The latest episode of The Old Man series continues to follow the struggles of Dan Chase (played by Jeff Bridges) and Harold Harper (played by John Lithgow) as they deal with their complicated pasts. In this episode, things get even more challenging for the two characters.
Dan Chase is in the custody of Suleyman Pavlovich (played by Rade Serbedzija), while Harold Harper starts to realize that his ex-wife Marion (played by Janet McTeer) is involved in the whole situation far more than he initially believed. Moreover, Chase is likely infected by an airborne toxin, making things worse.
As the episode begins, we see that the infection doesn’t seem to be a big concern for Pavlovich. Chase is tied up in an abandoned building, which seems to be one of Pavlovich’s hideouts. While Chase is alone, he is visited by a vision of Emily (played by Alia Shawkat), who tells him that she will see him soon. This appears to be a grim hint at what may happen to him.
The vision vanishes just before Pavlovich arrives. Pavlovich is curious about why someone like Chase, who has managed to avoid capture for so long, would suddenly allow himself to be caught. Chase reveals that he did so in order to get the antidote to the toxin. He also offers to exchange some information for the antidote. Pavlovich agrees to this deal but only if the information meets his expectations.
Dan Chase explains that Pavlovich’s membership in the rare earth minerals cartel depends on killing him and Zoe (played by Amy Brenneman). Pavlovich believes he can catch Zoe quickly, so he is not too concerned about keeping Chase alive. However, Chase argues that by the time Pavlovich gets to Zoe, she will have already ruined his plans. This makes things more complicated for Pavlovich.
Still from The Old Man (Credit: FX)
During this conversation, the vision of Emily reappears. It could be a result of the mental effects caused by the toxin, as Pavlovich had mentioned earlier. Emily’s vision predicts that Chase will kill Pavlovich but still not get the antidote. However, Chase will feel like he got revenge for Emily’s death. This shows that Chase’s subconscious mind is aware of his own destructive tendencies.
Meanwhile, Zoe arrives at the police station as she promised Chase. She asks the police constable to take her into custody because she is scared for her life after witnessing a murder. The constable is naturally skeptical, especially because Zoe is asking to speak to someone from the CIA instead of the senior constable.
Zoe insists that she needs to speak to the U.S. embassy and the CIA chief of station because the murderers involved killed two important people: Nina Kruger and Morgan Bote. These names mean nothing to the constable, but she makes the call to the embassy as Zoe requested. It seems the constable didn’t want to argue further, probably deciding that her salary wasn’t worth the hassle.
The action then moves to a new city—Hong Kong. We see a young girl asking her mother for some candy, and when her mother refuses, an older woman named Marion secretly gives the candy to the girl. Marion turns out to be the grandmother of the little girl, and she leaves her family for an unexpected meeting.
This meeting is with Harold Harper, who has been following her for some time. He tells her they need to find a private place to talk, and Marion agrees to lead him somewhere quiet.
Back at the police station, someone from the U.S. embassy arrives to meet Zoe. This information is reported back to Pavlovich by his sentry, who is told to remain on standby until the situation between Pavlovich and Chase is resolved. At the police station, Zoe meets Pete (played by Nick Boraine), who is not the chief of station at the embassy but claims he can help her through the situation.
Zoe tells Pete that she wants immunity for any actions she may have taken in the past and a clean slate going forward in exchange for the information she has. Pete warns her that once she reveals the name of the killer, dangerous people from around the world may seek her out for revenge.
He explains that getting immunity from prosecution is possible, but the kind of protection she needs is much more complex. Zoe acknowledges this and asks him to proceed with securing her immunity in exchange for the name of Bote’s killer.
Meanwhile, back at Pavlovich’s hideout, he and Chase continue their tense conversation. Chase informs Pavlovich that Zoe can either tell the CIA the truth, which will cause a lot of trouble for him, or give them a different name to direct the blame elsewhere. Chase warns that if Zoe gives them a name, it won’t just be any name—it’ll be his.
