The Americans Season 3 Episode 3, Open House

The episode begins with Gabriel and Phillip talking about the intelligence that was gathered at the dive bar last week.  There are about three candidates that could be pursued, the object is to find the weakest one to work on. They settle on a man name Paaswell who is going through a messy divorce and struggling to sell his home. The conversation inevitably leads to Paige. Phillip is rightfully concerned that Paige doesn’t become like Jared and murder his entire family. (You know, typical parental concern!)

We get to meet Elizabeth’s new recruit Hans, and he’s a handsome young German graduate student. He is doing well honing his powers of observation, but goes a little to far when he pays Elizabeth a physical compliment.

In Phillip reads the latest issue of Time, “After Brezhnev” in the bedroom. Elizabeth tells him that Hans is attracted to her, but she shut him down.  Phillip retorts, “Was that wise.”  The way their relationship navigates the multitude of lovers they both have and use, honesty is the key.  Phillip is lashing out at Elizabeth due to their ongoing dispute over Paige.

Martha is helping the injured FBI agent Alderholt who expresses frustration about his lack of progress finding Elizabeth. He is hoping to find a woman who seeks medical or dental care for an injured jaw. They know that these agents are very skilled at disguise.  This is akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

Donning fresh wigs and disguises, the Jennings attend an open house of the CIA operative.  Phillip sneaks upstairs as Elizabeth chats up the agent. He discovers a transmitting type device and some hidden checks.  The owner makes a surprise visit to the study but Phillip turns it into an opportunity to find out more information. The man seems anxious about his divorce.  He grabs the transmitting device and leaves.

 At the Soviet Embassy, the Arkady has more bad news for Oleg, he is being recalled to Moscow.  He asks if Oleg would want him to use his diplomatic prerogative to delay the order. Oleg considers this.

In the car, Elizabeth and Phillip listen to the bug he planted in Paaswell’s office. Elizabeth notices that they are being followed.  In light of her near arrest, they do a quick assessment of the threat and Phillip does an “open and roll” exit out of the car.

Paige, home alone again, finds a ripped photo of Sandra Beeman in a bikini. (Poor boy, life before the Internet was hard!)  Phillip makes a coded call to help Elizabeth out of her predicament.  Elizabeth is driving on, and is thrown a scanner type device by a passerby through the open passenger side window.

Phillip returns home to find Paige up late and watching “Robin Hood” on television. As he attempts to apologize for the millionth time for “working” late, she shrugs it off saying, “Stop worrying about me!”

Back at the FBI agents Gaad, Alderholt and Beeman are discussing their joint operation with the CIA to pick up Elizabeth.  There are many cars following her at the moment from both agencies.  Phillip anxiously waits at home, Elizabeth waits at a stop signal.  The agent closest to Elizabeth has his communication cut off and then a multiple car traffic accident at an intersection allows Elizabeth to flee down an alley into a waiting car.

 Elizabeth makes it home to a visibly shaken Phillip. (In the background, the Star Spangled Banner plays to indicate the television sign off for the night. Memories!) The couple embraces in silence and tears.  Despite their ongoing arguments over their daughter, they clearly love and need each other on many levels.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth presently needs Phillip as her dentist.  Knowing that she can’t afford the risk of seeking dental care, Phillip must pull her fractured tooth.  It’s a gross and tender scene demonstrating their amazing level of trust of one another. Elizabeth has tears, but she is incredibly tough, mere mortals would have passed out from that level of pain.

At the FBI, Beeman and Alderholt discuss the failed mission to pick up Elizabeth. Alderholt asks Beeman about his past undercover experience deep embedded in the Klu Klux Klan.  He asks, “What did it take to fool them?”  Stan doesn’t like to “share war stories” but replies, “Tell them what they want to hear, people love hearing how right they are!” (Isn’t that the truth!)

Martha and Clark are sharing a domestic morning and she pesters him again about wanting to have a family.  She is hoping that he would consider fostering a child. “Clark” tries to shut her up with a kiss, he must be thinking that more children in his life is the dead last thing he needs!

Hans and Elizabeth continue their spying observation game.  He seems frustrated that he can’t begin to do some real spy work.  He does offer her an apology for the comment on her beauty last time.  Elizabeth is incredibly direct and tells him while sex is part of the job, that’s not where they are headed, ouch!

