You're the first Special Ops chick I ever met.
How do you control yourself around so many hot, sweaty men?
The only hard part's the smell, sir. (laughs)
Go, go, go, go, go! They have the package.
(screams)
I'm an American citizen. Don't let him do this.
Move, or I will shoot through you.
They told us we were targeting a Somali national that night.
Instead we get an American soldier.
HASKINS: Jimmy Kam's been captured,
along with Sergeant Hendrix.
We are assembling a team to plan
and execute a rescue mission.
Hudson said Max has been talking about his dad a lot.
He's M.I.A.? Yeah, that's right.
Got Hendrix and Kam's location. Let's get in the air.
If our guys ever find this place,
they'll find this message.
There should have been a door right here.
All I saw was a cabinet.
Clear. They're not here.
I got a hostile! Darzi, run!
People could die if I'm not on top of my game.
These pills are what get me there. No, Nora...
Please.
Don't come back to me.
I can't feel my toes.
Hey, Darzi, take these.
What are you doing? He's in pain, and those will help.
Where do you think they're taking us now?
I don't know.
But they should have used
more than one guard.
Now.
(grunting)
Let's go.
(both shouting)
(pained groaning)
Keys. The keys.
(groaning, coughing)
You okay?
Go, go. No, no.
Come on, get up.
Go!
Come on, Crank, let's go.
(pained groan)
Go! Get up.
Get up now!
*
Morning.
(cadets chanting outside)
Still thinking about the mission?
Yeah.
Every time we fail, it just gets harder
to reset.
We didn't get our guys,
but we will.
And you... you...
you were a badass.
(laughing): Yeah.
Fixing the tail rotor... Mm-hmm.
Pilot and engineer? Come on.
It was a hero move.
I tried my best. I know.
The rest of the unit knows it, too.
Sure hope you're right about that.
I am going to make
some breakfast-- you in?
Sorry, babe, I got to go to work.
Oh, by the way,
my mom is in town,
and she is hosting a campaign fund-raiser tomorrow night.
She wants us to go.
Yay.
It'll be good to get out, you know?
Get dressed up, pretend to be fancy.
Okay.
Hey, uh,
I know you probably can't say anything...
But...
But that hospital in Somalia,
the hidden room behind the cabinet--
what was in there?
The CIA won't tell me either.
Come in.
You wanted to see me, sir.
Have a seat.
According to Sergeant Darzi's debrief,
Madani gave him painkillers from a personal stash.
Do you know anything about this?
No, sir.
Her doctor fold me she completed her prescription
and had no refills left.
You are her commanding officer.
You need to get to the bottom of this.
Yes, sir. 72 hours from now,
you're both back on standby for deployment.
I want your answer by then-- is Madani good to fly or not?
Is that understood? Lima Charlie, Sir.
You're dismissed.
HASKINS: I'll turn it over to Director Magnus.
MAGNUS: Officer Thea's off on assignment at the moment,
so I'll be running point for the Agency-- hold the applause.
Our ground ops team uncovered a key
piece of intel on the mission.
Forensics confirms that it is Sergeant Kam's handwriting.
Decoding this message goes to the top
of everybody's to-do list.
Negotiations with Khalid have broken off,
he's not responding-- this is the lead we've got.
That's all for now.
All non-Agency personnel are dismissed.
Sir, uh, I have an idea
of someone who can help decode this.
Mind if I chase that down?
By all means, Lieutenant. Thank you, sir.
Hey.
You think Thea's assignment has anything to do
with the secret room in that hospital?
You know, that's the last thing on my mind.
Is this about the pills?
Haskins knows you gave 'em to Darzi.
It was in his debrief.
Haskins also told me
you should be done with your prescription,
so why are you still taking 'em?
You don't need to worry about that.
You lied to me.
You got a legit script, that's one thing,
but you're taking pills...
Hey, I flew fine. You saw that.
I should have reported you the second we landed.
But you didn't, because you need me.
Well, I'm worried about you.
Colonel is, too.
He put it on me to clear you to fly...
or not.
So, what, the men just sit behind closed doors
deciding my fate? Come on, it's not about that.
I'm your supervisor.
It is my job to make this decision.
You can't ground me,
not after everything that's happened
and everything we still have to figure out.
