Last week found our main characters under extreme pressure. Martha is under scrutiny and Phillip seems to
be willing to act alone to save her. But
given the risks, is her exposure inevitable?
The hour opens with Phillip and Elizabeth post-coitus. She playfully teases her husband about his
non-symmetrical nipples. Phillip tries
to laugh, but the tension is palpable.
Elizabeth tries to assure him, “Martha is okay, nothings happened.” Phillip asks, “Do you think I’m being
stupid?” Elizabeth says no, she sees
Phillip’s actions as merely “trying to do the right thing.”
Martha readies herself for another day at the FBI she takes
a Valium pill. The television reports
news of Prince Charles’s visit to Australia.
Jane Pauley has a special report on women, comparing single, married and
divorced women in terms of their happiness.
Martha looks around her apartment as if saying goodbye to it. She
switches the TV off and leaves.
In the FBI “vault” Dennis and Stan sort through Martha’s
personal history. Dennis notes she is an
only child who is very close to her parents. Martha was engaged to her high school
sweetheart but he dumped her when she discovered she was pregnant. This led to an abortion in 1964. Dennis notes that abortion was illegal and
dangerous at that time. Stan asks his
partner, “Do you think Martha is attractive?” Dennis notes there is “something sexy about
her.” Stan remarks it appears like she
has led a rather isolated life, with few relationships. Stan notes she dated Agent Amador, who was
murdered. The men continue to ponder
what these details say about their suspect.
In a semi-industrial area, Phillip meets with William. Phillip states the Centre needs another
glanders sample. William explains that
will not be possible as the company has wrapped up its research on the
material. Phillip uses Gabriel’s script
to implore William to “step up” and make a difference. He reminds William he has been working for
twenty-five years and now is the time to make a move so he can “return home a
hero.” William is unmoved by the speech,
he feels its more likely he’ll return home in a coffin. But, William notes they are working on a new
substance called “tularemia” which could be easily weaponized. With a touch of irony in his voice, Phillip
replies, “Sounds good.”
Martha attempts to act normal at work as the men who are
investigating her walk past her workstation.
Phillip continues his conversation with William. “I’m
running an agent who’s in danger.” William asks how he knows, and Phillip
confesses it’s a feeling he has. The
biologist exclaims, “Feelings are buggers!” Phillip relates he’d like to get her out.
William guesses, “They don’t want to. The
bosses don’t know what they’re doing.” William is clearly jaded and bitter at
this point in his long and fruitless career in the United States. Phillip notes the agent (Martha) trusts him. William replies, “That’s always a problem.”
Martha walks home and Phillip, in his Clark disguise,
follows her in his car. He urges her to
get in and explains, “They may know about you, we need to get you out.” He promises her “everything will be okay.” It’s a promise that probably can’t be kept.
Martha is taken to a “safe house” which is a non-descript
home in the suburbs. Martha looks around and tells Phillip, “I don’t
understand, I’m scared.” Phillip
embraces her. Gabriel arrives and
exchanges pleasantries with Martha, “Nice to meet you, I’ve heard so much about
you!” Martha is silent. Phillip advises her to make tea in the
kitchen. Once alone, Gabriel is livid at
Phillip’s action. “You have acted
impulsively, you promised me this wouldn’t happen.” Gabriel wants Martha to go back to work the
next day and for things to go back to the “way they were.”
Phillip sighs; probably he had expected this response from
his handler. He confesses, “Martha has
seen me.” The old man is shocked, “How?”
Phillip explained it just happened. Gabriel again chastises him for deciding to
reveal his identity without orders. The
old man reminds him this action may have risked lives. Phillip is adamant, “Martha is done.” Gabriel refuses to accept this fact; she is
integral to working with William as she provides them with his surveillance
information. Phillip asks to not meet with William again.
The tea is ready. Martha
stares blankly at the television. Gabriel
cooks while Phillip sets the table in this oddly domestic scene. Elizabeth arrives, reprising her role as
Clark’s sister. She has brought
groceries and essentials for Martha. Martha
asks her, “So, you’re part of this?” Elizabeth
replies she is there to support Martha and notes Gabriel is a fabulous cook. Martha looks pained and remains silent.
