LEGENDS S2 Finale: Episode 210 "The Legend of Alexei Volkov" Summary & Brief Review

Official synopsis: In present day Prague, Martin makes a deal with the Russians to rescue Kate. Meanwhile, President Arsanov's plan for Kate is moving forward in Chechnya. Gabi struggles to decide what to do about her husband. In 2004, Dmitry asks one last favor of Terrence. And in a flashback to 1972, the last pieces of the puzzle to understanding Martin Odum's true identity are revealed.
http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/legends/season-2/episode-10/the-legend-of-alexei-volkov.html

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

WHAT a finale!!! All the currently known pieces are put together, we finally see the whole picture as presented this series, Martin Odum's origins. For this finale, I'm going to do the summary by people instead of by timeframe.

Gabi Miskova: she is disgusted by behaviour of bribe-taking hubby District Attorney Krystof Blazek, has him arrested. Yet it is revealed that she committed adultery with Ballard when she visited the US, told him she had married the wrong man.

Curtis Ballard: now missing a leg, he is relegated to unsatisfactory desk work within the FBI, despite having passed field tests. He was happy that Gabi visited him, finally rejected his Mormon religious hangups and fully enjoyed her company as both of them had wanted from their first meeting.

Terrence Graves: Alexei's MI6 mentor and spy handler. British double agent for the Russian KGB, all because he didn't want to be outed as gay. As already seen, ends up with dementia and put in a nursing home by his family. However, dementia was already onset in 2004. His memory lapses were the main cause of Martin's fail to leave MI6 and his subsequent disastrous assignment in Iraq as John Cameron. He finally confessed all the truth to his wife, but she dismissed it as a figment of his mental degeneration.

Dmitry Petrovich: with Ilyana for 3 years after 2001 events but was tired of playing the part, wanted to tell the truth, get out of spying. Terrence disagreed. Dmitry ended up pushing her away, telling her he never wanted to see her again, that everything he told her was a lie. Yet he tried once more to break free, got money for Terrence to hide for him so he, Ilyana, and Katya could escape.

Ilyana Zakayeva Crawford: reached London safely. After Dmitry left, the Russians threatened her and Kate, to make sure. This is why she was so frightened intially to talk to Martin. At the end, Martin wanted to be with her and Kate, but couldn't because of the Russian deal. And her marriage.

Kate (Katya Zakayeva) Crawford: Kate tried everything she could think of to stop the marriage, including saying she wasn't a virgin. To no avail. Arsanov returned to Chechnya and the marriage was performed, but with consummation looming, she couldn't wait for rescue any longer, took matters literally into her own hands by stabbing Arsanov in the neck with a table knife. Then Martin burst in to help her. They successfully escaped to the waiting helicopter, and she got away safely, went home.

Martin Odum: with the complete file from the Russians in front of him, Martin relearned his past real life as Alexei Volkov, recruited from his family as a young lad by Hugh Sedley, also a British double agent for the KGB. He had this bright idea that the perfect double agent could be created from childhood. Alex Reed was his star pupil, growing up British right through to University, yet expected to be loyal to the KGB once hired by the government and things were explained. That is where Terrence Graves came into the picture as his mentor. Then the Russians tell him he is still a KGB agent over anything else, but they will help him rescue Kate if he kills Arsanov. Martin makes double sure of Kate's safety by telling MI6 & CIA to have a helicopter rescue for her. CIA Nina offers, but no help for himself. When he gets to Chechnya, and into the palace, he finds that Kate has already stabbed Arsanov. He got Kate out cleanly & away, but the Russians insist he remain with them. They put him in prison, but since he wasn't the one that killed Arsanov, say he can go free if he works for them. He will not. And that's where we last see Alexei, whom we've known as Martin Odum.

WOW! So, we are led to believe that Alex/Martin was a Russian KGB agent from the very beginning. While it's true they did do such things, I'm not buying this for a single minute, since Howard Gordon had laid out 7 potential series for LEGENDS. And since we're abruptly introduced to Martin's Irish legend "Kieran," it's clear they intended on doing a Series 3. Yes, I'm still hoping!

