VI – The show begins with Dan Chase (Jeff Bridges) dreaming about frantically searching for someone. While looking out a window at an adult and child walking hand in hand in the dark, he yells, “No, oh no.” Young Abbey Chase (Leem Lubany) assures him it is okay. He stresses the importance of finding her. She tells him it isn’t necessary. When he asks who she is, she reminds him that he let her in. Back to the present, he is with Zoe (Amy Brenneman) on an airplane. Explaining it was a past ritual, he tells her to jot down her real name on a piece of paper and place it in a glass of water. He utilizes an ink pen to submerge the paper in the water. He says she must leave her name there and return for it later. She disagrees with him about the metaphor being reversible until realizing it’s what he does for his job.

Dan says it is a trade-off for waking up every morning. She asks how he sees his life differently from then and now. He suggests she is referring to his now being responsible for her life.

Cheryl Harper (Jessica Harper) tells Harold Harper (John Lithgow) that what he did was “bad.” He questions what rumors she heard. She says he supposedly aided and abetted an escaped fugitive who he later hired someone to kill to hide his story. She says after consulting with an attorney about his case, she got the vibe that he would willingly empty their bank account.  He asks what she told the lawyer. After denying she spoke with him directly, she hands the phone to Morgan Bote (Joel Grey). Morgan voices his concern for his welfare. Harold demands to know if he is alone before accusing him of setting him up for numerous crimes. Morgan reminds him of the daughter he gave him. Harold demands to know his intention. He admits that he couldn’t refuse to help Dan keep his daughter safe because he still loved him. He assures him that he can offer him the same help now. Harold asks if he is truly going to help him. Morgan promises to fix it if he asks.

Morgan admits respecting Civil War medics with no resources other than medicine and a saw to save the soldier by removing the damaged parts. He suggests all the blame would be put on Agent Angela Adams/Emily (Alia Shawkat) if she disappears for good. Harold refuses to do it.  says it may be possible for Angela to be spared if she can escape the name. Before ending the call, he tells him all he needs to do is ask for his help and tell him where he is located. Harold ends the call as Angela approaches.

Julian Carson (Gbenga Akinnagbe) donates some money to a young boy. He tells his partner that he believes Morgan is slipping. Mike (Echo Kellum) reminds him about what he said about him being fine. He acknowledges saying it but now has reservations. They discuss Julian’s struggle to admit it is going to end. Mike warns him of what will happen if Morgan doesn’t want to be involved in what they are doing.

Zoe tells Dan that it is important to her to understand what they are doing. He explains how he will ask Pavlovich to aid in their cause this afternoon at a reception. After claiming to understand his plan to kill Faraz Hamzad (Pej Vahdat), she asks him to explain how his world works.

Dan explains tradecraft to Zoe. She asks if tradecraft is a learned trait. He claims to have learned the technique by executing it. She admits to wanting to know how it works. He rants about using people, being used, and the ability to ever trust again. She asks what would make her want to start trusting now after so long.

Dan explains to Zoe the importance of having a backup plan just in case communications are compromised. He tells her about a bank account he and Emily utilize to communicate. After reviewing the account, he says Emily is on her way there.

Harold warns Angela that Dan may not be thrilled to see him. She assures him that he is underestimating Dan. He asks who decided to utilize a bank account for communication purposes. She says it was Dan’s idea. He questions if they utilize other forms of communication. She admits to communicating with Dan via burner phones. He asks when they last met. She says they agreed in-person meetings were too risky after their last meeting in 2012. He suggests she had been nothing more than a mere “voice on the phone” for Dan. She assures him that they all made sacrifices.

Dan and Zoe ride a boat to Pavlovich’s reception. She asks if he is positive Pavlovich will remember him. He assures her that he will.

In a flashback, young Dan Chase (Bill Heck) enters a room, where a Russian prisoner is being held hostage. The prisoner asks if he was sent by Abbey to free him. He tells him that rumors say he is trusted by Hamzad like no other. Dan cuts him free.

Hamzad informs Dan of the Russian’s escape. He tells him about his recurring dream. He says Abbey is never there when the dream ends because she likes to wander around at night. He assures him that Abbey never freed the prisoner.

Dan jots something down on a napkin before leaving to meet Old Suleyman Pavlovich (Rade Serbedzija). Zoe remains behind where he left her. After reading Dan’s napkin, Pavlovich looks up to see Dan standing in front of him.

Angela and Harold walk through the airport when he spots a DGST agent. She identifies the agent as Abdellatif Rahmani (Faran Tahir) before admitting she contacted him. She tells him about his grandson, Henry Harper (Milo Stein) texting her before he falls to sleep. She says Henry told her that Cheryl received a male visitor the other night. After identifying the man as Morgan Bote, he tells her about Morgan’s offer to get him off if he laid the blame on her. She asks what his response was. He admits it was disheartening to think of her going away forever even though she is a threat to his job and family. She suggests he accept his offer. When he refuses, she reminds him of all the other people involved. She promises to fix everything. He warns her that Hamzad is out of reach. She convinces him to let her take the fall before they go separate ways.

When a man points Harold to his ride, he becomes suspicious and takes off running in the opposite direction. He returns to where he left Angela, but she is already gone.

Zoe accepts a drink when Nina Kruger (Rowena King) starts a conversation. She assures her that she will keep her secret before saying her name. She agrees to speak with her privately.

Referring to Baba Ghor Ghori as a children’s make-believe monster, Pavlovich says he saved his life once. Dan suggests his request wouldn’t seem too much considering what it took to help him escape. Pavlovich asks what happened to Belour. Dan informs him that they were married. Pavlovich assumes Hamzad wasn’t pleased with their marriage. When Dan says it is vital for him to reach Hamzad before he can get him, Pavlovich questions what it has to do with him. Dan reminds him of how he started the conflict. Pavlovich explains his relationship with Belour. After refusing to provide him aid, he orders him to be escorted out. Dan takes down two of his men. With a gun aimed at Pavlovich, Dan says, “That’s twice.”

Kreuger promises Zoe it will soon come to an end. She suggests Zoe is there by force or of her own free will. Zoe questions how she identified her. A man issues a warning, causing panic among the guests. As Zoe walks with Kreuger, a man asks her to follow him when Dan walks up and shoots him.

Dan scolds Zoe for not following his order to remain at the bar while driving a boat at high-speed. She tells him that Kreuger identified her. They discuss her and Kreuger’s conversation. They are surrounded by the police as they emerge from the boat. Dan looks around to see Harold approaching. He demands to know where Angela is at. After claiming The Old Man took her, Harold says they are going to get her back as the episode comes to an end.

 

The Old Man Review

Another episode afflicted by cringeworthy riddles, which give the show an uncompelling appeal. When the riddles faded out, the focus became what it should’ve been from the start.

Angela convinces Harold to take Morgan up on his offer to pin everything on her. Before he can execute the plan, she is abducted by most likely someone linked to Hamzad.

Dan discovers his old acquaintance Pavlovich who he spared from death isn’t willing to stick his neck out to help take down Hamzad. Now that Harold has come to his senses, he will partner with Dan to get the job done and save Angela in the process. We have seen Dan and Harold work on opposite sides of the law. Now, we get to see them work together as a team.

The shootings are unrealistic as they would unlikely play out like this in real life.

The episode deserves a 5.5. Get more The Old Man recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link to learn more.