Elizabeth ventures into the kitchen and is surprised to see
Phillip is not wearing his Clark disguise. She asks simply, “When?” Phillip explains it was about three weeks ago,
he revealed his true face because he felt Martha was falling apart. A tense silence follows and then Elizabeth
asks, “Did you want her to see you?” confesses he didn’t know what else to do. Elizabeth peers inside the old fashioned
refrigerator and then pours more wine for Martha. She faces Phillip again, “You should have told
me you were bringing her in.” Phillip
looks saddened and adds, “Couldn’t just let her…” (Be caught.)
Elizabeth thinks Phillip should go home but he argues it
would be better for Martha if he stayed. Unhappy with this decision, Elizabeth leaves
but asks Phillip to tell Martha she’ll return the next day.
Back at home, Elizabeth surprises her kids by cooking a dish
she learned from her Korean friend Young Hee. Paige is curious about her mom’s friend but
Elizabeth explains it’s just “someone from work.” Paige notes the chicken is rubbery. Her mom explains that’s because it’s tofu. Henry is slow to leave his computer games to
come for dinner. He asks repeatedly when
they will reschedule their vacation to Epcot. Paige asks her brother if he can teach her how
to write her papers on the computer. Elizabeth
explains their father won’t be joining them for dinner because of work.
Martha sorts through the supplies Elizabeth brought her. She complains to Phillip there is only one
change of clothes. She wonders where
they will go. Phillip replies she must
trust him. Martha knows “Jen” is not
really his sister and deduces they work together. Martha asks if he is “involved” with her. Phillip answers with a half-truth, “We’ve
worked together a long time.” Martha
continues to probe, “Work for who?” Phillip replies, “The KGB.” (I believe that
is the first time the show has explicitly said the name of the Soviet spy
agency, it is mainly referred to as “The Centre.”) Martha begins to cry,
realizing she is a traitor to her country. Phillip assures her, “You don’t have to do anything
ever again.” Phillip tries to calm her
by instructing her to breath. He reminds
her she wanted to know everything. Martha
acknowledges this but adds, “I never thought…”
Martha hold Phillip close and reasons things will be all
right, “As long as we’re together.” She
kisses him with her eyes filled with tears. She mentions running away and begs him to make
love to her. Phillip obliges but seems
far away in his own thoughts. In the
next room, Gabriel hears Martha’s passionate moans.
At the FBI, Stan and Dennis learn that Martha has called in
sick. Stan decides to call her home to
make sure she’s okay; the call goes to the answering machine. The men decide to leave for Martha’s place.
At the safe house, Martha asks what is the next step. Phillip tells he they’ll find her a place. Martha states, “The person watching me, thinks
I’m involved but what if he’s wrong? Then
things can go back to normal.” Phillip
says he wishes that were the case. Martha
realizes, “I’m never going home, am I?” Phillip
doesn’t answer.
Dennis and Stan enter Martha’s residence with assistance
from her landlady. Stan looks around the
neat and empty space.
In the kitchen of the safe house Phillip pours coffee. Gabriel asks about Martha and Phillip informs
her she’s resting. The old man reports
William has sent out an emergency signal and wants Phillip to meet with him
immediately. Phillip remarks cynically,
“There’s always some reason.” Gabriel
tries to emphasize the importance of William’s work. The Soviets fear if the United States could
immobilize their nuclear arsenal (through Star Wars like technology) their only
defense would be biological weapons. Gabriel notes Martha called in sick for work
and the agency may already be suspicious. (If they only knew how suspicious
Dennis and Stan are about Martha she would probably be dead.) Phillip says he’ll tell Martha he needs to
leave for a while. Gabriel thanks him.
Phillip finds Martha in a deep, Valium assisted sleep. He opts not to wake her but riffles through
her purse. He finds her Valium and her
revolver. Phillip steps near the
curtained window and remove the bullets from the gun. He pockets the weapon. and leaves quietly.
Stan hands a sketch of “Clark” to his landlord. Stan asks the man who signed the lease. Stan looks around the neat apartment, which
seems free of personal effects and pictures.