I did read the book LEGENDS by Robert Littell, still highly recommend it as a great spy thriller, as the story is entirely different from the TV show.

Until next time!! Thank you so much for reading these reviews!!

Written by Donna DeBoer (@DRLDeBoer on Twitter)

LEGENDS Episode 209 "The Legend of Gabi Miskova" Summary & Brief Review

Official synopsis: In present day Prague, Martin and Nina search for Tamir's associate Beslan in hopes of getting answers about the impending threat on the summit, as well as Kate's location. Meanwhile, two Chechen assassins put their deadly plan into action. Malika, Tamir's wife, gives Beslan orders that she thinks will save both of their lives. In 2001 Prague, Ballard confronts a life-altering injury, and Dmitry struggles to complete his mission without breaking his promise to help Ilyana and her daughter.
http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/legends/season-2/episode-9/the-legend-of-gabi-miskova.html

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

Things get even hairier!!
In 2001, Dmitry has just shot Ballard and took off in his car after Ilyana & Katya, who had gone with Arsanov in Dmitry's smuggler truck. He shot the driver then told Arsanov the story, which was mostly true. It was his makeshift plan to rescue Ilyana & Katya from Arsanov, as well as capture him, and it worked. Dmitry drove off with Arsanov hidden in the boot, and told Terrence what had happened. He wanted Ilyana & Katya safe before disappearing.

However, the Russians, alerted by Terrence, were waiting along the road to take Arsanov from Dmitry. Because of rescue of Curtis, Ilyana instead waited for regular police, told them her story, asked to be taken home with Katya. Tamir found out and confronts Ilyana, who tells him Doku is dead. Dmitry is horrified to learn that they went home instead of to safety. He goes there, tells Tamir mostly truth again, says he has to leave Prague because he shot Ballard. He secretly gives Ilyana another meeting point.

Elsewhere, the Russians have Arsanov, who now offer him a forced deal. Power for ending conflict. Oh, and Ballard lives, albeit without a leg. Gabi goes to talk to Ilyana but finds her & Katya gone. They get picked up by MI6, to safety. Gabi & Curtis witness the American 9/11 terrorist attack, he is ordered to abandon his Dmitry chase & return to Washington. Gabi tells him she likes him, but he thought she meant marriage.

In the present, Gabi was following leads in Prague to discover who Tamir had brought in for his apparent terrorist attack plans. They identified a few people, but the person that MI6 & CIA really wanted to shake down for info was the nephew, Beslan. They tracked him, because he didn't know his uncle was dead. Gabi was still angry with Blazek for his dealings with Tamir.

In Chechnya, Kate was desperately trying to figure out how to escape the upcoming wedding plans as well as the house. Tamir's wife Malika was smug, and suggested that she knew about Tamir's plans for Arsanov. Arsanov is in Prague for the world leader anti-terror summit (ironically), obviously he is Tamir's target, which is still unknown to the Czech security taskforce. After being chased, Beslan (a bright lad) guesses that his uncle Tamir is dead & phones Malika in Chechnya, asks what to do next. She says to change the plan, stop the assassination. How? He decides to go to the police himself. Martin finds out, his primary concern is Kate.

Gabi warns Arsanov's security, then she & MI6 Simon lean on Beslan to provide details. They get them but too late, the bomb goes off in the hotel, but Arsanov has already left. Gabi thinks it's just a diversion, asks Arsanov security where their contact point is. She goes there hoping to thwart the assassination. There's a shootout, and they do. Beslan is still being questioned, and Martin bursts in, wanting info on Kate. He roughs Beslan up, and he tells Martin where she is, as well as the plan for her. Kate is panicking that this horrible marriage to Arsanov is now going to happen. She threatens Malika, who threatens her back. Martin is beside himself trying to figure out how to rescue Kate. The CIA doesn't want to officially help. But CIA Nina is sympathetic, leaves him with some important info that he can use to get to Chechnya. He tells Ilyana that he'll find & rescue Kate, still feels something for Ilyana which is why he persists in helping. But Ilyana Crawford has a life, she has to go back. So there's only one thing that Martin can think of to do, armed with the new information- go to the Russians for help.

