The Spy Season 1 Episode 2 What's New, Buenos Aires?

Following his successful recruitment by Mossad, Eli Cohen is sent on his first mission to Argentina, under the alias of Kamel Amin Thaabet, with the hope that his skills in speaking fluent Arabic and French could prove to be an asset. Eli is tasked with infiltrating the wealthy and influential Syrian community in Buenos Aires, who predominantly support the Syrian government. Eli struggles to fit in at first, but is eventually able to successfully win the trust of the Syrian community by revealing details about his trauma in the 1948 Palestine war. Eli is able to connect with key Syrian individuals, including the Syrian Ambassador and a local spy for the Syrian government. He also manages to establish a business selling lingerie, which attracts the interest of a wealthy Argentine businessman, Francisco Paco Mugica.

While Eli's undercover mission progresses smoothly, he struggles with the emotional toll of pretending to be someone else. He goes to a local synagogue to speak to the Rabbi and admits to feeling an immense guilt for lying to his family, friends and community. The Rabbi reminds him that he is doing this for a noble cause and that Eli needs to have faith in his mission.

Meanwhile, back in Israel, Eli's wife, Nadia, becomes increasingly concerned about her husband's safety and is troubled by the time he spends away from home. She confides in Eli's Mossad handler, Dan Peleg, who tries to reassure her that Eli is well-protected, but privately expresses his own unease about the high-risk nature of their mission.

As Eli's mission becomes more complex, he becomes more inured to the high-stakes nature of his situation and starts to feel a sense of detachment from his old life. In a pivotal moment, he meets with the Syrian Ambassador at a local bar and shares a moment of camaraderie with him. However, when the Ambassador talks about the necessity of using violence to achieve their goals, Eli feels a twinge of guilt and unease.

Despite these doubts, Eli continues to gather information and build connections. He is tasked with recruiting a local Syrian businessman, Farid, to join his espionage network. Eli manages to persuade Farid to join him, but his attempts to meet with him at a local hotel are interrupted when the Argentine secret police arrive and search the room. Eli is forced to flee and is pursued by the police, leading to a thrilling chase sequence through the streets of Buenos Aires.

The episode ends with Eli returning to his "Kamel" identity, relieved to have escaped the authorities unscathed. However, it is clear that the mission is becoming increasingly dangerous, with the risk of exposure becoming more likely. Eli's commitment to his mission is tested, as is his ability to reconcile his undercover identity with his own sense of morality and loyalty.