The Agency Season 1 Finale Recap and Ending, Explained: What Sacrifice Does Martian Make?

The final episode of ‘The Agency‘ season 1, titled ‘Overtaken By Events,’ resolves several burning queries while opening up a can of worms for Martian. After struggling to balance his personal life with his professional responsibilities, Martian reaches his last legs as he navigates the complexities of Sami’s imprisonment amidst significant movement in the Coyote case. Juggling the two affairs leaves him desperate, raising pertinent questions about whether he can stay in the game for long. Meanwhile, away from home base, Danny has to face her final challenge as the mission in Tehran looms over her head. However, the episode’s primary focus lies on Martian’s exploits and a pivotal operation to retrieve Coyote from Valhalla. The final moments tease a new challenge for Martian, as the CIA agent’s loyalties are tested to their limits. SPOILERS AHEAD.

The Agency Episode 10 Recap

“Overtaken By Events’ begins with Martian receiving a phone call from Owen while he rides his motorbike across London. Owen states that an operation has hit a snag, asking Martian about the next move. The protagonist issues some viable directives for Owen to follow while zipping around the streets. However, his ride is cut short when an onrushing car hits him, leaving Martian sprawling on the road with blood on his face. The episode then cuts to six hours earlier in the London base as Martian and Naomi talk about Daniela, referring to her by her code name, Gremlin. Naomi tells Martian about the report on Sami, of which he has no knowledge. He learns from her that Sami is being held at the Kober prison, a notoriously brutal prison camp where women are tortured and raped.

Worried about Sami, Martian makes a few arrangements and meets up with Mr. Dalaga, the political diplomat from the Sudan-China talks. They have a frank discussion in the cigar lounge of the Ritz Hotel, where Martian promises Dalaga British passports for him and his family if he manages to rescue Sami from her imprisonment. Dalaga states that he will think about it. James Richardson and his underling, Robinshaw, review the CCTV footage of Martian and Dalaga’s meeting. They have eyes and ears everywhere, and Richardson plans to use every advantage possible to make it into the higher echelons of MI6. After arriving in Tehran, Daniela is held up by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRG) for an impromptu interrogation. Naomi worries about her agent’s safety back at the London base, where things are gearing up for Coyote’s retrieval mission.

The CIA’s Special Activities Center (SAC) heads the op for rescuing Coyote. Martian insists that Owen should be in the control room with them as he is the only one who can identify Coyote. Bosko and Henry make the arrangements. Meanwhile, Martian is contacted by Robinshaw, who puts him in touch with James Richardson. Richardson tells Martian that he will rescue Sami for him if the protagonist is willing to shift allegiances to the British. Unable to find a better alternative, Martian acquiesces to the demand and says yes. However, it is merely a bluff from Richardson, who is testing to see how far Martian is willing to go. Subsequently, Owen calls up Martian after assessing the Coyote situation from inside the SAC room. It was during the call that Martian had a motorbike accident. A shell-shocked Owen informs Henry about it.

The Agency Ending: Who is Responsible For Martian’s Accident?

Martian’s accident comes at an inopportune moment for the protagonist. With so many critical elements in flux, his presence is pivotal to every aspect of the mystery, whether it revolves around Coyote’s retrieval or saving Sami. However, it is soon revealed that the accident was not a chance incident but rather an orchestration by James Richardson. The CIA team is informed by the hospital staff that Martian has suffered a brain hemorrhage and requires surgery to relieve the blood building in his brain. This is just a way to buy more time for Richardson and Robinshaw to learn Martian’s unvarnished version of events. All the scenes in the hospital where Martian is talking with an unknown interviewer from the previous episodes have been taking place inside the hospital, with Richardson and Robinshaw questioning the protagonist.

As Richardson is concocting a plan to take over MI6, he sees a valuable source of information and knowledge in Martian. The CIA agent has extensive experience in the field and is wedded to a life of hiding in plain sight, even from his people. Richardson likely senses Martian’s strengths as a great way to have an inside view of the CIA. As such, his plans to orchestrate an accident are simply to get a full picture of what the protagonist has been up to since his return from undercover life. He and Robinshaw gain valuable insight into his mind’s eye and the conflicted nature of his loyalties. Unfortunately, it means that the MI6 operative now knows everything about Martian’s life and love for Sami and could use it against him at any point. He likely won’t because he has bigger plans in store for the CIA operative.

Does Daniela Pass the IRG Test?

The IRG officer questions Daniela about her reasons for being in Iran. He brings out her laptop and points out that the screws on the device have been tampered with, asking her if she is responsible for it. Daniela states she has nothing to do with it and is simply an exchange student working under Professor Reza Mortazevi. Back at home base, Naomi informs Henry about Daniela’s situation and how the IRG has whisked her away in front of the airport public. Henry assesses the situation and tells her that there is no reason to panic as the IRG would not have made such a public display of taking her away if they meant to harm or kill her. Although Naomi remains concerned, she agrees that Henry is right. However, she fears for Daniela’s well-being, telling Owen that she feels like a “mother” to all her agents and can’t stop worrying about things.

