♪ ♪
[keyboard clacking]
[phone ringing]
[woman speaking quietly]
The president will see you now.
[quiet chatter]
Ms. Wright.
Welcome to the West Wing.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The vice president gave me the basics.
So, bring me up to speed.
Sir, based on measurement and signature intelligence,
the data indicates the detonation was nuclear
and the device used closely mirrors the design
of an American-made low-yield weapon.
This could have been a disaster, but the actions of our officer
in the Czech Republic prevented a massive loss of life.
Is this terrorism?
An undeclared nuclear power?
According to our intelligence, a group of hardline Russians
is waging a campaign of disinformation
to goad the U.S. and Russia toward conflict.
We believe this detonation was a part of that campaign.
Are you saying this action was not state-sponsored?
No, it is not. The group behind the detonation
included Petr Kovac, father of Czech President Alena Kovac,
as well as Alexei Petrov,
the new Russian Defence Minister.
Is this a theory
or something actionable, Ms. Wright?
It's the conclusion of our best case officers and analysts.
Unfortunately, sir, I don't think the Kremlin got the memo
that it's disinformation.
They're gearing up for war.
You said the detonation was part of their campaign.
The Russians have escalated their defense
to Increased Readiness.
We believe this group will exploit that.
[McGuire] All the more reason, sir,
to respond by going to DEFCON 2.
[Wright] And by doing so, we would be playing directly
into their hand.
Our people in Moscow are right now working
an asset within Russian intelligence
to discredit Minister Petrov and de-escalate the Kremlin.
Let me know as soon as they have anything concrete.
In the meantime, we also need to explore more direct options.
Absolutely, sir.
Thank you, Ms. Wright.
Thank you, Mr. President.
What makes you think Alexei will confess?
[Luka] At this stage of the game,
he thinks he's untouchable.
[static]
However,
the puppet can't help but run his mouth off around me.
What range have you got?
[Jack] Supposed to be up to 200 meters.
But when he gets here, try to stay close to the bridge.
Good range.
American technology, eh?
Australian, actually, but...
your condescension has been noted.
Someone is here.
But it is not Alexei.
I'm on my way.
You know what amuses me, Jack, hmm?
No matter how much research you do on Russia,
they will never know how Moscow works.
I was expecting Minister Petrov.
Change in plans.
[panting]
♪ ♪
[tires squeal]
[starts engine]
[tires screech]
[engine revving]
[static]
[Luka over phone] Do you mind if I smoke?
[static]
[Luka] GRU, right?
[Follow] Shut up.
You must be new.
Experienced people don't talk to me like that.
[soft chatter]
[keys clacking]
[mouse clicks]
[clicking]
Looks like your trip's gonna be short and sweet.
They kick us out?
Not officially, but I wouldn't make dinner plans.
- What's up? - Vova Litishenko.
When did he go inactive?
He didn't.
Spetsnaz kicked him out.
Any follow-up?
Uh, he was yours.
Wouldn't talk to anyone else.
Word is, he's still in Moscow.
He doesn't have access anymore, so...
we leave him alone.
Good to know.
One more thing.
President Kovac is making a unofficial trip to Moscow.
Yeah. I saw she landed this morning.
Don't put eyes on her.
- We got it covered. - [chuckles softly]
I'll say this.
You make a hell of a comeback, Jim.
♪ ♪
[static]
Come on.
[van door sliding open]
[Follow] Come with me.
[quietly] Shit.
[grunts]
How long have you been doing this, hmm?
Do you think you will live long enough to be good at it?
[sighs softly]
Let me guess.
Straight out of the Conservatory, hmm?
You know you will be the one
they will choose to kill me.
♪ ♪
[breathing heavily]
I assume he was armed?
A wire?
[Follow] No wire.
Surikov will not like this.
Oh, I care less and less each day about what he likes.
You of all people should know politicians come and go.
Change comes quickly.
Surikov has covered you a long time.
You can't last forever.
I don't have to.
Just longer than you.
A mountain muting the explosion.
That's a nice trick.
I wasn't even there.
I was being delivered to Petr Kovac
like a blood sacrifice.
Delivered by you.
I figured,
let the old dogs fight.
Well, Petr is dead.
You think you can inherit that man's greatness?
Hmm?
Same as you did when you had Popov killed.
Popov was useless.
Obstructive.
Begging to be put down.
I did Russia a favor.
[magazine clicks]
So you and Petr finally got to settle old scores?
Did you really think Petr would be the one
to leave our reunion alive?
I didn't care.
Neither did he.
Petr didn't expect to survive.
I mean, Cáslav. You... didn't stop anything.
I don't believe you.
Whatever Petr became,
he was a soldier.
He would not leave Crossbow to a politician like you.
