Along Came A Spider – The episode begins in Dallas, Texas with Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) and Joe (Zoe Saldana) overseeing McConnell (Shane Andries) and a team of NSA agents bugging the Carrillo house. Things couldn’t have gone better, but both have reservations. Kaitlyn fears that the housekeeper might be too easily influenceable because of her Zapotec. Joe promises to look into it but clearly has her own trust issues with Josephina Carrillo (Genesis Rodriguez).

Joe overreacts once again when she turns home and can’t find her family. By the time she finds Neal (Dave Annable) listening to music in the tub, she’s clearly beside herself. Before she joins him in the tub, he questions her about her reaction, which she doesn’t lie about. Kaitlyn’s return doesn’t go as well and nearly ends in an argument when Errol Meade (Martin Donovan) pushes a bit too hard for intel on her latest mission.

Joe and Neal are just getting going when Kate (Hannah Love Lanier) unexpectedly returns home and catches them. Joe doesn’t get the opportunity to address the situation right away due to a call from Kaitlyn, informing her that Josephina’s cover story is going live. After briefly watching the segment, Joe attempts to discuss what just happened with Kate while Kaitlyn reminds Errol of their 7:30 dinner date at Masseria.

Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly) and Kaitlyn briefly meet outside the White House’s Situation Room before their meeting with the security panel.  Neither appears to know what the meeting is regarding but it doesn’t take long for them to see that the panel is nearly ready to scrap the mission because of Congress’ and the public’s reaction to their cover story. A brief argument ensues when Kaitlyn accuses them of caring more about winning an election than protecting the nation. The meeting ends with them strategizing to get Senators Fuller (Demetrious Murray) and Albright’s (Robyn Lively) support.

Josephina and Bobby’s (Jill Wagner) relationship immediately get off on the wrong foot when Josephina implies Bobby is an a**hole because she doesn’t salute her at the airport. Their ride to the base is practically silent and gets worse when Josephina sees her new accommodations. The guys aren’t as harsh with her as Bobby was and only request to know her cover.

It doesn’t take Errol long to discover that Kaitlyn lied about their dinner at Masseria. As it turns out, they are meeting several key members from The Hill at Café Milano. Kaitlyn hopes with the help of Errol that she can win over Senator Albright. Despite the misdirection, he not only agrees to help her but proves to be invaluable during the dinner. Kaitlyn eventually excuses herself from the table to join Byron at the bar where he is doing some convincing of his own with Ronnie Blackstone (Todd Terry). It isn’t much longer before Mason (Jennifer Ehle) joins and gives them the go-ahead for the mission. Kaitlyn thanks Errol on their return trip home.

The following morning, Joe has a pleasant breakfast with the family before returning to her mission. Despite having an open mind, things only get worse for Josephina when Bobby walks in on her in the shower. It’s only seconds after this that Tex (Jonah Wharton) and several other guys are nakedly invading the showers as well. Tucker (LaMonica Garrett) immediately recognizes her discomfort and although he laughs about her requests for privacy, he tells her about an area where she can change more privately.

Kyle (Thad Luckinbill) and Tracer (Max Martini) arrive to oversee Josephina’s tactical training. He allows her to first watch Bobby and Tex run a course and ask questions, which she does astutely. Josephina even proves to be a decent shot at the target range, but things go to pieces the moment the entire gang introduces the element of chaos. Her first initial run at the tactical course doesn’t go so badly thanks to Tracer. Kyle even appears hopeful about Josephina’s potential when Joe briefly stops by. Joe clearly still has her reservations and orders him to run her through the simulator.

The simulation doesn’t begin so badly but ultimately ends with Josephina failing it because she approaches a hostage situation like a cop would. Joe doesn’t waste any time reminding her that they are a kill team and that’s what they do, even if it means killing the hostage. Joe uses the opportunity to further rattle her by bringing her family into the discussion. It’s only a matter of seconds before Kyle joins in and leads her into speaking Spanish, which she initially claimed she didn’t know. This is practically all the proof Joe needs to sac Josephina but because she saved their lives earlier, Joe gives her a final opportunity to be truthful.

The episode ends with Josephina sobbing to her father, Padro Carrillo, over the phone.

 

Lioness Review

Although the episode appeared to attempt to get straight to the point, it felt as if it took the scenic route. A nearly hour-long episode was a bit much just to get across the pertinent content. That said, I did enjoy watching it. There were, of course, some cringe moments such as Two Cups’ bathroom escapade and Joe’s family breakfast debate about phobias. I did appreciate the way Byron and Katilyn played the Hill in their favor. It is extremely intriguing to get to see Washington politics through their eyes. Everything is approached like a deal, including their relationship.

I didn’t much care for the tactical training mumbo jumbo, but I understand and respect its need. At least the next episode should offer a more intimate look into the life of the Carrillo Family. That is something I am looking forward to. This episode gets a 5 out of 10.

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