Michael Fassbender's spy plays a high-stakes game of cat and mouse that builds on exhilarating tension

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for episode 5 of The Agency.

After a slower episode last time, The Agency episode 5 did a great job of adding tension to the series and progressing several characters' stories. The previous episode focused more on Danny as she began her secret mission, with the character choosing to accept Reza's inappropriate advances. This plays a role again in the new hour of the show, although I didn't expect her story to go from there. As for Michael Fassbender's Martian, episode 4 saw his cover blown.

Osman became a danger sign for Marciano and the series. Whenever he's on screen, I tend to have the same uncomfortable reaction that Jodie Turner-Smith's Sami has. Tension was greatly heightened in Marciano's storyline, largely due to Osman's role. The character is there to ensure that secret talks between Sudanese and Chinese authorities do not leak. I really liked the twist that there was more to the character than being revealed as Sami's husband's head of security, which would have been a more disappointing storyline.

Mars' cat and mouse game is taken to the next level

Michael Fassbender does a great job as his character's life falls into disarray

The Agency episode 5 is mainly focused on three characters. As the protagonist of the series, Fassbender's Martian gets more prominence, but I was a fan of all three main plots and their twists. After discovering that Sami was seeing a man named Paul Lewis – under the guise of Marciano – Osman embarks on a quest to learn everything he can about him. It was interesting to see a different side to Fassbender's character, as he now knows perfectly well that Osman is after him and needs to come up with every possible subterfuge to maintain his cover.

One of the most exciting scenes in the episode, which I didn't imagine would happen yet, was when Martian and Osman met and talked. Since Sami was there, Martian pretended to be Paul and had to face Osman while the intelligence agent interrogated Martian about his life and connection to Sami. Marciano handled the situation well and there was a palpable tension throughout the scene, despite Osman trying to fake a sense of camaraderie. Marciano choosing not to pressure Sami for information to keep her safe was a perfect choice.

After that, a game of cat and mouse began. Fassbender's spy has shown that he is a force to be reckoned with when he is on the offensive, such as his radical interrogation techniques. He has also shown great ability to lose his tail and notice when someone is spying on him, and the latter is employed at the end of episode 5. Osman and his team go after Paul Lewis in any way they can, and Marciano prepares his room. being found the way he wants, even allowing himself to be robbed, although it may have been in vain.

Danny and Owen also get in on the action

The agency’s ensemble shines in episode 5

Elsewhere in The Agency episode 5, Danny's story takes a dark turn. After dealing with inappropriate advances from Reza in episode 4, Danny manages to clear things up with him. She has the character in the palm of her hand. After Reza apologizes for what happened, he ends the conversation by thanking Danny for his silence, knowing full well that she could end him. This victory turns sour when she is kidnapped out of nowhere. I was confused about whether the event was real or a CIA test, and it was the latter, with Danny holding up well.

Danny's story has already started to make waves, but this is the episode where Owen really comes into his own. The character is sent by Henry to Minsk. Owen remains focused on the agency's efforts to locate Coyote and his story reveals a major revelation. I like how The Agency episode 5 focused on three very different types of characters. With Marciano, we can see what a professional in this line of work is like, with meticulous planning and tricks up his sleeve at all times.

Then comes Danny, considered by the CIA to be a promising agent who could become one of the organization's best. Still, Danny is new to the undercover business and can be nervous at times. Episode 5 showed that she can rise to the occasion when necessary. As for Owen, this is a guy who wasn't cut out to be on the field. He panics about his discovery and what is the right behavior for a field agent, but is smart enough to find an important clue in the Coyote mystery.

New episodes of The Agency drops weekly on Paramount+ with Showtime every Friday.