XIV – As episode 7 begins, Dan Chase (Jeff Bridges) is already starting to notice some of the minor symptoms of the poison. According to Suleyman Pavlovich’s (Rade Seerbedzija) teasing remarks, Chase will be virtually disabled in just a few hours, perhaps dead tomorrow. Pavlovich goes on to tease him with the antidote if and only if what he has to say outweighs the danger of his living. As Pavlovich explains his reasoning for going after him, Zoe McDonald (Amy Brenneman) turns herself in at the local police station as having witnessed two murders. Marcia Dixon

By the time Harold Harper (John Lithgow) tracks and corners Marion (Janet McTeer) at a crowded Chinese street market, a man identifying himself as Pete has shown up at the station to question Zoe. One of Pavlovich’s people receives word about the visit from a source posted outside the station. Despite the man admitting that he isn’t the Chief of Station at the US Embassy, he assures her that he is the right man to be speaking with. After mentioning Morgan Bote’s (Joel Grey) name to validate his claim, Zoe asks for immunity. Rather than grant or deny the request, he cryptically encourages her to consider what she is about to do because there is no guaranteed protection from someone who really wants to get to her.

Chase’s conversation with Pavlovich is nearly just as cryptic but he ultimately leaves Pavlovich with two options. Zoe can either blame the murder on him or she can blame it on an estranged former protégé of Bote’s who came back from the dead seeking vengeance for the kidnapping of his daughter. For the preferable outcome, Chase not only wants the antidote but he wants a bag of cash and Pavlovich’s word that he and Zoe walk away safe. Despite appearing highly suspicious, Pavlovich agrees to the deal and frees one of Chase’s hands so that he can call Zoe.

Zoe is right in the middle of a memory from her wedding day when she receives a confirmation call from Chase. Almost immediately after updating each other, Pavlovich receives word that someone has made a move against him. He briefly lashes out at Chase and leaves him with one of his men while he rushes off to meet with the cartel.

Harper attempts to learn Marion’s involvement with Pavolovich while Zoe deals with an assassin at the police station. After doing so, Julian Carson (Gbenga Akinnagbe) shows up and tells her that he was sent by Harper. By this time, Harper has learned that Marion’s ultimate goal was to turn Angela Adams (Alia Shawkat) into a Chinese asset. Harper is beside himself when he hears this but doesn’t get long to digest it due to an unexpected call from Pavlovich. Being that Marion doesn’t have a relationship with Pavlovich, she is just as stunned as Harper by the call. They will be left speculating because he practically hangs up on her after asking if she knows why he called.

After learning that he killed his captor’s father, Leonid Fedotov, years before, Chase uses the man’s own rage against him to gain the upper hand. After a very brief struggle, Chase kills him but discovers the antidote missing.

The episode ends with the cartel questioning Pavolovich about reports of him losing control of Meshbahar Deposit. He assures them that his men have everything under control and that skirmishes with local bandits aren’t anything new.

 

The Old Man Review

I am certainly glad that wasn’t the finale because it would have been unfulfilling. That would have been a sham after the previous two episodes were so decent. This episode felt like a series of different subplots more than a complete episode. I’d have to give it a 5 out of 10 for the simple fact that it should be easy for the finale to top it.

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