Covert Affairs (2010–2014): Season 3, Episode 10 - Let's Dance - full transcript

(JOAN READING)

I'm Lena Smith.
I'm your new boss.

I want you to do
high security clearance

on Simon Fischer.

Get intimate enough with a man,

and he'll tell you everything.

SIMON: Nobody's ever guessed
my tattoo correctly.

It was inspired by the
Keats poem Bright Star.

(SILENCED GUNSHOTS)

I need you, Annie.

I never need anyone.



It was Lena.

(MONITOR BEEPING RAPIDLY)
(ANNIE GASPS)

We need some help over here!

(GROANS)

I want every possible
way out of DC sealed off.

(MONITOR FLATLINING)
(ELECTRIC JOLT)

(PLAYS NOTE)

(REPEATEDLY PLAYS SAME NOTE)

(DOOR BURSTS OPEN)

TAC LEADER: Freeze!
This area is off limits.

Tell Joan Campbell
I need to see her.

I figured it out.

So what the hell is going on? Annie,
you're supposed to be recuperating.

When Lena was in Nairobi, there
was an FSB operative there



named Dmitri Larionov,
code name Rachmaninoff.

Not only because he was a
talented concert musician,

but also because
he allegedly killed

two rival assets
with piano wire.

I went through all the
cables from Nairobi in '98,

and there was one mention
of Rachmaninoff

in Lena's correspondence
with Langley.

Annie, you broke into
Lena's apartment.

That's why you're here,
to explain that.

Not to give us new theories.

Why not?
Because Lena has already

fled to Russia.

We're fairly certain she's under the
protection of Russian authorities.

Yes, I was gonna mention
that in my action plan.

Your action plan?

There's a Dmitri Larionov currently living
in Moscow's Babushkinskaya district,

working in a music store.

I think that's Rachmaninoff.

If I can get to Moscow, I can
covertly reach out to him

for intel on Lena's location.
Annie, stop.

I was in Nairobi
at the same time.

Rachmaninoff was known
to all of us,

and he was accused
of terrible things.

If Dmitri Larionov
is the same man,

that's not a reason
to go to Moscow,

that's a reason
not to go to Moscow.

You're not gonna do anything?

The Agency is vigorously attempting
to bring Lena to justice.

What does that mean,
bring her to justice?

Kill her.

JOAN:
But Lena was smart.

Lena is smart.

She knew which operatives were
best suited to bring her in.

And as we got them in,
she picked them off.

(SILENCED GUNSHOTS)

ARTHUR: Virtually all viable
assets we have in-country

have been compromised.
So what are we gonna do?

Our best course
of action right now

is to pursue talks
between the State Department

and Russia's
Foreign Affairs Ministry.

So, we're talking, not acting.

Annie, we're doing all we can.

Not bad.

The jab is back, right?

(SIGHS)

Right, Auggie?

I heard about last night.

I know from firsthand
experience what it's like

to push too hard after a trauma.
I'm not.

I am, but what's
wrong with wanting

to get back on your feet?

It's not just about your feet.
You lost someone.

It's about your heart.

I can feel you wanting
to get back into the field

and make it right,
but it's not time.

All I'm thinking about
is my footwork.

Footwork's good.

Breaking into
other people's houses

is not so good.
Put 'em back up.

(SIGHS)

(GRUNTS) Ah.

You all right?

I'm okay.
I'm okay.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

JOAN: I was thinking about
our conversation earlier,

and I realized you weren't
asking for permission.

You were telling us
you were going to Russia.

Yeah, I guess I was.

I know what it means
to lose someone in the field.

But it's dangerous
to use them as motivation.

Joan, I have to go.

Then I'll support it.

But when you get to Russia,
carefully approach Larionov.

See if he has any intel
that can lead to Lena.

And if you locate her,

you will take
a photograph of her,

nothing more.

This will be the proof
State needs

to negotiate her extradition.

You will get the photo,

and then you will come home.
I understand.

You need to extract any
emotion out of the equation.

You try to get payback,
you'll be on an island.

Anything other than
waiting at the safe house

or talking with Larionov
will put you at risk.

You get caught
by Russian authorities,

there's nothing the CIA
can do to help.

We'll deny knowledge
of everything.

One more thing.

Lena knows you.

She knows your tendencies,

and she'll be
expecting you to come.

And she's hoping
your feelings for Simon

will cloud your judgment.

Will they?

No.

Stay focused,
stay in your own lane...

And stay safe.

(THEME SONG PLAYING)

DRIVER: Ma'am.

I'll take it.

You figured it was better
if you didn't drive?

"I'm just working
on my footwork."

