An American legal consultant in Mexico finds himself caught in an impossible bind. Years later, he's trapped once again - and Peter is his only hope. An enigmatic opponent pushes Peter to his limits in a ruthless mind game. Jacob uses his vast database of secrets as a bargaining chip.
"Once Upon a Time..." was written by Andres Smith and directed by Hiromi Kamata
The desire to arrest Raúl Zapata led to Jacob's recruitment by the intelligence community. And now, the need of shady individuals to cover up their involvement with Zapata's latest terrorist attack risks ending Jacob's career. This episode serves as an origin story for Jacob. It details why he felt betrayed by his country and his inability to be there for Isabel during her childhood. In the present day, he can only rely on Peter to keep him safe. That results in him being willing to share every deal he has ever brokered. He needs to stay alive and remain in Isabel's life. That's the only thing that matters. He believes Peter can accomplish that goal. Yes, Jacob is arrested by the conclusion of the hour. Peter isn't the one to bring him in. Adam returns Jacob to his daughter. Meanwhile, Peter has been drugged by the Father. He's gone rogue in capturing one of his targets. He chooses to be creative as a way to handle his current situation. It buys more time for the show heading into the final arc of the season. It's a little bit of a cop out given how dangerous the threats have previously been perceived. The situation requires Jacob to be more desperate than ever before in the face of an even more mysterious and dangerous conspiracy targeting him to cover up their crimes.
The desire to arrest Raúl Zapata led to Jacob's recruitment by the intelligence community. And now, the need of shady individuals to cover up their involvement with Zapata's latest terrorist attack risks ending Jacob's career. This episode serves as an origin story for Jacob. It details why he felt betrayed by his country and his inability to be there for Isabel during her childhood. In the present day, he can only rely on Peter to keep him safe. That results in him being willing to share every deal he has ever brokered. He needs to stay alive and remain in Isabel's life. That's the only thing that matters. He believes Peter can accomplish that goal. Yes, Jacob is arrested by the conclusion of the hour. Peter isn't the one to bring him in. Adam returns Jacob to his daughter. Meanwhile, Peter has been drugged by the Father. He's gone rogue in capturing one of his targets. He chooses to be creative as a way to handle his current situation. It buys more time for the show heading into the final arc of the season. It's a little bit of a cop out given how dangerous the threats have previously been perceived. The situation requires Jacob to be more desperate than ever before in the face of an even more mysterious and dangerous conspiracy targeting him to cover up their crimes.
The threats of today were created by reckless and inconsistent actions from the past. Jacob was recruited by the CIA to arrest Zapata. He gathered all the evidence necessary to prove his boss was involved in arms trafficking. Ultimately, the agency betrayed him. The government decided to out Sofia as a mole to earn good will from the terrorist. They wanted to buy weapons from him due to a tightening budget. That was the only way for America to remain the strongest and most lethal force on the planet. A change of administration resulted in cutting all ties with Zapata. He was labeled a terrorist and nothing more. There was no accountability for the past partnership. The only reckoning was Jacob hunting down Costa and forcing her to confess the truth. Zapata remained free. He grew more radicalized while underground. He waited until the perfect moment to strike. He was successful. Hundreds of Americans were killed. He's not done yet. Another attack is on the horizon. Jacob has no interest in that. He's only concerned with his own safety. He has always led with so much confidence. Yet he was personally ashamed when Isabel wanted nothing to do with him. Sofia spent the rest of her life in prison. Isabel only knew one version of events. She's still in the dark. The CIA betrayed their assets on the ground in favor of obtaining weapons. Jacob has exploited agents and the government countless times in the years since. It all harkens back to that loss of the life that could have been. He can't get that back. Nor does anyone else carry that sentiment that motivates everything.
Grade: A-
"Truth Be Told" was written by Anayat Fakhraie & Corey Deshon and directed by Hiromi Kamata
Orders changed. Jenny confided in the President about Jacob Monroe. The details of that conversation weren't seen. The aftermath was. Adam killed Jacob. The broker didn't assess Adam to be someone who could be compromised. He wasn't. He was loyal to the President. He will carry out Hagan's orders even if they create more complications. It's only after the action is taken that Peter calls. He's finally on the verge of achieving his ultimate goal. Jacob has been arrested. He escaped with the book that can decode all of the broker's crimes. Isabel doesn't want to give her father the opportunity to break her heart. She doesn't want to know his story. She will never get that chance now. It's all based on how Jenny convinces her husband to act. Chelsea caught the First Lady meeting repeatedly with the butler. His phone had pictures of classified information. At the very least, Chelsea suspects Jenny of selling this intel. It's more complicated. She's motivated to silence Jacob. He hunted Zapata for thirty years. He's the one criminal he would never work with. He got close to his operation in the pursuit of killing him. He was motivated by revenge for a long time. Now, everything he does is for his daughter. Her existence changed everything. His only regret is Zapata not knowing who was responsible for his death. Jacob wanted that satisfaction. He may not even get confirmation Zapata was killed. The other interests fight to ensure he remains operational.
Orders changed. Jenny confided in the President about Jacob Monroe. The details of that conversation weren't seen. The aftermath was. Adam killed Jacob. The broker didn't assess Adam to be someone who could be compromised. He wasn't. He was loyal to the President. He will carry out Hagan's orders even if they create more complications. It's only after the action is taken that Peter calls. He's finally on the verge of achieving his ultimate goal. Jacob has been arrested. He escaped with the book that can decode all of the broker's crimes. Isabel doesn't want to give her father the opportunity to break her heart. She doesn't want to know his story. She will never get that chance now. It's all based on how Jenny convinces her husband to act. Chelsea caught the First Lady meeting repeatedly with the butler. His phone had pictures of classified information. At the very least, Chelsea suspects Jenny of selling this intel. It's more complicated. She's motivated to silence Jacob. He hunted Zapata for thirty years. He's the one criminal he would never work with. He got close to his operation in the pursuit of killing him. He was motivated by revenge for a long time. Now, everything he does is for his daughter. Her existence changed everything. His only regret is Zapata not knowing who was responsible for his death. Jacob wanted that satisfaction. He may not even get confirmation Zapata was killed. The other interests fight to ensure he remains operational.
Peter is tortured by the Father. He's drugged to make him more suggestible. It doesn't even take much manipulation to get him talking. He only needs to share a few details to paint the broad picture of his life. The audience is aware of so much of his inner turmoil. It's also being summarized to someone new. The way he draws the information out is compelling. He even receives actionable details. He goes to the hospital to kill Jay. The only reason he stops is because he realizes the Son snuck in. He became a part of this hostage situation. He revers the codename given to him. It's still a scary predicament for Orion. He wants to believe his father is hunting bad guys. That's the only reason why Peter would be confined to a chair. Peter proves to be just as persuasive in getting this child to do what he wants. He crafts a story of being the Father's partner. He actually respects the bond between parent and child. That's something he never had. It's still fueled by deception. Peter doesn't receive that clarity. He's just thrilled to find a way to escape. He makes a deal with someone who isn't willing to compromise. Everything changes because what he cares about most in the world is present in the room. Peter probably wouldn't harm Orion. The Father could have taken that bet. He refused to risk his son's life. That's the priority. That's communicated succinctly. He will do anything to protect Orion. Meanwhile, Theo doesn't know how to support Chelsea without physically doing something. She walks away because sharing his concerns with her boss made her life more difficult. That wasn't a supportive action. The pattern will only repeat if she stays in this relationship. That wouldn't lead to the expose of the First Lady's crimes.
Grade: B+
