03x05 - This Is Not America

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Covert Affairs...

Eyal Lavin?

What's Mossad doing?

[Grunts]

Let's go.

You're never boring. Maybe the riviera next time.

I don't know.

Everything's better in Israel.

Simon is a master spy.

Get intimate enough on the man, and he'll tell you everything.

He was playing you. I have to call it.

You're blown.

I'm sending you back to the DPD.

We need to talk. I can't marry you.

Parker--

You should have this back.

Bye, Auggie.

This guy doesn't get a pass just 'cause he's handicapped.

August Anderson.

Time to go.

Your bail's been posted.

By whom?

I didn't call anyone.

You wanna ask him yourself?

He doesn't.

I trusted you, you know.

But that's past tense.

I gave you an entire division.

An opportunity half the building dreams of and an investigation into Jai's death, one of our own on our own soil.

Arthur, let me explain.

And then you reward that trust with a reckless and dangerous trip to see your girlfriend and a public incident of drunken as*ault.

She was my fiancee.

Also past tense.

Good operatives become careless drunks right before they become burnouts or doubles.

I'm taking the OSP away from you.

You're gonna go back to the DPD and work hard for Joan.

Show me I wasn't wrong.

Lena? you don't work for me anymore.

Well, I found a new way in with Simon Fischer.

He came back. I can get this guy, I know it.

I'm really not interested in a turf battle with Joan and Arthur.

Isn't there some scenario that we could continue our work together?

On an unsanctioned mission?

I thought maybe I could re-route the case file through the DPD.

I thought about that, but the op originated in my office.

You know how stove-piped this place is.

So that's it?

Unfortunately, it is.

I have privileged access to a top FSB operative.

Are you telling me I should walk away because someone decided to move my desk down the hall?

Have you developed feelings for this guy?

No.

'Cause you're fighting very hard for this.

I just think it's such a waste to let it go.

I just need a little more time to see it through.

You did good with the time you had.

Focus on that.

I know you'd like it otherwise, but this chapter is over.

Good luck, Annie.

The DPD is really lucky to have you.

Hey, Auggie.

Hey, Walker.

[Laughs]

How are you?

Peachy. You?

Better now.

Both: [Chuckling]

So we're puttin' the band back together, huh?

Who knew a huge institution had a nostalgic side?

And in the spirit of old times, Joan has an assignment for you.

I haven't even been to my desk yet.

Well, now you don't have to go.

See how everything works out.

Just a second, what's that?

What's what?

This.

Ah.

I got into a bit of a scuffle.

You should see the other guy. I can't.

Hmm, scuffle about what?

It's nothing.

You can't get rid of me that fast.

I'm okay. You should go. Joan's waiting.

This is a rolling file.

Everything we have is only two days old, so there are gaps to fill, but here's what we do know: Officers in the field have recovered a piece of an Iranian m*ssile.

One of its components is an eerie facsimile to American proprietary technology.

In other words, somehow the Iranians have knocked off our design.

Do we have people in the test facility?

This mission will be run on a variety of fronts, not all of them by us.

The tests are getting uncomfortably close to Israel, so they must be looped in.

[Whispers indistinctly]

Sorry. I didn't mean to overstep.

Yes, Israel shares our concern.

Where you come in is to help surveil the architect of this technology, an American rocket scientist named Isaac Reiss.

This is a joint operation, and because it's on their turf, Mossad will be running point.

And who will I be working with at Mossad?

Saul Berkowitz, one of their senior people.

m*ssile tech specialist.

Oh, okay.

Eyal Lavin is out of the country, in case you were wondering.

No. I'm good.

Good.

Thanks, everybody. That'll be all.

Annie, I expect you'll give this your undivided attention.

[Laughs]

What happened to Saul Berkowitz?

He got sick.

Oh.

Yeah, I--ten beers I bought him last night didn't help.

You once said everything's better in Israel.

Well, now's your chance to find out.

[Can You Save Me? By Apple Trees & Tangerines]

♪ Covert Affairs 03x05 ♪
This Is Not America
Original Air Date on August 14, 2012

♪ Can you save me ♪
♪ from this nothing I've become? ♪
♪ it's just something that I've done ♪
♪ I never meant to cause you worry ♪
♪ Don't you blame me ♪
♪ for this nothing I've become ♪
♪ it's just something that I've done ♪
♪ I never meant to show you my mistakes ♪

This is a working dinner, Eyal.