This is a plane ticket.

And keys to the apartment
of one Pinja Stanis,

former CIA asset.

Former? Because
she's dead, Annie.

This is the kind of mission
where every question you ask

is gonna have a scary answer.

Due to the high-risk nature, all contact
with Langley has to be cut off.

Now, even though
I disagree with all of this,

I want you to know

I am here for you
no matter what.

That means so much to me.

I hope you know that.

Glad we got that out there.

Have a nice trip.
(OPENS DOOR)

Auggie...

Could you just ride out
to the airport with me?

Thank you.

AUGGIE:
"Welcome to Russia.

"Thought you could use a
little walking-around money.

"Be safe. Auggie."

(CHUCKLES)
(KNOCK ON DOOR)

KATARINA: Pinja?

(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)

(KATARINA SPEAKING RUSSIAN)

(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)

(SPEAKING RUSSIAN)

(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)

(CONVERSING IN RUSSIAN)

(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)

(SPEAKING RUSSIAN)

(BOTH CONVERSE IN RUSSIAN)

(PLAYS NOTE)

(PLAYS TUNE)

(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)

(GRUNTING)

(SIGHS)

Screw it.

(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)

Thank you.

Are you new in Moscow?

Yes.

American?

Yes.

I read about this place
in a guide book.

Enjoy.

(PEOPLE TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

(GRUNTS)

Ah!

(STRAINING)

Who are you?

I came for you, Rachmaninoff.

(PANTS)

I did a little digging
on Pinja Stanis.

You lived the cover
pretty well,

but she was left-handed.

I was living
left-handed.

Not your playing.

Your right was dominant.

Why don't you tell me
what you're really here for?

I want to talk
about Lena Smith.

I don't know who that is.

Your eyes say differently.

What did she do to you?

I think you want
to talk about it.

Dmitri, I can help.

DMITRl:
We met in Nairobi in '98,

shortly after
the embassy bombing.

I was a young agent.

I was cocky.

I was sent
to search out Americans

affected by the bombing,

to play on their
vulnerabilities.

She was brilliant.
A fantastic challenge.

(MOANS)

Fantastic in every way.

I followed her to Prague.

I would have followed her anywhere.
(DOOR BURSTS OPEN)

I thought I had turned her.

How far from the truth.

She used me.

She made a deal
with her superiors

to bolster herself
as a double within the CIA.

So I returned here, my post, gone.
My Lena, gone.

I see sadness
in your eyes, too.

It's not sadness.
Anger.

Lena was responsible.

She took someone from me.

I came here for justice.

Can you help me?

When I spoke earlier
of small hands,

I was speaking of myself,
of my own hands.

Some people are destined
for small lives.

My time with Lena
made me realize

that I am such a person.

I no longer travel
in the circles you need.

I know no one.
I know nothing.

I cannot help you get closure.

I don't want closure.

Once you're hurt,
you stay hurt.

But that doesn't mean
you can't strike back.

Please...

Don't bother me again.

So, I talked to Charlie.

He said the congressional
brief is looking solid.

Just a couple of phrases...

Few phrases
to go over with Legal.

What is it?

I've allowed Annie
to travel to Russia

to prove Lena's presence
in-country.

What?

And I provided her with
funds and an active cover.

The Agency has suspended all
tactical missions on this front.

I just gave the DCI my word,
literally, this morning,

that we were done with this.

Arthur, she was gonna
go anyway.

I just wanted to make
sure she did it safely.

Is it gonna be safe?

I don't know.

I could fire you for this.

You know that, right?

How's it gonna look
if she dies?

How's it gonna look?

I don't know, but it
will feel terrible.

It's good to see you again.

Zarya...
I knew your brother.

I knew Simon.

You're Annie?

The Annie?

(CHUCKLES WEAKLY)

Simon spoke of you...
Many times.

I'm so sorry about
what happened.

The government doesn't
tell me anything.

Only that he is gone.

But I know it couldn't
be your fault.

Not with the way
Simon spoke of you.

Did you talk to him often?

He wasn't in Russia very much,

but he would call me.

There was always something
in his voice, you know,

like he wanted to talk more,

but he didn't want to
burden me with his business

and... His life.

You were his bright star.

You're the one
he got his tattoo for.

Yes.

My name, it means "The
morning star" in Russian.

I always wanted
to guide him home.

How was he...

Simon, the last time
you saw him?

Was he happy?

Yeah.

We were happy.

I wish I had something of his

that I could
return to you or...

You already have.

Your doggedness is
no longer endearing.

I was thinking about
what you said.

And maybe some people are
destined for small things.

But are you content to
remain so insignificant?

