Covert Affairs (2010–2014): Season 2, Episode 1 - Begin the Begin - full transcript
Ex Ben Mercer, who rescued Annie in Sri Lanka, is saved by her when an unlike foreign duo attacks him in a local hospital, and secretly meets Arthur. Auggie thoroughly checks if the break in at her home, from which nothing was stolen, is a security problem or just knavish mischief. Annie refuses to step back after a routine checkup if CIA Nadia Levandi, a tennis professional, requests help. She ends up realizing her Russian team boss Alo Morozov, regardless of his violent record, isn't the risk factor.
Polygraph for mission debrief.
Question for control.
Your name is Ben Mercer?
Yes.
And you are
a CIA operative?
I think that's a question
for Arthur Campbell.
Yes or no answers, please.
Yes.
You recently completed
a locate and rescue
assignment in Sri Lanka?
Yes.
And on said mission,
did you in any way try
to deceive the CIA?
No.
And yet, you left your fellow
operatives and went into
a hostage situation alone.
I was trying to protect
operative Annie Walker
from harm. Yes.
And then,
you were shot.
Yes.
But someone saved you.
Who?
I thought
this was yes or no.
Oh, yeah.
Did I save you?
Yes.
And I am very grateful.
Hmm. Increased heart rate.
Spike in blood pressure.
I think the polygraph
is getting to you.
I think it's the polygrapher.
And I think you should
dismiss the nurse.
Wait. I'll be right back.
Ben.
We need to move.
We have to get
to the guard-house.
No. We won't make it.
Go alone.
Go alone.
Not a chance.
Oh, God.
Let's go home.
I preferred Guam.
That's because
you have a problem
with authority.
No. No, I just liked having
a room with an ocean view.
Hey.
It's good to see you.
You, too.
I knew I preferred Guam.
For the record,
you do have a problem
with authority.
For the record,
I don't consider
you an authority figure.
We can help you
transfer to the bed.
I've got it myself.
Let us help you.
I got it.
Accepting help is not
a sign of weakness.
You should know.
This isn't about me.
It's about your pride.
It's what got you
injured in the first place.
Guys. Can we just not...
Jai. I'll meet you
in the courtyard.
Okay. Here.
Oh, what's this?
Paperwork already?
Langley's bureaucracy
is a joke.
No.
It's books of Sudoku's.
Thought it might
help you pass the time,
and you're an asshole.
I actually
really like these.
Yeah. He knew that.
I'll apologize to him.
You've had a long day.
I'll let you get settled in.
I'll be back soon.
Is there anything
I can get you?
You know what I would love?
A Five Guys cheeseburger.
I've been craving
one of those ever
since I left DC.
You've been
gone a long time.
That's quite a craving.
You have no idea.
You got it.
Don't forget to check
if we're being tailed.
After Guam,
we can't be too careful.
This isn't my first rodeo.
Ben was a little touchy
back there.
He's been through a lot.
He's going to go
through a lot more.
It's not going to be easy
for a guy like Ben.
A guy like Ben?
He's only comfortable alone.
In the field.
Nobody at Langley
sees him behind a desk.
What is going to
happen to him?
Honestly? No clue.
None whatsoever.
Hey. You're back.
Hi.
Oh.
Rough business trip?
The trip was fine.
It was just business.
Well,
you were gone a while.
I can't believe there
was that much to do
in Lamar, Missouri.
The Smithsonian
wanted the exhibit of
Harry Truman's birthplace
to be really detailed.
Thanks for the postcards.
Who knew the world's
Iargest ball of yarn
was in Missouri?
Yeah. Who knew?
How's things here?
Crazy. Hectic.
Michael's been
traveling a ton for work,
the storm gutter guy
keeps canceling on me,
and Katia has been
faking being sick to
get out of school.
Danielle, what's this?
Oh, a police report.
Someone broke into
the garage.
They didn't take anything,
but we filed a report, anyway.
When was this?
A couple of nights ago.
What about my guest house?
I told you they
didn't take anything.
I checked your place.
It's fine.
I'm just going to go
freshen up.
Welcome back.
Annie Walker.
Auggie.
How do you do that?
I'm not wearing perfume.
These heels,
although fantastic,
are hardly unique.
I don't get it.
What would you say
if I told you
you projected a warm,
fuzzy aura that I can sense?
I'd say you were
trying to butter me up
for something.
I could use a ride to
AIIen's Tavern after work.
Aha! The truth emerges.
Hey. Did you send my
sister those postcards
to sell my cover trip?
Nice touch, right?
I had a guy from S and T
replicate your handwriting.
I figured it was
better than me doing it.
I'm glad you're back.
It's good to be back.
I think.
Someone broke into
my sister's house.
That's a potential red flag.
Anything stolen?
No.
I did a level one sweep.
But all my cover docs
were still in place.
Aren't you glad we
had you install that safe?
I'll try to organize
a larger sweep
of the property.
What's all this?
Joan assigned
me and my team to
try and figure out
who attacked you and Ben
at the hospital and why.
It was close.
We barely made it out.
Yeah. But you did.
You always do.
The world has not stood
still in your absence.
Really?
What's going on?
Liza Hearn
stepped up her game.
She's published
several articles in
the past three weeks
that are scathing
indictments of Arthur.
What did they say?
They cited leaked material.
Three highly
sensitive documents.
Three documents?
That's it?
Well, it's like
a laser pointer of nasty
instead of the massive,
gaseous cloud of pain
that is Wikileaks.
Tell you what,
it hasn't made Joan
much fun to be around.
If you two
are done chit-chatting,
there is actual work
to be done.
Annie, my office.
Welcome back.
How are you feeling?
Good. Happy to be back.
You know,
a lot of operatives would
need some time to
decompress after
what you just went through.
Not me. I'm good.
Seriously.
Asset interaction.
Alo Morozov.