Thea is missing, we have no idea what the CIA is up to,
or what was in that room, or how to get Jimmy... Stop, stop!
If I clear you, and it blows up in my face, that's it.
We'd both be off this rescue mission.
We wouldn't get any answers.
Well, then, I guess just let me know
when the verdict is in.
It's okay, Mrs. Kam, I don't have bad news.
I should remind you
that anything I share with you is confidential.
Of course.
I'm just surprised, is all.
Anyone sharing anything... feels like Christmas.
(chuckles)
You know Jimmy better than anyone.
He left a message we're trying to decode
in the location where he was being held
with Sergeant Hendrix.
They were moved before we could get there.
And you don't know where he is now?
We're working on that.
He wrote the message on the floor--
three words:
"Tokyo" and "small pearl."
Do you have any idea what those could mean?
I don't know what "small pearl" means,
but "Tokyo" was a... a personal thing...
between Jimmy and I.
Do you know why he would have written it?
He wants me to know he hasn't given up.
I know how hard this is.
Is that all that you have to help find him, Colonel?
Three words? Right now, yes.
All this time I have been trusting in the system.
I signed an NDA for you.
I listened to your wife when she told me
that I needed to hold on, as I wake up every morning
wondering if today is going to be the day
that somebody shows up on my front doorstep
with nothing but a folded flag and empty condolences.
Mrs. Kam... Is my husband coming home alive, Colonel?
We are doing everything we can.
Tell me why, after all this time,
I should keep trusting you.
Because we are the best option
for bringing your husband home.
(coughing)
We lost them.
You okay?
I think I cracked a rib.
I'll take first watch. You rest.
Hey, we did it.
We actually got away.
(sniffles, sighs)
(men speaking in foreign language)
Not yet. (groaning)
(upbeat, instrumental rock music playing)
(door closes)
(music stops) You don't knock?
Your door was unlocked.
You wouldn't have heard me anyway. (sighs)
What are you doing here? Proving a point.
Hey!
Don't touch my stuff!
What are you doing?
Gallo!
Hey, Gallo, stop it! Where do you keep them?
Stop. What?
Show me!
Hid those bad boys pretty deep
for someone who doesn't have a problem. Yeah.
I'm under a ton of pressure.
You should know that. We're all under pressure.
You don't see the rest of us numbing out.
How were you even gonna keep this up?
What happens at the next routine drug test? Nothing.
Because I'm over it.
Take 'em. I don't need them anymore.
They were a safety blanket at best.
And I'll prove it to you. I'll do a flight eval.
Any course you want, I will fly it.
Whatever it's gonna take so that I can prove to you
once and for all that I am squared away.
Meet me at the track at 1000.
The track?
You heard me.
Roger that, sir.
Magnus. Got a minute?
You know, I love a good French press.
Most people think the difference is in the beans.
It's really in the brew.
Walk with me, Colonel.
I need to know why you shut my team out of the briefing.
Part of the briefing.
I was discussing a private Agency matter.
Closed doors send a message to my guys, that they don't
have all the facts. Well, your guys
are on a need-to-know basis.
The only way this mission succeeds is if we work together.
What I was discussing, behind closed doors,
was CIA Officer Richard.
Is there news? No.
And that's a problem.
We are shifting resources away from the search.
We are not giving up entirely, but we are being pragmatic.
Richard's been gone for weeks.
He was last seen with a dangerous prisoner.
The chances of finding him alive
grow slimmer with each passing day.
This is a reality
that you may have to face soon, too.
I'm sorry?
Sergeants Kam and Hendrix
have been missing just as long.
Operation Perseus has not gone well.
We are starting to lose political capital.
I don't leave my men behind.
(birds chirping)
(coughing, grunting)
(panting)
There was a moment
you could've escaped the truck without me.
But you stayed.
You saved my life.
You would've done the same.
Yeah.
(panting)
I know we haven't always seen eye to eye.
But you're my brother.
I got your six, man.
Always. (chuckles)
Few weeks ago, I wasn't so sure.
Lot's happened in a few weeks.
No. No, no. Come on.
We stick to the plan, we head straight for the border.
We don't know how far away that is.
All we have is a direction.
We can't go knocking on houses
asking if there's room at the inn.
We're on the run from a warlord
who controls the whole area.
