Covert Affairs (2010–2014): Season 1, Episode 11 - When the Levee Breaks - full transcript

Thanks.

The Career lntelligence Medal.
For a lifetime of service
to the Agency.

Congratulations, Paul.

This place gives out
more awards
than the Boy Scouts.

As a former Eagle Scout,
I disagree.

If the real intention was
to keep up morale,
they'd spike this punch.

Hey, you know,
you're still on the clock.
Don't drink and drone.

I'll drink to that.

I just faux-clinked.
You didn't hear it,
but that's what I did.

No, I got it.
Cheese?

Hells, yeah.



Didn't do as well
on the test as you were
hoping, huh, Freddie?

Maybe this will help.

LEO says GER.

What does that mean?

Loss of Electrons
is Oxidation.

Gain of Electrons
is Reduction.

Thanks, Professor Anton.

You'll do fine.

Hello, Professor Sabine.

Ben Mercer
can't save you now.

Annie? Can you
come with me, please?

My name is Ben Mercer.

I'm a former ClA operative.

Hands up. Now.



I want to come in
from the cold.

Can you
hold still, please?
We're about to begin.

You don't have to
stay here, Annie.

We can fact-check his
story with a transcript later.

No. I want
to be here.

Polygraph for debrief
of former operative,
Ben Mercer.

You entered the Agency
straight out of college.

Yes.

You rose to
classified level eight.

Yes.

And then, two years ago,
you turned your back on us.

I went my own way.
Yes or no, please.

Yes.

Do you hate America?

No.

So, it was Annie Walker.

Annie didn't know
I was CIA.

Do you know
that for a fact?

We... We need to
dispense with
the bureaucratic nonsense.

What you need to know
is if you can trust me.

And to do that, you need
to know what happened
two years ago.

I was in Sri Lanka,
working with my handler,
Jai Wilcox.

I had brought
a chemist, a professor
named Anton Sabine,

to meet with
a major arms dealer.

Sabine was unaware of
the danger that I was
putting him in.

Did the CIA
ask you to do this?

Since I was deep cover,
it was my call.

It was the only way I
could have gotten inside the
arms dealer's organization.

They needed a chemist.
I provided. I was trading
a life for access.

But you didn't
end up doing this.

I met Annie. And, um...
I admired her spirit.

I realized that there
were more noble ways
to lead one's life.

So, I made a change.
You went rogue.

I refused to submit an
innocent man to a life of
making weapons for terrorists.

Instead, I shepherded him
underground and I found
him a new life

as a science teacher
in Hong Kong.

And this was
for you to decide?

At the end of the day,
I can only trust myself.

What about Annie Walker?

What about her?
Do you trust her?

Yes.

Thanks, Annie.
We need to go into matters
above your clearance.

Hey.
Hi.

Jai, were you ever going to
tell me that you were
stationed in Sri Lanka?

Or that you knew
Ben Mercer?

I would like nothing more
than to explain things to you.

But so much of
what I need to tell you
is classified.

The problem with this job is
that excuses like that
are valid.

How well did you
know him?

For a while,
I thought I knew him well.

Hello, Arthur.

You've been a naughty boy.

Because I've been
systematically eliminating
security threats

that the Agency is
too hypocritical to address?

What are you
doing here, Ben?

At the Agency. Today.

The scientist that l
relocated two years ago,

Professor Anton Sabine,
has been abducted.

And I suspect that
the arms dealer,
Felix Artigas,

has finally found him
in Hong Kong,

and taken him, against
his will, to Sri Lanka
to develop chemical weapons.

If Artigas gets
Sabine's technology,

he will be able to
supply terrorists

with virtually undetectable
chemical lEDs.

That's why I'm here.

You need the ClA's help?

I have a way in.

A former asset
in Sri Lanka. But...

I need Agency resources
and credibility.

And after going rogue
for two years, you expect us
to give them to you?

Yes.

Do you think he's
telling the truth?

Polygraph said as much.

We all know you can't
trust a polygraph.

We also know that if he is
and we don't act on it,
that's tragic.