And... things are becoming clearer!! Will Martin reach Kate on time? We have all the known pieces now, next (and last) episode will bring it all full circle. Please watch for that summary next week! And again...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

Written by Donna DeBoer (@DRLDeBoer on Twitter)

LEGENDS Episode 208 "The Legend of Doku Zakayev" Summary & Brief Review

Official synopsis: In present day Prague, Martin goes back to work for Tamir, just like he did in 2001, but Tamir has other plans for him. Gabi confronts Blazek about his secret dealings. Kate is a prisoner in the President's compound in Chechnya. In 2001 Prague, Dmitry must convince Tamir to pick up where Doku left off and earn General Arsanov's trust. Ballard and Gabi suspect Dmitry and Ilyana have conspired to commit murder.
http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/legends/season-2/episode-8/the-legend-of-doku-zakayev.html

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

After last week's betrayal reveal, things are explained a bit more.

In the present, Kate is still in big trouble, imprisoned at the Chechen President Arsanov's house, with Tamir's wife watching her. In Prague, Martin is all but pleading with CIA Nina and MI6 Simon to help him find & rescue Kate, but they are reluctant. So that's why Martin revived his Dmitry cover, in order to gain back favour with Tamir, find answers himself. He is unaware that Tamir's nephew Beslan told him that Dmitry killed his brother Doku. Both were mistaken because it was Ilyana who murdered Doku- Dmitry just covered it up. So when Tamir calls "Dmitry" for a job, Martin is unprepared when Tamir attempts to kill him, forcing Martins hand- he ends up killing Tamir in self defense before finding out where Kate was. Kate is still trying to find a way to get a call out.

In 2001, Curtis & Gabi find out about Doku, assume it was Dmitry, have to deal with Blazek as well because of the photos. They question Ilyana, who says nothing, but also get from Tamir that it was Dmitry who killed Doku. Dmitry tries to explain to Terrence what happened without mentioning Ilyana's involvement. They try to figure out what next to do to get General Arsanov, MI6 & the Russians' main target. Dmitry's main concern has become getting Ilyana & Katya to safety. Ilyana finally tells Dmitry that the police think he killed Doku. Arsanov is still interested in Ilyana, wants to take her & Katya with him to Chechnya in Dmitry's smuggler truck. The Russians want Arsanov captured, through Terrence, via Dmitry. But Dmitry thwarts both plans in favour of his own when he finds out about Ilyana & Katya, with the unwitting help of Curtis Ballard, who tracked the truck and gets shot when Dmitry escapes from him.

In 1994, Ilyana and Doku meet for the first time, in the course of the Chechen war. It is also shown that Arsanov was in charge then, too. He tells Ilyana that her father is dead, and also finds out that she favours Doku.

In the present, Gabi confronts Blazek about his dealings with Tamir, follows up in case of a terror plot connection. But she finds nothing, it's the wrong place to look. Both MI6 & CIA Nina don't consider Beslan to be critical to plans, but Martin knows better, tells them to hurry up & find him, that's where the real danger lies plus he's the one who moved Kate. Ilyana blames herself but Martin thinks he's to blame for Doku's death. Ilyana tells him the truth. Gabi follows up on Blazek's bribe story.
Then Arsanov tells Kate that he wants to marry her, because it's what Doku would want.

Things are so tense!! What?? Now Arsanov, denied Ilyana, wants to marry her daughter? Will Martin make it to Kate on time to prevent this?