A heartwarming Estonian
tale of a man pulling
himself up out of
abject Soviet poverty
by money laundering,
drug trafficking,
and the occasional contract
hit to pad out the 401-K.
He's Estonian,
but his file was generated
on the Russian desk?
Yes. We suspect him
of being a facilitator
for the Kremlin
in the new Estonian rare
earths mining operation.
He's the front.
They're mining
for Promethium.
Despite the START treaties,
the Russians are having
a hard time kicking
their nuclear habit.
How do you want
me to get to Morozov?
Morozov is too dangerous
and too well-protected
to approach.
We've been targeting
this woman.
Nadia Levandi.
Ranked 79th on
the Women's tour.
Made it to the semifinals
of the French four years ago,
but hasn't made
much noise since.
She's, Morozov's daughter?
Mistress.
Oh.
Nadia's been giving us
intel on Morozov for the
past three years,
but missed her
two previous drops.
She's playing in the
BMW DC Invitational
this weekend.
You're going to
meet her at practice
and follow protocol.
Auggie will
take you through it.
You're going to the
tennis center, main court.
We have a guy.
Nadia will be
in the middle of
a practice session.
You're a fan coming to
meet your favorite player.
You'll have a bouquet
of 13 roses.
12 red, one white.
That indicates to her
that you're a new handler.
Now, careful.
There will be people around.
Nadia has a new coach.
Also,
Morozov might be
present with protection.
These are for Miss Levandi.
I'm a fan.
Don't worry.
Nadia will allow you
down to the court.
You'll give the
roses to Nadia.
If Nadia has intel,
she'll ask to
meet you later.
If Nadia doesn't have
any intel, she will say,
"Roses?"
Roses.
"My favorite."
My favorite.
"I will put them in a vase
in my locker room."
I will put them
in a vase in my hotel.
I mean, I'll put them
in the locker room.
Thank you for your time.
Auggie.
Nadia sent me a signal.
She botched the script.
I think she's in trouble.
Something was off.
I know it.
She may have just
spaced on the wording.
Here's what you need to
know about assets.
They are not
trained operatives.
They are normal people
who we see as targets
of opportunity.
And they screw up
all the time.
They're late, they lose stuff,
they ask for crazy things...
But don't we have a
responsibility to help her
if she's in trouble?
Damn.
You played the morality card.
You know I did.
So, help me.
All right.
If Nadia's in
imminent danger,
we need proof
to take to Joan.
Stay on your surveil,
and initiate the compromised
asset protocol.
Make sure you do
a head tail.
They can't know you're
following them if you're
in front of them.
It's a risky maneuver,
but professional drivers
always use their blinkers.
If you don't have the
right gear to fit in,
be resourceful.
Could you show me
the locker rooms?
Oh, yeah. Sure.
I'm thinking about joining.
The tricky thing
will be getting Nadia alone.
These players
are always surrounded by
their coaches and trainers.
Thanks.
What are you doing?
What are you doing?
Isn't that thing going
to melt in here?
It's my vice.
You used to
not be able to get
good quality chocolates
in my country.
But now that
Estonia is on the Euro,
we get all the good candies.
Nadia, we need to talk.
Sorry I screwed up
the flower protocol.
But it's very confusing.
And there were
people watching.
Yeah, Morozov.
Did he do that to you?
I tripped going
after a drop shot.
And your shoulder?
You have the
wrong idea about Alo.
He's a good man.
I know you're worried.
I have a solution.
You can come into Langley.
We can leave straight
from here. I have a car
waiting outside.
Tell your CIA people
to not bother me anymore.
Nadia, please.
Leave me alone.
This doesn't concern you.
Nadia is
definitely in danger.
She's just
too scared to admit it.
If I'm going to authorize
a protection team, I need
a request from the asset.
Did she ask for help?
No. Not exactly.
Not exactly, or no?
She asked for the CIA
to leave her alone.
But how many long-term
assets walk away from
the arrangement?
Very few.
A lot of people
get cold feet
and stop short before
becoming assets.
Once they commit,
they're in.
Giving up the
protection and the money?
It doesn't happen.
And that's
because she's scared.
Morozov has a long track
record of killing the people
who betray him.
AII right.
Annie, you'll surveil
with Auggie and Hollman
on tech support.
But keep a safe distance.
If Nadia really
is in as much trouble
as you think,
then exposing her
as a CIA asset is going
to make things much worse.
Here's to a moment of refuge
in the eye of the storm.
I will drink to that.
If we could bring these
files out of the building,
we could be enjoying
this scotch at home.
If we could
bring those files
out of this building,
you still would not be
enjoying your scotch.
Yeah.
Can you read me in?
Oh,
it's just in-house counsel
saying the team
needs more time
to get my Tanzania
cables together.
That's the third time since
they came on board.
It's the way of lawyers.
Agency lawyers.
In-house counsel has
a muddled agenda, at best.
What you need is someone
who is solely on your side.
Someone like Chet Lagardie.
Chet Lagardie?
He was good enough for
the Speaker of the House.
He'll bankrupt us.
Then, we can
dip into our savings.
And then, he'll win.
He always wins.
Just hiring Chet Lagardie
will imply that I'm guilty.
At every DC
cocktail party from now on,
people are going to be
whispering about you.
It's just a question
whether they're whispering
about you
Iosing your job
or keeping your job.
You said
you wanted to fight.
This is how we fight.
Well, let's give in-house
counsel a little more time.
Okay, Annie,
Security Office
has authorized
a sweep of your house,
but they need you
to get your sister
out of the house.
Think you can handle it?
I told them you could,
so help me out.
Race you there.
I'm winning.
No!
Chloe just single-handedly
destroyed the carpet.
Oh, no. I'm sorry.
I must have given
them too much.
I'll pay for
the carpet cleaning.
No, you don't have to.
That's the price
of having kids.
No, I insist. I'll have
the cleaners here tomorrow.