He tells Pavlovich that Zoe will create a story close to the truth, where an estranged associate of Bote’s came back after his daughter was kidnapped and sought revenge. In return for this misdirection, Chase demands the antidote, enough money to start a new life, and the opportunity for them both to walk away.
Additionally, Chase reveals to Pavlovich that Emily was actually Hamzad’s daughter, much to Pavlovich’s shock. As a final request, Chase asks for Emily’s body so he can give her a proper burial.
Still from The Old Man (Credit: FX)
Pavlovich is visibly shaken by this revelation, and it results in Chase losing control of the situation. Pavlovich becomes less willing to comply with Chase’s demands, fearing that Chase will now focus his anger on him. Chase assures him that he won’t seek revenge this time, despite wanting to, because he promised himself that he would leave Pavlovich’s custody alive at all costs.
Pavlovich is surprised that Chase would give up his desire for vengeance in exchange for a chance at a life with Zoe. However, considering all that Chase has lost, it’s understandable why he would make such a choice. Pavlovich agrees to the deal and unties Chase, telling him to make the necessary phone call.
Throughout this episode, we see how much Chase is still grieving the loss of Emily. The vision of Emily continues to play a significant role in his emotional state. The scene in which Chase faces Emily’s vision is powerful, with both Jeff Bridges and Alia Shawkat delivering intense performances. Shawkat’s portrayal of Emily is louder and more confrontational, while Bridges’ performance is quieter but no less impactful.
The quiet intensity in his portrayal makes Chase’s grief hit harder, as we see him struggle to move on while still feeling guilty for letting go of Emily. The episode does an excellent job of highlighting the emotional depth of the series, showing that it’s not just about action, politics, or drama, but also about deep personal struggles.
As the episode progresses, we are taken back to a flashback of a young Zoe (played by Caitlin Duffy) on her wedding day. Zoe is sitting alone, feeling uncertain about her future as a married woman. Her future father-in-law finds her and assures her that love isn’t always the magical feeling people expect.
Instead, it’s more about trust and vulnerability. Zoe’s reflection on this conversation mirrors her current situation with Chase. Both Zoe and Chase are making dangerous choices in order to be together, reflecting the complexities of their relationship.
Still from The Old Man (Credit: FX)Chase contacts Zoe and tells her that they’ve struck a deal. He asks if she knows what to tell Pete, and Zoe confirms that she does. However, before their conversation can go any further, Pavlovich and his men return, having learned that someone made a move against them. Pavlovich informs Chase that the deal is off and leaves him with one of his men (played by Nikolai Nikolaeff).
This man destroys the vials containing the antidote, revealing that he is the son of one of the men Chase killed in Afghanistan. Now, he seeks revenge on Chase. Pavlovich also gives the order to take care of Zoe, as he has lost contact with the facility in Meshbahar, where the lithium deposit is located. Pavlovich drives off to meet with the cartel leaders.
Outside the police station, a gunman arrives and kills Pete and the constable on duty. Zoe hides, but as the gunman approaches, she remembers a skill from her past—firing a rifle. She uses this memory to her advantage and shoots the gunman, killing him with a single shot. As she runs outside, she meets Julian Carson (played by Gbenga Akinnagbe), who has arrived to take her to Harper.
Back in Hong Kong, Harper confronts Marion with a photo of her and Pavlovich. He tells her that he knows she is involved with the rare earth minerals cartel and accuses her of having a role in Morgan Bote’s death and the attack on the Hamzad village.
Marion denies being involved in Bote’s murder but admits to working with Pavlovich at the lithium deposit. She claims that she no longer has any ties to Pavlovich now that he controls the deposit. However, she admits that she was the one who initially brought him into the cartel.
