This penultimate episode of The Agency has everything you want in a lead-up to a season finale—high stakes, emotional depth, and a sense that everything we've been watching has been building to this crucial moment. As the season nears its end, the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife, and while we don’t know exactly how everything will play out, it’s clear this episode sets the bar for what’s to come. Without a doubt, this is the strongest episode of the series so far.
The premise of the episode is simple but incredibly compelling: With war on the horizon from all sides, Martian and the London station are the last line of defense. But there’s a catch—Martian may not be mentally equipped to handle the pressure. This has been a running theme throughout the season, and it’s something that’s finally catching up with him. As he dives headfirst into chaotic situations, it's hard to shake the feeling that he’s not making these decisions for the right reasons. And yet, his methods work, at least for now. His actions are pushing the plot forward, but the moral implications of his behavior remain an open question. It’s a brilliant and complex character arc, and Fassbender nails it, balancing Martian’s emotional instability with his unrelenting drive.
As for the writers, Jez and John-Henry Butterworth continue to bring their A-game. This episode is arguably their best work to date, showcasing their ability to write tension-filled dialogue and craft a tight narrative that doesn’t let go. The pacing is spot on, and they manage to balance all the various storylines—Martian’s mental state, the Coyote operation, and the looming mission in Ukraine—without any of them feeling rushed or underdeveloped. It’s a rare feat, and the episode benefits greatly from their steady hand.
Now, getting into the specifics of the episode: I loved the emotional weight of the Sami storyline. Even though she’s been gone for a while, her absence continues to haunt Martian, and it’s clear that the emotional fallout from her potential fate is only just beginning. The reveal of Osman’s video—where she offers to trade information for her life—adds an intense layer of urgency to the situation, and you can’t help but feel for Sami, who’s been caught in this dangerous web. Martian’s decision to not answer Osman’s call at the end felt like a pivotal moment, one where his personal grief and guilt are finally catching up with him. It's a haunting decision, and I have to wonder how it’ll affect him in the long run. Will he come to regret it? Or is this just one more indication of how far gone he is?
I also really appreciated how the episode brought some familiar faces back into the fold, namely Felix and his operatives. These characters hadn’t been around for a while, and it was nice to see them brought into the fold again, adding another layer to the mission in Ukraine. The way the plot is unfolding with this dual mission—rescuing Coyote while taking down Volchok—has my full attention, and I’m eager to see how this will resolve. There's something about the urgency of the situation, and the way all the pieces are being carefully set up, that makes me feel like the finale is going to be explosive.
Naomi’s journey was another highlight of the episode. Her persistence in getting Daniella ready for Iran is admirable, but the twist that Naomi herself is being vetted for the mission was a nice surprise. I love that despite her lack of formal clearance on the Coyote case, she’s still recognized for her connection to the operation and brought into the fold. It’s a nice reminder that not everything in this world is as clear-cut as it seems, and sometimes the people who make the biggest impact aren’t always the ones you’d expect.
The episode ends with Martian’s emotional unraveling, and I have to say—it was devastating to watch. As he listens to Osman’s phone call ring unanswered, it feels like a moment of personal surrender. I don’t think Martian has ever been more broken, and it’s heartbreaking to see someone who has been so resolute now being crushed by the weight of their decisions. Fassbender’s performance here is exceptional, and it’s moments like these that make you realize how well-written and well-acted this show really is.
As we head into the season finale, there’s no shortage of questions to be answered: What will happen with the mission in Ukraine? What is Sami’s fate? Will Martian be able to pull it together, or is he beyond saving? And with Season 2 on the horizon, I’m genuinely curious to see where the story will go next. The finale promises to be a high-stakes, emotional rollercoaster, and I’m both anxious and excited to see how it all concludes. Here's hoping the landing sticks because the build-up has been too good for a misstep now.
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