In “XIV,” the seventh episode of The Old Man which stars Jeff Bridges as Dan Chase, the suspense builds as he races against death. Chase has to negotiate with the vicious Russian oligarch Suleyman Pavlovich in a suspenseful game of survival while fending off the effects of a deadly poison. The balance of power is upset by Emily Chase’s (Alia Shawkat) incredible survival and ascent to retake control of the — Meshbahar deposit. The episode delves deeply into intricate dynamics testing long-standing alliances and introducing fresh dangers in preparation for an exciting—season finale.
THE OLD MAN: SEASON 2 EPISODE 7 RECAP – “XIV”
Dan Chase is on the verge of death at the beginning of the episode as the poison from the previous week’s episode is gradually taking over his body. Captured in a secluded, dilapidated church near the English coast, Chase is fervently seeking an antidote from Pavlovich. Though he is running out of time and options, he is not yet out of tricks. Chase tries to work out a deal with Pavlovich despite his declining health. Using his partner Zoe McDonald (Amy Brenneman) as leverage— he presents her as a crucial witness who has the potential to clear or implicate Pavlovich in Morgan Bote’s (Joel Grey) murder.
As Chase struggles to survive, Zoe—now going by the alias Marcia Dixon enters a nearby police station and sets up shop to speak with agents from the United States. She shocks a mediocre embassy official by naming prominent people like Pavlovich and Bote. He promptly alerts her to the serious dangers she faces by associating with such powerful circles.
With Emily’s calculated assault in Afghanistan. Pavlovich starts to lose control over his company and Chase’s chances of surviving seem remote. This is the perfect opportunity for Pavlovich’s underling— a bitter Russian agent with a personal grudge, to try and finally bring Chase down. Chase, whose father was killed in Afghanistan years ago, now sees an opportunity for retribution. Despite being poisoned, Chase isn’t willing to give up without a fight. Chase defeats the assassin in a bloody struggle, guaranteeing that the father and son suffer the same fate at the hands of the killer.
Emily— who has just about defeated Pavlovich’s forces in Afghanistan and taken control of the Meshbahar deposit, becomes a major player as Chase fights for his life. Her ascent to prominence reflects the brutality of her father, demonstrating that she should not be taken lightly. After learning of this shocking information Pavlovich feels like he has lost all control and reacts quickly to deal with Emily’s takeover’s aftermath.
In the meantime, Marion (Janet McTeer), the long-awaited debut of Harold Harper’s (John Lithgow) ex-wife. She demonstrates her strength as a former British spy who joined a cartel and discloses her scheme to coerce Emily into becoming a Chinese asset. Another level of intrigue is added by Marion’s cold, calculated actions —particularly when it becomes clear that she has dark intentions to use Emily as a tool for her own power struggles. As Harper finds herself entangled in a lethal power struggle, she makes an effort to shield Emily from Marion’s influence, but the stakes are evidently higher than before.
Zoe’s situation worsens back at the police station when the embassy official is executed in front of her by Pavlovich’s men. However, in typical Old Man fashion, Zoe finds her inner strength and kills one of the assassins with amazing accuracy. An associate of Harper’s, Julian Carson (Gbenga Akinnagbe) intervenes just as things are getting out of hand to offer her assistance. Zoe has no option but to trust him despite her misgivings.
With Chase barely surviving, Zoe evading Russian assassins, and Emily unexpectedly becoming powerful, the episode ends on a cliffhanger. The question of whether Chase and Zoe will weather the impending storm—how Emily’s newfound power will change their surroundings still stands as the season finale approaches.’
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