Marion explains that she had originally intended for Parwana Hamzad, or Emily, to be her partner in the cartel. Emily, being Hamzad’s daughter with connections to both the U.S. and the local area, seemed like the perfect candidate. Harper is horrified that Marion would even consider involving Emily in such a dangerous scheme. However, Marion doesn’t see it that way.
Her loyalties have shifted, and she now aligns herself with the Chinese government. She claims that since she was born in Hong Kong, she considers it her home. Harper, on the other hand, reminds her that she was once a British spy and that she shouldn’t expect a clean slate so easily.
At the abandoned building, Chase is fighting to survive. He manages to overpower the man holding him and kill him. Chase then reaches the case containing the antidote vials, only to discover that all of them have been destroyed. His hope of receiving the antidote is gone, but he still needs to find a way to escape.
Meanwhile, Pavlovich is meeting with other cartel leaders. They are concerned about the reports they’ve received regarding the situation at the lithium deposit in Meshbahar. Pavlovich dismisses these concerns, reassuring them that the deposit is under control.
However, it is revealed that the facility has been taken over by a local militia, led by none other than Parwana Hamzad, also known as Emily Chase. This shocking twist changes everything. Emily is still alive and playing an important role in the ongoing conflict.
This revelation sets the stage for an explosive finale, as the characters are drawn deeper into a web of lies, deceit, and revenge. With Emily alive and controlling the lithium deposit, the stakes are higher than ever before.
The episode ends with Chase, Zoe, and Harper all facing impossible decisions, while Emily emerges as a powerful figure. The Old Man continues to deliver a unique blend of action, drama, and emotional complexity. The show masterfully balances thrilling plot twists with deep character development, making this episode another standout in the series.
In this episode of The Old Man, the intricate layers of the narrative reveal more than just a tale of action and espionage. The emotional struggles of Dan Chase, the calculated manipulations of Pavlovich, and the growing relationships between the central characters bring forth a deep search of loyalty, vengeance, and personal sacrifice.
The episode goes into the complexities of human connections, emphasizing how the past continues to haunt those involved in political conflicts and familial ties. Dan Chase’s personal journey is one of survival, but it is equally about confronting the emotional weight of loss and redemption.
The sudden revelation that Emily is still alive throws a wrench into the anticipated outcomes, suggesting that the show is steering towards a grand, high-stakes conclusion where family, loyalty, and betrayal will clash.
The combination of suspense, emotional intensity, and moral dilemmas sets this episode apart, ensuring that viewers are fully invested in the fate of the characters. As we head toward the finale, the future of the characters—especially with Emily’s reemergence—promises explosive confrontations.
The groundwork laid in this episode solidifies The Old Man as a series that goes beyond traditional action thrillers, focusing on the emotional and psychological tolls of life-long conflicts.
ITV’s latest crime drama Joan showcases Sophie Turner in the role of real-life criminal Joan Hannington, often referred to as the “godmother” of Britain’s criminal underworld. The series brings to light the story of Hannington’s journey from an abused mother to one of the most notorious jewel thieves in 1980s London.
Throughout the show, Turner portrays the different sides of Hannington’s character as she climbs to the top of Britain’s criminal hierarchy. The show draws viewers into the fascinating life of a controversial figure who made a name for herself in the underworld.
The series Joan is based on Hannington’s memoir, I Am What I Am: The True Story of Britain’s Most Notorious Jewel Thief, which was released in 2004. It begins with Joan’s life just before she makes the decision to leave her abusive partner and place her young daughter in foster care in the early 1980s.
In the first episode, we see Turner’s character leave her sister’s house and take a job at a local jewelry shop. While working there, Joan learns the tricks of the jewelry trade. Viewers quickly discover that Joan has a unique method for stealing diamonds—she swallows them to avoid detection.
Not long after her first successful theft, Joan meets her future husband and criminal partner, Ronald Thomas Hannington, who is also known by the alias Benny Boisie, played by Frank Dillane. Joan’s encounter with Boisie marks the beginning of her life as a criminal.