Phillip meets with Gabriel again and goes over the recent events. The checks he found on Paaswell were just money squirreled away from his soon to be ex-wife. Phillip wants to find the babysitter that they heard Paaswell with but Gabriel encourages caution.  The conversation swings back to Paige.  Phillip is flustered with Gabriel and Elizabeth’s insistence that she be brought in their world. “She’s only fourteen! She is not equipped!”

Gabriel replies, “She will have a choice.”  But knowing that she is a young American not Russian teen, what will she think of this choice?

At the Soviet Embassy, Arkady briefs Tatiana and Oleg.  They discuss the Northrop Company, and the development of the Stealth Bomber.  Tatiana leaves the room and Oleg tells Arkedy, “I’m staying!”

The defector Zianda is doing an interview on a talk show speaking out against the ongoing war in Afghanistan.  Beeman has been tasked with protecting her, will the Soviets really hurt in the United States to silence her?  (Especially after she’s been so vocal in the media.)

Phillip and Elizabeth are on a stakeout of Paaswell’s house.  Warned by Gabriel to be extra cautious, they risk a drive by his house to get a visual on the babysitter.  The girl is attempting to offer Paaswell an intimate encounter. He dissuades her saying this is inappropriate and he’ll have to tell her father.  The father drives up to pick up the babysitter, he is the current head of the CIA!

This episode had me on the edge of my seat.  It’s been remarked how on this show we are supposed to “root for the bad guys”, the Directorate S spies.  However, what makes the Americans so interesting is it’s really a show about relationships and how the protagonists navigate them.  The dialogue is real and the characters are not black and white.  We are emotionally invested in all sides of the drama making it one of the best shows on television.  I can’t wait until next week!

Better Call, Jimmy? Summary of premiere episodes

The long anticipated prequel to Breaking Bad premiered on Sunday, in a two-night event to kick off the series.  Many fans, including myself, have been waiting for the return of Vince Gilligan’s master touch on the small screen, and it was worth the wait.  

The opening sequence is in black and white, as we follow around an older Saul hidden behind a mustache and glasses working at a Cinnabon at a mall in Omaha. (aka Hell!)  A tense moment arises as Saul sees a muscled man in a crew cut approach, but steps away to meet some friends.  Saul returns to a bleak townhouse.  The television plays in the background as he fixes a drink.  The snow warnings drone on, and he removes a hidden VHS cassette.  We hear the younger Saul commercials as the scene shows a color version of the inflatable Statue of Liberty, which used to grace his old ABQ office.

The next scene is in the courthouse, as a judge and jury waits.  In the bathroom, Saul is giving his defense speech to the mirror.  He is prompted to return and starts in with a defense of his three teenage defendants.  The prosecution simply inserts a videotape of the defendant’s crime, a murder and mutilation most horrid.  Saul approaches the court clerk and complains that he only has earned $700 for representing the three guilty teens. As he leaves the parking lot, we meet Erhmentrout for the first time. He is working as a grumpy parking attendant, who refuses to give Saul a break for not having enough validation stickers.

The episode continues to highlight James McGill’s current downward spiral. (And the fact that he has not yet adopted his Breaking Bad personae “Saul Goodman”)  We learn that he is the son of a founding lawyer of a large slick practice.  He enters the building, but clearly is not welcome.  His father “Chuck” is unable to work due to a likely mental illness.  Prior to visiting his home, Chuck demands that visitors “Ground themselves!”  This involves placing keys and cell phones in the mailbox.   Jimmy tries to use his father’s name to attract business.  We see him meet prospective clients, but he falls short of having them sign a contract.  Later, the prospective clients are back at Hamlin, Hamlin and McGill office, solicting his primary nemesis Howard Hamlin.

In reality, his office is a broom closet in the back of a nail salon.  Jimmy drives a bright yellow Geo with one red door.  Driving home he hits a young red-haired man on a skateboard. The brother, also on skateboard, stops to cuss him out and attempts to extort money. Then Jimmy realizes the first man isn’t really hurt, and he drives away disgusted.

Later, Jimmy seeks out the brothers to enlist their help. He recounts the story of “Slippin’ Joe,” and how this man made money falling on the slick streets of Chicago each spring.  Jimmy wants the young men to be hit by Betsy Kettleman, who is the wife of the client who got away. The men agree, eager to earn a couple thousand-dollars.

The “accident” unfolds as planned until the driver, who looks nothing like Betsy Kettlemen,  decides to flee the scene.  Infuriated, the brothers follow her home.  The episode ends with Jimmy banging on the door, demanding that it be opened, “ In the name of the court!” An unseen man drags him inside.