Annie Walker.
Our girl
is on the move.
Be right there.
I, unfortunately,
have to miss dinner.
Oh, shocker.
They're leaving F Street.
They just pulled up
to an alley.
He's forcing
her out of the car.
She doesn't look happy.
Hollman,
can you give us ears?
These microphones
are parabolic extrapolators.
They actually
send data in real-time
and fill in any gaps across
the arc from the other
mics in the circuit.
Hollman, if you want
to impress a woman,
compliment her.
Don't talk about
your own equipment.
Especially when your
own equipment has circuitry.
I just think
it's all so cool.
He's taking her
inside the building.
Jerry,
can you get us closer?
Annie, I don't think
that's a good idea.
We've got to
keep our distance.
If we expose ourselves
and blow her cover,
we put her life at risk.
I know. I get it.
Hollman, where are we?
Frequency coming in now.
Geez. That sounds
Iike gunfire.
Annie,
think this through.
If she's in danger,
I'm not just going
to sit here.
To the beautiful
and beguiling Nadia.
My Nadia.
So magnificent
on the court.
Happy Birthday.
Annie, we're shutting down
Nadia as an asset.
Last night's near
miss nearly outed her
and you to Morozov.
Nadia is still in danger.
We know what Morozov
is capable of.
If that's the case,
then it's in her
best interest
to have no further
contact with the CIA.
So, we're done with her,
just like that?
Just like that. Precisely.
These newspapers are
your next assignment.
You're going to go
through back issues of
the Montreal Gazette
to find any
increased citations regarding
Quebecois secession.
Are you...
Serious? Totally.
This has got to be
heavily redacted.
There's just
too much disclosure.
Jai. It's good to see you.
It's good to see anyone
without a law degree.
Did I catch you
at a bad time?
Not bad.
Just sort of busy.
AII right, I'll be quick.
Ben Mercer's back in town.
What's the play?
What do you want me to do?
Stay with Joan.
Work in the DPD.
That was supposed
to be temporary.
Things have changed.
Things are changing.
I like you, Jai.
But the best thing
for you right now
might be to get some
distance from me.
It's funny.
Someone else gave me
the exact same advice.
Someone may be
Iooking out for you.
Hi. I'm Luis from
In Extremes Carpet Cleaners.
Your sister hired us.
Oh, yeah. Wow.
You guys sure are prompt.
Yeah, you know, it's...
It's not really
that big a spill.
It's not the size
of the spill,
it's the depth and viscosity
of the radial blot.
Do my kids and I
have to leave the house?
You're welcome to stay.
You may get a little
Iight-headed.
I think we'll go.
Chloe? Katia?
We're in.
Commencing sweep.
Auggie, I found you.
Don't interrupt me
or I'll lose my count.
4005, 4006...
Have we drilled
down on Morozov?
He's been at Nadia's
practice session for the
second consecutive day.
He's watching
her like a hawk.
Wait.
You're staking out Nadia
even after Joan
told you to drop it?
Okay, yeah. I have.
That's a pretty huge
breach of protocol.
I know something
is going on.
It's like the
O'Neill affair in 1962
when that violinist
from the New York
Philharmonic was
murdered in Moscow.
Annie, listen to yourself.
You've been through
a lot the past few weeks.
With Sri Lanka,
with Guam, with Ben.
I'm worried
it's making you paranoid.
No.
Maybe.
Look. In our line of work,
there is a very
thin line between
intuition and paranoia.
Our job is to walk
right up to that line
but never to cross it.
I'm worried about you.
As an operative
and a friend.
I'm fine.
You will be.
And you may not
want to hear this,
but Hollman's sweep
of your apartment
came back clean.
The break-in was probably
just a couple of kids.
Oh.
Why don't you take the
rest of the day off?
I'll cover with Joan.
Thanks, Auggie.
Captain Chandler,
please report to MICU.
Captain Chandler, MICU.
Comfort food.
We both need...
Excuse me. Where did
they move Ben Mercer?
Who?
Ben Mercer. Room 202.
Sorry. There's no one
here under that name.
He was here.
There's no record
of anyone by that name
ever staying here.
Annie.
I know I'm probably
breaking CIA regulations
by coming to your house.
And this is over the line
on about nine other levels.
But I literally didn't know
who else to talk to.
What's going on?
Do you know what
happened to Ben?
I need to know.
I understand that
this is hard for you.
And
what I think will make
it a little easier
is for you to separate
out your feelings for Ben
and think of
him as an asset.
Ben would
represent a high risk,
high reward individual.
Does that make sense?
I think so.
So, on a human level,
what that means is
that, as exhilarating
as your time is with Ben
when he goes missing or
does something duplicitous,
you have to accept that.
There are always going
to be questions with Ben.
I'm beginning to see that.
And in answer to
your original question.
I think you're a strong
enough operative now
to intuit my response.
Well, the fact
that you didn't directly
answer my question
means that you
know where he is.
And the fact that
you're not yelling at me
means he's probably safe?
See you
at the office, Annie.
I just don't get it.
Why did they move Ben?
I don't know.
We work in a job with
a lot of "I don't know's".
Did your team find out
anything about Guam?
We did.
The would-be assassins
were a Belgian and a Finn
who had never
worked together before.
What does that mean?
What's the linkage
between the two?
Well,
the linkage is Ben.
Someone wanted him dead
and hired the two
perfect people to do it.
The Belgian is an expert
in military security systems.
The Finn is
a weapons specialist.
Together they had
skills and access.
Other than that,
there's no profile.
Access.
We've got to go.
Really? I don't get
to finish my beer?
You really don't. Let's go.
Oh.
Okay.
Can you open this?
Okay, I can't see
the speedometer,
but I'm going to
ask you to slow down.
Hello?
Jai, it's Annie.
I just emailed you
some photos.
Can you run them through the
facial recognition database?