Absolutely. Whatever you say.

[Clears throat]

L'Chaim. - L'Chaim.

There is something I want to discuss with you about this operation.

Wow, you weren't kidding about work, huh?

Well, the intel is 48 hours old.

We have no background and no file.

How do we know we're following the right guy?

'Cause he's our man to follow.

It's easier to assume guilt.

That way you can be surprised.

Have you ever been surprised?

Never.

[Clears throat] So Mossad's theory is that he's been dead-dropping his m*ssile tech to his Persian handler?

Yes, he's been taking long walks around the city.

It's very odd behavior.

Why is that odd?

Midday? In our desert heat?

In Jerusalem, we only take walks in the evening, or none at all.

What have the tails found?

They'll figure it out.

Hmm, so nothing.

Is there an operational plan in the meantime?

Yes, we're gonna keep an eye on the target while the techs wire his house.

How exactly?

We're gonna offer him a job.

So we assume if he accepts the job, that he's what?

Well, if he accepts the job, it means that he was dissatisfied at his work, and if he doesn't accept the job, it means that he's been using them for intel.

Then he's guilty either way.

Now you're just putting words in my mouth.

Listen, this is a man of routine.

This offer's gonna shake him up.

We'll see how he reacts.

We're bound to learn something.

This is to be continued further in the morning.

So you're eager to get back to your hotel room?

[Laughs]

Come on, I'll walk you.

This is truly a sad day for me.

I finally get you to my country, and you have a man in your life.

I assure you there's not.

That must be what the change is.

You're conflicted about taking me up to your room.

You shouldn't be.

It wouldn't be our first hotel room adventure.

I remember.

But you do want to talk to me about something.

I'm just asking as a friend.

I didn't know we were friends officially.

Hey, I don't just take anybody to that restaurant.

[Laughs]

I'm flattered.

You're flattered, but you don't trust me.

Not yet.

Okay.

Good night, Neshama.

Good night.

[Knocking at the door]

Oh, hi, Auggie.

Hey, you wanted to see me?

Yes.

Come in. Close the door.

[Chuckles]

Uh-oh.

Why don't we sit down?

Okay.

So word has come down that you'll begin therapy.

This is mandated.

Arthur's idea of punishment sure is cruel and unusual.

I think that's an overreaction.

Really? Forget that I don't believe in therapy.

Do you not believe in therapy, or do you just not want to go?

Come on, Joan. If I show even the smallest vulnerability, they're gonna tell me that I'm unfit to work, and I will be gone forever.

I know this is difficult, but I don't think you understand.

You either go to therapy, or you go on leave.

I'll take the leave.

Auggie, this is not a choice.

You have to do this.

[Sighs]

Even though he's one of your countrymen, I urge you not to develop any sympathies for the target.

His name is Isaac Reiss.

No, he's the target. You see, this is exactly what I mean.

[Speaking hebrew]

Thank you.

We're here to offer him a job.

It's the perfect opportunity to build a more complex profile.

There are researchers and profilers for that.

See, that's one of the many things that bother me about the CIA.

They want every operative to do every job.

At Mossad, we are more specific.

We only get the missions that match our skills perfectly.

What about this mission makes it perfect for you?

Well, I'm good with Americans.

[Laughs]

Dr. Reiss!

Hi. Annie.

Hi.

Eyal.

Hi. Hi.

Please call me Isaac. You're from the states?

Yeah, but I've been here for a while.

Wow. It's nice to hear the accent.

That's a little sound of home.

Yes. Yes. Why would anyone want to speak Hebrew in Jerusalem? [Chuckles]

I agree with you, Isaac. It is. Please sit.

It's so good to meet you.

Your company has made such strides with new polymers.

I'm very excited to work together.

I did bring some business cards for you here.

No, no. I think you misunderstood.

We don't want to collaborate.

We're here to offer you a job.

But I already have a job.

We're building the next Concorde.

We'd like you to run the division.

