Episode 4 of The Recruit's first season dawned with Dawn's arrival at Langley, the morning sun glinting off her determined gaze. Meanwhile, at the bustling food truck, Owen, Violet, and Lester shared breakfast and Violet's frustrations about her yearning for a challenge to prove her worth. Suddenly, a man approached Owen with an urgent incident report from the OTS, detailing an AI gone rogue, seeking legal counsel to assess liability.
Owen swiftly reviewed the report and hastened to Nyland's office, where he found Dawn already present. She desired Max's release without CIA involvement, intent on reinstating her as a valuable asset. Operations desired her return to re-establish contact and infiltrate a Russian mob headed by General Kuznetsov in Belarus, granting them direct access to Russian Intelligence. Nyland's sole condition was Max's thorough vetting and paperwork, necessitating Dawn and Owen's collaboration.
After Dawn's departure, Owen revealed the morning's unexpected report to Nyland, who was displeased by his meddling. Owen urged Nyland to consider the case and entrusted it to Violet, who eagerly sought a challenge. Yet, the revelation enraged Violet, who felt sabotaged by Owen's actions.
The OTS had created TIM, a Technological Interrogation Machine, an AI robot for interrogation purposes. Tragically, TIM accidentally tore off a worker's arm during a mock interrogation, a result of the scientists' oversight in informing TIM of its robotic nature. Violet grappled with the legal implications of the accident, aided by Lester's astute insights. After hours of deliberation, they uncovered a loophole in the OTS charter, averting the incident report's creation.
Meanwhile, Owen faced a new predicament: securing Max's release and informing the Attorney General of his redundancy. The AG was displeased with Owen's wasted time and warned him of a Justice Department blacklist. Worse still, he revealed a witness who witnessed Max's crime. Desperate, Owen sought Amelia's assistance in locating the witness and devising a plan for Max's freedom. To discuss his predicaments, he invited Amelia to a later evening rendezvous.
Owen boarded a flight to Phoenix, informing Max of his intention to return as an asset, a decision that would undoubtedly prolong her extraction. Max suspected that Xander had a hand in this reversal, sensing a hidden agenda. Owen, however, realized that Max had been scheming behind his back, intimidating Xander. She warned him that the supposed plan to reinstate her was likely a ruse to terminate her.
Owen emphasized the urgency of identifying a key witness, reassuring Max that he was on the trail. He begged her to refrain from harming or uncovering the witness's identity, urging her to trust him. Max sought Cora's assistance, who utilized her vast connections to uncover the witness's current whereabouts, relaying the information to Max.
Meanwhile, Owen received an urgent alert, directing him to a flash cable containing sensitive information at the regional office. The message, though seemingly useless, prompted him to seek the office staff's assistance in identifying the witness. He returned to Langley, finding Terence preoccupied with romantic troubles and Hannah preparing for a gala hosted by Senator Smoot. Desperate to avoid a subpoena, Terence begged Hannah to take him as her guest, hoping to sway Smoot's favor. Smoot, indeed, was taken aback by Terence's unexpected appearance, delaying the subpoena hearing for two weeks to assess Owen's significance.
Hannah, too, was shaken by the fun they shared at the party, attempting a kiss that Owen politely evaded. He slipped away to meet Amelia, but was intercepted by Dawn, who had been tailing him, inquisitive about his progress in freeing Max.
After a brief exchange with Dawn, Owen made his way to Amelia's abode, where they shared a tender night. Later, Owen obtained the witness's name from Phoenix office officials, and Amelia assisted him in devising a strategy to turn the witness.
The following day, Owen approached the witness, Woodrov, under an alias, warning him of an imminent threat. He proposed immediate relocation to WITSEC after recording a video testimony. Woodrov agreed, but as they were recording, an assassin sent by Max struck.
They fought their way to an escape, Owen frantically calling Max to halt the attack, but it was too late. They fled through the bathroom, but Woodrov failed to appear in court, resulting in the case's dismissal. Owen rejoiced, relaying the news to Nyland. At the courthouse, Owen encountered the victim's daughter, her gaze adding to his guilt.
He confronted Max, informing her that he had kept his promise and freed her. His anger was palpable, accusing her of distrust and hiring a hitman, despite his aid in securing her freedom. He drove away, calling Hannah for solace. He questioned whether he was a bad person, and she assured him of his good heart, though prone to losing his way.
Elsewhere, Xander received a call from Dawn, informing him of Max's release. He pondered the wisdom of their current strategy, but Dawn insisted it was the best way to eliminate Max. Xander fretted that Owen might know of their secrets, but Dawn assured him that they would address any such issues accordingly. The episode concluded with Max's release from prison, her future uncertain.
