The premiere episode of Tehran's highly anticipated second season, titled "13,000," draws viewers back into a world of espionage and political maneuvering teeming with peril, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Iranian capital. It has been two months since Mossad agent Tamar was last seen, and she remains a fugitive, now hiding in Tehran alongside Milad.
The episode opens with a harrowing scene in Evin Prison, where a prisoner receives a chilling package – clothing concealing a hidden pill and an enigmatic note inscribed with "13,000." As the prisoner meticulously counts, the ticking of an imaginary clock amplifies the tension, serving as a stark reminder of the life-or-death stakes and omnipresent danger that Tamar constantly grapples with.
Tamar and Milad strive to keep a low profile, yet the specter of discovery looms large over them. Milad's perilous interactions with Azizi, a drug dealer, under the vigilant gaze of menacing figures, underscore the precariousness of their situation. Pressured to peddle narcotics, Milad's distress is palpable.
In Milad's absence, Tamar is confronted by a group of men who inform her that it's time to depart. She is ushered to an abandoned warehouse, where she communicates with Yulia, now at the helm of Mossad. Tamar is entrusted with a daring operation to rescue a prisoner – the sole survivor among 15 pilots who embarked on a mission to destroy an Iranian reactor, which ultimately failed. Her conditions for undertaking this mission include the subsequent extraction of Milad.
Elsewhere in North Tehran, General Qasem Mohammadi's motorcade makes its way to the Supreme Leader's office. His recent appointment as Commander of the Revolutionary Guards and the impending Major General insignia ceremony introduce a fresh layer of political intrigue and tension to the narrative.
Unable to locate Milad and Tamar, Ali finds himself reminded by Faraz that they still linger within the confines of the town. Faraz's unwavering resolve to seek vengeance for the events of season 1 is tangible, almost palpable. The individual, who had been meticulously counting to 13,000, finally attains the milestone, collapsing instantaneously, foam flecking at the corners of his mouth. This dramatic occurrence precipitates a power outage, prompting the urgent transfer of the prisoner to Ayandegan Hospital for safety's sake.
Upon hearing of the hospital transfer, Faraz swiftly deduces that Tamar's machinations lie behind it, urging Ali to swiftly secure the pilot. Ali dashes towards the hospital with urgency, but his efforts are fruitless as he encounters the wrong individual. However, thanks to Tamar's intricate traffic arrangements and Yulia's vigilant oversight, the real pilot, accompanied by several agents, is eventually ushered to safety.
The successful mission prompts Yulia to provide Tamar with detailed instructions for her own safety. Tamar navigates a lengthy hallway and emerges into a waiting taxi, poised to embark on whatever journey fate demands. Prior to her departure, she reaches out to Milad, who confirms that the funds to settle Azizi's debt are in hand, signaling their impending departure. Yet, Milad's realization that Tamar has "returned to their fold" (Mossad) casts a shadow of uncertainty over his resolve. Faraz, noting Milad's troubled demeanor, decides to tail him discreetly.
Concurrently, General Qasem Mohammadi's fiery speech sends shockwaves reverberating through the Mossad ranks. In the aftermath of the hospital chaos and the daring pilot rescue, he executes four high-ranking prisoners, including Arezoo, Tamar's beloved aunt, vowing relentless punishment for any traitors to the state.
The episode concludes on a nail-biting cliffhanger, with Tamar's future shrouded in uncertainty and Milad's loyalty hanging by a fragile thread. The political fallout from the pilot's rescue and the General's drastic actions sets the stage for a season rife with tension and betrayal. "13,000" marks a thrilling inception to Tehran's second season, leaving viewers on the brink of their seats and eagerly anticipating the unfolding drama.
