The fifth episode of Season 2 of "The Recruit" kicks off with Grace Cho summoning an urgent gathering of all NIS agents. She briefs them thoroughly on the trio of Owen, Janus, and Lester, making it clear that her mission is to bring them to justice and she intends to employ every available resource to smoke them out. The scene seamlessly transitions to NIS agents scouring the hotel rooms of the American agents. However, the meeting concludes with a startling revelation: Jang Kyung-kim is nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, at a modest motel, Jang Kyung-kim finds himself in deep discussion with his companions about their perilous journey to Vladivostok. Despite the obstacles, Owen harbors a glimmer of hope. He shares a harrowing tale of narrowly escaping death just a week prior, and Lester presents him with a photo of the assassin he terminated. Jang Kyung-kim recognizes the man as Lee, a former intelligence officer who now plies his trade as a hired gun. Owen and Lester swiftly realize that Dawn is hot on their trail, prompting Owen to elucidate why Dawn is so intent on their destruction.
As their conversation unfolds, Janus wraps up his chores in the room and declares his withdrawal from the mission. With a nod, Jang Kyung-kim lets him go and turns to Lester, instructing him to reactivate Nichka. Grace Cho, meanwhile, storms over to Jang Kyung-kim's residence and dials his number, demanding to know his whereabouts and the reason behind the chaos in his home. He fabricates a tale of Janus drugging him and potentially rummaging through his belongings. He claims to be en route to the office, but she curtly informs him that it's unnecessary. Informants have spotted the American agents lurking near the motel's commercial district, and the police are swiftly converging. Alerted by Jang Kyung-kim, the group makes a swift exit.
Later, Owen reaches out to Nichka, pleading for her reconnaissance expertise. She agrees but stipulates a fee of one million dollars for her services. Owen and Lester procure a rental car for the day, with Lester cautioning Owen against frittering away their operational funds. They make their way to the American embassy, establishing it as their temporary base of operations.
Back at her home, Hannah regains consciousness to find Jae awaiting her return. He offers a heartfelt apology, clarifying that Grace Cho had coerced him into espionage through blackmail. Grace had persuasion skills that convinced him she could offer assistance, tasking him to call Owen using her phone. When Owen answers, Hannah seizes the opportunity to disclose her captivity in Jae's hotel room. In response, Owen reaches out to Amelia, Threatened to sell her secret to the CEG organization in exchange for her other assistance if she didn't help.
Amelia swiftly contacts Nyland, who in turn calls Director West, requesting four of his most trusted operatives to address the situation. These men, accompanied by Amelia, hastily proceed to rescue Hannah and apprehend Jae, discovering his true identity as a Korean spy in the process. They escort both Hannah and Jae back to Langley for interrogation. While still at Langley, Owen initiates a secure video call with Hannah, issuing a stern command to erase the harrowing experience from her mind. As anticipated, though Hannah comprehends his directives and the underlying threats, her emotions of anger and hurt persist. Amelia guides her out and requests her to discard her contact information.
Meanwhile, in Korea, Grace Cho manages to track down and arrest Janus. However, to Grace's disappointment, Janus, well-versed in legal maneuverings, remains tight-lipped, refusing to divulge any information. Conversely, Jae cannot cease recounting how Grace manipulated him into a life of espionage.
At the Korean embassy, Lester and Owen receive a confidential alert, realizing that Jang Kyung-kim is poised to walk into a trap if he enters the NIS building. They intervene just in time, calling him before Grace Cho can receive the same alert and uncover Jang Kyung-kim's treacherous activities. She attempts to secure the building, but Jang Kyung-kim narrowly escapes her dragnet.
Simultaneously, Owen and Lester set out to meet Jang Kyung-kim. Lester receives a notification informing him of Dawn and Dodge's presence in the country. He colludes with Owen, devising a plan to intercept Dawn and Dodge before they can cause any further harm. The duo escorts Dawn and Dodge to a cliff's edge, prepared to carry out their sentence. However, as Owen places a call to brief Director West, he realizes that executing the pair would not serve their best interests.
As their journey to Russia becomes inevitable, the need for meticulous operations arises. Dawn, still actively engaged in operations, stands ready to assemble a team in Russia for them. Meanwhile, Nichka has already been activated on Russian soil, conducting reconnaissance with precision. Owen capitalizes on the mission's success to secure Lester the highly coveted position of Moscow Station Chief. He also pleads for an exit from the CIA, unburdened by the CEG's shadow or a tarnished reputation.
While they converse, Director West receives a message, causing an abrupt shift in his demeanor. He poses a question: what would be the consequence if Owen were to falter? Owen readily agrees to shoulder the blame for any eventuality. Director West concurs, and following the call, he reveals to Nyland that they have finally obtained the dead switch. It transpires that Jang Kyung-kim incorporated his rope art into the code, a key that can deactivate the threat should the mission falter.
Concurrently, Owen persuades Lester to grant Dawn and Dodge their freedom, provided they agree to join their Russian mission. Cornered and with little choice, Dawn and Dodge accede to Owen’s terms. With this arrangement in place, the sole remaining obstacle is their escape from Korea.
Owen reaches out to Jin-lee, dangling the promise of money. He comes clean about the mission's details, and Lee-jin, moved by his plea, agrees to lend a helping hand. However, their conversation is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Grace Cho, accompanied by her police escort. In a heartbeat, Owen and Lee-jin leap onto her bike, sparking a thrilling chase through the bustling streets. Remarkably, Owen weaves through the狭窄的market alleys of South Korea, eluding the pursuing police with deft maneuvering. Together, he and Lee-jin successfully navigate to Sokcho Port, where the team awaits. Lee-jin's father owns a boat, which she intends to use to facilitate Owen's escape. Naturally, Lester is less than pleased with Owen's lavish spending of their funds without a second thought.
