‘Tehran’ Recap: ‘The Engineer’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the sixth episode of ‘Tehran’.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve been treated to quite the refreshing spy story by way of the AppleTV+ series, Tehran. For not only has this series offered up a delightful cat and mouse game, one where the villain and the hero have yet to even cross paths, it has also offered up a supremely unconventional story. One that has quite frankly, done the ‘unthinkable’ storytelling wise, by placing our hero in the shadows for a better part of this tale. Because Tamar has spent most of this season in hiding, and while that’s allowed for us to get to know who she is as a person, it has kept her skills as a Mossad out of the spotlight. 
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But it would seem that keeping that hidden was part of a grandiose plan, one designed to eventually help us understand that being a spy is a job like any other, and that a good person who takes this gig will do what they must in order to get the job done. Which is precisely what happened in ‘The Engineer’. Because she and Milad were unfortunately getting nowhere with the man that was supposed to get them into the power station, and Karim was once again causing all kinds of trouble and that meant that Tamar needed to unleash her training and her skill set as a spy to get this mission moving, and that led to all kinds of chilling and stunning moments. Such as Karim’s end, since he threatened her life, and one incredibly cold and impactful gambit in order to gain access to the power station. 

For in order to get what she wanted in as smooth a manner as possible, Tamar set up a few cameras and a delightful offering of drugs that she knew the engineer would take advantage of, and of course he did. And the instant he offered a negative answer in regard to granting them access, she revealed the footage the cameras had taken, and made quite the promise to him. In that, if he continued to defy her wishes, that video would be released to his boss in a matter of minutes. Giving him no choice but to agree to her terms and give her the in, she so desperately desires and well, this was quite stunning to watch when all is said and done. For it taught us that Tamar is one talented spy, one that will throw down as go the extra mile to get her mission accomplished in a cold and calculated and unemotional manner as well. Because she was also quick to turn her back on Milad, despite the feelings they share for one another.

But while it was quite incredible to finally see Tamar show us exactly what she can accomplish when the chips are down and she has a little time to think and plan accordingly, we would be remiss to not discuss Faraz’s journey in this tale. Because he paid the price dearly for Tabrizi’s death, since he was suspended from his daily duties, something that did not sit well with him in the slightest. Because this was a giant blow to his ego, and to make matters worse, there was a fair chance he would never see his wife again since everything had to gone to hell at this point. Which more or less motivated Faraz to take matters into his own hands and lay a trap for Tamar, one where her Aunt placed a call to her father to arrange a meeting in Turkey. All so Faraz could get his hands on his own hostage and have a little bit of leverage for a change.

A move that will of course lead to trouble since it stands the chance of compromising Tamar, but that’s likely what Faraz wants. He wants her to make a grand mistake so his forces can swoop in and finally get their hands upon her. Restoring the IRGC’s faith in him and getting him a much-needed win. Provided of course, the gambit works. Because Tamar has proved herself to be as cold as ice in order to advance the mission, which means that the next episode of this tale is likely going to be a good old-fashioned battle of wills. But in the here and the now, it is best we celebrate one straightforward and intense tale. One that quite frankly, felt akin to a classic spy story. Which once again proves that this series is extremely versatile since it can be what it wants on a moment’s notice and truly, the wait until next week’s episode is going to be another excruciating one. Simply because this episode really has set up quite the epic showdown between Faraz and Tamar and we are all eager to see which one of them, is going to blink first. Until next time.   

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