Are you--? Are you--?

I think I would have heard something about that.

[Laughs] Um, supersonic flight is, uh, it's a passion of mine.

Is it really?

Uh, yeah.

Yeah. Here, check this out.

I've had this ever since I was a kid.

And when I was 11, I even wrote a letter to Aerospatiale.

Well, now young scientists all over the world will be writing letters to you.

Our goal is to service commercial passengers within seven years.

Transatlantic to start, then worldwide.

You can bring whoever you'd like.

We want to create the best environment for you to do your work.

Oh, man.

But you're gonna have to leave your current job immediately.

Uh...

Yeah. Helios has been really good to me.

You know, they, um, they paid for my PhD, and I'm not sure that I can-- You can.

[Groaning]

I don't know.

I don't know, I'm gonna need some time to think about this.

Well, we're gonna need your answer now, Dr. Reiss, otherwise, we'll move on to the next candidate.

Next candidate.

[Sighs]

I'm sorry. That's a tactic we learned in HR.

There are no other candidates.

[Relieved laugh] You must think I ruffle so easily.

Sorry, it's just a lot to take in.

My life has been changing so fast lately.

Everything's--

Yeah, and a new city is enough of a change.

Yeah.

What brought you to Israel in the first place?

I came for work, and then I found love.

[Laughs]

That's sweet. Does this love have a name?

I mostly call her"Metuka."

I'm still learning other ways to say "sweetheart" in Hebrew.

Yakirati, motek sheli, yafati, but that's only if she's actually pretty.

What does she look like?

She. Anyways... now I need to get back to my office.

Um, it was really nice to meet you both.

Thank you, thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.--

Listen, Dr. Reiss, don't let my colleague here deceive you.

This opportunity will go away.

We look forward to hearing your answer.

Yeah, well, I'll be in touch soon.

Not only does he butcher Hebrew, he's lying as well.

About which part?

We have tails on him. There is no woman in his life.

Why would he lie about something like that?

Obviously, he wanted to gain your sympathies.

It worked. He's better than I thought.

Or maybe he actually has a girlfriend.

Everyone he works with thinks he's single.

Surveillance have never seen or heard a woman.

I'm just trying to get a working theory here.

The guy takes long walks during the day to dead-drop his tech.

A whole team of Mossad operatives is following him, and what have they found?

Well, obviously he's using a method of transferring information that we've never seen before.

A method Mossad hasn't seen?

He's a rocket scientist.

He's a kid in a man's suit. He's not a villain.

Well, obviously, you made a connection, and now you can't be objective.

I can smell you have dogs.

I love dogs.

But you're trying to cover up their smell with verte violette.

L'Artisan makes an amber perfume that might serve you better.

And when you walked in, I heard you're wearing stilettos, despite the long hallways and two flights of stairs.

So you're probably single.

We have a lot in common.

Were you happy about the Redskins' win last night too?

Your misguided flirting aside, how could you know that I'm a Redskins fan?

Well, it's DC. I took a sh*t.

I see.

Most people do.

Look, after my accident, everyone wanted me to go to therapy, but I didn't need it then, and I don't need it now.

I agree.

You know, I read your file, and I understand why you broke a bottle over that guy's head.

It makes sense after everything you've been through.

You have no idea what I've been through.

I've spent the past seven years working with veterans, so I have a pretty good idea.

That's a classic shrink tactic, right?

Finding some common ground with your patient in the first five minutes.

Tactic or not, it's still true.

Well, that's rather insincere.

Which part?

It would be stupid of me to tell you anything.

I'd be signing my own pink slip.

Yes, therapists love vulnerabilities, and spy agencies hate them, but here's the problem: Someone upstairs already thinks you're unstable, so unless you're planning on building bombs, it's only going to help you to talk about things.

What a great incentive.

Then here's one more: If you don't address the source of your anger, there will be another incident like the one at the bar.

So if I don't come back, you'll write me up as crazy.

If you don't come back, I'll stamp your file and give you a gold star.

No questions asked.

You will lie for me?

It's up to you whether you feel in control of whatever's going on in your life.

Okay.

I'll take the gold star now then.

Thanks.

Oh, by the way, I lied earlier.