LAST SURVEY!! Not sure why TNT wants to know, since for now, the show is cancelled? But! I'm glad they are asking, maybe another crumb of hope of seeing LEGENDS elsewhere if not TNT? I wrote them a bloody book about LEGENDS for the questions that allowed it! LINK:  http://spr.ly/6188BVvaK

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

Written by Donna DeBoer (@DRLDeBoer on Twitter)

LEGENDS Episode 207 "The Second Legend of Dmitry Petrovich" Summary & Brief Review

Official synopsis: In present day Prague, Kate goes missing, and Martin fears she's been abducted. Martin makes a risky proposition to Nina and Simon in an effort to bring her to safety. Gabi discovers that Blazek may have a dangerous connection to Tamir. In 2001 Prague, Ballard and Gabi use questionable methods to threaten Dmitry. In 1985 England, Alex suspects his friend Terrence has resorted to ruthless tactics.
http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/legends/season-2/episode-7/the-second-legend-of-dmitry-petrovich.html

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

Hang onto your hat, this episode nearly blew my 'ead off with plot twists!

In the present, Martin desperately looks for a way to help Kate, after he finds out she is missing. She is on her way to Chechnya with Tamir's family including his nephew, Beslan, who has worked in the Zakayev operation since he was a boy. Kate is still disguised as a boy, and continues to try to contact Martin for help, even from General (now President) Arsanov's house in Chechnya. Martin begins to think that only "Dmitry" can help Kate now, because of his past connection with Tamir. Both MI6 & CIA don't like it, but they have no choice left. But how to do Dmitry when Martin can't remember? CIA Nina wants to bring in Gabi, who knew him. And Martin also thinks Ilyana can help again. They are both summoned. Martin doesn't remember Gabi, but she sure does him, slaps him hard & tells him, "My friend is dead because of you," referring to Curtis' suicide. Ilyana's reunion isn't much better- she is devastated to learn her "Dmitry" was just a covert operation fabrication. And she told Martin that people had threatened Kate in London when he first saw her there, why they couldn't speak.

In 2001, we see Dmitry & Ilyana together romantically in the apartment, which is being surveilled. Gabi & Curtis confront Dmitry with the damning photos & try to blackmail him. He tries to call their bluff, says they will not hurt Ilyana. But they say that it's Dmitry who is in danger from Doku. Dmitry tells Terrence & says maybe they should tell FBI, but instead he gets instruction from his Russian blackmailer to keep Dmitry cover in place, because they still want General Arsanov. Ilyana has a bigger problem. She is now carrying messages between Doku & Arsanov, and letting Dmitry copy them. Doku, however, is suspicious of Dmitry. He confronts her after seeing Katya's toy, and in a dreadful argument, Ilyana grabs his fallen gun off the floor and shoots him. Horrified, she calls Dmitry for help. He decides to stage Doku's death as a hit, and almost carries it off except for Beslan, who discovers Dmitry & thinks he killed Doku. Dmitry threatens him to never tell what he saw to anyone.

In 1985, we see Alex comfortable in life, taking a teaching job, but he has also defied Terrence's advice & married a nice young woman. He buys a new house out in the country- perhaps it's safe there. But it isn't. She is killed in a supposed motoring accident. Terrence's Russian blackmailers had taken action to bring Alex in. Alex guesses the truth, is angry with Terrence, but takes the government job.

In the present, Martin has enough info from Gabi and Ilyana to attempt his "Dmitry" deception with Tamir, using Ballard as the excuse. At first, it seems like it is working. Tamir is shocked to see him, but he invites "Dmitry" in to talk. Martin retrieves computer info for MI6. Tamir is also careful, he calls his old friend Blazek to get more info. Tamir sends his nephew Beslan with money to Martin. Beslan comes back, and tells Tamir what he dared not say all these years because of the death threat- that "Dmitry" killed Doku, Tamir's brother, from his point of view. Now Tamir wants revenge.

WOW these events nearly turned everything on its head! Martin has a real problem now, how will he deal with it? Will the bureaus try to help him or leave him "out in the cold," as the spy vernacular goes?

