Vodka – The episode begins with an American reporter (Jed Aukin) asking Nicholas “Nick” Elliott (Damian Lewis) if his resignation from SIS is related to a “communist association.” Nick claims it was his “impudent association” with Guy Burgess (Thomas Arnold.” The reporter asks if Burgess is still considered a friend. Nick describes Burgess’ actions as “deplorable” while refusing to address their friendship.

Upon entering Kim Philby’s (Guy Pearce) at, Galina (Monika Gossmann) opens the curtains. Iris (Jennifer Marsala) watches Kim through binoculars.

Lily Thomas (Anna Maxwell Martin) reads an alert regarding the sworn statement of Michael Whitney Straight (Orlando Wells) that reads, “Sir Anthony “Tony” Blunt is another agent of the Russian intelligence services. He is in custody awaiting further questioning.” After Dr. Robert Thomas (Gershwyn Eustace Jnr) leaves, James Jesus “Jim” Angleton (Stephen Kunken) approaches. He admits his business in London is to watch Nick before suggesting they pull their resources together. She refuses his offer.

In a flashback, Nick asks Kim why he invited Burgess to stay at his place in Washington if they were both working with the KGB. Kim tells him that he believed Burgess was in poor health when he arrived in America. Dora Philby (Kate Fahy) speaks with them briefly before leaving. Kim admits to being fooled by Burgess.

In a flashback, Kim reminds Nick of his supporting him when allegations surfaced of his connection with Burgess and Donald Maclean (Daniel Lapaine). Nick admits to never believing he was guilty. Kim asks if Flora Solomon’s (Anastasia Hille) testimony changed his money. Nick claims a KGB deflector came forward with evidence that Kim and two other traitors are still active.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese military attacked America.

Lily informs Nick of Sir Anthony Blunt (Nicholas Rowe) allegedly working with the KGB. He asks who else knows about it. She says the Head of Counter-Intelligence Arthur Martin (Rick Warden), Al, and Jane Sissmore (Lucy Russell). He asks if they’re aware of him knowing. She says no. He says Sir Anthony is the traitor or knows who is so they must get to him before the Americans. She tells him that Angleton stop by her house today to “probe.” She suggests the timing of Blunt’s confession so soon after Kim bolted was intended to bring questions to the intelligence he extracted from Kim in Beirut. He proposes Russian involvement.

In a flashback, Kim and Donald Maclean (Daniel Lapaine) meet with KGB General (Alex Starbek).  Sergei (Karel Roden) joins them. Kim claims to have met with Angleton who he describes as an “odd bird” at his home in Virginia. He adds that Angleton isn’t a talented poet as he claims but an expert on human behavior for intelligence. The KGB General asks if they had a close relationship. Kim tells him that it’s part of the job. In a flashback, Kim’s at Angleton’s when they’re informed of North Korea’s attack on South Korea. Muller (Christina Catalina) asks Kim how they’re to be sure he won’t penetrate the KGB.

After asking Blunt if he spreads false information, Nick says he wanted to stab Kim in the gut and watch while he bleeds to death in Beirut.

Muller reminds Kim that he arrived in Russia with no intel. He says that would be due to a narrow escape. She suggests Nick who helped him escape is playing him or he’s playing them. He utilizes her lighter to heat up a paper from his cigarette pack to expose a message.

Lily reminds Nick of the poem, “The Ballad of the Goodly Fare,” Kim quoted him in Beirut. Nick claims Kim was sending Angleton a secret message because his flat was wired. She asks what was the message. He suggests Kim had led Angleton to believe if he ever defected to Russia, he do so as a CIA asset.

An agent informs Nick of Blunt making a 12-minute untraceable call and another call for a taxi. He says Jock was sent in to pick him up. Nick suggests he contacted KGB. When Jock pulls up, Blunt says go Regent’s Park.

After assuring Burgess that he was safe in 1951, Kim says Maclean is the one who blew his cover. Kim tells him that he wanted him to warn Maclean not to flee to Moscow with him. Burgess says he may have been fed up with England’s “little hypocrisies.” He suggests Nick must have taken his betrayal really hard. He assures him that he’ll never trust him again because he makes friends and betrays them. After punching him, Kim accuses him of ruining it all.

Iris rushes back to her apartment to send a message via Morse code.

Kim utilizes a lighter to heat up a piece of paper to reveal an address before burning it.

Iris sends a message to Angleton to inform him of there being an SIS agent in the KGB.

In a flashback, Sir Roger Hollis (Adrian Edmondson) warns that sending Kim’s biggest ally, Nick to Beirut would be a major mistake.

Iris is killed during a raid by the Russians. Kim looks out the window to see a group of men carrying what looks like a body wrapped in a white sheet. Sergi claims the female spy refused to be taken in alive. Kim says they aren’t supposed to be killed. Sergi assures him a “strong message” is sometimes needed. Kim reminds him of her providing an address to a CIA safe house in Moscow before accusing them of destroying 20 years of work. Galina pours them a glass of vodka while assuring him that the Russians are his friends. She assures him that he’s a “Soviet hero.”

Nick admits to now understanding why Lily tried to convince him to not go to Beirut as the episode comes to an end.

 

A Spy Among Friends Review

In a written statement, James Angleton alleges Sir Anthony Blunt has been working with the Russian intelligence service. Nick refused to believe Kim’s guilt until Blunt’s allegations surfaced.

Straight invites Lily to join him in taking down Nick but she’s already working with Nick to find Sir Anthony before the CIA. Nick confronts Blunt about spreading false information. Later, Blunt potentially contacts KGB.

Kim was upset about Burgess’ decision to join Maclean in fleeing to the Soviet Union. Burgess accuses him of making friends and betraying him. Iris overhears their conversation and reports to Angleton that Kim is a KGB spy.

The KGB kills Iris who fed Kim an address to a CIA safe house in Moscow.

No notable changes in the cinematography, editing, and camerawork. The episode added little information to the story. It’s difficult to believe when the story continues to stray from the truth.

The episode deserves a 5.5. Get more A Spy Among Friends recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking here.