I just ran down
the Hong Kong angle.

St. Andrew's Middle
School has won
the city science fair

the past two years.

I'd imagine there are a lot of
private schools in Hong Kong
that excel in science.

Yes, but each year's winner
has credited a Mr. Anton.

Now, the school says
he's a British national,

but the U.K.
Citizens Registry has
no record of him.

Photo?
None.

And he has been absent
the past two days.

It might be him.

Here's what we're
going to do.

We're going to assume
that Mercer is both
telling the truth

and is not to be trusted.

So, we send him to
Sri Lanka to meet his asset,

but with Annie Walker
as his handler.

No, I will go.
I can handle Ben.

No. He eluded you
once before
in Sri Lanka, Jai.

We'll be putting her
in danger.
She's not ready.

Oh, I think she is.

She's never been involved
in something as
emotional as that.

And we have to trade on
that emotion. Mercer feels
something for Annie.

He'll listen to her.
Annie goes.

It's the only way.

Bring her in here.

Oh, Annie.
I just happened to
be walking by.

Amazing timing.

What did they
ask you to do?

I can't talk about it.

They want me
to shadow Ben.

Be his handler
on a mission.

No. That is very dangerous,
and that is not okay.

I'm talking to Joan.
I can handle myself.

It's not about
your spy-craft.

You're my friend.
Call me protective.

No. Don't.

I want to go.
Please.

Okay. Come with me.

GPS tracker.
I can keep track of you
at all times.

Keep it someplace
inconspicuous and safe.

Now,
if something happens,
something bad,

then forget about protocol.
Call the number on this card.

7-1-0 area code?
Whose number is that?

It's my number.
I created it specifically
for this mission.

Consider it your
"get out of jail" card.

Thanks.

It's not free.
If you use it,
you owe me a sandwich.

Everything is
going to be fine.

Yep.

I can't believe it took
something like this to
finally get your digits.

If half the General Counsel
office is here
without an appointment,

I'm guessing this
is less than good.

It has emerged that Liza Hearn
is poised to print
an article about this.

You picked
a hell of a day.

We need you to get all your
documents and memos together
to help us craft a strategy.

What is your strategy
going to be?

That's being crafted.

Thank you for meeting me.

Whenever my head was
spinning I'd come out here
and look at this wall.

Try and remember
what it's all about.

You've been gone for a long
time. You sure you still
remember what it's all about?

I don't want you to come
on this mission. It's gonna
be too dangerous.

And they...
They don't trust me.

I'm not sure
I trust you.

You don't get to decide
things for me anymore.

I'm coming
on this mission.

You and Ben
will fly separately.
Once you arrive in Colombo,

you have to assume
that you are
always being followed.

You'll have a series
of checkpoints
to keep contact.

You'll follow him to
the square near
the Old Courthouse.

Ben will look to you,
and if it seems
you haven't been followed,

give him a sign
and he'll leave a mark
for his contact. Lone Star.

So, now,
we wait until tomorrow.

Who is this guy?
Lone Star?

Tamil warlord.
Well, he used to be until
the Tamil surrender.

But he buys his
weapons from Artigas,
so he's still very tapped in.

Who gave him the name
Lone Star? You?

Yes.

Sounds like you.

I think it works.
Don't you?

Fireworks.

Yeah. It's September.
It's the Hindu Vel festival.

Follow me.

Ah.

Hey!

What's up, man?

What are we doing here?

Why are we getting
Kothu Roti now? It's like the
cheeseburger in Sri Lanka.

You can get it anywhere.

At the Hindu Vel festival,
you can only get this Kothu
Roti special here. Sit down.

Here, sir.

Try this.

Delicious, right?

It's okay.

Nice try.

Hey, uh...

So, this isn't just
about the food.
It's about the mission.

It's about both.

I'm not doing any more
unsanctioned ops, so I don't
really know why I'm here.

Your friend, Liza Hearn, is
poised to publish an article
that could damage our agency.

Well, with all due respect,
that's kind of her job,
isn't it?

