Ep 8. Pankration

In Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders season 2 episode 8, titled "Pankration," the International Response Team (IRT) is called upon to investigate the murder of an American MMA fighter in Athens, Greece. The team quickly discovers that the case is more complex than they initially thought, as they uncover a dark web of underground fighting rings and illegal gambling operations.

The episode begins with the IRT arriving in Athens and meeting with local law enforcement to discuss the case. They learn that the victim, a well-known fighter named Kyle Kane, was found dead in his hotel room just hours before a scheduled fight. The evidence at the scene suggests that Kane was murdered, and the IRT is tasked with finding his killer.

As they begin their investigation, the team discovers that Kane was involved in a popular form of Greek martial arts called Pankration. They soon learn that there is a thriving underground fighting scene in Athens, and that many of the fights are fixed to bring in large sums of illegal gambling money. The IRT realizes that Kane's death may have been connected to one of these fights.

The team talks to Kane's trainer, who tells them that Kane was set to fight a popular Greek fighter the night of his death. The fighter, named Petros, is known for his brutal tactics and is believed to be involved in the illegal gambling ring. The IRT decides to attend the fight in hopes of catching Petros and his associates in the act.

At the fight, the IRT observes Petros taking performance-enhancing drugs before the match. They realize that the drugs are a key part of the underground gambling operation, as they ensure that Petros will win and bring in more money for those betting against him. The team decides to focus their investigation on the people involved in the drug ring.

As they delve deeper into the case, the IRT uncovers a web of connections between the drug ring and a local nightclub. They suspect that the nightclub owner, Nikos, is involved in the operation, and decide to question him. During their interrogation, they learn that Nikos was using the nightclub to launder money for the gambling ring, and that he was in debt to the leaders of the ring.

The IRT quickly realizes that Kane's death was not just connected to the fighting ring, but to the larger criminal operation behind it. They work to track down the leaders of the ring and bring them to justice. In the end, they are able to solve Kane's murder and dismantle the entire criminal enterprise, bringing closure to Kane's loved ones and restoring justice to Athens.

Overall, "Pankration" is a thrilling episode of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, featuring complex characters, intense action sequences, and a satisfying resolution to the case at hand. Fans of the series will not be disappointed by this installment, which showcases the IRT's unique investigative style and commitment to justice.