Episode Report Card Erin: B+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT If it ain't broke, Spy Daddy will BLOW IT UP.
By Erin | Season 2 | Episode 4 | Aired on 10.19.2002
Mama Hari's Den Of Demise. Syd takes a seat across from her mother and informs her that Klaus Richter is in SD-6 custody. Syd goes on to say that she's aware that Irina refuses to give up info on "The Bible," primarily because that damned book is her only leverage with the CIA. But now, because SD-6 is after "The Bible," Syd's coming to Irina to request any intel she can offer that might facilitate the retrieval of the map from FAPSY headquarters. Pretty much, any help Irina provides will make her look good in the eyes of the CIA. Mama Hari says nothing for a moment. Then she tells Syd that a pair of earrings was taken from her when she was taken into custody. "They have sentimental value," she says. "I'd like them back." Syd says she'll see what she can do. Mama Hari -- in good faith, she says -- wants to know how Syd plans on breaking into FAPSY headquarters. You know, it's really hard to recap any scenes with Lena Olin, because after you type this stuff out, the scenes just wind up looking sort of flat and dim. But they're so NOT. Lena Olin lends more weight to the words "in good faith" than an Episcopalian priest at a retreat weekend for wayward teens.
Then we're inexplicably tossed into the ring with Dr. Nancy and Spy Daddy, who's rambling on and on about how Syd went to see her mother, even though Spy Daddy made it CLEAR that she wasn't SUPPOSED to. Dr. Nancy's all, dude? We've talked about this before, okay? Spy Daddy's all, do you GET what I'm TELLING you? Syd's trusting her again! AGAIN! Even after I told her that her mother killed her pet hamster and put strychnine in her Quaker Oats! Dr. Nancy's all, did she really do that? She's one crazy bitch. Spy Daddy's all, no, of COURSE she didn't do that! I'm a violently jealous ex-husband! Dr. Nancy's all, I was wrong. YOU'RE the crazy bitch.
And again, we're back with Syd and Mom. Lena Olin looks absolutely gorgeous as she's telling Syd that the way to the sixth floor library that SD-6 chose is a good one, but she's got a way that's better. "Write this down," she absently commands Syd. As Mama Hari instructs her daughter on the best way to break into a Russian building, Spy Daddy voice-overs, "No one wants a happy ending to the story more than I do. But I know this woman. I know her charms. I know her tricks. The way she presents herself. She disarms you. Some people have that talent. Compared to all of them, Irina Derevko is extraordinary." Damn. Victor Garber kicks ass in this scene. He basically communicates that Irina's an evil bitch but yeah, he loved her, and it sucks really hard that his wife never actually loved him at all.