We can't seize her notes,
because she keeps them in
a safe in her editor's office.

We can't come at her
for treason because
she hasn't outed her source,

and she hasn't
named anyone directly.

So, we need you
to contact her.

Persuade her to
hold back the article.

She hasn't talked to me
since you and I planted
that false flag.

Oh. Women forgive a lot.
Don't forget that.

You are married to my boss,
so I can't go anywhere
near that statement.

Auggie. This article
would affect missions
on the ground.

It would be putting our
operatives in jeopardy.

I'll see what
I can do.

I didn't call ahead,
but this is
time-sensitive.

Of course.

So, this is the situation.

If Liza Hearn's article
comes out and says
what we think it will,

there's going to be
a lot of scrutiny of Arthur.

Scrutiny.

Scrutiny that may force him to
leave his post as Director of
Clandestine Services.

I see.

Can we count
on your cooperation?

Happy to hand over
any files or memos
you may need.

I'm not here
for files or memos.

No, that would be
below your pay grade.

The Director has taken notice
of your credentials,

your work in Nairobi,
Brussels, and here.

That's good.
I'm glad.

Hypothetically,
if you were approached
by the vetting committee

to take over as DCS,
would you pursue it?

You are hypothetically
asking me if I would
take my husband's job?

Off the record.

This is the ClA, Alex.
Nothing's on the record.

I know it's a lot
to think about.

But consider this.

You'd be the highest-ranking
woman in the history
of this agency.

And you'd do
an amazing job.

Hypothetically.

This conversation
is classified.

Any mention of it to Arthur
would be a violation
of ClA protocol.

Sean.

It's not a national holiday,
so you must be here
because you want something.

I need some advice.

My move would be
to create some separation

between yourself
and Arthur Campbell.

That's not what
I need advice about.

It's the advice
you need to hear.

Ben Mercer, whose handler l
supposedly was, was he taking
orders from anyone else?

Two kinds of people
succeed at the ClA.

Those who are very good
at taking orders,

and those who
cannot take orders.

Ben couldn't and can't.

He is extraordinary.

You knew him.
I knew him very well.

You think you know
what you need,
but you don't.

I know enough.

Remember my advice.

You'd best
look out for yourself.

Take some initiative.

And how would you suggest
I do that?

If you're asking me that,
then you're not
taking initiative.

Enjoy the view.

Lone Star is in.

And I imagine
he'll have us
picked up momentarily.

Whoa. Hey, man.
Come on.

Even though I knew it was
coming, I can't say
I like the treatment.

Lone Star has
always been paranoid.
It's his process.

There's paranoid,
and then there's psychotic.

We're only blindfolded.
Not tied up.

Remember the last time
we were on the road
out of Colombo?

Very different time.
Very different circumstances.

I didn't know the first thing
about you then. I can't say
I know much more now.

You don't have to know the
specifics about somebody
to know who they truly are.

I think you do.
Oh, okay.

What do... What do...
What do you know?

Um... You're a huge fan
of the band Underworld.

You have a constellation
of freckles on your
right shoulder blade.

You're ticklish.

True, true, and true.

Don't go looking any further,
because that's about
all there is to me.

We're here.

I've been here before.

Really? When?

After you left me
at the beach.

That doesn't
sound too good.

Anybody who comes here
is trying to forget something.

Or someone.

Hello, Lone Star.

Forgive me
for not standing.

Did you bring
what I wanted?

Just place them
in my alms bowl.

You are a prince
among men, Ben Mercer.

Who is the girl?
My associate.

Hmm.

Much prettier
than your last handler.

Surprisingly lascivious
for a man of the cloth.

Oh, I am just pretending.

A monk would never
ask for cash.

How's 50,000
American dollars?

Some tea, perhaps?

You should get something
for your money.

Oh, no. Uh... I think
the information
will do just fine.

Ah, yes.
The information.

Artigas has the professor.

He's probably forcing him to
weaponize the sarin gas
as we speak.

My sources tell me he's
at Nimananntha Sthanaya.

Nimananntha Sthanaya.
Biggest house.

Hmm.