This heightens his suspicions.
At the Soviet Embassy, Oleg speaks to Tatiana about his
mother. Oleg called recently but his
father said she was too depressed to speak to him. Oleg feels guilty for leaving. Tatiana advises him to be patient and notes
grief takes time. Arkady enters the room
and informs them, “We have to exfiltrate a U.S. citizen.” Arkady elaborates the person was a secretary
and they need to get her to Moscow, soon. Tatiana asks, “What did she do?” Arkady doesn’t answer.
Stan works with another agent to gather information on
different “Clark Westerfield’s.” The man
tells him the name fits an eighty-five year old man in Idaho and a thirty-five
year old attorney from Atlanta. Dennis
asks if the lawyer is married with children. The agent only has the names at this
time. Stan asks him to check for other
Clark Westerfield’s, including death records.
Stan notes Martha stated her married boyfriend was a businessman. Stan asks Dennis, “Is a lawyer a
businessman?” Dennis isn’t sure. Stan alerts Agent Gaad they need to speak with
him.
The agents enter the “vault.” Stan begins, “I think Martha is bad.” Dennis
notes she called in sick and wasn’t home. Gaad looks shocked but asks Stan what
information they have. Dennis informs
him about Martha’s married boyfriend and how barren “Clark’s place” appeared. Agent Gaad looks deeply troubled, “Martha’s
worked here over ten years, that is crazy!”
Down by the docks, Hans keeps watch with binoculars. Elizabeth wears a curly wig as she smokes at a
nearby bus stop. Hans uses a mirror to
signal her. A brown car approaches and
heads down an alley.
Stan asks the agent working on Clark if he’s made any
progress. The agent notes no progress,
yet.
William meets with Phillip who wears a blonde wig and goatee
disguise. William hands him a dead rat
in a mason jar labeled with a “Biohazard” sticker. The biologist explains he had to improvise to
get the new virus, explaining an isolated sample was impossible but the virus
is within the rat’s tissue. William asks
what happened with Phillip’s agent. Phillip
explains they “brought her in.” William
recalls how they sent his wife back and he wanted to protest and “take them on”
but didn’t. Phillip leaves in his car
with the dead rat. Elizabeth walks on
alone.
Gabriel takes his medication in the kitchen when Martha
comes in demanding to know where Phillip has gone. Gabriel assures her he’ll be back soon and
offers to make her a meal. Martha walks
out without a word.
The agents continue their discussion about Martha in the
vault. Agent Gaad explains she was the
secretary when he took over the division ten years ago. He could have brought his own secretary with
him but didn’t want to displace Martha. Stan
observes, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Stan reasons he could be wrong about Martha. But Gaad notes, “No one could have put the bug
in my pen more easily then Martha.” Gaad
theorized Martha and Gene could have been working together or maybe they killed
Gene to protect her. (Right on the nose, Agent Gaad!) Gaad exclaims that Martha had access to
everything.
Martha dresses to leave. She examines her purse and is upset to find
her gun is gone. She marches out the
front door and Gabriel struggles to catch up with her. The old man begs her to
come back inside but Martha yells back, “Where is he? What have you done with
him?” Gabriel pleads for her to trust
him. Martha warns him, “Get away, I know
what you are! I’ll scream your KGB, then everyone will know!” Gabriel lets her
walk away down the street, but she has probably just sealed her fate.
This hour was a phenomenal game of “cat and mouse” or “cat
and rat.” Both the FBI and KGB realize
how dangerous the lonely secretary is to their secrets. Undoubtedly, it would be better for her if
the FBI caught her where at least she’ll be afforded the right to a trial. Despite Phillip’s feeling for her, it is
doubtful he would chose her over his own family and children’s safety. He simply loves Elizabeth more. It’s hard to see any possible ending for
Martha besides death or capture.
Next week’s preview shows Martha on the run. Agent Gaad discovers Martha had married
“Clark Westfield”, further exposing her lies.
Martha makes a desperate call to Phillip begging him, “I want it to
stop, I want it to end.” It will end but
unfortunately for Martha, not in the way she’d hoped.
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