Bethesda – The episode opens on a trip to the Marketplace in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Mike November (Michael Kelly) and Jack Ryan (John Krasinski) meet with Katrina Celar (Katarina Cas) to discuss Josip Olafsky (Visar Vishka). Ryan informs her of Olafsky’s connection to a Mexican drug cartel. After assuring them that the Marketplace will be a breeze to find, she says the problem will be getting Olfsky to extend them an invitation. Preparing to leave, November asks her to lend them a hand. She says since she is no longer associated with him, it is out of the question.

CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia – Patrick Klinghoffer (Adam Bernett) informs James Greer (Wendell Pierce) that BizHub has been in operation since 2014. Located inside the Channel Building, BizHub has only one known client, Southwest Petro. Patrick Klinghoffer (Adam Bernett) suggests ties between Thomas Miller’s (John Schwab) shell company, “Mainland Renewables,” and Southwest Petro. Miller dumped money into it to fund “Operation Pluto” until it was dissolved, the same day he terminated his position. “Mainland Renewables” was registered to Dominic Sanderson and Mrs. Sanderson (Maureen Hibbert) in Bethesda.

Washington DC – Senator Henshaw (Derek Cecil) voices his concern about Elizabeth Wright (Betty Gabriel) wanting to snoop around places off-limits to the United States like Ryan. Senator Jennings (Nancy Lenehan) expresses how much she would like to see Elizabeth in the Director of the CIA role.

Tin Tun’s Compound, Shan State, Myanmar – Tin Tun (Jim Lau) informs someone on the phone that he will be going to Dubrovnik, instead of Chao Fah (Louis Ozawa).

Jadransko Marina, Dubrovnik, Croatia – Pretending to be intoxicated, Domingo Chavez (Michael Pena) waits while Ryan and November take two guards by surprise. As they move deeper into the recesses of the docked craft, they discover Levan Zubkov (Ivan Mathias Petersson) in an inappropriate position. Zubkov refuses to talk until Chavez threatens to bleed him out. He admits to facilitating Olafsky’s sex operation, their ticket in.

Lower Potomac, Maryland – In an attempt to uncover more information about “BizHub,” Greer travels to Bethesda to find Dominic Sanderson. Taking advantage of Mrs. Sanderson confusing him for a coach, he inquires about Dominic. She orders him off her property but before leaving, he checks the mailbox.

Dubrovnik, Croatia – Zubkov, November, and Ryan meet Katarina to discuss Olafsky’s sex operation. November previously promised resources to help her and her girls disappear. She says Zubkov is well-connected to the Marketplace. She claims they are working on a “big deal” which will go down very soon. She agrees to get one of them into the event but November demands she gets them all in.

Washington DC – Elizabeth reaches out to “Ade,” once again for political advice. Revealing that he was once a political consultant, he tells her that Henshaw is far more connected than she could imagine. Whatever advice the man offers, it would be extremely wise to take it.

Bethesda Long-Term Hospital – Greer arrives at room 302 to find Dominic in a comatose state. Preparing to exit the facility, he realizes Bill Tuttle (Michael McElhatton) is trailing him.

Geneva, Switzerland – Chao meets Zeyara Lemos (Zuleikha Robinson) who isn’t Tin Tun’s favorite person. He is none too thrilled with the Triad choosing to work with her. She claims Tin Tun was called to the Marketplace to deal with its extreme violence. She tells him that he will control everything upon his return to Myanmar.

Dubrovnik, Croatia – Decked out in their new suits and prepping for their trip to the marketplace, Jack and Chavez have a quick chat about everything from November’s affability to Chao’s ability to deliver on the “intel” they need. While they both enjoy being in the man’s company, Chavez is more confident about Chao’s ability to deliver. He chalks that confidence up to a man fighting for his family.

Washington DC – Greer informs Klinghoffer that Dominic is a dead lead. He asks him to give Elizabeth a condensed version of his findings while he heads to the Boys and Girls Club to check out the final lead. Tuttle stabs Greer in the side before he has enough time to jump into the Potomac River. He is carried downriver until he washes ashore.

Dubrovnik, Croatia – November tries to keep Zubkov calm as they arrive at the Marketplace. Once access is cleared, November discovers a market of drugs, weapons, and girls. Making their way through the vast underground tunneling network, Chavez and Ryan takes to guards while Katarina’s girls are being searched. Tin Tun and a group of Triad finally make an appearance. Ryan and Chavez take out more guards while November orders an extremely anxious Zubkov to follow the Triad to a secluded area where they discover Olfasky is the face behind the Marketplace. Tin Tun sells five triggers to Olfasky. With Chavez and Ryan in the close vicinity, November walks up and grabs a trigger like a rival buyer. He offers to make a purchase but it is too late when Olfasky recognizes Zubkov.

November utilizes the triggers to attack Olfasky. The Triad soon apprehend Zubkov and November and escorts them to a secluded office. Ryan and Chavez are nearby until Ryan leaves to retrieve a grenade launcher. November tells Olfasky that Zubkov is a CIA plant. Angered at the betrayal, Olfasky aims his weapon to shoot her when November knocks it away. The bullet hits Olfasky’s only guard in the head. Confiscating his gun, November holds him hostage. Ryan comes under Triad control until Chavez fires the grenade launcher. When they arrive at the office, November has Olfasky held hostage. They open a briefcase containing a trigger.

Trying to learn more about the trigger, Jack gets “A way to change the world.” Chavez finds an escape route via a window. Olfasky warns Zubkov that he and his family will be killed within the week. November shoots him in the head. Chavez snakes a selfie with Olfasky’s lifeless body utilizing Rodrigo Marin’s (Ricardo Carrico) phone. He sends it to Chao before climbing out the window. Receiving the picture, Chao shares it with Zeyara as they wait for their car. A quick foot pursuit ends with Ryan and his crew in the river being picked up by Katarina on a rescue craft.

Walter Reed Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland – As Greer recovers, Klinghoffer informs him that the blood was detected on the tactical military knife. He suggests his assailant has an association with the military. He says CCTV doesn’t pick anything of significance up when Elizabeth approaches. After Klinghoffer’s departure, Greer tells her that his assailant may be linked to the “Convergence.” He fills her in on the sell companies and Dominic Sanderson’s comatose status. She declines to help with the investigation because of her impending confirmation hearing. He scolds her for being a true politician before pleading for her help.

Zubkov’s Yacht, Adriatic Sea – Ryan, November, and Chavez discuss the trigger. Marin’s phone reveals an $11 purchase that soars to $7,000. Ryan suggests the numbers aren’t actually money but coordinates. Chavez asks where they are heading when the episode ends.

 

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Review

Once again, it’s hard to deny how smoothly the pieces fall in pace in the espionage thriller. I will, however, say that it all feels a bit “too slow” at times. I am not one for non-stop action or endless suspense, but things feel like they are building extremely slowly at times.

Other than the Greer bridge fight, I will say episode 4: Bethesda was rather enjoyable. It was also a pleasant shock to see Zeyara as a Triad contact. Whether she has ties to the agency will be one of the biggest questions I’m asking from here on out. For that and the story, I will have to rate this episode at a 5.4.

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