Ep 7. Within a Dark Wood

Possible description for Condor season 1 episode 7:

In "Within a Dark Wood," the seventh episode of Condor season 1, Joe Turner (Max Irons) tries to regain control of his life and his mission, but finds himself increasingly entangled in a web of secrets, lies, and threats that make him question his alliances, his values, and his identity.

After narrowly escaping the hitman Joubert (Bob Balaban) in the previous episode, Joe hides in a remote cabin in the woods and tries to contact CIA analyst Sam Barber (Kristen Hager) to warn her of the impending attack on American soil. However, Joe's phone is dead and his laptop is jammed, leaving him helpless and paranoid. As he waits for Sam's response, Joe reflects on his past as a soldier, his present as a fugitive, and his future as a patriot or a traitor.

Meanwhile, the CIA director Bob Partridge (William Hurt) receives an unsettling message from his former colleague Nathan Fowler (Brendan Fraser), who reveals that the Russian agent Reuel Abbott (Jonathan Tucker) has infiltrated the agency and is working with an unknown partner to destabilize the world order. Although Partridge is skeptical of Nathan's claims, he sees an opportunity to eliminate a potential rival and assigns his top assassin Gabrielle Joubert (Leem Lubany) to track down and kill Reuel.

As Joubert follows Reuel's trail and confronts his associate Marty Frost (Jonathan Kells Phillips), she discovers that the operation to bomb multiple US cities is not only real, but more complex than she thought, involving a network of hackers, mercenaries, and corrupt officials. Joubert also realizes that her loyalty to the CIA may be misplaced, as Partridge and his inner circle seem to prioritize their own interests over national security and human life.

Back in the cabin, Joe hears a noise outside and grabs a gun, ready to defend himself. He finds a wounded bird and tries to heal it, finding comfort and purpose in his small act of kindness. He also receives a mysterious visit from an old acquaintance who offers him a chance to start anew, but Joe refuses, determined to finish what he started and expose the truth about the conspiracy. When Sam finally replies to Joe's message, she provides him with some crucial information that could help him and his allies stop the attacks, but warns him that time is running out.

As the episode ends, Joe leaves the cabin and ventures into the dark wood, uncertain of what lies ahead but resolute in his determination to find his way out, no matter how treacherous and lonely the path may be.

"Within a Dark Wood" is a moody and introspective episode that showcases Max Irons' range as an actor, as he conveys Joe's inner turmoil and resilience in a minimalistic setting. The episode also deepens the plot and the characters, revealing more about the motives and methods of the villains and the heroes, and setting the stage for the climactic final episodes of the season.