I root for the Bears.

[Phone ringing]

[Message beep]

Hey, it's me.

Look, I have some, uh, some really exciting news.

You know that meeting I had today with Stringham Aerospace?

They offered me an exciting opportunity that-- uh, it has the potential to change everything for us.

So just call me back when you get this, okay?

[Keyboard tap]

I should count the words, maybe it's a code.

It's not code. He called his girlfriend to celebrate, and now he's making dinner for two.

It could be all for our benefit.

He left a voicemail on a dummy mailbox.

At best, it's code; At worst, he's on to us.

Why is it so hard for you to believe that someone would leave a voicemail?

Because it's terrible practice.

A recording of your voice out there in the world?

When I get voicemail, I hang up.

Well, your paranoias aside, there are still other possibilities.

You know what, you're right.

You're right. He's a nerd.

He's probably calling his mother.

He's calling a woman with an unlisted number and no outgoing message.

Also known as a prost*tute.

Surveillance has never seen her, and she's convinced him to keep their relationship a secret at work.

He's dating a spy.

No, you don't know that.

He probably doesn't even know she's stealing the technology.

Of course, there are no dead-drops, that's why the tails never saw anything.

Okay.

Here's what we're gonna do.

I'm gonna read Isaac in and make him an ally.

Then we have a sh*t at getting to her.

Whoa, nobody's revealing our identity.

It's the cleanest way.

Plus we get an asset who's a rocket scientist.

Everybody wins. Nobody wins.

We don't even know his level of involvement.

If someone's running him and they find out we're watching, they'll k*ll him.

That's a risk of the game he's playing.

He doesn't know he's playing the game.

I wanna try this. He's a U.S. citizen.

In my country.

Our working together is an act of goodwill, so you can't tell me how to run this mission.

Actually, I can.

What does that mean?

It's just very imperative that you follow my directive.

I run point.

No, something's wrong.

Tell me.

This came down from my superior through her contact in the CIA.

What did?

They want me to run a full cogent profile.

A what?

Langley has asked me to evaluate your well-being in the field.

My Agency's investigating me?

No one is investigating you.

They asked a foreign agency to evaluate me.

No, they asked a fellow operative to check in on you.

They're worried about you. Right, they're worried.

The day they wonder whether you're fit to serve is the day you stop serving.

But you are serving. Right here, right now.

Right, so you can watch me and report back.

This is what agencies do.

They check on their people. It's common practice.

You think they're right to be concerned.

At Mossad, we hear things.

We heard that a CIA operative was k*lled in an expl*si*n on American soil.

How could you know that?

Just Agency chatter.

Were you there?

Listen, everyone I know, everyone has been touched by a similar event.

It's a reality of life in Israel.

I just want you to know that it's okay to feel whatever it is that you're feeling.

Don't underestimate how much it changes you.

Suddenly, it feels like everything could be taken away at a moment's notice.

So yeah, I think they're right to be worried.

Who ordered the assessment?

I honestly don't know.

[Scoffs]

Annie, come on. Don't do this.

What do you think it's gonna achieve?

[Phone ringing]

Yes?

Hey, it's Annie.

Is there a problem?

No, I just wanted you to know that I am working successfully with Mossad and that we have a surveillance operation that I think will yield great results.

I'm happy to hear that, in spite of any specifics.

We're working on those, I promise.

I would hope.

Is there anything I can do for you in the meantime?

Mm, I don't think I need anything from you.

Oh. Okay.

Is that all you wanted to say?

For now.

Okay. Good.

Do you feel better?

No.

I'm sorry.

That's why I never call in.

[Phone ringing]

Hello?

Hey, Annie, it's Isaac.

Hi. How are you?

I'm all right. I'm all right. I'm-- was hoping we could meet to talk some more about the job.

Sure. 4:00?

Do you know the cafe on the north side of Zion Square?

I do. I do.

Annie, would you mind coming alone?

No, that's fine. I understand.

Okay.

Better wire you.

Why? So I don't tip him off?

No, it's because he's still the target, and I want to make sure you're protected.

Wow, you changed your hair.

Looks great. Thanks.

A lot of things are changing.

And this is the part where I sit.

