Episode 2 of "The Old Man" gracefully unfolds with a poignant flashback, painting a vivid backdrop for Harold's agitated demeanor. The era is shrouded in mystery, nestled somewhere between 1979 and 1989, amidst the turbulent Afghanistan-Soviet conflict. In the barren expanse of the desert, Harold stands, anticipation etched on his face, awaiting Dan's arrival. But as Dan rides majestically on horseback, Harold's lips betray him, uttering "Johnny" instead.
"Did you bring them?" Dan inquires, his voice laced with urgency. Harold's response is a somber "No," as they exchange words about the firearms Dan intends to supply to the Afghan rebels, fighting valiantly under Hamzad's banner. Dan's resolve is unwavering, driven by a desire to offer every assistance possible. Yet, Harold's warning hangs heavy in the air, a shadow of impending government scrutiny that threatens to engulf them both.
In the present day, Harold scrutinizes the location where Dan had left a trail of bodies, the chill of their confrontation lingering like a specter. Waters remains relentless in his pursuit, while Dan sees this as an opportunity ripe for manipulation, a cold war he's poised to exploit to his advantage.
Chase, abandoning his battered ride, embarks on a fresh start with a sleek new vehicle, bound for Collierseville, Pennsylvania. There, a new character emerges, casting a significant shadow over the narrative—Zoe, a widow and Dan's unsuspecting next-door neighbor. When Dave and Carol accompany their boss to introduce themselves, Zoe wastes no time in setting her boundaries, demanding that Chase, alias Peter Caldwell, vacate the apartment due to her strict no-pets policy.
At the FBI headquarters, Agent Angela, Harold's protégé, finds herself entrusted with a delicate mission: to uncover the truth about Chase's daughter, Emily. This revelation comes as a surprise to Harold, a fact he was oblivious to until Dan's slip of the tongue. Meanwhile, Morgan Bote enters the fray, a formidable figure exuding wealth and influence, a man not to be trifled with.
Bote, once Dan and Harold's mentor, had repeatedly cautioned them against entanglements with Hamzad. Now, those warnings echo as a dire prophecy, their past deeds coming back to haunt them. A slip of paper, bearing a phone number, sits tantalizingly on Harold's desk, a choice between life and death in the balance. Bote's dire warning is clear: Dan holds the power to snuff out Harold's existence in an instant.
In a desperate bid to secure his footing, Dan attempts to win Zoe over with a heartfelt breakfast of scrambled eggs, echoing the comfort her mother once provided. It's a stroke of serendipity that pays off, as Zoe allows him to stay and even invites him out for dinner. Their first date could hardly have begun on a more unconventional note, bonding over their shared reliance on medication, a testament to the unexpected turns life can take.
The conversation's pivotal moments revolve intricately around their respective partners, with Zoe's narrative standing out notably due to its nuanced portrayal. She masterfully manipulates the truth, casting herself as the wronged victim and her ex as the villainous counterpart, a testament to the craft with which the scene unfolds. After years of marital bonds, Zoe finds herself disillusioned with her choices, unable to grasp the happiness she sought. Her ex, in contrast, embarked on a quest for personal fulfillment, a poignant, albeit self-deprecating narrative that endears Zoe far beyond the archetypal romantic interest.
Through Waters' strategic maneuvering to draw Angela closer to Zoe, the veil is lifted on Hamzad's enigmatic past and his ties to Dan and Harold. Hamzad's tale of the "baba-khorkhore," the mythical beast that devoured all in its path, echoes through Afghan folklore, a testament to his fearsome reputation and unparalleled influence. Though not explicitly stated, whispers suggest that Dan himself is the formidable figure at the heart of these legends. He stood as Hamzad's stalwart companion during the war against the Soviets and various revolutionary factions, his presence an impregnable shield.
As the Langley-Quantico rivalry subsides, Waters' solemn warning to Angela resonates: "At Langley, they ingrained in us that the most vulnerable to recruitment are those who fiercely believe they're immune to it. It's merely a matter of time."
Zoe's relationship with her son is fraught with complexities, evident in his hurried phone call inquiring about tuition payments amidst their drive back. Suddenly, a police roadblock interrupts their journey, triggering Dan's instinctive response. His bruised face partially concealed by disheveled hair and a pair of reading glasses as a ruse, Zoe and Dan are ordered out of the vehicle. Zoe's demeanor fails to convince, and as Dan's cover begins to unravel, he acts swiftly. With a flick of his knife, he silences one officer, then turns his gun on the other, all while urging Zoe to flee. But she hesitates, and in a tragic instant, Dan's hand falters not, striking her down as well.
As Zoe's gentle yet firm request to hop in the car and embark on the journey back snaps Zoe and Chase's reverie (or, perhaps, a nightmare-ridden reverie) into stark reality, she extends an invitation for "coffee," a subtle euphemism for deeper conversation. Yet, Chase hesitates, his nomadic soul weighed down by the chains of unspoken commitments. Undeterred, Zoe sees no impediments, and he finds himself stepping inside, despite his reservations.
Even amidst Zoe's warmth, Dan struggles to shake off the ghostly embrace of Abby within his dreams. With a sarcastic edge, she mocks him, probing at his fears of advancing and embracing new companionship, daring him to confront the consequences when the truth about their past is inevitably unveiled. The ultimatum hangs heavy in the air: will he confess, or will she, as she seemingly approaches Zoe's side of the bed, poised to awaken her from slumber?
The dawn of a new day brings with it Chase's resolute decision to depart, leaving behind the fleeting moments of comfort. He embarks on a solemn farewell, only to encounter Zoe's tender vulnerability. Her son's exam dreams shattered by a bounced check, a cruel twist of fate orchestrated by her husband's duplicity, seeking to evade alimony payments. Dan remains silent, his offer to cover the tuition fee met with a polite decline, as he promptly dives into preparing scrambled eggs, a mundane task masking the depths of his emotions.