Not everyone's bad.
If we stay out here,
there's no telling who we could run into.
At least, at that house,
there's some hope for safety.
No.
(coughing)
(sniffles)
All right.
All right, let's give it a shot.
Yeah.
(panting)
* Oh, oh, oh...
GALLO: Morning, Madani.
Hooah.
All right.
You'll be doing a fitness test.
I need a hundred push-ups, hundred sit-ups,
and under 12 on the two-mile run.
Oh, come on.
Maybe about five percent of the unit can do that.
You said you'd do whatever it took.
I know what I said.
And I will, sir.
Let's start with a little warm-up sprint.
Three, two, one, go!
* Oh, oh, oh
* Oh, yeah.
Professor Benning?
You must be
Lieutenant Porter. Come in.
It's nice to meet you.
You're... younger than I expected, ma'am.
For having published in so many journals.
Flattery will get you everywhere.
So, how can I help you?
You're an expert on the Puntland region in Somalia.
Just returned from a trip there, actually.
Research?
Uh, not this time.
I was visiting her parents.
She was my interpreter.
She passed away recently.
I'm sorry.
It's a dangerous part of the world.
Yes.
Ma'am, I'm here because you have some familiarity
with Khalid Samatar.
Convinced him to sit for an interview once.
Yes. I read it.
The U.S. Army needs help in decoding a phrase
associated with Khalid.
And as I mentioned on the phone, this is classified.
Understood.
The phrase is "small pearl." I think
it might have to do with a location?
Well, in Arabic, "small pearl" translates loosely to dorra.
Which is a city in Djibouti.
That's what I thought, too, but Djibouti is covered
with U.S. armed forces.
It seems unlikely that a man like Khalid
would be operating from there.
I have also heard the phrase as a nickname for a different town.
Uh, local slang.
Somewhere in Ethiopia.
I think somewhere near a river?
I can't remember the name, though.
Well, that's... it's something, at least.
More than we had before.
I wish I could be more helpful.
Thank you for your time.
MADANI: 97...
98.
99.
And... time. 100.
(panting)
(chuckles)
I beat it, didn't I?
Color me impressed. (laughs)
Great. So I'm cleared to fly.
No. Not so fast.
What?
Physically, you're good.
Up here? I'm not so sure.
I did everything you asked.
What's it gonna take for you to believe me?
Watch your tone. I'm your commanding officer.
Our relationship is more complicated
than soldier and commander,
and you know it.
(laughs softly)
Oh.
This isn't reform.
It's punishment.
You wanted me to fail. You... Come on.
Madani... You wanted me to fail because then, you wouldn't be saddled
with the responsibility of making this decision.
That's some real leadership right there, Captain.
Don't talk to me about leadership.
You lied to me.
If we can't trust each other, we can't trust anyone.
I believe you said that once.
The pills are behind me.
I'm fine. For today.
What about tomorrow? And the day after that?
You need someone to hold you accountable.
That's recovery 101.
And Ian, he doesn't know, does he?
How committed to cleaning up are you, really,
if you're hiding that from him?
Fine, then I'll tell him.
If that's the confirmation that you need.
It's not about what I need.
It's your decision to make, isn't it?
So tell me, you gonna ground me?
Haven't made my mind up yet.
(birds chirping)
(goat braying)
(grunts)
(coughing)
(phone rings) (knocking on door)
ASSISTANT: Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Kam is here to see you.
SIMONE: So sorry we made you wait.
I have been dealing with some last minute details
for my fund-raiser tomorrow. Go on, please, sit.
I'm just grateful that you took the time to see me at all.
I know that you are very busy.
What with running for reelection and all.
(laughs softly)
I always have time for a friend of Ian's.
What's on your mind?
My husband. Jimmy Kam.
I've been read in on the situation.
I'm aware he's a P.O.W.
Well, I've been doing some research
on the P.O.W./M.I.A. movement in Vietnam.
Congress helped to bring a bunch of them home.
Mrs. Kam,
there is an interagency team working tirelessly
to find your husband.
I know. I just thought maybe if you spoke about it publicly,
and you put some political pressure...
Information regarding this operation must remain secret.
(sighs)
Publicity can often be detrimental.
My son is growing up without his father.
That is detrimental.