Mijo

The episode opens with Tuco(!) preparing lunch, when he hears a knock on the door. Outside are the red-haired brothers who are angry and demanding payment in the worst Spanglish ever. He hits the brothers with his grandmother’s four-pronged cane.  As he is cleaning the carpet,  abuela comes down to check on the commotion, only to be shooed off by Tuco.  He claims the blood he’s cleaning is “salsa”.

The doorbell rings and Tuco grabs a gun to confront Jimmy.  He interrogates him about who he is and why he’s there.  Abuela keeps trying to come downstairs to see what’s happening. Tuco may have a large revolver in his hand but clearly he is scared of her!   He shows Jimmy the brothers, who are bound and wounded in the garage.  The brothers are quick to rat out Jimmy as the mastermind behind the scam on abuela.  Jimmy is talking a mile a minute but has failed to be released.

The next scene is the desert at midday, with Jimmy on his knees and the brothers tied lying down in the dirt. Tuco interrogates Jimmy, he does not believe he’s just a lawyer running a scam.  Jimmy confesses to being FBI agent “Jeffery Steele,” trying to take down Tuco’s empire with “Operation King Breaker."  Seeing the effect of his words on Tuco, Jimmy thinks he’s correct in trying to bolster the gangster’s ego.  Then Tuco’s partner Gonzo approaches him and again urges him to talk, and “You better tell the truth.”

Jimmy talks himself out of being killed and then negotiates the release of the brothers with Tuco. Playing to Tuco’s desires for power and respect he comes up with an alternative but acceptable “punishment” for the brothers; he will break one leg of each. A frightened Jimmy turns away as the deed is done, then drives the guys to the urgent care.  They proclaim him to be the “worst lawyer ever!”  But, Jimmy reminds them that “I got your death sentence reduced to six months probation, I’m the best lawyer ever!”

Jimmy is out on a date with tropical drinks and samba music.  As he gets drunk, we see him focus on the woman’s fingernails, lips, breasts and the breaking of breadsticks; which reminds him of the breaking bones. He runs to the restroom and pukes.  He finds his way back to Chuck’s, barely able to stand.  Chuck freaks out that he brought his cell phone inside, and uses tongs to pick it up and throw it out on the lawn.

Chuck’s house has no electricity and no running water.  Chuck is wrapped up in a “space blanket” to counteract the cell phone entering his home. Polite but firm, Jimmy asks Chuck to remove the space blanket. After several requests, he does. But, as soon as Jimmy leaves he wraps himself up again. It’s unclear how and why this obsession with magnetism started, but clearly Chuck can’t function and needs more help then Jimmy can give.

What follows is a Jimmy trying to win over the receptionist with a stuffed animal.  It seems to work.  There is colorful montage about Jimmy’s quickening law business. We see endless trips to the coffee machine, Jimmy in the bathroom saying “It’s show time!”, and frequent fights with the parking “troll” Erhmentrout.  Jimmy clashes with the prosecutor whose mantra is, “Petty with a prior!”  It’s a humorous way to see how Jimmy is evolving to embrace the seedier side of being a defense attorney.  

Finally, we follow Jimmy back to the nail salon, where he’s ready for a drink and a nap, when a miracle happens, he has a client waiting!  Jimmy works to tidy up his hellhole to find Gonzo waiting for him.  Gonzo wants Jimmy to find the money the Kettlemen’s have allegedly embezzled. (Estimated 1.6 million)  If he gives Tuco and company the information, Jimmy will receive a “finder’s fee” of one hundred thousand dollars.

“I’m a lawyer, not a criminal.” Jimmy says, offended.

“Well, when you decide you’re in the game, give me a call.” Gonzo scoffs and leaves.

With these two episodes complete, I’m very optimistic about the rest of this ten-part season. There is nothing else like it on television; the beautiful cinematography and snappy dialogue are unique to the Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan.  I’m hoping to see other characters that we knew and loved from BB enter into this series.  I’m hoping for continued quality and success of this show!

Downton Abbey Season 5 episode 6

“My goodness there’s always something!”

I couldn’t have said it better then the Dowager Countess. There are so many storylines to catch up to this week it feels like the audience is running the point race down at Canningford Grange.

