Aahana Swrup
In ‘Countdown,’ Agent Blythe and his task force edge closer toward the inevitable endgame of their cat-and-mouse chase against Volchek. The attack on the team leader’s life momentarily shakes up the mission’s foundation, sending the agents to continue the investigation on their own. Unlike their previous attempts, this time around, a solid lead allows them to unravel the exact nature of the Belarusian terrorist’s plans. However, it’s just their luck that the great reveal arrives in the eleventh hour, adding an attached ticking time bomb to the high-stakes threat. Consequently, with millions of lives at risk, the task force must put their best foot forward and solve an insolvable puzzle. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Blythe Saves Himself From a Grim Fate
Previously, Blythe goes out to meet with Iosif Astapov, the Belarusian Consul General, who agreed to share sensitive information about Volchek with the Federal Agent. However, upon arriving on the scene, the latter finds his contact dead inside his car. Shortly afterward, Volchek emerges from the shadows and stabs the unsuspecting man. The terrorist was likely hoping for this encounter to spell out his adversary’s inevitable doom. Nonetheless, Blythe refuses to give up without a fight. In the aftermath of the attack, he crawls his way back to his own police car and turns on the sirens, thus alerting nearby personnel of his presence. Furthermore, he radios in for help, ensuring that he doesn’t see a dark and gloomy end in some nondescript back alley.
Consequently, the authorities are able to rescue Blythe in the nick of time. Yet, an uphill battle remains ahead of him as he undergoes life-saving surgery. While the team leader fights for his life in the hospital, the rest of the task force begins looking into the circumstances surrounding the stabbing incident. After Luke, Oliveras, and Meachum check out the crime scene, they’re able to retrieve the file Astapov was going to share with Blythe. This file reveals several other aliases under which the Belurisian fugitive operates. Thus, after some hefty research, Bell and Shepherd are able to uncover a major lead. As it turns out, Volchek owns a film production company, complete with ghost offices and everything. As a result, in an unexpected turn of events, the reality of Volchek’s plans reveals itself.
Oliveras Urges Meachum to Seek Medical Help
So far, Oliveras is the only one who is aware of Meachum’s terminal cancer diagnosis. The LAPD cop is dealing with a substantial brain tumor and has seemed to accept it as the author of his demise. For the same reason, he’s adamant about his refusal to share the nature of his condition with the rest of his squad. He’s afraid that once Blythe learns about his health, he will force him into a desk job. Since Meachum wants to go out as a hero, saving lives, he’s understandably opposed to that idea. Still, once he opens up to Oliveras, the DEA Agent helps him realize another angle.
Meachum isn’t solely responsible for his own fate. As a part of Blythe’s task force, his actions and his condition directly affect every other agent around him. For instance, one particular instance in this episode finds him almost passing out from his headache and falling to his death. Fortunately, Luke is able to save him in time. The instance likely underlines a crucial truth for Meachum since he’s much more open to Oliveras’ advice. The latter has a childhood friend, Julio, who is a neurosurgeon who specializes in cancer cases. Therefore, she wants the cop to get a second opinion from him and pursue a treatment plan if possible. Although his chances of survival still remain in the red, this instance adds a hopeful beat to his narrative.
Volchek Plans to Blow up LA in a Nuclear Attack
From the get-go, Blythe and his team have been trying to uncover the reality of Volchek’s deadly plan. Yet, save for some small detail or another, they haven’t yet been able to get a reliable lead. That is, until they uncover the existence of his film production company. Once Bell makes this connection, he’s able to locate suspicious activity on Vine Street. In the crowded area, Volchek’s production company has acquired the required permits for filming, allowing them to park several bulky trucks. These trucks, of course, are filled with explosive fissile materials. Thus, Blythe, who has recently left the hospital, and the rest of the team find themselves at the Vine.
For Luke, this encounter holds particular significance since a twist of fate has put his entire family in the vicinity. Fortunately, they’re able to ring the alarm at the right moment, successfully emptying out some of the street. Even so, the nature of the bombs ensures that they’re still a threat to the surrounding area. Until the bomb squad arrives on the scene, the Bell and Shepherd are their best bet at detonating the threat. On the other hand, Meachum and the others scour the area, looking for Volchek and his allies. In the end, the LAPD cop finds himself face-to-face with his enemy, who has the detonator in his hand. Thus, a tense conclusion seems to be in the works for the next episode.
