In The Agency episode 8, Martian (Michael Fassbender) and the CIA take a significant risk in attempting to recruit Sami (Jodie Turner-Smith). Sami is forced to confront the truth about the man she loves, as well as the moral dilemma of potentially betraying her country. While Martian believes he can persuade her, the outcome is far from certain. Meanwhile, tensions escalate in Belarus as Blair (Ambreen Razia) takes increasingly dangerous steps to extract Coyote (Alex Reznik), involving General Volchok’s (Juris Žagars) inner circle. Elsewhere, Danny (Saura Lightfoot-Leon) eliminates one rival for the academic trip to Iran, but finds herself facing tougher competition from another.
Sami is stunned when Martian reveals that Paul Lewis is an alias, and that he’s actually a CIA agent. While Martian insists she was never a target, he warns that she’ll be in danger if Sudanese agents learn about his true identity. He offers her protection in exchange for gathering intelligence, but Sami refuses to betray her country. Martian gives her 24 hours to make a decision.
Sami doesn't share the full details of the meeting with Osman (Kurt Egyiawan), but back at the London CIA field office, Bosko (Richard Gere) is frustrated with Martian’s handling of the situation. The CIA’s influence in Sudan is waning, especially with China taking the lead. Meanwhile, in Belarus, Blair pressures Sylviya (Tanya Shpadi), Volchok’s secretary, to help them gain access to her boss. Blair suggests they will expose Sylviya as a spy if she doesn’t comply. They plan to create a replica of Volchok’s personal belongings to use in their operations, as his burner phones change constantly. British intelligence agent Richardson (Hugh Bonneville) meets with Bosko to discuss updates regarding Sudan, reminding him that Britain has little power against China in the ongoing negotiations. Martian is not pleased by Richardson’s involvement.
Sylviya successfully sends a photo of Volchok’s boots, which the team plans to replicate. However, when Dr. Blake (Harriet Sansom Harris) questions how they’ll protect their new asset, Blair maintains that security isn't part of the mission. With Coyote’s safety in jeopardy, the operation takes on even greater urgency.
Danny attempts a different approach to eliminate Rose (Jessie Mei Li) as competition for the Tehran program by bonding over booze and drugs, hoping to uncover a weakness. Rose reveals that her mother wants to travel to Switzerland to die on her own terms, but her Catholic family opposes this decision. The next day, Sami, overwhelmed, passes out at the negotiation table. In private, she confides in Osman about the CIA’s recruitment attempt and rejects their offer. Osman vows to protect her, informing Dalaga (David Harewood) and Guo (Curtis Lum) of the CIA’s move and suggesting they relocate the negotiations to Cairo.
Meanwhile, Danny and Naomi (Katherine Waterston), posing as representatives from Assist UK, visit Rose’s mother to discuss her wish for assisted suicide in Switzerland. However, Danny’s distraction and poor performance lead Naomi to chastise her for mixing business with personal feelings, warning her that emotional involvement with targets is dangerous.
Though Britain has lost influence, a twist reveals that Richardson has been playing both sides. Guo (Curtis Lum) informs Richardson that the CIA attempted to recruit Sami, and the two meet to discuss their shared interest in the situation. Guo presents Richardson with a flash drive containing intel on Russian operatives in the US Energy Department, aiming to put pressure on the CIA. The balance of power shifts, and Guo eventually confronts Bosko and the CIA team with Sami as her representative. Tensions rise as Bosko’s frustration mounts over the Chinese sidestepping diplomatic protocols during the negotiations. Guo’s move signals that the CIA no longer holds the upper hand, and the flash drive marks a critical turning point in the conflict.
Throughout the episode, flashforwards reveal Martian taking a lie detector test, where he’s questioned by a suspicious British woman, potentially linked to MI6 and Richardson’s operations. In Belarus, Sylviya’s attempt to swap Volchok’s boots is discovered, and she is sentenced to death. Blair is left to grapple with the consequences of the failed mission, knowing that more lives will be lost if Coyote isn’t rescued. As Coyote is moved to another location, the stakes are raised.
Martian confronts Guo, demanding to know who orchestrated the play involving Sami and the flash drive. Guo refuses to reveal the British intel connection, leading to a physical altercation where Martian incapacitates Guo with a chokehold.
Sami and Osman prepare to leave on a private jet when Martian makes one final attempt to convince her to join him and the CIA. Sami rejects him once more, boarding the plane with Osman. As she departs, it’s unclear if this will be the last time Martian sees her.
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