The episode begins with a telegram for Edith informing her that there will be a man visiting that afternoon to report on the whereabouts of Michael Gregson. Everyone is convinced this is bad news.  Cora informs Lord Grantham about the impending news, insisting that even though they’re having a fight, he should be there today for Edith.  Mary is her typical icy self, musing,  “It’s not that he’s living in a tree!” (during his prolonged absence) “I can’t believe imagine what he saw in Edith.” (With a sister like this, who needs enemies!)

Mrs. Patmore is close to closing her real estate deal, but would like Mrs. Hughes to come with her to see the property.  An upcoming race at the property of Lord Sibley is to be held soon, with both Blake and Lord Gillingham attending. The Dowager has a new maid who looks like a man named Decker.  We learn that Rose’s father Shrimpie is close to finding the lost Russian Princess who is Prince Kuragin’s wife.

Barrow continues to look ill from his self-inflicted “therapy”. Mary, Branson and Lord Grantham discuss the housing remodeling project and Mary hates the option the men choose.  Mr. Bates has gone looking for an item for Anna and comes across Mary’s book on birth control and her device. Scandalous!

The Dowager pays Prince Kuragin a visit in the rough area of town, which has the new maid scowling! The D.C. talks to the Prince alone about the possibility that they may have located his wife.  He speaks very tenderly to the D.C. saying that he loves her as much today as the day they met and speaks of running away with her.  The D.C. is obviously flustered.  The Prince concludes, “You think to be unhappy in a marriage is to be ill-bred.” Even though both of them are no longer with their spouses, this statement, and his emotions take the Dowager aback. She replies, “You know me Igor.”

The man with the news about Gregson has come and gone. Cora remarks he died at the “Beer Hall Putsch” which was an early uprising by Hitler and his brown shirts in November 1923.  Edith will inherit his publishing business. Edith has gone for a walk and we soon learn where; back to the Drewe farm. While I can understand why she needs to see her daughter, she has been warned to stay away from her and this will further reveal her hand.

Back at home the Dowager speaks to Cousin Violet about the proposal of Lord Merton. They are interrupted by a dispute between the new lady maid and Spratt.  She won’t wash the D.C.’s underthings, scandalous!

Mr. Bates confronts Mrs. Bates on the contraception handbook and the “device”. Anna is upset that he has rummaged through her things and jumped to conclusions! (That’s the whole premise for the show Anna!) They had talked about having a baby Bates and Mr. Bates is convinced he knows why Anna doesn’t want children with him.

Edith and Cora have a heartfelt conversation about the demise of Mr. Gregson.  Cora tries to encourage Edith to cope and move on, but Edith feels she is simply “destined for loneliness and I might as well just accept it.” 

Downstairs, Mosely presents Daisy with a history volume from his own collection. Daisy, the tactless wonder, says, “I have enough books!”  Mrs. Patmore intervenes and chides her, “Be nice to those who are kind!”  Preach!

Mr. Bates attempts to figure out if Anna is telling the truth about the birth control items, saying that they belong to Lady Mary.  He does some math and figures she couldn’t have used it when she was married to Matthew so….

Cora comes to give Lord Grantham an ultimatum on his “silent treatment” after the incident with Mr. Bricker in her bedroom.  Cora calls him on his hypocrisy and asks him, “Have you ever let a flirtation get out of hand, if so, you need to return tonight to our bed!” (She’s referring to the maid the Lord chased around and finally kissed in the early seasons, touché, Cora!)

Scotland Yard must be very slow because the inspector and the local police have shown up once again on the Mr. Green business.  This time they want to talk to Ms. Baxter.  They received a letter from Downton, which must be Mr. Barrow’s handiwork.  They want to know if there was a connection between Bates and Mr. Greene and Baxter replies she know nothing and is dismissed.  What a great bit of police work, sheesh!

Barrow looking terrible, finally shows Ms. Baxter what is ailing him, it looks like he has developed an abscess on his derriere from the injections.  She insists on taking him to Dr. Clarkson, who concurs with my assessment.  Mr. Barrow shows the doctor what pill and fluids he has been injecting.  It’s all unsterile saline and sugar pills.  Dr. Clarkson advises his patient to accept his uniqueness.  He says, “ I’d rather have the harsh reality then suffer from false hope.” (Dr. Clarkson is awesome!) Mr. Barrow confesses he sent the letter to Scotland Yard and Ms. Baxter says she knows but it’s ok.  Mr. Barrow better start being nicer to her!

