress cartel, suspected to be the orchestrators behind the congresswoman's abduction. Kyle's meticulous research uncovers Alvaro as the cartel's enigmatic leader, with a sibling connection in the form of Pablo, an immigration lawyer practicing in the United States. Yet, Pablo's opulent lifestyle raises suspicions among the team, prompting questions about his lingering ties to his brother.
Pablo's daughter, Josephina, a serving soldier in the army, finds herself included on JSOC's list of potential 'lionesses' for their next mission. Kyle proposes leveraging Josephina's background to recruit her, highlighting her expertise as a helicopter pilot—a skill that could invaluable, particularly to her uncle Alvaro. Joe tasks Kaitlyn with inquiring whether the DEA would sanction their use of Josephina and facilitate her dishonorable discharge from military service. With this arrangement, they aim to infiltrate Pablo's network and ultimately uncover a Chinese agent embedded within the Ministry of State Security.
Kaitlyn reaches out to Byron, outlining their bold strategy. He grants them permission to engage with Josephina and gauge her willingness to participate. Simultaneously, he vows to escalate the plan through the chain of command. In a high-stakes discussion, the President, advised by Byron and Kaitlyn, weighs the perilous ramifications. Byron lays out the myriad risks: Josephina's military career would be terminated, the DEA might intervene and expose their clandestine operation, and the fallout could severely strain U.S.-China relations. Despite these hazards, the President gives the plan the green light, considering it a lesser evil compared to other options. However, he warns Byron that if the mission derails, he will bear the ultimate responsibility.
As Josephina is stationed in Iraq, the team prepares for an arduous journey to her locale. Kaitlyn informs Joe of the President's approval, and as Joe's team treks towards the base, they encounter a fierce assault by a local militia. Joe urgently requests air support amidst the hail of bullets. Fortunately, air cover arrives in the nick of time, rescuing them from the deadly fray.
