Episode 9 of "The Agency" kicks off with the dramatic transfer of Coyote, orchestrated by the General. When this intelligence reaches the ears of the CIA in Washington, their discontent is palpable. Pressed against the ticking clock, they are left with no choice but to "pull off a miracle." Martian, with his smooth talk, diverts the CIA Director's attention with a bizarre spiel about crystal balls and a sophisticated operation, all while buying precious time. Amidst this charade, Martian discovers a cryptic note bearing the words, "Paul, check your phone." Could this be a whisper from Sami? Curiosity piqued, Martian inspects the phone first and stumbles upon a harrowing video of Samia, imprisoned in her homeland. Osman places her fate squarely in Martian's hands, hinting that her life hangs by a thread, contingent upon his every move. This revelation shakes Martian to his core, as his carefully constructed world begins to crack and fragment around him.
Osman's demand is clear and urgent—he seeks a comprehensive list of all individuals Martian has recruited in Addis Ababa, and he has just 48 hours to produce it.
Back at the office, Martian rallys his team, reminding them that they have a mere four hours to reclaim Coyote from the General's clutches. The question looms: how?
Elsewhere, Danny undergoes a rigorous briefing by Naomi, who drives home the inviolable rule: never compromise the cover, regardless of the circumstances. Caught off guard by her Spanish alias and local insight, Danny is reminded to remain vigilant around the clock. Against all odds, Danny aces the test and secures a ticket to Iran. Intriguingly, Reza too has his own covert assets, in the form of Azar. She arrives to ensure there are "no complications" and personally subjects Danny to a rigorous vetting process to ascertain her authenticity. Given Naomi's earlier warnings, Danny's successful navigation through this unexpected trial is nothing short of fortunate, ultimately earning her the green light for her mission.
As the gang delves into Volchok's intelligence, they uncover a potential weak link in their web: Leo Kravitsky, a former chauffeur and chef who feels stagnant under Volchok's employ. Leo harbors a hint of resentment towards the lack of advancement in his career, a sentiment that the agency exploits masterfully. They feign offering him the helm of a brand-new team, but with a catch – the discussions remain confined to a trusted circle, Martian included. Martian himself steps in, flashing cash in exchange for a list of names from the reluctant Leo. Cornering him, Martian applies just the right amount of pressure to ensure Leo's cooperation. The plan works like a charm; that very night, Leo leaves a dead drop at Martian's place, containing the coveted intelligence.
This intel holds a secret itinerary for Russia's Deputy Defence Minister, detailing his visits to the front lines in Ukraine. Martian seizes the opportunity, intending to use this information to deploy the Felix team for a kill box operation. Despite Henry's stern objections, the operation is greenlit, shrouded in a thick veil of tension.
Before executing the plan, Martian assembles a contingency of trusted agents, scrutinizing every possible flaw in their strategy. The ultimate goal is to exert pressure on Leo, manipulating him into steering Volchok straight into their trap. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces on the ground have been reassigned to support a rescue team, poised to spring the trap, retrieve Coyote, and make a swift exit. The stakes are sky-high, and they must pull out all stops to rescue Coyote before it's too late. As we Brits would say, it's crunch time!
As the episode draws to a close, Danny gears up for a mission to Iran, while Martian grapples with the moral dilemma concerning Samia. He ignores a call from Osman, who then sends a chilling message: "You just killed her."