I am not concerned with your beliefs.
Use this.
[door shuts]
It's all right.
Do it.
[gunshot]
[indistinct shouting]
- [groans] - [gunshot]
Ah!
[indistinct shouting]
[engine starts]
[engine revs]
[tires screech]
- [engine revving] - [tires screech]
[panting]
Let's go.
[soft chatter]
[music playing softly]
Very punctual, Vova.
I hear from you after so long, I say this has to be good.
So, what happened?
I hear you got sick or quit or something.
No. I was just someplace else for a while.
There's no quitting in me.
I'd miss it too much.
[Vova] So you want a history lesson.
I know it's a Spetsnaz beret.
It's the color I haven't seen.
They retired yellow.
Emergency Management Service.
Clean-up crews.
Accidents, fires, chemical leaks.
But sometimes, these guys, they would show up
before the accidents, you know?
- Where are they now? - Disbanded,
disavowed, dead.
You know, Chernobyl, shit like that...
fucked them over.
Couple still around.
Around?
- How? - Online.
Raising hell.
You know, the unit, the EMS,
they were like your Lost Patrol.
Fucked over.
But now they're almost like militia.
Know any of 'em?
It was before my time. But, uh...
it's a brotherhood.
I'm sure I can find them.
I'm looking for the people on this team.
These people might have been at Matoksa.
Oh, bad place.
No people from then.
Maybe a person.
Maybe.
Fine.
Set up a meet.
Okay.
Today.
I'll try.
Okay. Today.
♪ ♪
[Alexei] President Kovac,
I am surprised to hear you are in Moscow.
We have to speak.
Face-to-face. Today.
Yes, I think a chat would be clarifying
for both of us.
You will have to come here.
Fine.
This afternoon.
I'll have my secretary
make the arrangements.
I'm looking forward to it.
[sighs]
He'll meet me.
- Doing okay? - Yeah.
You know what to do, right?
My coming to Moscow will have alarmed him.
So I keep him confident.
Let him think he has power over me.
Distract him with his own magnificence.
Won't be hard.
I keep his attention on me while you do your part.
Have you figured out how to get to Madame Popova?
No clue.
We'll figure something out.
Well, from here on out,
we're in your world.
♪ ♪
My apologies, Mr. President.
Things are moving rather quickly.
As I'm well aware, Minister Petrov.
These are F-16s at Aviano Air Base.
Fueled and ready.
A U.S. naval destroyer has moved into the North Sea.
U.S. troops have been moved into the base at Stuttgart.
All of this in the last eight hours.
Mr. President, the Americans are at DEFCON 3.
In response to Povyshennaya.
We need to deploy Su-57s,
troops to Ukraine,
- the Baltic Fleet... - Stop.
We are at Povyshennaya.
They are DEFCON 3. Stalemate.
Sir, I must disagree.
There can be no stalemate
when we are never evenly matched.
[Zaitsev] Mr. President, look at what happened
in the Czech Republic.
They cannot be trusted.
Is the Baltic Fleet even ready?
Absolutely, sir.
They are awaiting our order.
Sir, the U.S. Navy is Goliath
to our David.
Put Su-57s on the runways.
- So their cameras can see. - Yes, sir.
But there will be no movement without my consent.
Thank you all.
[indistinct chatter]
Stay a moment.
Forgive me, Mr. President.
I didn't mean to overstep.
Yes, you did.
It's the nature of ambitious young men to overstep.
So I guess it is you who must forgive me,
as I'm still adjusting to working with you.
Dmitry Popov was a dear friend,
and I'm still grieving that loss.
Bitterly.
- I understand. - [Surikov] I hope you do.
Now go.
As you said, things are moving quickly.
♪ ♪
[shuts off engine]
Alexei's men will have their eyes and ears open
- for us. - Uh-huh.
[Luka] Here is his confession, hmm?
Give this to President Kovac.
I need to know.
Matoksa.
A lot of people died that day,
and I need to know why you were there.
Because I gave the order
to kill them.
I have a lot to make up for, Jack.
♪ ♪
[soft chatter]
[phone buzzing]
♪ ♪
[door opens]
Madam President.
Minister Petrov.
I must say,
I don't know what you expect
to get out of your visit here in Russia.
As you know, no diplomatic mission will be recognized.
We feel it would send the wrong message
to sit with the woman who's allowed U.S. nuclear arms
into her country.
The detonation had nothing to do with NATO.
We both know it.
I was there when my father died.
At the hands of a Russian traitor, no doubt.
That's an interesting word for you to use.
You and my father's schemes.
When they come to light, the Gulag won't even be an option.
Conspiracies make you sound like a leader
struggling to hang on to a populace that has abandoned you.
You've spent too long playing the middle.
Things are changing here in Russia.