Mmhmm.

I know you've had a lot on your plate...

[Laughs]

But it's about to overflow.

Rumor is, you're on the short list to be the new ambassador to China.

This is real, Arthur. It's finally happening.

Has it been ten years since we went with that congressional delegation?

Our hotel room in Beijing was a closet.

And our tour guide barely spoke English.

[Laughs]

But you charmed them all, and they remember you.

They reached out to state last week.

And with Ambassador Phillips retiring, you'll get your chance.

I'm sorry, Gina.

I know this is something we wanted to do together.

None of that matters now.

Thank you.

Mm-hmm.

So my whole life has been devoted to my work at Helios.

It's all I ever imagined for myself.

I'm safe there, and leaving seems harder than moving to a new country.

[Laughs]

[Chuckles]

I don't want to turn my back on people who believe in me, but at the same time, I can't ignore the opportunity to do great work, to explore new avenues, innovation, and discovery.

Okay, now I just have to convince my girlfriend that this is a good idea.

[Laughs]

What's her name?

You're gonna think this is crazy, but she doesn't want me talking about our relationship with people I work with.

It's still early, and she's superstitious, and I just--

Well, we don't work together, technically.

Not yet, anyway.

Yeah, I suppose you're right about that.

Okay. [Clears throat]

Her name is Ilana Ben Eshkol.

Mm-hmm.

And she's a scientist too, which is amazing, 'cause she's the first woman I've ever been with who actually understands what I do.

Do you have a picture of her?

Yeah. [Laughs]

Let's see.

Uh...

You look very happy.

[g*nshots]

[Screaming and commotion]

Annie.

[Yelling and commotion]

[Grunts]

[Car horn honking]

[Tires screeching]

Annie! Annie!

Don't!

[Grunts]

[Tires screeching]

[Grunts]

[Groans]

[Yelling in the distance]

[Tires screeching]

Here. I got the guy's cell phone.

At least Mossad can find out who he was working for.

I know this is it for me.

You're gonna tell them I'm a loose cannon and that I'm reckless and then Langley's gonna take me out of the field forever.

Annie.

Look, I know that this life is so easy for you, but it's hard for me.

Hey, it isn't.

It isn't easy for me.

Come on, I'll show you why.

That's my son down there, Avi.

Number four in the yellow.

My ex-wife got custody of him years ago, but I still see him as often as I can, even if it is from a distance.

Eyal, are you sure I should be here?

I mean...

We never talk about our real lives, not like this.

But we are now.

You saved my life.

You may not trust me yet, but I trust you.

[Chuckles]

You think I'm a hardened man?

I struggle with this life, same as you.

How strange it is and the cost, but you're working towards making this world a better place, and you're not alone.

It doesn't always feel that way.

You're struggling with something. Let me help you.

[Phone vibrating]

They found Isaac.

Let's go.

[Grunting]

I decided to come back.

Do not mistake this as a sign of growth.

I really hope you're here, otherwise, I made a grand entrance for nothing.

I'm here.

Hi, Auggie.

Please, take a seat.

Yeah.

[Knocking at the door]

I really hope you haven't heard this yet because I want to be the one to tell you.

Is this good news or bad?

I'm on the short list, Joan, to be the ambassador to China.

Well, congratulations.

I always knew it would happen for you.

So here's the plan.

There's a plan?

Yes, I spoke to Dennis, and he's gonna be putting a good word in for you to run Beijing station.

You did what?

It's the biggest agency job in the Far East. You'll whip 'em all into shape, no doubt.

You spoke with the East Asia desk before you spoke with me?

Yeah, but-- well, no, no, wait, no, no--

Let's just put that aside for a moment.

Do you consider the timing of this to be curious?

What's that supposed to mean?

It means you're suddenly on the short list in the exact moment you're looking like a pariah.

Why are you turning this amazing news into an indictment?

I've been dreaming about this for over a decade.

I know, and you should go for it.

I want you to, but I've done my time in the field.

So this is an impasse?

That's reactionary.

We can negotiate this.

We negotiate things all day long.

You know as well as I do what an ambassador does.

I'll be the face of American policy in China, and I will need my wife on my arm.

Then you married the wrong kind of wife.