Public pressure has worked in the past, sure.
But it opens a large can of worms.
And once we share how we do the things that we do,
people have opinions. And then we spend more time
explaining our methods than actually doing anything.
All due respect, ma'am, I'm not sure
how much you're doing right now.
I'm sorry.
That's all the time that I have.
Thank you so much for coming to see me.
Please know
that we are sympathetic to your situation.
And we all want your husband to come home safe and sound.
Thank you.
This has been very enlightening.
Mm...
(knocking on door)
As-salaam alaikum.
(indistinct chatter in distance)
(sighs)
(groans)
(grunts)
We have to go, fast. You good?
I'm fine.
Coast is clear. Time to go.
Come on.
Hey, you.
You got much longer?
I thought maybe you could come over.
(groans)
I am gonna be here all night.
But I promise
I will make it up to you tomorrow night.
At your mother's campaign event?
(groans) (laughs)
After that? (laughs)
I'm sorry. I got to get back to this.
Of course.
Hey.
I don't say it enough, but I'm...
I'm so damn proud of you.
Says the man burning the midnight oil.
Proud of you, too.
Thank you, babe.
You good?
Yeah, I just...
Just good luck.
Hi.
Hey.
Everything okay with Nora?
Why wouldn't it be?
No reason.
Just checking in on my team.
(taps desk)
Keep on keeping on.
(computer beeps)
(types) (computer beeps)
HASKINS: Come in.
Sir.
I found something on an NSA listening station.
Chatter about a deal between a Somali warlord
and an ISIS cell in Motta.
And that's right here on the Blue Nile River.
Now, according to my contact,
"Small Pearl" is a nickname for an Ethiopian river town.
It's a sale of weapons and two packages.
"Two packages" could be Kam and Hendrix.
Yes, sir, but why would Khalid sell them?
Prisoner exchange fell through.
If he hasn't guessed his brother's dead,
at least Khalid knows he's not getting him back.
Maybe he's decided to dump 'em and cash out.
This is good intel, Lieutenant.
Excellent work.
Thank you, sir.
Sir, can I ask you...
How do you stay so calm throughout all this?
I don't let you see the times I'm not.
That's my job.
(knocking on door)
Morning, gentlemen.
We have a lead. Lieutenant Porter found it.
Outstanding.
Meet me in the briefing room in five.
You slept here, didn't you?
Uh, yes, sir.
You guys have showers here for a reason, Porter.
You going to your mother's event tonight?
Are you? No.
No. But William Francis is.
Deputy director, CIA. You should have your mother introduce you.
He's a good contact.
Could be helpful to your future.
Hey.
Your message sounded urgent.
Are you all right?
Ryan, thanks for coming.
In your work at the newspaper,
have you ever been involved in leaking classified information?
No.
But I know guys who have. What are the risks?
I mean, I know about Snowden and all of that,
but does the government really come down
that hard on every single leaker?
Not always,
but if the government prosecutes,
it'll mean jail time... years.
The guys you know...
how do they stay anonymous?
Burner phones, midnight meetings,
encrypted e-mail servers, intense precautions.
Why are you asking me this?
It has to do with Jimmy.
If you decide to go down this road... call me.
I'll help you protect yourself as best I can.
So, are you ready to deploy tomorrow?
Is that even a thing that people ask?
You always got to be ready.
This time feels a bit different, though.
My first time having someone to come back for.
Listen....
I know it's only been a few months,
but I'm really falling for you, Jess. I'm pregnant.
I took the test a few days ago,
and the doctor confirmed it today.
I'm six weeks.
What are you thinking?
I want to keep it.
Okay.
Look,
if this isn't something that you want, um,
you don't have to be a part of it. I can...
Having a baby with you
would make me the happiest man in the world.
But, Jess, military life is hard.
You didn't choose this world, I did.
When I was a kid,
my dad got offered a job in Tokyo,
and he didn't go for it.
I guess he just didn't trust that it would work out,
but he regretted it...
and he talked about it
for the rest of his life.
I don't want to be scared like that.
I trust in this and in you,
in how this feels.
And I did choose this world...
the moment I chose you.
All right.
Let's have a baby.
(laughing): Okay.
And I'll take you both all over the world
anywhere you want to go.
Tokyo?