ICYMI, LEGENDS has been cancelled by Turner/TNT, but hope remains for another media outlet to pick it up & we continue to immensely appreciate Sean's brilliant performances!
Although episodes 208-210 will all be shown at once, I'll still be writing a column for each of them, one week apart as usual.
Written by Donna DeBoer (@DRLDeBoer on Twitter)

LEGENDS Episode 206 "The Legend of Tamir Zakayev" Summary & Brief Review

Official synopsis: In present day Paris, Martin prepares Kate for a dangerous job that Simon isn't sure she can handle. In Prague, Gabi confronts the intelligence agents about Martin Odum. She knows they're hiding something. In 2001 Prague, Ballard and Gabi discover Dmitry has a vulnerability. In 1984 England, Alex is recruited for a distinguished position, but finds that it comes with a demand for a personal sacrifice.
http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/legends/season-2/episode-6/the-legend-of-tamir-zakayev.html
 
SPOILERS AHEAD!!

The episode opens in the present with Gabi's grief & Kate's having to memorise her story for Tamir that explains MI6 custody absence. Kate recites to Martin- she was at a friend of her friend Jamal's house, where the mum was a nurse & stitched her wound. Sounds good. Kate is still sore afraid of Martin's plan of getting her into uncle Tamir's house and stealing info from his computer, but Martin keeps telling her there's no other way & she can do it. She's a brave young woman & understands that Tamir is planning something bad, so she agrees. They give her an emergency phone number & a flash drive disguised as a necklace. How not to get caught? "Stay as close to the truth as you can," says Martin. Kate makes the call to Tamir.

Tamir sends his nephew, Doku's son, to pick up Kate. She has to disguise herself as a boy to get out of Paris and into Prague, where Tamir still lives. They greet her warmly, but Kate is still terrified she'll be found out. She tries to do what Martin said but only manages the signal that she's in- the computer is nowhere in sight. She panicks and runs, but Martin convinces her to go back. She begs Tamir's forgiveness for her fear- and lack of faith. Then he announces that they are all going to Chechnya.

Because of her grief about Curtis & the subsequent unfinished business with Dmitry, Gabi presses harder in her confrontation with MI6 Simon and CIA Nina about Martin. They try to evade again but she's having none of it. Left with no choice, they finally confirm her suspicions.

In 2001, Gabi Miskova, Czech Police, and Steve Ballard, FBI, make a plan to create evidence in order to trap Dmitry Petrovich & arrest him again. They finally discover he has a secret flat and are surprised to find that Ilyana Zakayeva, Doku's wife, is meeting him there. They think it's an affair, so they set up a hidden camera. It turns out they are correct about Dmitry's feelings for Ilyana, who also feels for him.

 

Also in 2001, Doku learns from Ilyana that his messege bearer, Jamilla, has been discovered. He asks Dmitry to take Tamir with him and teach him to eliminate the problem. Tamir does it, hates himself.

In 1981, young Alex, who we last saw in 1975 as a child learning harsh lessons from Mr. Sedley at The Sedley School, has been accepted to University of Leeds. He is a bit of a partier, but he is smart & has natural talent for languages that attracts the attention of government intelligence, namely one Terrence Graves. He makes Alex a proposal which he eventually accepts, but doesn't realise the extent of the committment until he is asked to part with his girlfriend, whose parents are Communist supporters.

In the present, Martin is shocked to learn Tamir Zakayev plans to take his family - and Kate - to Chechnya, where war criminal & MI6 target General Arsanov is now President. What can Martin do now? He looks at all the MI6 files that were delivered to him as promised by CIA Nina, fingers one in particular. Perhaps it was time for Dmitry Petrovich to come back from the grave.

I think I have all the puzzle pieces now! Just don't make him a son of a Lienz Cossack. But it won't surprise me if the show does, LOL, since Sean had a hand in the story development! I love the way this show addresses European security issues at a very personal level.