So this is an impasse.

Well, I'm glad we negotiated that.

[Door opens]

Yes?

Simon Fischer.

Is that a target, an asset, or a boyfriend?

I'm not even gonna touch that.

I see him.

Let me do this.

Isaac, it's okay.

We're here to help you.

You're Mossad.

Him too?

Wow, that's a surprise.

I'm full of surprises.

Yeah.

I know this is hard, but we have a lot to talk about.

It's Ilana, isn't it?

She's spying for somebody.

Who is it, Syria? Lebanon? Iran?

Iran.

Iran. Right.

She's one of their best.

Yeah.

How long have you known?

Oh, since this afternoon.

It's the only thing that made any sense.

Sorry.

Uh-huh.

Deep down, you must have known something was wrong before that.

We met at, uh, at the Farmer's Market.

We were both buying organic pomegranates.

She said it was kismet.

I was fighting this horrible feeling that maybe she was married.

[Laughs]

I never considered it would be something this awful.

Those are the words of a helpless man.

That's not you.

You still have the power to make this right.

How could that possibly be true?

You could help us bring her in.

[Scoffs]

Okay.

Okay.

How do I do that?

Come on.

Uh, hey, I meant--I meant to give this back to you.

Enrico Fermi used to walk through Rome when he couldn't solve a physics problem.

He's my hero, so I like to walk too.

A few days ago, I thought someone was following me.

[Chuckles] It seemed pretty crazy at the time, but now I think there-- there was.

I know this must seem like a horrible intrusion.

Yeah, because it is.

[Scoffs] I mean, someone's been watching everything I do.

How would you feel?

Depends who's watching.

Hey, you may know these people, but I don't.

Look, all we need you to do is call Ilana and have her meet you at home.

Hmm.

You can do that, right?

Consider this just a regular, old cell phone.

Uh, right, so even more people are listening in on me.

You can do this.

[Whispering] Look, what if-- what if we're wrong about her?

You think we are?

Here, I don't need this anymore.

[Dialing numbers]

[Phone ringing]

Hello?

Ilana, hi. It's Isaac.

Sweetie, you sound terrible.

We got 'em.

Somebody just tried to sh**t me.

I barely got away.

What? Tell me what happened. Where are you?

I'm at home.

Too afraid to go out, to go to work, to do anything.

It's gonna be okay. I'll be there in an hour.

You're just shaken.

Yeah, of course I'm shaken.

What kind of country is this where somebody gets sh*t at in the middle of the day, and nobody even seems surprised by it?

That's a big question, Isaac.

We don't have to worry about that anymore.

[Shaky breaths]

I'm not safe here.

We're not safe here.

What if--what if I... went home?

Ilana, would you come to America with me?

Ilana, are you there?

Isaac, I think you are just in shock.

Please try to stay calm. I am just an hour away.

Please, I really need to know this right now.

Would you come back to New York with me?

Are you-- talk to me, Ilana.

You're here.

[Speaking Hebrew]

[Speaking Hebrew]

[Speaking Hebrew]

[Speaking Hebrew]

[Yelling in Hebrew]

[Yelling in Hebrew]

[Breathing heavily]

[Both grunting]

[All grunting]

[Coughs]

[Breathing heavily]

[Breathing heavily]

You okay?

[Laughs]

Yeah, I'm all right.

[Grunts]

So you saved my life twice.

Uh, actually, I count three times.

Wait a minute. Are you counting Paris?

Because I saved your life in Paris.

Okay, maybe we should stop counting. [Laughs]

You know, I shouldn't tell you this, but I wrote you a good review.

Are you gonna let me see it?

Not a chance.

But you can see this.

You should know that Mossad is not in the business of sharing information.

And you're sharing it with me?

Eyal, what did this cost you?

You don't need to worry about it.

Thank you.

I hope next time we meet under happier circumstances.

Well, for people like us, I don't know how likely that is, but I'm always happy to see you.

[Chuckles]

Always happy to see you too.

Okay, I'm gonna go, and you're gonna disappear into the wind like you always do.

I always do that?

Hey, Annie!

Be careful.

[Phone ringing]

Hey, Simon, it's me.

Can I see you?