Episode 10 of "The Agency" kicks off with Martian en route to the agency, the anticipation electric in the air. However, a complication arises as Owen's call interrupts his thoughts. He informs Martian that the team is in position but encounters a significantly larger force on the ground, complicating the rescue mission manifold.
Determined to adapt, Martian contemplates shifting the kill-zone by 300 meters. But before he can delve further into his strategy, a car barrels in from the side, colliding with his motorcycle and sending him sprawling to the pavement.
Meanwhile, what fate awaits Danny?
Flashing back to earlier in the day, the agency is abuzz with tension, gearing up for the most high-stakes operation yet to retrieve Coyote. Naomi, too, is anxious about Danny's mission, as she has flown to Iraq. There, Danny faces interrogation by authorities who meticulously dismantle her belongings, aiming to crack her resolve. Remarkably, she emerges unscathed, her rigorous training proving invaluable.
But where is Samia, and what lengths must Martian go to to secure her return?
Henry receives intelligence from the Horn of Africa's CTTF, revealing that Samia is being held captive in Kober Prison—a veritable "hellhole," as Martian himself describes it. The agency lacks the political clout to intervene, rendering covert operations or negotiations futile. Thus, Martian seeks audience with Dalaga, the African ambassador, offering British passports and other incentives in exchange for Samia's life and liberty.
Unbeknownst to Martian, James Richardson and his new acolyte, Robinshaw, observe this exchange from afar. Richardson schemes their next move, intrigued to see how far Martian will push the envelope for his beloved. In their conversation, Martian proposes handing over Dalaga, but Richardson's ambitions run deeper. He wants Martian to become a double-agent, a decision that entails betraying his country but would secure Samia's freedom. With few alternatives, Martian agrees... yet Richardson remains wary, postponing his decision amidst doubts about Martian's loyalty.Who was it that struck Martian? In the depths of the Agency's basement, Owen was summoned to oversee the mission to reclaim Coyote. Unsure of his next steps, he dialed Martian's number, thus setting the stage for our opening scene.
Martian, following his mishap, was hastily conveyed to the hospital, where it was revealed he had suffered a dislocated shoulder, a fractured arm, two cracked ribs, and a brain hemorrhage—a dire picture indeed. Naomi rushed to the hospital, impatiently awaiting news, only to discover it was all a clever deception. In truth, Martian's injuries amounted to mere scrapes, bruises, and a brief knockout.
Richardson, who was also present, interrogated Martian in private. It transpired that he was the one who had deliberately struck Martian on the road, aiming to secure an uninterrupted interrogation. This revelation contextualizes the numerous interview scenes throughout the season and underscores the urgency of Richardson maintaining his composure.
As for Coyote's recovery, back at the Agency, Owen acted on Martian's counsel and relocated the Kill Zone for the operation. However, he hadn't anticipated one of the Ukrainians smuggling a firearm, intent on eliminating Defense Minister Chekhov at the cost of their own life. Amidst the chaos, a member of the Felix Team was shot, and panic ensued. In a fit of rage, the Felix Team decided to eliminate the Russians, abducting their fallen comrade and boarding a helicopter. They left a grenade aboard, causing it to explode into the sky, an act of desperate defiance.
The Convoy eventually entered the kill-zone, and the team launched their attack. Despite the turmoil, the operation proved successful, and they managed to secure Coyote's return. Among the fallen was the General, while the Felix team emerged unscathed—or, at least, two of them did.
The Agency concludes on an intriguing note as Poppy and Naomi make their presence felt at the hospital, eagerly awaiting Martian's awakening. Yet, this marks merely a pause in the narrative's rush. Martian, having successfully navigated Richardson's grueling test, is now poised to embark on a double life as an agent with dual loyalties, his mission being the extraction of Samia. With a cryptic, "All you need to do is guard your secrets well," he sets the stage for season 2, as he resumes his duties, his eyes set on scaling the corporate ladder with ambitions of grand promotions.
