In Episode 6 of The Sympathizer, the Captain and the General find themselves amidst the bustling training ground of the General's army. It's a startling revelation to witness soldiers primed and ready to embark on the General's reckless quest to reclaim Vietnam. But what shocks the Captain even more is the revelation that they possess ample funds to procure a arsenal of weapons and ammunition.
As if things couldn't get more ominous, the Captain learns that the General is plotting to dispatch a squad on a reconnaissance mission, one that reeks of a suicide mission. Horrified, he discovers that Bon is eager to volunteer for this perilous task. Despite the Captain's fervent pleas to dissuade him, Bon remains resolute, stating matter-of-factly, "Life is a suicide mission," and adding, "The war's over when the General says so."
Later, when the Captain inquiries about the General's army, the General casually dismisses it as mere "charity" and an NGO. However, the Captain's eyes widen as he watches arms and ammunition being unloaded at the camp, exclaiming, "The General's friends must be very generous indeed."
The topic of Sonny's interference, which threatens to dismantle the General's plan, brings a chill to the air. The General hints darkly to the Captain that he desires Sonny's demise. Promptly, the Captain pens a letter to Man, apprising him of the General's military operation and beseeching him to rescue Bon.
The following day, the Captain seeks out Congressman Ned Godwin in a bid to unravel the mystery behind the funding of the General's scheme. In a confession to the North Vietnamese officer, he admits that while he had entertained fantasies of Sonny's demise due to his entanglement with Sofia, he had resolved not to act unless compelled by the General's orders.
Later, he visits the restaurant and urges Sonny to trace the funds the General has been receiving for his mission. He stresses that he doesn't want any of their comrades to die in vain. Their conversation culminates in a decision to reunite, and Sonny suggests uncovering the paper trail of evidence, leveraging his contacts with the LA Times to ensure its publication.
At the bustling store, the Captain and Bon engaged in a heated debate regarding the Captain's decision to embark on the recon mission. The Captain firmly asserted that he would find greater significance as a heroic warrior defending his beloved homeland. As the argument reached its climax, the General arrived and escorted the Captain to their army training camp.
Amidst the shooting of communist targets, the General invited the Captain to join him for a refreshing dip in a natural hot spring. There, the General expressed his sorrow over his losses, particularly the corruption of Lana by America. Despite the Captain's pleas for the General to accompany Bon, the General insisted on keeping him as his trusted aide.
In a separate scene, the Captain found himself engaged in a dialogue with Man, who now appeared to be a mere figment of his imagination. As the Captain argued passionately for his return home, Man responded with a profound analogy: "Imagine a mole that has dwelt in darkness for too long. What happens when it is suddenly exposed to the blinding sun? It becomes blinded." He added, "You belong there. You are American."
Back at Ned's fundraising event, the Captain encountered Professor Hammar, who revealed himself as the author of "The Oriental Mode of Destruction." This revelation, while unsurprising to those aware of his racist commentary, still came as a shock to the Captain. Later, he stealthily captured snapshots of the classified documents detailing donations made to support the General's cause, ensuring that the truth remained hidden beneath the surface of the evening's festivities.
At the prearranged meeting time, he presented the papers to Sonny, carefully explaining the entanglement of Ned and the CIA. Shortly after, he confessed to being a communist spy, stressing that despite his envy of Sonny's unfettered relationship with Sofia and his carefree demeanor, he did not harbor any hatred towards him. Without warning, he shot Sonny with a concealed weapon concealed within an empty Coca-Cola can, swiftly disguising himself and escaping with the papers in hand.
Upon the communist officer's unexpected interruption, the Captain calmly assured him that he had already mailed the papers to the LA Times. However, it was later revealed that this was a lie, as he had actually burned them in the privacy of his kitchen. Later, the Captain received a terse message from Man, simply stating "request denied," which he promptly destroyed in a fit of agitation.
Sofia's call brought startling revelations. She knew the Captain's true identity and was aware of his involvement in Sonny's death. Despite this, she offered him an alibi and urged him to flee far away. Before bidding farewell to Lana and informing the General of his intention to join Bon on the mission, the Captain's mind was clouded with hallucinations of the Major and Sonny as he and Bon boarded their flight towards an uncertain fate.