Lady Mary stuns her family with with her new flapper haircut.  Edith is disgusted that no one seems to care that she is in mourning and storms up to her room.  Cousin Violet wonders if it is in poor taste to be going off to the races in light of Edith’s grief.  Dowager quips, “It’s because of the war, this endless thinking, before 1914 no one thought at all!”  Isis is listless, the vet is called. (Poor girl, she must be about 16 years old!)

Mr. and Mrs. Bates finally talk about the elephant in the room, he announces, “You think I’m a murderer!” He then confesses then when he found out that Mr. Greene had raped her that he wanted to murder him, but never went to London that day. He knew if he killed Mr. Greene, given his past history, he would be hanged.  Anna smiles with relief, happy that she her man is innocent.  But, the proof was in his un-torn ticket that was in the coat that Anna gave away.  Of course, Anna blames herself! ACK!

Daisy and Mr. Mosely share a moment downstairs.  He recounts how he had to leave school at age twelve to go into service to help his family.  Daisy asks if he wants to continue his studies but he feels he is too old but offers to help her with history. Daisy hopes that she will be able to use her schooling when she eventually leaves service and inherits the farm.  It’s sad to see that Mosely will not have the ability to leave service due to his lack of education.

The final scenes of the episode show the much talked about horse races.  Mary shows off her haircut defiantly, but then rides sidesaddle.  Miss Fox observes that Mary breaks the “rules” arbitrarily.  Miss Fox is there to woe Lord Gillingham away from the heartlessly bored Mary. (At least that is hers and Mr. Blake’s plan.)

Back at Downton, Edith tells Mr. Branson that she is leaving but won’t say where but that she’ll leave her car at the station.  She implores Branson to “Not let them trample who you are.”  He tries to dissuade her but she says, “I need to leave here if I’m ever going to be happy.”

Edith goes to the Drewe’s farm with a birth certificate in hand to prove she is Marigold’s mother.  At first, Mrs. Drewe will not accept it as the truth, then she rails on her husband for this deception.  Finally, she gives Marigold her favorite teddy bear and tells her to go with her new mommy but not to forget her. It’s a heartbreaking and powerful scene and for Edith, she has renounced her original family for her daughter and a chance of her own happiness.

In the final minutes we learn that Cousin Violet has agreed to accept Lord Menton’s proposal as her life’s “final adventure”. The Dowager learns that Atticus Aldridge and family are Jewish. (“It’s always something!”) And finally we see Edith and Marigold settle in London.  Mr. Carson asks Mrs. Hughes is she would consider investing in a house for their retirement.

There are many things to ponder. Where has Edith gone and what are her plans to live without her family? Will Mary shake off Lord Gillingham?  Will Violet be different when she marries into immense wealth?  What will the D.C. do about the Prince, could she love him again?  Is Isis dying? Will Mrs. Hughes declare her love for Mr. Carson?  Will Mr. Barrow learn to stop being nasty and get a boyfriend? Only three episodes left!

The Americans Season 3 episode 2, Baggage

Last week was an exciting beginning to what is sure to be a strong season of the Americans.  The Americans is so good that NBC is trying to copy it with a new series on Thursdays called “Allegiance.”  They say that imitation is the strongest form of flattery, but why watch a copy when we have the brilliant original? I’ll stick with the Americans, thank you!

Nina is seen in prison, alone looking surprisingly well fed and sane in a brown sweat suit.  It’s clear her fate is sealed but the question is, when will her execution take place? The body of Annalise is growing cold on the hotel room floor as “Scott” and Yousef make a plan.  Philip calls home, briefly speaking to Paige before summoning Elizabeth for help with their “problem.”

Paige is suspicious of all the late night emergencies in the travel industry! She asks her mom if she has considered that Phillip may be having an affair.  Elizabeth scoffs at this but Paige observes that mom and dad look out for each other more then they look out for their children.  With this statement, Paige has nailed the family dynamic, she has great intuition.

Yousef and Phillip set about their grim task of disposing of the body. Yousef asks, “Who are you?”

“My people are dying in Afghanistan.” Phillip replies, and since it’s the eighties that means the Soviets.

The FBI meets a wooden crate at the airport carrying the high-level defector from the Soviet Union.  She looks tired and weak but happy to be on American soil.  Back at the hotel Elizabeth, Yousef and Phillip work breaking Annalise’s bones to fit inside a suitcase.  It’s a horrifying scene and Elizabeth takes a picture to ensure continued loyalty from Yousef.