ICYMI, LEGENDS has been cancelled by Turner/TNT. I've been told that the ratings were too weak to continue it. I'm very saddened & disappointed that the show didn't receive more support. I'll be watching to see if Howard Gordon decides to shop it to another media outlet. Look, the LEGENDS social media accounts posted this graphic with the caption "Martin will be born again" - so I am hoping!!

Martin will be born again

I'll still be writing a column for each of the remaining episodes 207-210!
Written by Donna DeBoer (@DRLDeBoer on Twitter)

LEGENDS Episode 205 "The Legend of Terrence Graves" Summary & Brief Review

Official synopsis: In present day Paris, Nina and MI6 agent Simon Hardy (Gershwyn Eustace Jr.) offer Kate a deal that Martin doesn't like, but Martin may not have a choice. Ballard convinces the FBI to let him take down Martin. In 2001 Prague, Dmitry enlists Ilyana as an MI-6 operative and gives her an assignment. In 1976 England, we learn that Terrence has a secret life.
http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/legends/season-2/episode-5/the-legend-of-terrence-graves.html
 
SPOILERS AHEAD!!

Reiterating that I'm focusing this column mostly on Sean's Martin Odum & Dmitry Petrovich, plus Kate & Ilyana Crawford because I like their relationships with Sean's characters. Also a reminder that this show does a lot of time jumps, which I mention where necessary.

In the present day, Martin & Kate are being held by Nina & MI6's Simon in order to get information from Kate on the Paris terrorist bombing and, not only to hold him for the Americans, but to also find out what Martin knows about this plot. Martin refuses to cooperate unless they let Kate go free, which is not happening. He manages to break out free for a few minutes, yells for Kate to not say anything to their captors. "Don't say a word!!" he shouts. She wisely follows his lead.

After his attempt, CIA's Nina finally tells Martin the real reason why they want to talk to Kate. Tamir Zakayev is planning another terrorist attack, and they think she can get vital info from him- her uncle.

In the same present, rogue FBI agent Curtis Ballard is closing in on his own chase for Martin/Dmitry via Kate, whom he discovered from her mother Ilyana that she was in Paris. He goes there & searches again, finds out that they have been captured. He uses his FBI badge to get past the police line, calls his home office to get authorisation to arrest Martin. They agreed to overlook his method & call MI6, who order Simon to release Martin to Curtis' custody. Nina was outraged, tries to circumvent. Neither she nor Simon knew of Curtis' history with Martin's Dmitry. Curtis made sure he told Martin what their history was, when Martin asked about it. Martin said again that he didn't kill the FBI Director, but Curtis doesn't care. This justice is for all of his own pain suffered. Suddenly the CIA show up with papers to regain Martin to their custody. It's too much for Curtis to handle. He calls Gabi, then ends it.

In 2001, Dmitry is instructed to give Ilyana her first task as an MI6 operative: find out who is passing messages to her husband Doku about war criminal General Arasanov, whom MI6 wants to capture.
The Czech police, Gabi, and Curtis search Dmitry's office & discover the gun that Tamir hid to frame him. They tried to offer Dmitry a deal but of course, he refused, in keeping to his own agenda. Alex, the state attorney, is told to release Dmitry. He informs Doku, who then suspects Tamir, but Alex also tells Doku that he wants money to release Dmitry. Doku is upset with Tamir. Curtis is furious to learn of Dmitry's release, suspects a payoff. Ilyana goes through with her task. Dmitry confronts the Zakayevs.

The reveal from Terrence's life in 1976 is that he was secretly homosexual, which at that time in the UK had only recently become legal and still frowned upon in general society. He was being blackmailed for it because he was married to a woman & had children. He goes to deal with the blackmailer in order to keep his freedom, family life, and career intact. Then he discovers Russians behind it, and agrees to their terms. He nearly suicides but can't because of his kids. The Russians outline his new agenda, which persists into 2001.

