As the episode begins, cops storm the dorm. They learn that the main troublemaker during the party had markings on his face. They were blotches down one side. That man started dragging women into other rooms and things got out of hand. Stuart (Steven Cree) is told multiple times that the man with the scars on his face was mostly responsible for the chaos at the university. Anna (Victoria Hamilton) joins Prime Minister Robert Sutherland (Robert Carlyle) in his office moments later. Anna explains Francine was busy so she decided to stay at the motel. Then, their conversation turns to the mess at the university. It was a party until the man with the scars showed up.
Robert explains that the ringleader has been identified as a violent criminal by the name of Nojus Sabonis. He also tells her that he is going to have to go up to Northumberland. Stuart drives along the streets and finds himself surrounded by pedestrians. He passes by many cars that have broken down before finally arriving at a checkpoint. He is allowed to pass through before finding a looter chained to a pole with a message to other would-be looters. Meanwhile, Anna argues about the troublemaker at home with Sam (Mark Bazeley) and her son. Her son suggests the mainstream media is trying to demonize immigrants again.
Peter Mott (Edward Bennett) holds a press conference. He gives them an update about the ongoing situation before being asked questions about the Prime Minister’s daughter. He tells them to get ready since they’ll be going on a road trip. After that, Anna lets Robert know that she has invited Francine Bridge onto the bus. Archie Glover-Morgan (David Haig) runs into the couple moments later. He tells Anna he is glad she didn’t get burnt alive in the motel. After that, Ellie is told that the media is going to run a piece about the drug situation. She is asked about a guy named Toby Kennedy-Brown. She confirms that the man was at the party. Ellie claims he is one of the biggest dope heads she knows.
Peter warns her that the police are going to speak with her again so he encourages her to stick with the original story. In the COBRA room, Robert tells everyone he wants to visit Northumberland. Archie and some of the others do not think it is a good idea. Archie reminds them that catching the man with the messed up face Freckles would be a good morale boost. Archie is adamant that they should dedicate resources to capturing the rapist. Robert isn’t happy with anyone who wants to fan the flames of xenophobia right now. He says they should do nothing to further divide the nation. After that, Fraser Walker (Richard Dormer) learns that a relief lorry carrying bottled water has been hijacked. That is going to create major problems in the red zone.
Fraser swallows a few pills while trying to ensure that the red zone doesn’t run out of water. Robert preps for his upcoming speech. Moments later, Anna meets with Francine (Marsha Thomason) and Robert catches up with them. Fraser arrives seconds later and tells them about the water issue. Robert gets angry with him and demands he fix the problem as soon as possible. They head for Northumberland moments after that. Archie meets up with a woman who trolled the Press Secretary gently with Toby Kennedy-Brown. He tells her about Peter and Rachel coaching Ellie for her police interviews. He wonders to what degree the PM sanctioned that.
Harry Rowntree (Con O’Neill), the General Secretary of the Lorry Drivers’ Union, gives a speech and it seems to cause more problems for Robert. Robert gets a phone call from Peter and Anna wants to know everything about it. He tells that Ellie has finished with the police. Ellie is not happy with the interview but her mother says she should put it behind her. We jump over to the Royal Northumberland Hospital Relief Camp in the red zone. A group hands out water. A minority man and his daughter wait in line but they’re skipped over just as the water runs out. A woman gives them her water. The ones in charge notice the man’s face and wonder if he is Freckles.
Before too long, the man is attacked. Robert stops to speak with soldiers while Anna tries to get information from Peter. Peter doesn’t want Anna to be involved in that business. She receives a text from Edin (Alexandra Willaume) asking when she is going to return. Stuart gets a call about the water and believes things are going to get worse until the water arrives. He learns about the man being lynched outside so he rushes out and puts a stop to it. He finds out that the man has Vitiligo so he can’t be Freckles the rapist. During another drop for Robert, Fraser tells him about the lynching incident. Francine speaks with Fraser and learns he hasn’t been sleeping at all and has been using pills.
Robert finally finds out about the death of Fraser’s father so he apologizes for being so rude to him earlier. Robert explains that they’re going to accept the advice of the security detail and return to London. Francine doesn’t believe that will look good. Anna and Robert listen as Archie gives an interview and ridicules many of their decisions. Robert decides to go to the relief camp anyway. Archie speaks with a potential ally about his interview. Archie says that Ellie supplied the drugs and blamed the dead girl with her parents’ support. They believe Peter will flip on the PM instead of taking the blame. His ally wants to make it clear that the PM knew and agreed with it. Archie believes Robert is toast already.
Robert makes it to the red zone and speaks with Stuart who encourages him not to go outside. Anna and Peter do not want Robert to go outside but they aren’t sure they’ll be able to control him. Moments later, Robert speaks with the woman saved from the wreckage. Outside, people chant to bring him out. Robert checks on the man who was attacked at the relief camp as well as his daughter. He speaks with the daughter and gets very upset. Robert angrily rushes outside and decides to confront the crowd but the group is pelted with bottles and other debris. He takes to the makeshift stage and tells everyone that they got the wrong person. He says that people who carry out hateful attacks like this will be punished to the fullest.
During the chaos, Anna is smashed in the head with flying debris. Robert manages to calm everyone down for the time being. He promises that the transformer is coming but he won’t say when it’ll get there. He tells a journalist that moving such large equipment can be very difficult. They’re just glad that Robert came and showed his face. Anna is patched up before receiving a text from Edin. Robert checks on her moments later. Fraser arrives and Robert tells Anna he has ordered a helicopter to take her back to London. Back at home, Sam listens to a news report about his wife being released from the hospital. He texts Anna moments later but Anna is going to spend more time with Edin.
Edin enters her room and they begin making out immediately. After they’ve finished, Edin encourages her to go away with him. When Anna goes for water, Edin gets a message from someone named Toni. Sam receives pictures of Anna and Edin on his computer.
Cobra Review
This was a better episode of Cobra. It was slightly faster with a lot more action. The main storylines are starting to come together. I still think there is too much going on simultaneously and I find it difficult to care about everything. I am more interested in Robert dealing with the water and transformer problem and less with Ellie and the overdose. The only thing I’ll say is that the show isn’t the most realistic.
I am not sure the Prime Minister would’ve been able to calm people so easily. When Facebook goes down, people freak out and complain. They nearly fall to pieces. I can’t imagine how nuts people would go if they weren’t able to access the Internet and couldn’t get water. Throw in the fact that most people don’t trust politicians. It is hard to believe any politician would be able to calm people so easily.
You have to overlook these facts. I’ll also say that it feels like the writers had an agenda going in. With that being said, some people will like it and some will not. My personal opinions shouldn’t change yours. It is fair to explain why I feel the way I do so I have. Feel free to do the same in the comments below. I’d love to know why you did or did not like the show. I’d give the episode a 6.5 out of 10. Previous recaps of Cobra are available on Reel Mockery.
Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
It has it kinks but I think overall it’s a good show. I can see what you mean with a lot going on at once. The last episode leaves plenty of groundwork for a series 2 I think so maybe improvements will be seen in it😊
Thanks for the comment. The story is very interesting and original. I’ll stick with it until I finish the season. Would likely watch another if they make one. Love the cast. 🙂