Aahana Swrup
The closer Volchek gets to achieving his elusive, troubling endgame in ‘Countdown,’ the tighter the noose gets around Blythe’s high-stakes investigation. Despite all their failed attempts and near misses, the interdepartmental task force remains dogged in its efforts to track down their enemy before he can unleash his villainy on the country. As such, episode 7, titled ‘Nothing Else Helps,’ finds the team pursuing multiple leads to finally piece together the puzzling mystery. However, one bad judgment call from an agent could send their operation toppling in on itself. Meanwhile, the Belurisian consulate general remains adamant in resolving the problem internally and makes bold moves to get Volchek back to the Motherland. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Iosif’s Men Corner Volchek
Despite his refusal to cooperate with Blythe and his team, Iosif Astapov, the Belurisian Consulate General, remains unambiguous in his hostility toward Volchek. Most likely, the government official is only trying to keep his nation’s international relations in order by trying to resolve the Belurisian problem without any fanfare. Therefore, after his previous failed attempt at a negotiation, he resorts to more aggressive measures. Consequently, during a routine meet-up with his fake ID supplier, Volchek finds himself walking into a trap. Worse yet, his assailants have a personal grudge against him on account of their relationship to his now-dead right-hand man, Danill.
Iosif’s men are eager to collect Volchek’s riches, the ones he embezzled from the Russian government, before putting him back on a one-way trip to his homeland. Naturally, Volchek is less enthused about this idea. Still, when push comes to shove, he has no choice but to play ball. Even so, his kidnappers can’t help but get suspicious when the man makes claims of keeping his monetary stash at his house. Eventually, they realize their apprehension was correctly placed when Volchek tricks them into walking toward their doom. The Belurisian fugitive lures the men to his basement with the promise of millions in his underground safe. Nevertheless, once there, he quickly hides himself inside the vault before triggering the multiple bombs that surround the room. Thus, he manages to make a narrow escape, foiling Iosif yet again.
Blythe Fears a Leak Among His Ranks
In the aftermath of the task force’s latest failed endeavors, the agents retrace their steps to look for errant clues. While Luke, Keyonte, and Evan conduct their own investigations, Oliveras and Meachum team up once again for an operation. The latter has learned that their target uses Russian-grade bullets. Fortunately for him, the DEA Agent has a contact who deals in weapons. As such, it’s only a matter of time before the duo don their undercover aliases and reach out to Oliveras’ contact. Soon enough, they have the Russian bullet dealer, Zabo. Even though he initially tries to run, the pair manages to bring him in for questioning.
Afterward, a quick sweep gives them enough incriminating evidence to use as leverage during their interrogation. Zabo spills secrets about the prime customers of his Russian bullets: The contractors at Iskanders’ Private Military. Yet, when the team knocks on the company’s door, they realize that they have already been tipped off about the raid. Inevitably, Blythe blames his federal SWAT team for the slip-up, believing the leak must have come from their ranks. However, Keyonte’s position remains uniquely suspicious. Earlier, he had a run-in with Valwell, wherein the DA made his intention clear to strike up a partnership with the FBI agent as an informant for him. Nonetheless, the ambiguity only lasts so long before Keyonte pursues another meet-up with Valwell, this time to make it clear that he has no intention of being a mole. In witnessing Blythe defend his agents, the former has seen his dedication to the team. Thus, he’s obliged to return that loyalty to his boss.
Oliveras Learns Meachum’s Secret and Evan Cracks the Gallagher Code
In the end, the raid on Iskanders’ Security isn’t a failure. When the team realizes they need directly incriminating evidence against the company to get the drop on them, everyone immediately begins digging into its paper trail. As a result, Evan is able to find a crucial piece of the puzzle. As it turns out, the company had bought multiple truck manufacturing companies that specialized in 18-wheelers. One of these companies is named Gallagher Frights. Consequently, the conclusion arrives that Volchek’s menacing plans likely involve the trucks for some elusive purpose. Worse yet, when they run an operation on the warehouse, they find evidence that suggests the trucks have been re-signed to appear unrecognizable.
Ultimately, even though the team has more insight about their enemies’ plans, involving trucks and fissile materials, they are no closer to cracking Volchek’s operation. Still, none of the agents are prepared to give up regardless of the mounting pressure against them. Perhaps for the same reason, Oliveras seeks out Meachum the same night with a bottle of stronger painkillers. She knows the LAPD cop is hiding something from her. Nevertheless, she doesn’t want him to suffer and potentially put the investigation in danger. This act of compassion compels Meachum to finally confess the truth to his partner. He shares his cancer diagnosis with Oliveras, letting her know that despite the expiry date on his life, he plans to go out in glory, in the hopes of saving people along the way.