Martin wants to regain control. He demands to handle Kate alone in the CIA operation, as well as receive all the files with info about his legends as he's done wondering about it. But Kate is scared.

Patience brings roses? Well, Curtis Ballard's end in the present was blooming abrupt! Plus new info about Doku. But there's still more of Ballard's story to be told, so we aren't done seeing him yet. What about his missing leg? Dmitry is as canny as ever in his time, and Martin seems to have a plan for Kate after the present day tangle with agencies. What's next? I'll be watching!

#DONTKILLSEANBEAN off of TV!!
Written by Donna DeBoer (@DRLDeBoer on Twitter)

LEGENDS Episode 204 "The Legend of Ilyana Zakayeva" Summary & Brief Review

Official synopsis: In present day Paris, Kate is a fugitive as a result of her link to a violent attack. Martin puts her into hiding and attempts to use Nina Brenner (Kelly Overton) to get Kate out of trouble. Meanwhile, Ballard learns some useful information from Ilyana that could lead him to Martin. In 2001 Prague, when Ilyana asks Dmitry for a dangerous favor, he offers her a deal instead. And Tamir tries to save his own skin by using evidence that could help Ballard and Gabi finally nail Dmitry.
http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/legends/season-2/episode-4/the-legend-of-ilyana-zakayeva.html

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

When we last saw them in the present day, Kate was wounded from Ifti Bulfati's terrorist attack on the Parisian Muslim protesters and Martin was acting to get her away from the chaotic scene before the police could catch them. He was well aware that this is a complication he didn't need, with every security bureau looking for him, but he had to help her. Using his training, he gained access to a relatively safe place and tended Kate's wounds. Martin also told her the truth- that he was once a spy- and that she needed to stay put until he could arrange for her safety. He was willing to turn himself in as trade for her freedom, but that deal went upside down when his CIA contact Nina Brenner, who is Martin's former FBI partner Tony's Rice's friend, was overridden by MI6 in their pursuit of Kate Crawford whose name they had when investigating the Paris terrorist attack. Kate still couldn't believe Ifti did such a horrible thing.

In the meantime, because of MI6 Simon Hardy's pressure from his superiors to make an arrest in the Paris terrorist attack, Ilyana Zakayeva Crawford had been under surveillance in case Kate called home. This move paid off as she did, because in the course of the operation, Ilyana went on television to plead for Kate to do so. As it happened, present day Curtis Ballard, the FBI rogue agent also chasing Martin because he had been Dmitry, happened to see it and told his Czech police ex-partner Gabi that he was going to speak to her. Gabi wasn't pleased because in 2001 when they had had evidence on Dmitry via Chechen gangster Doku Zakayev's brother Tamir, the state attorney Alex Blasik (her future husband) had refused it (he was in the criminal's pay.)

In 2001 Ilyana Zakayeva, as wife of Doku, was a desperate person. Dmitry seemed literally like a life preserver for her, since Doku planned to return to Chechnya and that would mean more Islamic faith restrictions placed upon her, as well as a bleak future for her daughter, Katya. She liked learning, the idea of working outside the home, and was furious when Doku destroyed her school books. She was furious enough and scared enough to ask Dmitry for the unthinkable- permanent removal of Doku. Dmitry had said if she needed anything, she should ask him. But he also liked her, and that scared her too.

"Dmitry" wasn't permitted by MI6 to kill their lead to the Chechen general. He instead proposed getting Ilyana and Katya out of the country, if Ilyana would help them capture the war criminal.

SO how is Martin going to get out of this one? I'm trying to figure out if he really expected a trade- him for Kate- to blow up in his face, or did he expect it and has a plan to implement? As Tamir astutely observed when the agents tried to use him to catch Dmitry: "He is very smart." I was also thrilled to see another longtime fave, Nick Brimble, among the cast this week!! He played the British MI6 boss.