Your FSB file says
your greatest skills

as an operative
were your emotional intuition

and your passion for spycraft.

That's what my file
says, too, about me.

I know that if I don't do this,

I can't go on.

Your Agency isn't
behind you, are they?

Your being here
is unsanctioned.

I came here for justice.

Then get it without me.

I can't.

I could tell you something
empathetic to try and turn you,

cultivate you like an
asset, stroke your ego,

but you're too smart for that.

Here's the thing.

The only reason
I care about you

is because I think
you can help me.

I'm here, Dmitri.
This is it.

I may be the last spy
you ever talk to.

There may be someone I know.

(CROWD CHEERING)

(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)

The only one I keep in contact
with from the old days

is Sergei.

He worked counter-surveillance
for 15 years.

When Prague went to hell,
my agency sacrificed me.

He was the only one
who still talked to me.

Speaking to him is going to
make him extremely nervous.

(GRUNTS)

(SPEAKING RUSSIAN)

Annie, don't do this.

What is this?

What are you looking for?

Annie, stop.

Sergei!
You come here...

You come to me to ask
me for information

and you pull this crazy shit?
(BREATHING HEAVILY)

I'm the one who needs
to be nervous, me.

You hear me?

(WHISPERING) I don't care.

(CHUCKLES)

I like her.

I don't know why,
but I like her.

You're about to
like me a lot more.

(UNZIPS BAG)

Lena Smith.

Where is she?

I could be tried for treason.

More likely, they'd throw
you in Lefortovo Prison

here in Moscow.

More likely still,
I'd be put to death.

Agreed.

She's being kept
in a high-rise apartment

in the Kudrinskaya
Square Building.

She lives in an ivory
tower, protected.

Every Tuesday and Thursday,

they pick her up
in a special car.

They take her for a debrief
at the Kubinka Airbase.

She is like a mole.

She never sees
the light of day.

She's definitely a mole.

You'll never get to her.

Nice to meet you, too.

(DOOR OPENS)

I need a gun.

(GUNSHOTS)

The aim's not true.

You have to account
for more recoil

with these old pistols.

It's an '83 Makarov.

It's the best I could do
on such a short notice.

It's mine, actually.

You are injured?

I'm fine.

Let me see.

Let me see.

She hurt you more
than she hurt me.

You should go home.

Plan stays the same.

Tomorrow, we intercept
the car in Arbatskaya.

I get the photo.
I go home.

You're emotional.

It's too dangerous
to work this way.

Picture a time in your life
when you were happiest,

when everything made sense.

If you hadn't met Lena,
you might still be there.

Trust me...

No good can come from this.

I'm not looking for good.

I'm in position.
Do you read me?

ANNIE: Loud and clear.

Mercedes is coming to you.

Moscow plate.
D-5-4-8-A-P.

Roger that.

In five, four,

three,

two,

one! Go!

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(PANTS)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Seth.
What are you doing here?

Joan, I wanted to make you
aware that OIG has gotten wind

of an unsanctioned
covert action in Moscow.

A blonde woman
ambushed an FSB vehicle,

and it didn't go well.

Is the woman all right?

Yeah. From what I hear,
she fled the scene unharmed.

But, Joan, the Kremlin's
going ballistic on this.

I mean, so is State.

This kind of aggressive
bullshit has completely tanked

the extradition talks
for Lena Smith.

Shit.

You know, rumor has it that
DCS was read-in on this.

Is that true?

Actually, you know what,
don't tell me.

I can't have this
on the record.

So off the record...

What do you think I should do?

You need to prepare
a statement.

I'm hearing the word
"favoritism" dropped.

This isn't being looked at like
a clandestine service mission.

What is it, then?

A Joan and Arthur
Campbell mission.

Seth... Look, after the
murder of Jai Wilcox

and that whole
Lena Smith debacle,

I mean, this might
be it for Arthur.

I'm sorry, Joan.

No. Thank you
for telling me.

Okay.

See you Tuesday?

Yeah. Tuesday.
I'll see ya.

What are you doing?

I should be dead right now.

So you need to start talking.

The guy in the car, hesitated.

He didn't take the shot.

That had to be on purpose.

The FSB's better than that.

You should've gone
when I told you to.

Why?

It started soon after you
approached me for lessons.

After that, I thought
I was being watched.

My skills were so rusty.

I couldn't trust my instincts.

And then, she reappeared.

And all the anger...

All the passion
came flooding back.

(BOTH GRUNT)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Pure emotion.

I could feel again.

And you fell for her again.

You, more than anyone,

should understand the power
of someone like her,

how persuasive she can be.

She's intoxicating.

All these years, I hated her.

