The episode opens in a library in Tallinn, Estonia where Zina Jansone (Eleanor Matsuura) meets The Jackal (Eddie Redmayne). He tells her that MI6 Agent Bianca Pullman (Lashana Lynch) and MI6 Agent Vince Pyne (Nick Blood) arrived at the British Embassy last night. He asks if her people can deal with them. Surprised he asked her for help, she agrees to do it. She says Ulle Dag Charles “UDC” (Khalid Abdall) is scheduled to arrive on Friday. He refuses to share his plan with her and demands payment immediately after the job is complete. At the British Embassy, Vince and Bianca join Operation Anubis. Osita Halcrow (Chukwudi Iwuji) tells them that their liaison, Oskar Ilves (Tambet Tuis) is searching all hotels. Cole (Raiko Gohara) creates a composite sketch of The Jackal. Bianca is sure it is him but not Vince.

Keith Canvey (Martin McDougall) warns UDG against going to Tallinn because the MI6 lost track of the assassin in Hungary. UDG says River’s enemies win if he chooses to remain in isolation. Teddy (Patrick Kennedy) reminds them that the guests have signed NDAs and have no idea where they are going. He fears what canceling the event would do to UDC’s reputation. Keith assures him that anything would be better than being dead. In Tallinn, The Jackal tells Rasmus (Andreas Jessen) that he has the blueprints for the Konsterdisaal. They sensually complement each other.

Cadiz, Spain – Marisa (Puchi Lagarde) and Alvaro (Jon Arias) are concerned about Nuria (Ursula Corbero). Back in Tallinn, Rasmus offers to take The Jackal to Konsterdisaal after it closes. He claims the venue will be closed off to the public and only specific people will be allowed in. They will go this afternoon. In Cadiz, Alvaro asks Nuria for 40 grand for a business acquisition with his friend, Antonia. Marisa says the acquisition would change his life. From Tallinn, The Jackal watches a live feed of Alvaro removing money and a gun from a secure room inside his house. Alvara stuffs extra bundles of cash into his waistband while Nuria isn’t looking. In Tallinn, Rasmus and The Jackal are at the Konsterdisaal. Rasmus gives him his passkey. The Jackal looks around and returns the passkey before leaving. At the British Embassy, Osita tells Bianca and Vince that Keith is keeping quiet about UDC visiting Tallinn. Oskar calls to inform them that Officer Kohver (Jane Napp) identified the facial composite as Peter Gibson who was an Airbnb last night. Bianca and Vince come under fire outside the embassy. At least one assailant escapes. Osita arrives at the scene and urges Bianca to come back inside but she insists on going to the Airbnb. Oskar and an armed tactical team break down the door to find it empty.

Tallinn – Rasmus and The Jackal say their goodbyes. In New York, Timothy Winthrop (Charles Dance) and Doug Wojack (Corey Jackson) discuss Russians and Lester Coughlin’s (Brian Caspe) interview. In Tallinn, Kohver claims to have seen a man resembling the facial composite at the Airbnb. Outside Konsterdisaal, The Jackal is asked to stop at a security checkpoint. He says it is probably his boot and opens his bag. The guard permits him to pass. Back at the Airbnb, Kover says the gentleman had Peter Gibson’s passport in his possession. He utilized a credit card to pay for the rental. At Konsterdisaal, The Jackal purchases snacks and water with cash before taking his seat. When the concert pianist (Balint Barath) stops playing, The Jackal makes his way to the upper floor and crawls to a ventilation vent directly above the pianist. He removes a gun from his boot and installs a silencer on it. The concert ends and the lights are turned off. The Jackal dreams of warfare and death. He remembers the first time he met Nuria.

At the British Embassy, Osita tells Vince and Bianca that the assailants are Russian. She insists someone is trying to kill her. He says Peter Gibson’s credit card hasn’t been used since the Airbnb rental in Tallinn. At Konsterdisaal, The Jackal is still inside the ventilation vent when he hears footsteps above. Keith watches as Rasmus steps into the security body scanner. Bianca and Vince approach and give him a facial composite of the assassin. Keith asks about the accuracy. She says it was a police officer who came face-to-face with the assassin. She shows him The Jackal wearing a disguise. Keith explains his plan to vacant the building by 6pm and only he will oversee admittance for the UDC event. The upper balcony will be reserved for armed guards. From the ventilation vent, The Jackal sees Bianca give Keith something belonging to him. Security dogs sniff around the theater. No DNA is detected on The Jackal’s item. The Jackal keeps his mind busy by thinking of Nuria. The next day, invited guests file into the Konsterdisaal. Vince and Bianca are checked through security. Keith sends Chris (Russell Balough) to do a once-over of the building. Lenora Boggs (Christy Meyer) arrives by helicopter. The Jackal sees Bianca through the vent. Rima Buttons (Lourdes Faberes) and her entourage arrive at the venue. Keith alerts Vince and Bianca that UDC will arrive in 10 minutes. From the ventilation vent, The Jackal watches as guests file into the auditorium. In the green room, Keith urges UDC to stay near the bulletproof glass.

A short time later, UDC and Teddy kiss before he enters the elevator. Rima is introduced as she walks onto the stage. On the upper floor, The Jackal emerges from the ventilation vent. Paul Pullman (Sule Rimi), Jasmine Pullman (Florisa Kamara), and Adam (Hope Ikpoku Jnr) watch the event on TV. On the upper floor, Jackal kills a security guard. Coughlin, Zina, and Winthrop watch Rima’s speech on TV. In the batten, The Jackal watches as UDC walks onto the stage. UDC speaks to his guests from behind the bulletproof glass. The Jackal keeps his gun aimed at UDC. Chris fires a shot at UDC. The Jackal fires a shot. Armed guards surround UDC and escort him off the stage. Chris is shot. Bianca and Vince realize there were two shooters. Paul sees Bianca on TV and turns off the TV. Doug questions if UDC is dead. The Jackal exits the building with the guests. Rasmus recognizes him. The Jackal kills him. The episode ends.

 

The Day Of The Jackal Review

The story becomes more implausible by the episode. It’s questionable why security didn’t bother checking the vent above the stage. The guests were permitted to freely leave the building without going through security. The Jackal walked out with the guests and killed Rasmus with the police nowhere to be seen.

The British Embassy in Tallinn appeared to lack security. Two vehicles carrying armed Russians entered the perimeter without raising suspicion and ambushed Bianca. Again, she managed to scathe injury and return gunfire in the wide open. The action scenes were obviously not thought through.

Amateurish editing and constant jump cuts alter the story flow and make it difficult to fully enjoy the action scenes. It doesn’t help that the camerawork is subpar. Silly subplots and domestic scenes to create a 10-part boring series. The episode deserves a 4.8 out of 10.

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