Nina gets a roommate from Belgium who is anxious to talk and obviously is scared to death.  The defector is at the FBI waiting for a secure hotel to become available. The woman tells Stan that she is glad that the she is now safe in America.  Stan replies, “It’s not all over, yet.”

We see a flashback to Elizabeth as a girl with her mother.  She is asking to go see the war memorial. (The Great Patriotic War, as WW II is known in Soviet Union) Elizabeth’s mother states bitterly that the memorial is not for her father, because her father was a deserter and shot for his crime.  Harsh.  I think that we will learn more about her relationship with her mother as she decides what to tell Paige about the family business.

The defector is giving a press conference and speaking out against the Soviet involvement in Afghanistan. (So much for keeping her presence a secret.)

Yousef and Phillip meet and talk about Annalise.  She’s been reported as a missing person.  It is sad to think that Annalise's husband and family will never know what happened to her.  Phillip is eager to use Yousef to discover the identities of the CIA who are working with the mujahedeen in Afghanistan.  Yousef has no choice but to cooperate and agrees to make contact.

Stan is walking to his car at night and hears footsteps behind him.  Oleg appears from the shadows and he’s pointing a gun at Stan.  In a brief but tense conversation, Oleg tells Stan that he knows he killed Vlad.  Stan says that he loved Nina too, and will try to help free her.  Disgusted, Oleg seems ready to pull the trigger.  Oleg orders Stan to get on his knees.  Stan refuses and says, “You’ll have to shoot me in the back.”  Stan turns and walks away slowly as we hear Oleg get into his car and leave.

With the grim image of Annalise dead in a suitcase, Elizabeth and Phillip again talk about Paige.  Elizabeth has the view that she as the mother should be the one to dictate what her daughter will do with her life.  I think that Phillip has a more American perspective that Paige should be able to choose her own path.

Stan, shaking from his near brush with death, calls his ex-wife Sandra from a payphone.  The message he leaves on the answering machine is tense with emotion. He soon goes to her to tell her what happened.  Sandra, while glad Stan is alive isn’t going to take him back because he was almost murdered. Sandra may still love him but it’s a “little too little too late” for Stan to be opening up about his work and his emotions.  It’s a tender and sad moment between two people who’ve shared a relationship that is gone.

Elizabeth is listening to her mother’s tape again in the basement.  Phillip encourages her to consider going to see her.  He says, “They owe us that much.”

But Elizabeth feels that she can’t go back, ever.  She goes to see Gabriel and they discuss Elizabeth’s mother and Paige’s readiness for training.

Nina’s roommate continues to try to engage her in conversation.  She says she’s innocent and fears that the Belgium embassy doesn’t know that she’s being detained.  Nina cryptically replies, “This isn’t a prison for the innocent.”

With fresh wigs, Phillip and Elizabeth begin their stake out of possible CIA operatives who work in Afghanistan. Elizabeth is determined to find the information that she lost when the FBI agents nearly caught her.  They enter a seedy bar where Yousef and the mystery men are meeting.  It’s rare to see Elizabeth and Phillip out in public together, he snaps his photos and says, “We should do this more often!”

At the Soviet Embassy, Tatiana ( the new woman) and Oleg discuss Ronald Reagan’s visit there to pay his respects to the late Brezhnev.  Their discussion moves to the new high-level defector, Zianda, from the Soviet Union.  They know about her upcoming appearance on “Meet the Press” and a plan to do a Newsweek interview.  Oleg asks what she wants him to do as he works in the technology sector.

Tatiana smiles and says, “I think you understand the importance of propaganda.” 

Nina is retrieved from her cell and enters an interrogation room.  A middle-aged bureaucrat enters and introduces himself as the Minster of Railways.  He then reveals that he is Oleg’s father and has been asked to “Use his influence to save her.”

He looks thoroughly disgusted by her and her crimes.  Nina knows she cannot be saved, but implores him to tell Oleg, “That I wasn’t pretending with him.”

Elizabeth and Phillip are at the travel agency office.  She recounts about how she was selected for Directorate S service when she was just sixteen.  She wasn’t allowed to tell anyone and she had a week to decide.  Elizabeth ended up telling her mother and her mother encouraged her, “Go and serve your country.”

She turns to Phillip and says, “When I was called, my mother didn’t hesitate.”

Clearly, she is thinking of Paige. The silence between them speaks volumes and the battle for Paige’s future has just begun.