Sure.
Give me a minute.
You're looping in Jai?
Now, I really wish
we'd stayed at the bar.
I was wrong about Nadia.
Yes, I know.
I told you that.
No. Someone's in danger
but it's not Nadia.
Game, Levandi.
It's Morozov.
Nadia's the assassin.
You were right.
It's all about access.
And Nadia can get to Morozov
without raising eyebrows.
Why now?
Nadia is Morozov's mistress.
She's been close to him
for three years.
She could have
done it at any time.
Because now, Nadia can buy
good chocolate in Estonia.
See? You were
starting to make sense,
and now,
you're making less sense.
30-0.
Estonia just
pegged to the Euro.
It's opening up opportunities
for foreign investment.
Morozov probably knows
that he could make a mint
off his land holdings
if he wasn't tied to Russia.
And that's what
he's doing here.
I should have
realized it before.
He's using Nadia's practices
as a place to talk to
potential bidders.
Going against
the Kremlin would
be a suicide mission.
Yeah, and Morozov
knows that.
Hey.
- That was fast.
That's because
I don't need to run this
through the database.
The man in one of the
photos is Petr Kuyt,
a known South African
mining magnate.
Petr Kuyt? Thanks.
Petr Kuyt is no friend
of the Kremlin.
Morozov is double-dealing.
And Nadia is caught
in the middle.
I need to talk to Nadia.
You got a plan?
We have a plan.
Thank you.
Um, A-5.
This is my seat.
No, that's my seat.
The match is almost over.
Traffic was a bear.
At least, that's what
my driver told me.
You are blind.
So? I still deserve a seat.
I do enjoy tennis.
Maybe not
the same way you...
I didn't...
Didn't what?
Didn't mean to steal the
blind man's seat? Or care?
Okay.
Get your hands off of me.
Look. Just look
at my ticket, man.
Let me see it.
Let's go figure this
out together.
I'll walk you up
to the ticket booth.
Okay.
Don't look back.
Walk quickly but calmly.
Hello!
Area's off limits.
Yeah, I'm Nadia Levandi's
personal concierge.
She hasn't finished yet,
has she?
Just...
Drop it.
Nadia wanted an apple
to help her blood sugar
after the match.
She got mad because
I got her a Fuji and she
only eats Honeycrisp,
so I had to
go out and get her this.
I don't want to get fired.
Game,
set, match. Levandi.
Ladies and gentlemen,
advancing in straight sets.
6-1, 6-0.
Nadia Levandi.
Hey, Nadia.
You need to come with me.
I told you to
Ieave me alone.
Alo is safe.
He's in our custody.
No. They'll kill me.
That's why you need
to come with me.
The CIA can protect you.
Thank you.
Nadia.
Run!
So, I take it
your coach is FSB.
She threatened me.
I had no choice.
Come on.
Which is the
front entrance?
The front?
Yeah.
We'll be totally exposed.
Trust me.
It is that way.
How did you know
the engine would be on?
I didn't.
Some of this is improvised.
Hold on.
Are you all right?
Oh, my God!
Stay down.
You have some mouth on you.
You speak Estonian?
Just the swear words.
Where are you going?
I have a plan.
Here we go.
Hold on.
Chet Lagardie?
In the three-piece-clad flesh.
What are you doing here?
What am I doing here?
Your husband hired me,
apparently at your suggestion.
So, I suggest we go
inside and start working
on his legal defense.
Because this conversation
is on the clock,
and my clock isn't cheap.
Come on in.
Your lawyer is here.
Will you show me the chair,
please? Great. Thank you.
Hi. I'm Joe Jacoby.
Jacoby and Theisman.
So. Give me
the straight scoop.
I'll do my best
to get you off.
If you lie to me
and I'll know you're lying
I'll let you hang.
Okay?
I can't tell.
Are you nodding?
Yes.
So, you kids were
just getting your thrills?
Stealing bikes,
Ioose cash,
that sort of thing?
Again with the nodding.
Yes.
Did you break into the
garage at 4141 P Street?
Answer me, please.
Yes.
Are you sure?
Yes.
Okay. Good.
I'll see what I can do.
Good afternoon, gentlemen.
Officer.
Was that guy
really our lawyer?
Unfortunately,
I have some bad news.
The CIA can
offer you asylum
and protection in the US,
but nothing further.
No more money.
A life of anonymity.
I'll never play
professional tennis again.
No.
Being in public is
too great of a risk.
We've already pulled
you from this tournament
due to a sudden
hamstring injury.
At least I can eat my
chocolate bars now
without a fear
of recrimination.
And you went out with a win.
I know this whole
thing is terrible.
But this is your life
now, and you're going
to need to accept it.
Thank you.
For what?
For not trying
to make me happier
than I should be.
Americans are always
trying to change things.
But the Estonian
heart is black.
We know when
fate has turned on us.
So, what do you do?
You live.
It's still living.
I don't want to just live.
I want more than that.
You are truly
not Estonian.
No.
I guess I'm not.
Good luck, Nadia.
I love this view.
It always seems like
you're closer to the Capitol
than you really are.
It's a matter of perspective.
Were you followed?
Trust me.
With all I've got
going on in my life,
I took no chances.
Welcome back to the
Agency, Mr. Mercer.
I must say,
while you were away,
I admired your work.
You helped us.
You helped me out of
a lot of dicey situations.
How would you like
to continue to do that,
but this time,
with Agency resources?
Full autonomy.
Off the books.
One condition.
What is it?
I want to talk to Annie.
You know
that's not possible.
There's a reason
why you haven't
contacted her in two years.
She's a security risk
to someone like you.
And you for her.
I need to see her.
How about this?
Stay in your lane,
complete your missions,
and I'll see if
we can't find a way
to bring you back in.
Typical Agency carrot
and stick behavior.
Yes, it is.
Good talk.
