Daniel embarks on a dangerous operation that brings up difficult memories of his first posting in Chechnya and the beginning of his friendship with Hector. Steven Frost finds a way to position himself for promotion at the cost of his deputy Robert. Valerie makes a discovery in her investigation into the Georgian radical Aleksandre Iosava.
American and German interests align when the Station learns the subject of Shaw’s next leak: Chinese defector Houjin Lin. Daniel is teamed with Esther Krug to secret Lin out of the country before the leak breaks, pre-emptively countering Shaw’s attack. Hector gets a late-night visit from Shirley Pimple.
Having confirmed Hector's identity as Shaw, Daniel still faces various obstacles in turning him over to the Germans: assailants, a kidnapping, and his own conscience as he learns the Thomas Shaw origin story. Frost is still a fugitive, Kirsch is still trailing the rendition, and Valerie pursues her own suspicions about Robert’s loyalties.