Finally, the flashback we've all anticipated arrives, albeit fleetingly, as the curtains open on episode 5 of Tokyo Vice. It's 1994, and Samantha steps into Kitakyushu, a missionary with a purpose. She embeds herself in the community, utilizing the guise of 'Choose the Right' to spread the Lord's word while surreptitiously offering free English lessons.
In the present, Samantha confides in Polina, revealing the truth behind her troubled facade. Matsu and his cronies are hot on her trail, for she has stolen nearly forty million yen from the mission's funds. Extradition looms large, and she longs to put this nightmare behind her.
Meanwhile, Jake engages in an emotional exchange with his mother. She pleads with him to return home, mend fences with his father, and be a support for his sister. But Jake's heart is set elsewhere. After a light-hearted sparring session with Miyamoto, they delve into a thought-provoking discussion about Hiroto, sowing seeds of doubt in Jake's mind. Hiroto, he realizes, is not to be trusted. His methods are often outside the norm, bordering on the unconventional.
As promised, Hiroto provides Jake with information about the traitor. Although Jake is wary of Hiroto's motives, he presses on with the task. Hiroto warns Jake against accepting Ishida's favor in return, but when Ishida extends an olive branch, Jake chooses a different path. Rather than accepting something that could later ensnare him, Jake inquiries about the loan-shark company. Ishida directs him to Suzuno Financial, the company that failed to lend money to desperate individuals before they sought the loan sharks' help.
Jake meets with Sugita, the owner of Suzuno Financial. Their encounter is tense, yet Jake remains resolute. He informs Sugita that he intends to write the story, regardless of whether Sugita offers him assistance or not.
In principle, he concurred, but shortly after, he was spotted hurrying to Tozawa for additional directives. Parallelly, the traitor's identity was unveiled as Kume. Facing Ishida's quest for clarifications, Kume mocked his "path of righteousness" and lamented the absence of innovation in Chihara-kai's operations. He perceived Tozawa's insistence on compromising moral ground as positioning his organization favorably to supplant Chihara-kai. Ishida commanded Sato to eliminate Kume, but he spared him the agony by choosing suicide and leaping off the terrace.
Hiroto appealed to Ishida to uphold peace, advising him against pursuing Tozawa. Ishida saw the wisdom in his words and concurred to a truce. Jake and Tin Tin visited Sugita's abode, discovering he had indeed taken his own life, as foretold by Tozawa, and assumed all the blame. Hiroto then conveyed the truce news to Tozawa's men, sensing Ishida's vulnerability and opportune for a strike. Baku, Emi, and Jake's superior, declined to publish a story implicating Tozawa without substantial evidence.
Hiroto counseled Jake that ignorance was bliss, urging him not to burden himself with the world's woes. He encouraged him to seek solace in a night of revelry. Jake visited the club, seeking Samantha's companionship. Sato was also seated at the bar, requesting money from Samantha, but they soon connected and left together. Polina consoled Jake, advising him to seek companionship elsewhere, away from Samantha's own turmoil.
As the episode drew to a close, Samantha was spotted visiting Matsu's abode. She offered her money, but Matsu declined, instead asking for "what she would not sell." Disgusted, Samantha realized she had no alternative. Meanwhile, Sato returned to the headquarters, spotting the lifeless bodies of men and rushing inside. Ishida was engaged in a solitary battle against Tozawa's men, and Sato hastened to his aid. Together, they vanquished the remaining adversaries, trembling in anticipation of the uncertain future that awaited them.