It's time for you to make a decision.
If you truly want to lead your country,
I suggest you step away from NATO,
like so many of your neighbors are doing.
I don't take suggestions from you.
Talking to you, I am reminded of the old adage about politics.
If you see a turtle on a fence post,
you know that he or she
had some help getting there.
Now, do your people know who helped you?
Your threats don't mean anything to me.
I'm not threatening you.
I am reminding you of who you are.
Being America's puppet...
is not something your father would want for you.
I don't think he'd want me taking orders from you, either.
Too bad we can't ask him.
I apologize, President Kovac.
I am very busy.
I strongly suggest you fly away home.
All things considered,
your house might catch fire.
♪ ♪
[television playing in distance]
[creaking]
Vova?
[door creaking in distance]
[running footsteps]
[grunting]
- [shouts, groaning] - [grunting]
[grunting]
[shouting]
[grunting]
[groaning]
- [thud] - [panting]
[groans] Oh, my leg!
- [groans] - Who told you to take me out?
[groans, panting]
[groans]
[Vova panting]
- [Greer grunts] - [Vova shouts]
[groans] I started asking a-about Matoksa.
About EMS.
Then I get a call.
- Who? - [panting]
- [Greer] Who?! - [Vova groaning]
Rolan Antonov. [panting]
He gives an order, you do it.
- [panting] - You don't take orders anymore, Vova.
They kicked you out.
[Vova panting]
Chief, we all take orders.
[panting]
[groans softly]
[panting]
[breathing heavily]
[Vova groans]
[exhales forcefully]
[Galen] They're bulking up at Kubinka.
Could just be a show.
They know we're watching.
Or they could hit Aviano, Stuttgart and Cáslav
in about ten minutes.
Is there a reason no one is taking this seriously?
We are. And we have been
since long before any of this crossed your desk.
What you have to understand is that the events
in the Czech Republic are still unclear and unverified.
Excuse me for being blunt, but...
isn't that your job?
You were West Point, right? Class of '83?
Yes.
Then I'm sure they taught you that no enemy is worse
than bad advice.
I'm simply trying to give you my best
and take at least one enemy off the board.
♪ ♪
[indistinct chatter]
[applause]
[guitar playing]
- [indistinct chatter] - [guitar continues playing]
[song ends]
[cheering, applause]
[beeping]
[staticky transmission]
[chiming]
[mutters in Russian]
You having technical problems?
No English.
Ah. Hang on.
Just a sec.
Uh, let's see...
Here you go.
[female voice speaking Russian] I need to borrow your car.
[gun clicks]
[seat belt clicks]
[Wright] Jim, I need something concrete,
and I need it about 20 minutes ago.
Embassy's been expelled.
Clearing out as we speak.
How's that for concrete?
We're running out of non-military options here,
and I don't have any favors
left to call in.
Rolan Antonov.
A naval captain.
One of Petr Kovac's people.
Where's he posted?
It's classified. I don't have the time or the people to dig.
Anything from Jack?
I'll let you know.
[Wright] If you don't evacuate
the embassy and leave Moscow,
you're putting yourself at risk.
[Greer] Believe me, I'm aware.
But I have faith.
I'm guessing you do, too.
[Wright] They'll have eyes all over the embassy.
Be careful, Jim.
[man] Concert tonight!
Best show in town.
- Hey, best show. - [woman speaks Russian]
Concert tonight.
Who wants to see Bright Boy tonight?
Best show in town.
Concert tonight!
Best show!
[insects trilling]
♪ ♪
This is some old-school shit.
See?
I'm still full of surprises.
How you holding up?
Oh, I'm good.
Shit. Get down.
[gunshot]
[quietly] Shit.
As I thought.
GRU.
How bad is this?
[Luka] He's one of Alexei's men.
The GRU are not going to like this.
We got to move.
Take this to Mike and Alena, okay?
That's Alexei Petrov confirming that he killed Dmitry Popov.
Perfect.
And what do you have?
A naval captain.
Rolan Antonov.
Spetsnaz?
Yeah, that's what I think.
No. No. This is wrong information.
[Greer] Yeah, that's not likely,
because I almost got myself killed over it.
He's a good man.
I could almost call him a friend.
[indistinct chatter, laughter]
[car door opens]
I just need five minutes of your time.
Would you like to know what really happened to your husband?
Maybe get a little payback on the people who did it?
[indistinct chatter]
[insects trilling]
[Jack] Was Antonov at Matoksa?
[Luka] Yes.
[Jack] And Petr got to him.
Or maybe Alexei.
No, not Alexei.
A politician could never turn him.
Only a soldier.
Do you know where he's stationed now?
No. But I know where he lives.
These things that you say...
you have proof?
I'll let my associates answer that.
