IR TV Review: THE TERMINAL LIST - DARK WOLF - EPISODE 4 [Prime]
The line over which spies will cross depends on the rules of engagement. With "The Terminal List: Dark Wolf" some characters trust too much even when they know they shouldn't. With Episode 4, after the loss of one of their own, it becomes about collateral damage and reconnaissance. Most of the episode is built in taking out a pressure point. The interesting aspect is showing the cracks in relationships and especially the fact that it will take only one small push to break trust between the American operatives and the Mossad agents working this task force. They are both working for the same thing...and yet because it is the CIA they might likely have alternative motives. Rona-Lee Shimon as Eliza Perash, the veteran Mossad agent who has a chemistry with Edwards (Taylor Kitsch). shows that he sees the best in people despite hopefully being aware of the conflicts they have had to deal with. Having basically abandoned his marriage it seems (possibly) to his third wife, Edward is trying to understand who he is. He has an idea of duty but it begins to change how he sees the game. While this might serve him well later, it is tricky proposition for a play that he and Raife (Tom Hopper) thought brief.
A small scene, very well acted with Kitsch and Hopper, outside the hideout says a lot but also provides some foreboding. The same is true of Edwards and Perash in a scene in a dark tunnel. For all the aspects of life and death they trust each other with, these agents really don't know anything of each other. Jed Haverford (Robert Wisdom) is the exception but he is also very clear that they are going forward on ops with a limited amount of information...and on the dark side, that is the best they can do. The climax of episode is riveting, mostly because it takes place in a very specific location in almost one shot. The writers interpret certain actions of the actors quickly but the good thing is that in this (like in the first episode in Mosul), there are some great character moments that come in between the lines. But again, it comes down to gut in the moment, and it seems each different people's gut are saying different things. It just depends how they follow it. B+
By Tim Wassberg