Hey. Do you need me
to come in?
Easy there,
worker bee.
I'm just calling
to check in and see
how you're holding up.
I've been better.
Do you want to
meet me at the Tavern?
Sure.
Hey.
Hey.
Am I going to get to
finish my beer this time?
Not only that,
I'm buying.
Did you just
come from work?
Question for control.
Your name is Ben Mercer?
Yes.
And you are
a CIA operative?
I think that's a question
for Arthur Campbell.
Yes or no answers, please.
Yes.
You recently completed
a locate and rescue
assignment in Sri Lanka?
Yes.
And on said mission,
did you in any way try
to deceive the CIA?
No.
And yet, you left your fellow
operatives and went into
a hostage situation alone.
I was trying to protect
operative Annie Walker
from harm. Yes.
And then,
you were shot.
Yes.
But someone saved you.
Who?
I thought
this was yes or no.
Oh, yeah.
Did I save you?
Yes.
And I am very grateful.
Hmm. Increased heart rate.
Spike in blood pressure.
I think the polygraph
is getting to you.
I think it's the polygrapher.
And I think you should
dismiss the nurse.
Wait. I'll be right back.
Ben.
We need to move.
We have to get
to the guard-house.
No. We won't make it.
Go alone.
Go alone.
Not a chance.
Oh, God.
Let's go home.
I preferred Guam.
That's because
you have a problem
with authority.
No. No, I just liked having
a room with an ocean view.
Hey.
It's good to see you.
You, too.
I knew I preferred Guam.
For the record,
you do have a problem
with authority.
For the record,
I don't consider
you an authority figure.
We can help you
transfer to the bed.
I've got it myself.
Let us help you.
I got it.
Accepting help is not
a sign of weakness.
You should know.
This isn't about me.
It's about your pride.
It's what got you
injured in the first place.
Guys. Can we just not...
Jai. I'll meet you
in the courtyard.
Okay. Here.
Oh, what's this?
Paperwork already?
Langley's bureaucracy
is a joke.
No.
It's books of Sudoku's.
Thought it might
help you pass the time,
and you're an asshole.
I actually
really like these.
Yeah. He knew that.
I'll apologize to him.
You've had a long day.
I'll let you get settled in.
I'll be back soon.
Is there anything
I can get you?
You know what I would love?
A Five Guys cheeseburger.
I've been craving
one of those ever
since I left DC.
You've been
gone a long time.
That's quite a craving.
You have no idea.
You got it.
Don't forget to check
if we're being tailed.
After Guam,
we can't be too careful.
This isn't my first rodeo.
Ben was a little touchy
back there.
He's been through a lot.
He's going to go
through a lot more.
It's not going to be easy
for a guy like Ben.
A guy like Ben?
He's only comfortable alone.
In the field.
Nobody at Langley
sees him behind a desk.
What is going to
happen to him?
Honestly? No clue.
None whatsoever.
Hey. You're back.
Hi.
Oh.
Rough business trip?
The trip was fine.
It was just business.
Well,
you were gone a while.
I can't believe there
was that much to do
in Lamar, Missouri.
The Smithsonian
wanted the exhibit of
Harry Truman's birthplace
to be really detailed.
Thanks for the postcards.
Who knew the world's
Iargest ball of yarn
was in Missouri?
Yeah. Who knew?
How's things here?
Crazy. Hectic.
Michael's been
traveling a ton for work,
the storm gutter guy
keeps canceling on me,
and Katia has been
faking being sick to
get out of school.
Danielle, what's this?
Oh, a police report.
Someone broke into
the garage.
They didn't take anything,
but we filed a report, anyway.
When was this?
A couple of nights ago.
What about my guest house?
I told you they
didn't take anything.
I checked your place.
It's fine.
I'm just going to go
freshen up.
Welcome back.
Annie Walker.
Auggie.
How do you do that?
I'm not wearing perfume.
These heels,
although fantastic,
are hardly unique.
I don't get it.
What would you say
if I told you
you projected a warm,
fuzzy aura that I can sense?
I'd say you were
trying to butter me up
for something.
I could use a ride to
AIIen's Tavern after work.
Aha! The truth emerges.
Hey. Did you send my
sister those postcards
to sell my cover trip?
Nice touch, right?
I had a guy from S and T
replicate your handwriting.
I figured it was
better than me doing it.
I'm glad you're back.
It's good to be back.
I think.
Someone broke into
my sister's house.
That's a potential red flag.
Anything stolen?
No.
I did a level one sweep.
But all my cover docs
were still in place.
Aren't you glad we
had you install that safe?
I'll try to organize
a larger sweep
of the property.
What's all this?
Joan assigned
me and my team to
try and figure out
who attacked you and Ben
at the hospital and why.
It was close.
We barely made it out.
Yeah. But you did.
You always do.
The world has not stood
still in your absence.
Really?
What's going on?
Liza Hearn
stepped up her game.
She's published
several articles in
the past three weeks
that are scathing
indictments of Arthur.
What did they say?
They cited leaked material.
Three highly
sensitive documents.
Three documents?
That's it?
Well, it's like
a laser pointer of nasty
instead of the massive,
gaseous cloud of pain
that is Wikileaks.
Tell you what,
it hasn't made Joan
much fun to be around.
If you two
are done chit-chatting,
there is actual work
to be done.
Annie, my office.
Welcome back.
How are you feeling?
Good. Happy to be back.
You know,
a lot of operatives would
need some time to
decompress after
what you just went through.
Not me. I'm good.
Seriously.
Asset interaction.
Alo Morozov.
A heartwarming Estonian
tale of a man pulling
himself up out of
abject Soviet poverty
by money laundering,
drug trafficking,
and the occasional contract
hit to pad out the 401-K.
He's Estonian,
but his file was generated
on the Russian desk?
Yes. We suspect him
of being a facilitator
for the Kremlin
in the new Estonian rare
earths mining operation.