Definitely Tokyo. (laughs)
* Time...
So who are these people, even?
I don't know.
I know that the deputy director of the CIA
is here somewhere.
Mmm, impressive.
Wait. What would you think if I went to go work for the CIA?
You know, I mean, like down the line.
Is that something you want?
I don't know.
Magnus mentioned it, and...
civilian intel offers more access,
there's more freedom to get things done.
MADANI: Freedom is good.
Well, it's...
Don't you two clean up nice.
Ah, hi, Ma. Hi, doll.
(chuckles) Mwah.
Good turnout.
Therese!
Oh, it's lovely to see you, Simone.
Lovely to see you.
You remember my son Ian.
Senator McLean, it's good to see you again.
Lieutenant Porter. Your dad would be proud.
This is my girlfriend.
Chief Warrant Officer Nora Madani.
Hi, nice to meet you. I've heard of you.
You're the first female pilot in Special Ops Aviation.
Right? Yes, ma'am.
Well, it's an honor.
SIMONE: Do you mind
if I steal my son?
Of course not.
(all laugh)
Wow. Nora looks good.
She's ambitious.
I admire her, you know that.
It takes a lot to get to where she is.
But she will always put her career before you. Mom, please.
Don't start with that right now.
Mmm, if you want to run for office one day,
you'll need to find a wife who understands politics.
Someone who can focus on messaging and campaigning.
Yeah. Not someone who is deployed
on secret ops and leaves on a moment's notice.
Again, that is not my dream, it is yours.
It is yours. Honey, I see it in your work ethic
and your drive. You want big things.
I want 'em for you.
And so does she.
JIMMY: They're after us.
We have to move faster.
I'm sorry, I can't.
Yes, you can.
(grunts)
(groans, coughs)
That's much worse than a cracked rib.
It's a lot worse. I didn't want to tell you.
Okay. Okay.
Let me help you.
You need to leave me. No.
I'm just slowing you down. No!
No way in hell I'm leaving you.
Don't be stupid, they're right after us.
* We could spend the night (knocking on door)
* I've grown tired
* Of this place
* We could start again...
GALLO: Hey. Captain Gallo.
Thanks for letting me come by.
I brought some brews. (laughs)
I don't know if this is a bad time.
Not at all. All right.
Thank you. Yeah.
You know, I've been a bad friend.
I haven't checked in on you enough.
You've been busy. That's no excuse.
How are you? Honestly?
I'm trapped inside of my own head,
and I would rather talk about, literally,
anything except for myself.
So how are you?
Need some advice.
I know you're good at that kind of thing,
or at least that's what Nora tells me.
I can try. What's up?
I got to make a decision.
No idea what to do.
Well, what are your options?
Well...
...if I play it safe,
you know, and I... I do the thing
that I know won't get me in trouble,
it could really destroy someone else.
But if I take a risk, if I trust this person and it goes wrong,
we'll both be screwed.
Well, how well do you know this person?
Pretty well, I'd like to think.
Never mix the professional and the personal.
Messes everything up.
When Jimmy and I decided to have Max, it seemed crazy.
But I just had this faith
that he would be a good father
and a really good husband.
So I guess the question is, do you think that this person
is going to let you down,
or do you believe that they will follow through?
(inhales)
I think I have my answer.
SIMONE: As many of you know,
my husband died in the 1993 attack
on the World Trade Center.
After that, I was lost.
A widow with a young son, an overwhelming city.
(Southern accent): So, I came home to Georgia.
(laughter) Best decision I ever made.
When I first ran for office, I wanted to give back
to a community that helped me get back on my feet.
Now, I can't imagine doing anything else.
And I look forward to doing that for another term.
I'd also like to honor
the men and women of our military tonight.
They selflessly put their duty to their country over all else.
They make incredible sacrifices.
We have two of these heroes with us here.
My son, Lieutenant Ian Porter,
and Chief Warrant Officer Nora Madani.
Hooah! (chuckles) (laughter)
Uh, I will wrap this up.
Thank you so much for your support.
Enjoy your evening.
Thank you. (applause)
Excuse me.
I just want to say thank you for your service.
Just doing my job. Don't be modest.
You're a role model for young women everywhere.
* I put my arms
Hey, uh,
I'm not feeling well,
so I'm gonna go.
