Wish The Fight Away – The episode opens with Joe (Zoe Saldana), Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman), and Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly) scrambling to assemble last-minute wedding mission details. A call from Bobby (Jill Wagner) alerts Joe that Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira) and the wedding party are on the move in the city. Joe orders her to return to base when she questions following and calls Kyle (Thad Luckinbill). Upon learning that he’s scheduled for another mission, she leverages the favor he owes to get her team in place. After relaying details, Joe and the team debate about how to get their gear and assets in place in Mallorca without raising red flags.

On their way to Mindels in New York, Aaliyah Amrohi (Stephanie Nur) explains to Cruz how an Arab wedding is like a business contract, which works in her favor because she can enjoy the celebration without the burden of planning. She adds that her father’s Amrohi (Bassem Youssef) overprotective nature contributes to the secrecy of the wedding. Upon arrival, Cruz and Aaliyah are greeted personally by the manager (Michele Ammon) and escorted to a private room. Once alone, they enjoy champagne while shopping. While watching Cruz try on dresses, Aaliyah admits she can’t stop thinking about their kiss before touching each other sensually. When Hillary (Maddie Moore) interrupts with more dresses, they scramble to get dressed. Alone again, Cruz says this isn’t the place to figure things out. Aaliyah vows to know a place and promises to take her there. Cruz agrees to go.

Aaliyah and Cruz are escorted back to a hotel and end up in bed together. Kyle, who has now checked into the same hotel, overhears everything.

In Williamsburg, Virginia at “The Farm” Joe and her team load their gear. Bobby voices her concern when Joe tells her that they’ll be flying out of FBO in Dulles. Joe attributes the decision to not needing a manifest when a call from Kyle interrupts. After learning he has booked a room, she asks how he plans on following when Cruz moves out. Kyle assures her that they won’t be going anywhere and urges her to listen to the transmitter audio.

Sneaking to the bathroom, Cruz breaks down weeping and sends Joe a text. Joe sends her to Kyle’s room, orders Kaitlyn to get her chopper, grabs Bobby and they race off to New York. While leaving the room quietly, Aaliyah confronts Cruz about where she’s going. She claims to need to process what happened and may not be back.

Although Cruz arrives in Kyle’s room first, Joe is only seconds behind. Kyle excuses himself while Cruz tells Joe she slept with Aaliyah. Joe asks her what the problem is. Cruz says she’s not trained for this and fears she might be falling in love with Aaliyah. Joe assures her that she doesn’t love Aaliyah and Aaliyah certainly doesn’t love her. She claims that it is Joe’s background of being abused, alone, and abandoned that’s making her think she’s in love. Joe reminds her that those were the very same reasons she dedicated herself to the Marines. The only difference is that the Marines and Joe can’t make her feel loved like Aaliyah. Joe reminds her that she will be a soldier when the mission ends while Aaliyah is in Riyadh waiting to be a mother. Joe stresses the role Amrohi plays in global terrorism.

Back at the hotel, Aaliyah asks Cruz what she did wrong. Cruz reminds her that she is getting married. Correcting her, Aaliyah says “traded.” After killing the audio transmitter, Cruz says she can’t watch her father give her away.  Aaliyah informs her that her father won’t be attending when Cruz reactivates the audio bug. Cruz accepts the wedding invitation. Aaliyah kisses her before she leaves.

At “The Farm,” Joe and Kaitlyn berate Cruz for shutting off the transmitter. Cruz assures them that her cover is still intact. Kaitlyn asks Cruz why she didn’t stay the night. Cruz admits to having trouble sleeping with Aalliyah when she is supposed to kill her father. Joe urges her to tap into her inner Marine. She says the only difference between this mission and any other is that the guilt comes before you pull the trigger. Joe dismisses her with the orders of taking a shower and getting some sleep.

After helping Neal (Dave Annable) get Kate (Hannah Love Lanier) situated at home, Joe requests some alone time. Once Neal and Charlie (Celestina Harris) leave, Joe informs Kate she’ll be gone next week, she doesn’t want to go. Kate asks her promise to return home. Joe promises she will try.

Errol (Martin Donovan) is surprised to see Kaitlyn. She wants to give him a proper goodbye.

Tucker (LaMonica Garrett) and the team start arriving at a private airfield in Dulles. Bobby expresses displeasure when seeing Kyle. Tex (Jonah Wharton) tells her that he needs every shooter he can get. Once on the plane, Joe uses her laptop to show Cruz terrorist attacks that Amrohi is responsible for. Two Cups (James Jordan) grovels over the poor selection of food but uncovers a feast when Kaitlyn directs him to the rear of the plane. Cruz watches teary-eyed as countless innocents are slaughtered in terrorist attacks.

 

Special Ops: Lioness Review

Not a bad way to gear up for the finale, although things felt anti-climactic at times. Aaliyah and Cruz’s sex scene seemed to lack flair. The whole deal with Cruz switching the audio bug off and on held no suspense. Joe’s pep talks about Cruz finding her inner Marine were probably the least inspiring of all. The mystery, however, around Amrohi’s presence at the wedding is a plus. The scenes with Joe and Kaitlyn spending time with their families before the mission were surprisingly fulfilling. All and all, not bad but certainly not great. How long does will it take before Cruz’s bruises heal? I’d give the episode a 5 out of 10.

Get more Special Ops: Lioness recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more.