Here is TNT's brand new mid-series LEGENDS S2 survey! If you've seen episodes 201-204, please let them know what you think! It's important- despite acclaim for Sean's performances, ratings numbers haven't been all that great. https://www.tvinnercircle.com/S.aspx?s=648&r=QT4tg3jY0vG1633oa4Vh5M&so=true&a=1311&fromdetect=2

#DONTKILLSEANBEAN off of TV!!
Written by Donna DeBoer (@DRLDeBoer on Twitter)

LEGENDS Episode 203 "The Legend of Curtis Ballard" Summary & Brief Review

Official synopsis: It's a race against time as Martin searches for Kate in Paris. He's convinced the peaceful protest she's attending may turn violent at the hands of her friend Ifti, a boy with radical beliefs. In 2001 Prague, Dmitry discovers that the key to getting close to Doku Zakayev (Visar Vishka) may not be his brother Tamir (Nikola Djuricko), but instead Doku's wife, Ilyana. In 1991 Lithuania, a younger Ballard is involved in an incident that will affect the rest of his life.
http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/legends/season-2/episode-3/the-legend-of-curtis-ballard.html

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

Because of the unplanned delay of this episode due to the nature of its content in relation to the real tragedy of terrorist attacks in Paris, it's been 2 weeks since episode 2, so let's recap what is happening with Martin in the present time. He has discovered he had a relationship with a young woman, Kate Crawford, that began years ago when Martin, an MI6 agent posing as Russian mobster Dmitry Petrovich, was in pursuit of a war criminal general, believed to have ties to Chechen gangster Doku Zakayev. Martin had decided to befriend Kate's mother Ilyana in order to get inside Doku's organisation. After getting nowhere with Ilyana in the present, he connected with Kate, and in the process, found her mixed up with young Muslim students planning to do violence at a peaceful protest in Paris. Martin feared she could get hurt so he asked his former partner Tony Rice for help getting into France. However, Tony's MI6 & CIA contacts aren't happy about that, especially when the tip he gave them about a terrorist didn't pan out.

Episode 3 opens with Martin & Tony successfully getting into France and are on the way to Paris when they are intercepted by French police. They ditch one car for another, do some fancy driving and avoid capture. But then Tony decides to split up, let Martin get to Paris alone while Tony draws attention.

In Paris, Martin quickly finds the address he found in Ifti's apartment and tells Ifti's parents that he is her stepfather and that Ifti plans some kind of violence, to call police. Ifti's father goes with Martin to the square where the protest is taking place, but they are too late. Just as Martin reaches Kate, Ifti opens fire on the crowd, people are hit, and he is killed by return fire from police. Kate is wounded and Martin hastens to get her away from the terrible scene before the police can act.

Other flashbacks depict how "Dmitry" and his MI6 handler Graves made more surveillance plans and how Dmitry acted to befriend Ilyana and her little girl Katya, who is present day Kate.

The remainder of this episode focused on the origins of titular Curtis Ballard, the FBI agent that chased Dmitry and is now chasing Martin. Curtis was shown as a teen employed in Lithuania as a Mormon missionary, and not too happy about it. One rebellious act after another led to a tragedy: his friend was killed in a dispute over paying whores. It was that act that decided Curtis on a path to law enforcement & the FBI, He wanted to make a difference now, in this life.

The depiction of shooting violence on a peaceful crowd was very graphic, and I fully understand why TNT chose to delay the broadcast of this episode. My deepest condolences to terrorist victims' families.
But I also think it's important for people to see how such violence can happen, why one must be vigilant of surroundings. I continue to enjoy Sean's depth of character with Dmitry and Martin, and now I see why sticking with just 2 legends in Series 2 was a good idea. I've seen some dissatisfaction with the rapid jumping of timelines, but I've been able to track all the people and Martin's just fine so far. For example, Gabi's current husband was her superior in the past, and is also in with Doku's mob.

#DONTKILLSEANBEAN off of TV!!
Written by Donna DeBoer (@DRLDeBoer on Twitter)