But then, she came back,

and suddenly, I mattered...

Again.

Her idea

to use the ambush to
discredit you was genius.

Even in my prime, I couldn't
think that many moves ahead.

Why didn't you kill me?

Why didn't they kill me
at the ambush?

Why don't you ask her yourself?

She wants you alive.

She wants to see you.

Where is she?

(WHISPERING) Dmitri...

Where is she?

Northwest of here.

At a dacha

at Ilmen Lake.

Goodbye, Dmitri.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

(DOOR OPENING)

Good evening, Joan.

That's my letter
of resignation.

Thank you. I'll take it
under consideration.

What do you expect me to do,

crumple it up and say,
"Over my dead body"?

I mean it, Arthur.

I'll take it
under consideration.

(PHONE RINGING)

Hi.
Annie, listen to me.

You need to get out of Russia.
You shouldn't be calling.

I know
this is off-book,

but your ambush damaged
State's negotiations

and the Russians
are looking for you.

The negotiations were bullshit.

I'm the only one who's acting.
Annie, please.

You're a person of interest.

Every moment
you remain in Russia

is a moment too long.

Now, I can arrange
a water egress for you

through the Black Sea.

Use your resources and protocols
and get to Novorossiysk.

I'm sorry.
I can't.

Annie...

Do you remember that moment
we talked about in the car,

when you've gone too far?

This is that moment.

Now I need you to come home.

And this isn't the Agency
calling, and I'm not Joan.

There are things that I need
to say to you face-to-face.

Important things.

Please.

I'll see you soon.

You're leaving?

Yeah.

(ANNOUNCER SPEAKING RUSSIAN)

(SPEAKING RUSSIAN)

(YELLING IN RUSSIAN)

(SHUDDERING)

If you pull the trigger,

you'll never know
the truth about Simon.

What truth?

Nice move with the decoy.

That was a gear you
never showed when...

Stop stalling.

Put your hands
where I can see them.

What truth?

Were Simon and I colleagues,
friends, lovers?

Were you?

Truth is, we never
met face-to-face.

We both just worked for the same
mammoth Soviet spy service.

I fed my intel to the Kremlin,
they fed it back to him.

I just put the kettle
on for tea.

Sit!

Why did you pick him?

Mysterious bad boy with
a clarity of purpose?

(SIGHS) Don't tell me
you don't have a type.

You expected me to fall
in love with him?

I did.

What I didn't expect was
for him to fall for you.

(CHUCKLES) I mean, really.

He was ready to drop everything

and run away
to the Maldives with you.

You're a better operative
than I thought.

Is that why you picked me?

I didn't pull off being
a double for 13 years

without being opportunistic.

Jai Wilcox was on to me,

so I had Leo Brewer
take him out.

I needed somebody to take the
fall, and there you were.

Available, vulnerable,
ready to prove yourself.

You still are.

I like you, Annie.

So I have an offer for you.

Become me.

Excuse me?

You would make an exquisite
double within the CIA.

No one would suspect you
and I would conspire

after everything
we've been through.

It would be audacious, elegant.

Just go back, tell them
you couldn't find me.

We could establish
dead-drops within a year.

So, what...

You want me to betray my
agency and my country?

Why would I ever do that?

(SIGHS) For one thing,
you'd be incredibly rich.

But mostly, I'd like you
to experience power.

Real, true power.

You'd be in control.

Something I think
you're starting to realize

will never happen
while you're in the CIA.

You think you have power,
here, in the woods, alone?

Yes.

I had the power to summon
you to me, didn't I?

And that kind of power
to compel people,

to move the pieces...

(SIGHS) It's intoxicating.

You're a traitor, Lena.

CIA, FSB.
America, Russia.

These are all just words.

The best spies
have always known

that the sides can change.

It's the game itself
that matters.

I wanna show you this.

You shot me!

(SIGHS) You're angry.

(KETTLE WHISTLING)
(EXHALES)

I'm just gonna turn it off. No!

I've had enough lies,
enough manipulation.

If you think your desperate
plea is gonna work,

you never really knew me.

Okay, Annie.

Pull the trigger.

It'll be as if you're pulling
the trigger on yourself.

You'll never make it
out of Russia.

You'll be lucky to make
it to the other route.

I'm sure Joan
gave you the whole

"We will deny
any knowledge" speech.

Pull the trigger and find
out just how true that is.

They will hang you out to dry,

leave you to rot.

And the worst part is,

you'll never be able to look at
yourself the same way again.

You'll know that you
killed for malice.

That changes you.

Go ahead, Annie.

Pull the trigger.

(KETTLE WHISTLING LOUDLY)