The fourth episode sees John Creasy still on his mission for revenge amid the chaotic streets of Rio. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II continues to deliver a compelling performance as the tormented operative, blending raw physicality with moments of quiet vulnerability that make his character feel lived-in and authentic. The episode escalates the personal stakes while expanding the web of corruption surrounding the bombing that claimed Poe’s family. Yet, for all its intense scenes and character-driven moments, it suffers from some contrived plotting and a sense of inevitability that undercuts the surprises.
The story picks up with Creasy taking the fight directly to Osmar, whose real name is revealed as Gabriel, by using his son to lure him into a hostage situation. One of the episode’s highlights is the tense standoff in Osmar’s panic room, where Creasy uses physical torture psychological tactics to extract information he’s after. Pretending to endanger Osmar’s young son Mateus adds a layer of moral complexity, Creasy is no hero playing by the rules, but a man pushed to the brink. These scenes crackle with suspense, showcasing Abdul-Mateen II’s ability to command the screen through subtle intimidation rather than just brute force. The direction maintains a tight focus on the confined space of the panic room, heightening the claustrophobia and forcing you to confront the collateral damage of Creasy’s vendetta.
Alice Braga’s Melo is given a little bit more to do in the chapter, navigating the favela and using her street-smarts to escape her captors and all the plot threads are starting to come together. Her loyalty to Creasy and Poe is fed by her desire to escape her situation and make a better life for her daughter, adding emotional weight to her trying to keep Poe safe. The episode intercuts between Creasy’s interrogation efforts and Poe’s situation, reminding you of what he is up against and that he is stretched to breaking point.
Poe’s story takes centre stage in several key moments as she grapples with trauma and the loss of normalcy. However, her decision to run off and get captured feels unnecessary and somewhat forced. It serves to raise the stakes and force Creasy into a rescue scenario, but it strains credibility given the constant danger she’s aware of and the trust she’s built with her protector. This plot beat comes across as a convenient way to generate tension rather than an organic development from her character, giving of 24 season 2 cougar attack vibes. It pulls you out of the mystery, shifting focus from compelling conspiracy-building to a damsel-in-distress trope that the series had been subverting effectively up to this point.
On the positive side, the episode excels in deepening Creasy’s internal struggle. Triggered memories from his Mexico City mission underscore his PTSD, making his outbursts and hesitations feel painfully real. Abdul-Mateen II excels in these vulnerable beats, conveying a man fighting not just external enemies but his own fracturing mind. However, this does lead to an unintended comedy beat of Creasy managing to knock himself out on the edge of a table when he has a panic attack.
The political intrigue thickens as Creasy uncovers more layers about the FRP and the bombing’s true orchestrators. Interrogations yield critical intel that points toward higher powers, blending personal revenge with systemic corruption. All of this is being fed to Tappan (Scoot McNairy) at CIA headquarters, giving the American’s the upper hand in the politics of it all.
Yet, the episode’s biggest letdown arrives in its closing twist. The revelation that Tappan isn’t the ally he appears to be lands with less impact than intended because it has been obvious from the first episode. Foreshadowing through suspicious behavior, evasive responses, and convenient timing made the betrayal feel telegraphed rather than shocking. Even paying moderate attention, you will have connected the dots early, mainly as Tappan is the only recurring character that’s been there from the start, turning what should be a pivotal gut-punch into a confirmation rather than a revelation. This predictability dampens the climax’s power and makes the buildup feel somewhat redundant. A more subtle integration or additional red herrings could have preserved the suspense.
In the wider story, this episode point us toward the finishing line, intensifying the hunt while testing the limits of Creasy and Poe’s resilience. It doesn’t reach anywhere near the heights of the opening episodes, nor does it fully capitalise on its emotional potential due to story choices. Still, it holds attention and leaves enough unresolved threads to pulll you back. Abdul-Mateen II’s on the edge performance ensures the series stays watchable even when the plotting wobbles.
The episode reinforces the show’s commitment to blending brutal action with personal drama, even if the execution isn’t flawless. Creasy’s journey is enough to keep you invested and it’s another solid step into darker territory, flaws included.
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