Is that it?

I'm not really feeling
like I'm getting
my money's worth.

Well, that is all
I have got.

Life isn't always...

Fair.

You all right?

You all right?

Whoa. Whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

The tea.

We've got to go.
Come on.

Go, go!

Just curious. Of all
the places in Sri Lanka,
we had to come here?

Well, it's out of the way,
it's monsoon season,
and no one is here.

Where are you going?
Somewhere else.

Look.

I understand you
not wanting to be here.
With me.

But this is the safest place
until we can get back
to Colombo.

How long do we
have to stay here?

We can leave at dawn.

You're pretty good at that,
aren't you?

You got me out of work
on a weekday.

I must have really
had a thing for you.

Why am I here?

This is an apology.

A proper one.

I gained your trust
under false pretenses.

I lied about who I was.
It was my job,
and I am sorry.

Not going to
cut it, Auggie.

Okay.
How about this?
I'm happy I did it.

You're happy you lied?
No.

I'm happy I met you.

When people see you,
they see an
overzealous journalist,

who is hell-bent on
speaking truth to power.
But you're more than that.

You're principled,
caring, and sometimes, sweet.
And I got to see that.

You can't see.

Okay.

You've been
sufficiently charming.

Now, what do you
want from me?

It's not a want.
It's a need.

I need you to hold off
on publishing the article
you're working on.

Just for 72 hours.

So Langley can properly
refute it?
No.

Please just trust me.

How do I know
I can trust you?

You'll never fully know.
That's what trust is.

That's not trust.
That's faith.

Then, have faith.

Please.

Seventy-two hours.

No word from Annie or Ben in
several hours. They've blown
through a scheduled check-in.

We've got ears
on the rails.

Okay. Stay on it.

What's the matter?

This article.
The lawyers in my office.

I can hear
the drums beating.

If I lose this job,
the rest of my career
will be a coda.

I'll never get
an opportunity
to go further.

I'm sorry, Arthur.

I think you've done
a fantastic job.

Thanks.

I searched up and down
the beach and north
a bit. It's all quiet.

In the morning, we'll head
into Colombo and we'll get
an ops team

deployed to lndonesia.

Artigas' biggest house
is his villa in Bali.

I hope Sabine is okay.

How well did you
know him?

Well, to gain his trust,
I had to get to know him.

The more I got to
know him, the more
impressed I was with him.

He's... He's smart.
He's honest. He's kind.

You couldn't give him up.

No. I couldn't.

When we were here,
did you ever think about
telling me the truth?

The full truth?

I know my note
wasn't enough.

But at the time,
it was all I could do.

So, you felt you could only
go so far as to tell me
nothing at all?

When I was ClA,

the best thing about it
was feeling like I was doing
something important.

But the most
important thing that
ever happened to me

is you.

Come on.
We've got to move.

You guys missed
your checkpoint.

How did you find us?

Auggie can be helpful
when he wants to be.

Okay. Tell the lndonesian
military to keep me posted.

Okay, we have
a tactical rescue
of the professor

scheduled in an hour
in Bali. We need to
get back to Colombo.

I have a general aviation
flight scheduled
to take us back to Langley.

So, question.
Why are you here?

Because I was worried.

Because you needed me.

So, your being here
isn't sanctioned.

Wow. You, of all people?
Really?

Ready?

Go, go,
go, go, go!

Let's go.

Maybe Artigas
was tipped off.

But the ops team said that the
place looked like it hadn't
been occupied for weeks.

Well, what do we do now?
What about Sabine?

We make our way
to Mauritius by boat.

We visit some old
contacts I have there.

Mauritius by boat.
Yeah.

Yeah, what contacts?

You said yourself
Lone Star was your
one remaining connection.

You struck out.
Admit it.

What do you
want to do?

You want to go home?
Yeah, to Langley. Exactly.

Langley.
It's not safe here.

And even if you don't
care about that,
don't put Annie at risk.

Don't make this
about me.

He's right.

It isn't safe.

We should leave.

I'll go get our gear
and pull the truck around.