He's the front.
They're mining
for Promethium.
Despite the START treaties,
the Russians are having
a hard time kicking
their nuclear habit.
How do you want
me to get to Morozov?
Morozov is too dangerous
and too well-protected
to approach.
We've been targeting
this woman.
Nadia Levandi.
Ranked 79th on
the Women's tour.
Made it to the semifinals
of the French four years ago,
but hasn't made
much noise since.
She's, Morozov's daughter?
Mistress.
Oh.
Nadia's been giving us
intel on Morozov for the
past three years,
but missed her
two previous drops.
She's playing in the
BMW DC Invitational
this weekend.
You're going to
meet her at practice
and follow protocol.
Auggie will
take you through it.
You're going to the
tennis center, main court.
We have a guy.
Nadia will be
in the middle of
a practice session.
You're a fan coming to
meet your favorite player.
You'll have a bouquet
of 13 roses.
12 red, one white.
That indicates to her
that you're a new handler.
Now, careful.
There will be people around.
Nadia has a new coach.
Also,
Morozov might be
present with protection.
These are for Miss Levandi.
I'm a fan.
Don't worry.
Nadia will allow you
down to the court.
You'll give the
roses to Nadia.
If Nadia has intel,
she'll ask to
meet you later.
If Nadia doesn't have
any intel, she will say,
"Roses?"
Roses.
"My favorite."
My favorite.
"I will put them in a vase
in my locker room."
I will put them
in a vase in my hotel.
I mean, I'll put them
in the locker room.
Thank you for your time.
Auggie.
Nadia sent me a signal.
She botched the script.
I think she's in trouble.
Something was off.
I know it.
She may have just
spaced on the wording.
Here's what you need to
know about assets.
They are not
trained operatives.
They are normal people
who we see as targets
of opportunity.
And they screw up
all the time.
They're late, they lose stuff,
they ask for crazy things...
But don't we have a
responsibility to help her
if she's in trouble?
Damn.
You played the morality card.
You know I did.
So, help me.
All right.
If Nadia's in
imminent danger,
we need proof
to take to Joan.
Stay on your surveil,
and initiate the compromised
asset protocol.
Make sure you do
a head tail.
They can't know you're
following them if you're
in front of them.
It's a risky maneuver,
but professional drivers
always use their blinkers.
If you don't have the
right gear to fit in,
be resourceful.
Could you show me
the locker rooms?
Oh, yeah. Sure.
I'm thinking about joining.
The tricky thing
will be getting Nadia alone.
These players
are always surrounded by
their coaches and trainers.
Thanks.
What are you doing?
What are you doing?
Isn't that thing going
to melt in here?
It's my vice.
You used to
not be able to get
good quality chocolates
in my country.
But now that
Estonia is on the Euro,
we get all the good candies.
Nadia, we need to talk.
Sorry I screwed up
the flower protocol.
But it's very confusing.
And there were
people watching.
Yeah, Morozov.
Did he do that to you?
I tripped going
after a drop shot.
And your shoulder?
You have the
wrong idea about Alo.
He's a good man.
I know you're worried.
I have a solution.
You can come into Langley.
We can leave straight
from here. I have a car
waiting outside.
Tell your CIA people
to not bother me anymore.
Nadia, please.
Leave me alone.
This doesn't concern you.
Nadia is
definitely in danger.
She's just
too scared to admit it.
If I'm going to authorize
a protection team, I need
a request from the asset.
Did she ask for help?
No. Not exactly.
Not exactly, or no?
She asked for the CIA
to leave her alone.
But how many long-term
assets walk away from
the arrangement?
Very few.
A lot of people
get cold feet
and stop short before
becoming assets.
Once they commit,
they're in.
Giving up the
protection and the money?
It doesn't happen.
And that's
because she's scared.
Morozov has a long track
record of killing the people
who betray him.
AII right.
Annie, you'll surveil
with Auggie and Hollman
on tech support.
But keep a safe distance.
If Nadia really
is in as much trouble
as you think,
then exposing her
as a CIA asset is going
to make things much worse.
Here's to a moment of refuge
in the eye of the storm.
I will drink to that.
If we could bring these
files out of the building,
we could be enjoying
this scotch at home.
If we could
bring those files
out of this building,
you still would not be
enjoying your scotch.
Yeah.
Can you read me in?
Oh,
it's just in-house counsel
saying the team
needs more time
to get my Tanzania
cables together.
That's the third time since
they came on board.
It's the way of lawyers.
Agency lawyers.
In-house counsel has
a muddled agenda, at best.
What you need is someone
who is solely on your side.
Someone like Chet Lagardie.
Chet Lagardie?
He was good enough for
the Speaker of the House.
He'll bankrupt us.
Then, we can
dip into our savings.
And then, he'll win.
He always wins.
Just hiring Chet Lagardie
will imply that I'm guilty.
At every DC
cocktail party from now on,
people are going to be
whispering about you.
It's just a question
whether they're whispering
about you
Iosing your job
or keeping your job.
You said
you wanted to fight.
This is how we fight.
Well, let's give in-house
counsel a little more time.
Okay, Annie,
Security Office
has authorized
a sweep of your house,
but they need you
to get your sister
out of the house.
Think you can handle it?
I told them you could,
so help me out.
Race you there.
I'm winning.
No!
Chloe just single-handedly
destroyed the carpet.
Oh, no. I'm sorry.
I must have given
them too much.
I'll pay for
the carpet cleaning.
No, you don't have to.
That's the price
of having kids.
No, I insist. I'll have
the cleaners here tomorrow.
Annie Walker.
Our girl
is on the move.
Be right there.
I, unfortunately,
have to miss dinner.
Oh, shocker.
They're leaving F Street.
They just pulled up
to an alley.
He's forcing
her out of the car.
She doesn't look happy.
Hollman,
can you give us ears?