According to Henry, the interrogation by the IRG is nothing more than a test for Daniela. Owen tells Naomi that she should not concern herself so much as her agent is a “beast.” In the interrogation room, the IRG guard tries another attempt at coaxing something out of Daniela by shouting at her. However, Daniela breaks down in tears, likely playing the role of a defenseless student being harassed by security. Whatever she does seems to work, as the IRG eventually lets her go. Reza reunites with her in the lobby area and apologizes for what she went through. They head outside, where Daniela expresses her amazement at the fact that she is in Tehran. With all the roadblocks finally out of the way, it is time for the CIA agent to prove her mettle on the field.

Is Coyote Rescued? What Happens to Operation Felix?

After several days of chasing after Coyote, the CIA finally gets their best shot at rescuing him as General Volchok and his Valhalla army prepare to deliver the kidnapped agent to the Russian forces. In the penultimate episode, Martian managed to set up the delivery location at the clinic where Operation Felix is underway. As such, Volchok and his men are on their way to the clinic while a contingent of the CIA’s paramilitary forces are waiting to ambush the small convoy and rescue Coyote. Coyote must be identified before the op is set in motion, which is where Owen has to play an important role. After informing Henry of Martian’s accident, the handler goes back into the SAC control room and relays the directives issued by the protagonist, which are to extend the kill zone a few meters away from the clinic.

While the SAC gear up for their moment to shine, the Operation Felix boys—Charlie, Koval, and Sasha—have to contend with their clinic being flooded with Russian forces. They witness the arrival of the leader in his helicopter. Sasha expresses his distaste for the situation, especially as his home nation has been ravaged by Russia recently. Although Koval tells him to maintain his cool, he secretly harbors a plan of retribution. Volchok is informed by the Russian forces gathered at the clinic that the convoy’s arrival is awaited. The general is ecstatic about the delivery of Coyote and says the gift will be worth the wait. Meanwhile, Charlie, Koval, and Sasha line up outside the clinic to shake hands with the Russian leader. At this point, Sasha puts his plan into action, crying “Slava Ukraini” before shooting him point blank.

Pandemonium breaks out inside the facility. Sasha tries to escape the premises but is killed by the Russian guards. Charlie and Koval are instructed to save the Russian leader’s life, albeit reluctantly. A few meters away, Volchok is told to stop the convoy and wait for the chaos to subside. The SAC forces are unsure about when to act as the escort is still outside the designated kill zone. During this time, Coyote asks his captors for a toilet break, allowing Owen to identify the agent. Charlie and Koval patch up the leader and put him on the helicopter, which prepares to take off immediately. However, Charlie turns around to Koval and states that they should see out the plan for Sasha’s sake. They unpin a grenade and leave it inside the helicopter just as it takes off. Seconds later, a hail of fire lights up the area as the helicopter comes down in blazing glory.

The smoke on the horizon alerts General Volchok, who orders his army to head for the clinic. The opportune distraction allows the SAC to move and finally showcase its efficiency. Their ambush team comes out of the woods and guns down every convoy personnel, including General Volchok. In the aftermath, they rescue Coyote, whose identity is once again confirmed by Owen. Just before leaving, the team notices movement on the horizon. It turns out to be Charlie and Koval. They state their operation name, and the SAC team prepares to leave the area with them in tow. Despite the messy nature of the final operation, it ends up killing two birds with one stone as Coyote is rescued, and the Operation Felix boys are able to go back home. Henry informs his wife that the return of her brother is imminent.

Will Sami Survive? What is Martian’s Sacrifice?

While the Coyote operation goes according to plan, the same cannot be said for Martian’s plan to rescue Sami. After recovering from his accident injuries, the CIA agent is serenaded to a hero’s welcome at the London Station. He is also given a large amount of the credit for Coyote’s safe retrieval. Everything seems rosy on the surface; however, underneath the facade lies Martian’s worries for Sami. He and James Richardson made a deal in the hospital room, ensuring that Martian is now an MI6 mole. Although it was a bluff earlier, the hospital discussion ended with Martian accepting the role. He willfully betrays his country to rescue Sami, meaning that Martian has to become a double agent once again. However, whether Richardson successfully rescues her or not remains unanswered at the end of the season.

It will be interesting to see how Martian’s allegiances get split even further in the second season. Richardson informs Martian that in the short term, he should reintegrate back into his everyday life and gain some essential promotions. The MI6 agent assures him that their discussions will continue, but for the time being, Martian must maintain his reputation in front of his colleagues. His already complicated life has taken another twist because of a sacrifice he makes for Sami’s sake. It shows how much he is willing to give up for her sake, even if it comes at the cost of betraying his country. A future season may play on the complex motivations driving Martian forward as he tries to juggle his loyalties. It also has to answer whether Sami survives or not.