Liza.

How did you know?

You're one of the few women
I know who prefers No. 19
over No. 5.

Plus, we were supposed to
meet right about now,
so I gave it a shot.

Here's your perfume
and various other sundries
you left at my house.

Mingus Dynasty.
And some Atari T-shirts.

What,
you're returning Mingus?

I didn't really get it.

I thought you liked it.

I guess we both lied
to get what we wanted
out of our relationship.

Touch?.

Are we done here?
Uh-uh.

One more thing.

Thank you
for holding off
on the article.

You helped us on
a number of missions.

Missions?
Yeah.

My article didn't contain any
operational details. It was
purely about Arthur Campbell.

He played you.

He seems to have.

So, why are you smiling?

Because now,
Arthur owes me.

You are always two moves
ahead, Auggie.

Got to be in this game.
Hey. A word of warning.

I don't know
who your source is,
but be careful.

I don't know a spy
who is in it solely
for the greater good.

Except for maybe you.

That's not mine.

Hello, Liza.

Our next chat

may get you
that Pulitzer.

I have to talk to you.
Okay.

The Director and the General
Counsel are already looking to
replace you as the DCS.

Well, I know.
I told you that.

The vetting committee
has asked me to
consider taking the job.

I'm sorry I didn't tell you
before, but they asked me
not to. Agency protocol.

But I've realized
that our marriage
comes first.

I've let this place
come between us
far too often.

You have to take it.

The DCS job.
You have to take it.

No.

After all these years of
marriage, you still find
ways to surprise me.

Arthur, this place
is better off
with both of us here.

Let's fight this
witch hunt together.

It is going to get ugly.
And when it does, we are
going to fight back. Hard.

And in the end, we will both
still be working here
where we belong.

You up for it?

You know I am.

He's not coming back,
is he?

I don't think so.

You had to
shut down his plan.

His plan?
Ben's plans
only involve himself.

He has his own agenda.

Our flight is in an hour.

I know.

Ben knew that, too.

Hello?
Annie,
are you okay?

Yeah. Why?

What are you doing
in the Pettah district?

I'm not.
I'm at our rendezvous point.

Your GPS
doesn't say so.

I'm here.
And I'm wearing
my bracelet.

Ben and I must have
switched bracelets
at the beach after...

- After what?
- Uh, never mind.

Uh, just give me
the location.

All right. It says
you're on Chaitya Road,

and that you're
500 feet up in the air.
Is that even possible?

Nimananntha Sthanaya.

Biggest house.

That's what Lone Star
was talking about.
Ben must be up there.

Yeah, okay. Hold on.
This needs to go vertical.

The building is
owned by Ceylon Luxury
Property Development.

Our WTO detailee informs us
that Artigas is
a silent partner.

We have to assume
Mercer is working
his own angle here.

How can we assume that?

He went rogue
before, Annie.

We don't have time
to get an ops team
in place.

So, you two need to go
up there for recon and
possible extraction of Sabine.

And Ben.

We'll have
a helicopter at the ready
if you get Sabine.

Jai? You have permission
to take down Mercer
if necessary.

Got it.

Jai, would you really
shoot Ben?

It's just
a precaution, Annie.

He's not playing us.
I know it.

Look. I hope you're right.

But if you're wrong,
I will not hesitate
to do what I need to do.

How do I know
I can trust you?

I'm telling you.
It's too hot out there.

I'm going to
take the professor
to lndonesia myself.

The city is
crawling with ClA.

The only way this is going to
work is if I take Sabine
to lndonesia with me.

But you already know that.

I need him alive.

That's my specialty.

Come on.

I can't believe this.

He's moving Sabine.
I have to take him out.

Ben,
what are you doing?

Get out of here.
Both of you.

Let him go, Ben!

What is this?

See, Felix?
I told you this city
is crawling with them.

I trusted you.

The truth is complicated.

Get out of here! Go!

They've got him! Go!

Put it down.
Put it down.

Annie! We've got to
get up to the roof!

Come on.

Come on. Hurry!

Ben!

Ben! Ben!