These microphones
are parabolic extrapolators.
They actually
send data in real-time
and fill in any gaps across
the arc from the other
mics in the circuit.
Hollman, if you want
to impress a woman,
compliment her.
Don't talk about
your own equipment.
Especially when your
own equipment has circuitry.
I just think
it's all so cool.
He's taking her
inside the building.
Jerry,
can you get us closer?
Annie, I don't think
that's a good idea.
We've got to
keep our distance.
If we expose ourselves
and blow her cover,
we put her life at risk.
I know. I get it.
Hollman, where are we?
Frequency coming in now.
Geez. That sounds
Iike gunfire.
Annie,
think this through.
If she's in danger,
I'm not just going
to sit here.
To the beautiful
and beguiling Nadia.
My Nadia.
So magnificent
on the court.
Happy Birthday.
Annie, we're shutting down
Nadia as an asset.
Last night's near
miss nearly outed her
and you to Morozov.
Nadia is still in danger.
We know what Morozov
is capable of.
If that's the case,
then it's in her
best interest
to have no further
contact with the CIA.
So, we're done with her,
just like that?
Just like that. Precisely.
These newspapers are
your next assignment.
You're going to go
through back issues of
the Montreal Gazette
to find any
increased citations regarding
Quebecois secession.
Are you...
Serious? Totally.
This has got to be
heavily redacted.
There's just
too much disclosure.
Jai. It's good to see you.
It's good to see anyone
without a law degree.
Did I catch you
at a bad time?
Not bad.
Just sort of busy.
AII right, I'll be quick.
Ben Mercer's back in town.
What's the play?
What do you want me to do?
Stay with Joan.
Work in the DPD.
That was supposed
to be temporary.
Things have changed.
Things are changing.
I like you, Jai.
But the best thing
for you right now
might be to get some
distance from me.
It's funny.
Someone else gave me
the exact same advice.
Someone may be
Iooking out for you.
Hi. I'm Luis from
In Extremes Carpet Cleaners.
Your sister hired us.
Oh, yeah. Wow.
You guys sure are prompt.
Yeah, you know, it's...
It's not really
that big a spill.
It's not the size
of the spill,
it's the depth and viscosity
of the radial blot.
Do my kids and I
have to leave the house?
You're welcome to stay.
You may get a little
Iight-headed.
I think we'll go.
Chloe? Katia?
We're in.
Commencing sweep.
Auggie, I found you.
Don't interrupt me
or I'll lose my count.
4005, 4006...
Have we drilled
down on Morozov?
He's been at Nadia's
practice session for the
second consecutive day.
He's watching
her like a hawk.
Wait.
You're staking out Nadia
even after Joan
told you to drop it?
Okay, yeah. I have.
That's a pretty huge
breach of protocol.
I know something
is going on.
It's like the
O'Neill affair in 1962
when that violinist
from the New York
Philharmonic was
murdered in Moscow.
Annie, listen to yourself.
You've been through
a lot the past few weeks.
With Sri Lanka,
with Guam, with Ben.
I'm worried
it's making you paranoid.
No.
Maybe.
Look. In our line of work,
there is a very
thin line between
intuition and paranoia.
Our job is to walk
right up to that line
but never to cross it.
I'm worried about you.
As an operative
and a friend.
I'm fine.
You will be.
And you may not
want to hear this,
but Hollman's sweep
of your apartment
came back clean.
The break-in was probably
just a couple of kids.
Oh.
Why don't you take the
rest of the day off?
I'll cover with Joan.
Thanks, Auggie.
Captain Chandler,
please report to MICU.
Captain Chandler, MICU.
Comfort food.
We both need...
Excuse me. Where did
they move Ben Mercer?
Who?
Ben Mercer. Room 202.
Sorry. There's no one
here under that name.
He was here.
There's no record
of anyone by that name
ever staying here.
Annie.
I know I'm probably
breaking CIA regulations
by coming to your house.
And this is over the line
on about nine other levels.
But I literally didn't know
who else to talk to.
What's going on?
Do you know what
happened to Ben?
I need to know.
I understand that
this is hard for you.
And
what I think will make
it a little easier
is for you to separate
out your feelings for Ben
and think of
him as an asset.
Ben would
represent a high risk,
high reward individual.
Does that make sense?
I think so.
So, on a human level,
what that means is
that, as exhilarating
as your time is with Ben
when he goes missing or
does something duplicitous,
you have to accept that.
There are always going
to be questions with Ben.
I'm beginning to see that.
And in answer to
your original question.
I think you're a strong
enough operative now
to intuit my response.
Well, the fact
that you didn't directly
answer my question
means that you
know where he is.
And the fact that
you're not yelling at me
means he's probably safe?
See you
at the office, Annie.
I just don't get it.
Why did they move Ben?
I don't know.
We work in a job with
a lot of "I don't know's".
Did your team find out
anything about Guam?
We did.
The would-be assassins
were a Belgian and a Finn
who had never
worked together before.
What does that mean?
What's the linkage
between the two?
Well,
the linkage is Ben.
Someone wanted him dead
and hired the two
perfect people to do it.
The Belgian is an expert
in military security systems.
The Finn is
a weapons specialist.
Together they had
skills and access.
Other than that,
there's no profile.
Access.
We've got to go.
Really? I don't get
to finish my beer?
You really don't. Let's go.
Oh.
Okay.
Can you open this?
Okay, I can't see
the speedometer,
but I'm going to
ask you to slow down.
Hello?
Jai, it's Annie.
I just emailed you
some photos.
Can you run them through the
facial recognition database?
Sure.
Give me a minute.
You're looping in Jai?
Now, I really wish
we'd stayed at the bar.
I was wrong about Nadia.
Yes, I know.
I told you that.
No. Someone's in danger
but it's not Nadia.
Game, Levandi.
It's Morozov.
Nadia's the assassin.