Well, I'll go with you.
We'll go. No.
Stay.
Call me later.
* Over me
SIMONE: Ian?
Ian. This is
William Francis, deputy director of the CIA.
Ian, Director Magnus speaks
very highly of you. Oh, uh, thank you.
I'm sorry, sir. I got to go.
Officer Francis is in town for one night only, dear.
He's looking forward to meeting you.
I appreciate that. Thank you.
But I'm sorry.
* I will not move.
(line ringing)
Hey, Kevin, it's Nora. Can you meet up?
I need some more pills.
Nora.
(line clicks)
Who were you talking to?
No one.
Gallo asked me if you're doing okay.
Is there something that he knows that I don't?
Is there something going on?
Just-just tell me.
I felt like a hypocrite in there.
I've been taking painkillers,
even after my prescription ran out.
What?
(scoffs)
Wh-Why would you...
Because of the pain.
And then the pressures of the mission and...
And now, I guess, it's just for everything.
This is what you've been keeping from me since you got back.
I just thought
if I could pretend like everything was fine,
then... then it would be.
Why didn't you tell me?
I didn't want you to get involved in my mess.
I've been so busy. I... My head has been so far into the work.
I haven't... I should've noticed
that you were dealing with this, that...
It's not your fault. Yes,
it is a little.
(sighs)
I want to be done with this.
I need to be over this.
I just...
I don't know how to do that alone.
(exhales)
I will help you.
(crying)
(grunting)
Okay. (grunting)
Crank, you with me?
You still with me?
(weakly): Yeah.
Not for much longer.
Hey, hey. I'm still with you.
I'm not going anywhere.
(panting): It's been an honor to serve alongside you,
Sergeant Kam.
(panting)
The honor...
is all mine, Sergeant Hendrix.
(mutters)
Huh?
(panting)
I need you to say a prayer for me.
The only prayer I know is from the Koran.
That's fine.
Just... about...
peace and the hereafter. Okay. Okay.
All that crap.
(sniffles) Okay?
(gasping)
(speaking Arabic)
(groaning, exhales)
(brush rustling)
(indistinct shouting)
Hey.
I told Ian.
Recovery 101.
I'm glad.
I know it might be too late to make amends.
I'll understand if you decided to ground me.
MAN: Ladies and gentlemen, the commander.
Take a seat.
Chatter indicates that Sergeants Kam
and Hendrix are en route to Motta, Ethiopia,
as part of an arms exchange between Khalid and an ISIS cell.
We are going to intercept that shipment.
Captain Gallo will be flying lead,
along with Chief Madani.
Colonel, a moment.
You have something for me?
Colonel.
(quietly): Sergeant Hendrix is dead.
We received this photo today through an anonymous
file-sharing site. We believe it's a message from Khalid.
Retaliation for the prisoner exchange going sideways.
What's the meaning of the domino?
Afraid that answer's above your security clearance, Colonel.
This is my operation, too.
I need to know what's going on here.
I'll keep that in mind.
There is some good news.
We intercepted chatter indicating
that Sergeant Kam is still alive.
My guess is he's still a part of that shipment headed to Motta.
And I'll let you share this with your team as you see fit.
*
(sighs)
(grunting)
* Not gonna break me
* Not gonna break me down
* Not gonna break me
* This time around
* Say hello to the pain
* Hurting me so bad
* Bleed the life from me, yeah
* Bleed the life from me
* If it's all the same
* I'm gonna play the game
* Say not gonna break me
* Not gonna break me
* Not gonna break me down
* Not gonna break me
* This time around
*
* This time around
* Not gonna break me
* This time around
*
* This time around
* Not gonna break me
* This time around
* Ooh *
I really thought you'd ground me.
* Ooh *
Thank you for trusting me.
Let's not get all emo about it.
* Ooh... ooh *
Why didn't you?
* Ooh *
Because I know you, Nora.
I trusted you'd get the help you needed.
And I knew you wouldn't risk letting Jimmy down.
I'm trying.
But we still have so far to go.
I still have so far to go to make everything right.
What'd Ian say when you told him?
All the right things.
* Ooh *
* This time around
He really loves me.
* This time around, this time around *
He's good for you.
* Not gonna break me
* This time around.
Captioning sponsored by CBS
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org