‘Tehran’ Recap: ‘Double Fault’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 of ‘Tehran’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the dynamic and incredible Apple TV+ spy series, Tehran, we talked at length about how the show was once again blazing trails and shattering tropes, by having Tamar basically fail in her mission to bring down Mohammadi. Since failure isn’t something that spies do in these stories and it is important to revisit that all-important surprise and shift in tone for the genre, simply because it turns out that such a move… was to signal that this series was about to execute a grand takedown of as many of the stereotypes and clichés and tropes we often find within spy stories, that it can highlight before the season finale. Because the next episode in this fascinating saga, takes the time to go after another big one. 
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Because when you think about spy stories, and the heroes that populate them… you think of cold heroes. People that basically enjoy death for breakfast and will let death and suffering take place if it means they can continue along in their mission and complete it. Which while powerful in its own right, is indeed icy and inhuman in many ways. Because we are creatures that feel and have empathy and have to make a choice to ignore such matters, and one would think that we wouldn’t be capable of that kind of apathy when lives are indeed on the line, and that’s why it was so refreshing and shocking, and downright dangerous to see Tamar display humanity and empathy in ‘Double Fault’. Because when we catch up with her, here, the mission is quite frankly the last thing on her mind.

Instead, it’s Milad that she is worried about and rightfully so. Because she loves him, and he’s in trouble in this tale since the Guard has him locked up and out of sight and the Mossad… seemed ready to end his life to protect the mission, and all of that… put Tamar at a crossroads. Which of course, was easy for her to sort out. In that, she wanted Milad to live, and she wanted him by her side for as long as humanly possible, and that’s why, she quickly went off script and called Vahid. So that he could find out where her love was being held and so she could use Vahid’s ties to break him out of prison. A decision that of course, jeopardized well… everything. Because in essence, Tamar was putting her life on the line here, since she was a wanted criminal in this land, and showing up at a jail to see her love could lead to her own arrest and end, and of course… the mission itself was now at risk.

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Because this would likely prevent her from making it to the country club to poison Peyman’s father. Putting her in squarely in an ocean of hot water. But make no mistake about it… this was a brilliant decision storytelling wise. For it truly humanized Tamar like never before and informed us of what she really values in this life, and how her role within the Mossad is nothing more than a job to her. Making her one of the most unique spies to ever appear on the screen and what’s truly amazing… is that she was able to get Milad out of jail after all and teach Vahid a lesson in humility in the process. Since it was revealed to her and Milad, he was the mastermind of this arrest and as an added bonus… getting her love out in a timely manner allowed for her to return to the mission post haste.
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Largely because, completing said mission… would be the only way to get exactly what she wanted. Since a full abandoning of the mission would leave her to own devices. But thankfully, with a creative assist from Marjan… since she went the extra mile to freeze Faraz in his tracks when he attempted to dig deeper into the whole mess revolving around Vahid and Peyman, and some intelligent thinking on Tamar’s part… it turned out that this mission might actually be completed. Because Tamar was able to get the poison on the general’s tennis racket after all, and Faraz, didn’t interfere. Which also means, he might be the asset that Marjan hoped he would be and if so… he would be instrumental in bringing down an incredible threat. 

But while we wait to see what Faraz’s decision will be on such matters, we can bask in the wonder of an outright incredible tale. Because this one… really did a wonderful job of humanizing a genre of storytelling that is often cold in nature and focused on action and adventure over humanity, and the realities of what the spy business brings to the table. So, we have to tip our cap to the writer’s room and the cast and crew of this show for their biggest shake up of the genre to date. Not to mention, this episode does an incredible job of leaving us on the edge of seat and wanting. Because the stakes are now at their highest and the cliffhangers here were just sublime and well, once again, we can all agree… that we will all be impatiently counting down the minutes to next week’s tale, to see where this incredible story is going to take us. Until next time.

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