So, we are making lots of new friends tonight?
You can trust me, Madame Popova.
Right this way.
[door opens]
Madame Popova.
Madam President.
I apologize for this... unofficial meeting.
But when you hear what I have to say, I think you'll understand.
Unfortunately, it won't be pleasant to hear.
I've lived long enough
and learned that the unpleasant is often necessary.
Well... [sighs]
...this is much less boring than the opera.
♪ ♪
[gun clicks]
♪ ♪
[footsteps approaching]
- [silenced gunshots] - [man grunts]
♪ ♪
[fire crackling]
[floorboard creaking]
[man 2 grunts]
[fire crackling]
[papers rustling]
♪ ♪
[young Luka] The general has given orders.
Sokol is over.
It is to be shut down.
Completely.
Excuse me, sir.
- Are you saying... - You know what he is saying.
Yes, sir.
[young Luka] Let's go!
[boatswain's whistle blowing]
♪ ♪
He's got a workup on every U.S. vessel in the Baltic.
Why would he have these?
Because Antonov
is on his way to start a war.
Besstrashnyy.
The Fearless.
The most lethal warship in the Russian fleet.
Doesn't make sense.
In order to launch a vessel like this,
you would need a direct order from the Kremlin.
[Luka] He has it.
"Politicians come and go.
Change comes quickly."
This was Petr Kovac's plan all along.
[beep]
[Alexei] Popov was useless.
Obstructive.
Begging to be put down.
I did Russia a favor.
That little yuppie shit.
Thirty years ago, Dmitry would have seen it coming a mile away.
But it is not 30 years ago.
I am sincerely sorry about your husband.
And, like you, I want the people responsible to pay.
To do that,
I need to see President Surikov.
[Natalya] Unofficially, I imagine.
Very much so.
[Natalya] He's in a delicate position right now.
As I'm sure you know, Madam President,
they don't always vote you out.
Ten minutes of his time.
It could save his presidency.
And yours?
My views on politics are...
[chuckles softly]
...changing.
[Natalya] Good.
It's a dreadful business.
[indistinct chatter]
[door opens]
- [officer] Ten-hut. - [chatter stops]
Relax.
I think we're gonna be here a while.
Sir, we're-we're seeing troop movement in Crimea
and significant activity around the Baltic Fleet.
[Bachler] I've been briefed.
And Robert's brought me up to speed
on our operations within Russia.
What do your people have there, Officer Wright?
One of our assets believes that a Russian naval captain,
Rolan Antonov, has been compromised
by Petr Kovac and Alexei Petrov.
Compromised how?
[Wright] It's unclear,
but he's commanding a fully armed destroyer
and may not be following official orders
from the Kremlin.
I need actionable, verifiable intelligence.
Have you spoken to your people in the last hour?
No, sir.
[Bachler] What are other options?
[McGuire] We've got assets from the North Sea
moving into the Baltic.
[shuts off engine]
- You know, I followed your campaign closely. - [door shuts]
I'm flattered.
It's been more than 200 years since a woman led Russia.
I'd like to see that change before I die.
So would I.
Tomorrow morning.
Three sixty-seven Levitsky Prospekt.
I'll send someone to meet you.
Thank you.
[Natalya] Good night.
Good night, Madame Popova.
[door opens]
[door closes]
♪ ♪
[quiet chatter]
[line ringing]
Jack.
[Jack] We've had it wrong.
All of it.
Sokol, it was never just about a nuke
or starting a war. This has always been about power.
In Antonov's house, we found a written order to set sail
to the Baltic on a destroyer called the Fearless.
This is it.
This has always been the endgame.
Antonov can't do anything on his own.
He would need help from the Kremlin.
The order came direct from the Kremlin.
But it wasn't signed by the president.
It was signed by Alexei Petrov.
Alexei Petrov?
Jesus.
It's a coup.
[Jack] And we're right in the middle of it.
I need to brief the president.
What's your next move?
Well, I got to hitch a ride to the Baltic.
Good luck, Jack.
You, too.
♪ ♪
[Jack] All right, let's go.
Cross the border at Narva.
Your people can get you over.
I will settle with Rolan.
You're not getting on a ship full of Russian sailors
that are loyal to a traitor.
That's suicide.
What would you do?
♪ ♪
[quiet chatter]
[Wright] Mr. President,
I've just been informed that the Russian ship
has been compromised.
The ship's captain, Rolan Antonov,
is part of a larger plot
connected to the detonation in the Czech Republic
and Dmitry Popov's assassination.
It's all part of a Russian coup being carried out as we speak.
Do you have any secondary intelligence
that verifies this open source?
Just my men on the ground.
For me, that's enough.
With all due respect, Ms. Wright,
for me, it isn't.
[exhales]
♪ ♪