‘Jack Ryan’ Recap: ‘Druz’ya | Vragi’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 305 of ‘Jack Ryan’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
When we last settled in to discuss the always engaging Prime Video series, Jack Ryan, we pondered upon whether or not the last episode was indeed a turning point. For the majority of the first half of the season was all about that world-building and plot development to set the stage for more, but the show's desire to push the story a little further in the last episode, and bring back some its trademark tension and action, is what hinted at the potential for something new on the horizon and wouldn’t you know it? That episode was indeed a harbinger of things to come. For the next episode of this fascinating saga, upped the ante regarding the danger that now surrounds the world, courtesy of Sokol.

A feat that ‘Druz’ya | Vragi’ accomplished by way of two key plotlines. One of which followed up on our concerns regarding Alena. Because when we last saw her, Radek was hauling her off to heaven knew where and sadly… this episode informed us, to her seeming doom. Since he brought her to the dock where she and her father would often gather when they needed to get away. In the hopes of baiting Petr to follow so he could easily be dealt with, and Alena shortly thereafter. Giving rise to the reality that Petr was facing his own insurrection and rebellion. One that Radek was willing to go the extra mile to complete. But alas he was no match for the wily old solider and while Alena was safe and sound by the end of this madness, she was transformed. Since she did come to learn the truth about her father and his role in all of this, and no longer felt safe. 

Meanwhile, in another part of the world, Jack and his team were looking for the actual Sokol device, in the hopes of shutting it down. A move that gave him Wright’s backing at last and revealed some horrifying secrets about this weapon. In that, it’s been hiding in plain sight at the original facility but went under the proverbial radar because of the fact that its home was disguised as a horrible hot bed for radioactive activity and within its walls… more secrets and worries were hiding. In that, Luka was overseeing its final construction stages. Simply because he believed that finishing the device would lead him to the real mastermind behind this idea, which while noble is also quite dangerous, since it means that Sokol is still out there and near ready for deployment.

Because despite Jack’s best efforts to stop Luka and the transfer of the device, it was whisked away and all that remained for the team was a horrifying clue as to how exactly Sokol and the plan to resurrect the Soviet Union was going to work. For Jack was able to uncover that Sokol is more than just a low yield nuclear weapon, it is designed to look like an American missile, and its deployment and delivery would make the United States look as though they were suddenly an aggressor. Which would undoubtedly force a domino effect, where allies would leave NATO and turn their back on America and join the new Iron Curtain to find protection… after the dust settled from a war of course, and well… that was hell of a way to raise the stakes in this episode.

Because just like that, the United States of America is now a patsy that doesn’t know the role its name is about to play in a risky gambit. Because nuclear weapons are no joke and even toying with them could lead to greater disaster. All of which sets the stage for what should be a powerhouse final three episodes in the season, as our heroes do everything, they can, to stop this wild plan from taking shape and well, that makes this… a phenomenal episode. Since it is indeed the keystone to what comes next, and it was intense and engaging and everything we love about this series. And above all, it pushes us to start the next episode post haste, so we can see what comes next in the grand and desperate fight to stop Sokol from changing the world for the worse. Until next time.

---

Powered by JustWatch