You were right.
It's all about access.
And Nadia can get to Morozov
without raising eyebrows.
Why now?
Nadia is Morozov's mistress.
She's been close to him
for three years.
She could have
done it at any time.
Because now, Nadia can buy
good chocolate in Estonia.
See? You were
starting to make sense,
and now,
you're making less sense.
30-0.
Estonia just
pegged to the Euro.
It's opening up opportunities
for foreign investment.
Morozov probably knows
that he could make a mint
off his land holdings
if he wasn't tied to Russia.
And that's what
he's doing here.
I should have
realized it before.
He's using Nadia's practices
as a place to talk to
potential bidders.
Going against
the Kremlin would
be a suicide mission.
Yeah, and Morozov
knows that.
Hey.
- That was fast.
That's because
I don't need to run this
through the database.
The man in one of the
photos is Petr Kuyt,
a known South African
mining magnate.
Petr Kuyt? Thanks.
Petr Kuyt is no friend
of the Kremlin.
Morozov is double-dealing.
And Nadia is caught
in the middle.
I need to talk to Nadia.
You got a plan?
We have a plan.
Thank you.
Um, A-5.
This is my seat.
No, that's my seat.
The match is almost over.
Traffic was a bear.
At least, that's what
my driver told me.
You are blind.
So? I still deserve a seat.
I do enjoy tennis.
Maybe not
the same way you...
I didn't...
Didn't what?
Didn't mean to steal the
blind man's seat? Or care?
Okay.
Get your hands off of me.
Look. Just look
at my ticket, man.
Let me see it.
Let's go figure this
out together.
I'll walk you up
to the ticket booth.
Okay.
Don't look back.
Walk quickly but calmly.
Hello!
Area's off limits.
Yeah, I'm Nadia Levandi's
personal concierge.
She hasn't finished yet,
has she?
Just...
Drop it.
Nadia wanted an apple
to help her blood sugar
after the match.
She got mad because
I got her a Fuji and she
only eats Honeycrisp,
so I had to
go out and get her this.
I don't want to get fired.
Game,
set, match. Levandi.
Ladies and gentlemen,
advancing in straight sets.
6-1, 6-0.
Nadia Levandi.
Hey, Nadia.
You need to come with me.
I told you to
Ieave me alone.
Alo is safe.
He's in our custody.
No. They'll kill me.
That's why you need
to come with me.
The CIA can protect you.
Thank you.
Nadia.
Run!
So, I take it
your coach is FSB.
She threatened me.
I had no choice.
Come on.
Which is the
front entrance?
The front?
Yeah.
We'll be totally exposed.
Trust me.
It is that way.
How did you know
the engine would be on?
I didn't.
Some of this is improvised.
Hold on.
Are you all right?
Oh, my God!
Stay down.
You have some mouth on you.
You speak Estonian?
Just the swear words.
Where are you going?
I have a plan.
Here we go.
Hold on.
Chet Lagardie?
In the three-piece-clad flesh.
What are you doing here?
What am I doing here?
Your husband hired me,
apparently at your suggestion.
So, I suggest we go
inside and start working
on his legal defense.
Because this conversation
is on the clock,
and my clock isn't cheap.
Come on in.
Your lawyer is here.
Will you show me the chair,
please? Great. Thank you.
Hi. I'm Joe Jacoby.
Jacoby and Theisman.
So. Give me
the straight scoop.
I'll do my best
to get you off.
If you lie to me
and I'll know you're lying
I'll let you hang.
Okay?
I can't tell.
Are you nodding?
Yes.
So, you kids were
just getting your thrills?
Stealing bikes,
Ioose cash,
that sort of thing?
Again with the nodding.
Yes.
Did you break into the
garage at 4141 P Street?
Answer me, please.
Yes.
Are you sure?
Yes.
Okay. Good.
I'll see what I can do.
Good afternoon, gentlemen.
Officer.
Was that guy
really our lawyer?
Unfortunately,
I have some bad news.
The CIA can
offer you asylum
and protection in the US,
but nothing further.
No more money.
A life of anonymity.
I'll never play
professional tennis again.
No.
Being in public is
too great of a risk.
We've already pulled
you from this tournament
due to a sudden
hamstring injury.
At least I can eat my
chocolate bars now
without a fear
of recrimination.
And you went out with a win.
I know this whole
thing is terrible.
But this is your life
now, and you're going
to need to accept it.
Thank you.
For what?
For not trying
to make me happier
than I should be.
Americans are always
trying to change things.
But the Estonian
heart is black.
We know when
fate has turned on us.
So, what do you do?
You live.
It's still living.
I don't want to just live.
I want more than that.
You are truly
not Estonian.
No.
I guess I'm not.
Good luck, Nadia.
I love this view.
It always seems like
you're closer to the Capitol
than you really are.
It's a matter of perspective.
Were you followed?
Trust me.
With all I've got
going on in my life,
I took no chances.
Welcome back to the
Agency, Mr. Mercer.
I must say,
while you were away,
I admired your work.
You helped us.
You helped me out of
a lot of dicey situations.
How would you like
to continue to do that,
but this time,
with Agency resources?
Full autonomy.
Off the books.
One condition.
What is it?
I want to talk to Annie.
You know
that's not possible.
There's a reason
why you haven't
contacted her in two years.
She's a security risk
to someone like you.
And you for her.
I need to see her.
How about this?
Stay in your lane,
complete your missions,
and I'll see if
we can't find a way
to bring you back in.
Typical Agency carrot
and stick behavior.
Yes, it is.
Good talk.
Hey. Do you need me
to come in?
Easy there,
worker bee.
I'm just calling
to check in and see
how you're holding up.
I've been better.
Do you want to
meet me at the Tavern?
Sure.
Hey.
Hey.
Am I going to get to
finish my beer this time?
Not only that,
I'm buying.
Did you just
come from work?