Together, they live a thrilling life of crime, which Joan seems to enjoy. However, she also faces the challenge of trying to be a good mother and finding a way to get her daughter back from foster care.
Joan Hannington’s early life is a difficult one. She was born in 1957, one of six children in a working-class Irish family. She ran away from home at 13 because of abuse from her father, who was a former boxing promoter. At 17, Joan married Ray Pavey, a convicted armed robber, although the character of Ray is replaced by “Gary” in the TV series, portrayed by Nick Blood.
Joan suffered more abuse at the hands of Pavey, who once threw ammonia into her face, causing lasting damage to her eye. On another occasion, Pavey threw Joan out of a moving car. This toxic relationship eventually led Joan to place her daughter in foster care and leave Ray for good.
Still from Joan (Credit: CW)
In an interview with The Sun, Joan described how she was determined to get her daughter back but knew she needed money and a stable place to live in order to do so. She lied her way into a job at a jewelry shop in London’s West End, where she would begin her career as a jewel thief. Although the show changes the circumstances around Joan’s first diamond theft, the core facts remain the same.
In the series, Joan stumbles upon an open safe in the shop’s back room where there were no CCTV cameras. Seizing the opportunity, she swallowed the loose diamonds to hide them, a move that would change her life. In real life, Joan swallowed diamonds worth around £800,000. After the gems passed through her system, she retrieved them, cleaned them, and stored them for sale later.
Unlike the show’s version of events, Joan didn’t quit her job at the jewelry shop immediately after her first theft. She continued working there for a few more months before she met Boisie, a high-class thief and antique dealer who was 17 years her senior. Boisie became not only her lover but also her mentor. He taught Joan how to commit various types of fraud, including check and credit card fraud.
Together, Boisie and Joan built a multimillion-dollar criminal empire. They dealt in counterfeit checks and fake antiques, and Joan’s love for diamonds and precious stones continued to grow. Joan had a particular method for stealing jewelry. Dressed in luxurious fur coats and arriving in a rented luxury car, she would visit high-end jewelry stores pretending to be a legitimate buyer.
She studied the jewelry she wanted and later returned with a fake copy. Joan would discreetly swap the fake piece for the real one, swallowing the original and leaving the fake behind. She would then make a deposit using either a stolen credit card or a forged bank check.
Thanks to their criminal activities, Boisie and Joan lived a lavish lifestyle, complete with expensive cars, fur coats, and stays in fancy hotels around the world. At one point, Joan owned 11 fur coats and over 2,000 pairs of shoes. In 1987, Joan and Boisie had a son, Benjamin Hannington. Benjamin makes an appearance in the first episode of Joan as a bartender serving drinks to Boisie and Joan.
However, Joan’s life of crime came with its own set of challenges. In 1980, at the age of 24, Joan was arrested for using a stolen checkbook and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. She had been arrested once before for stealing a car, an event that is also portrayed in the TV series. She stole the car in an attempt to visit her daughter in foster care. Despite these setbacks, Joan continued her criminal activities until tragedy struck.
In 1990, Boisie died in a freak explosion while trying to set fire to a warehouse in an insurance scam. His death left Joan vulnerable. She became a target for one of Boisie’s former associates, who put a hit out on her. Joan was also robbed of £1 million by a man she had been dating.
After these events, Joan decided to leave behind her life of crime. She had gained a reputation as “the godmother” of the British underworld, but she knew it was time to change. She now lives a quiet life on the south coast of England with her two dogs and is a grandmother to her son Benny’s daughter.
Her son, who is a rapper, performs under the name Benny Banks. Despite her past, Joan was unable to regain custody of her daughter, who remains in the care of social services.
Still from Joan (Credit: CW)
Joan hasn’t been involved in criminal activity for over 40 years and prefers to keep a low profile. However, she worked closely with ITV on the making of Joan to ensure the series accurately reflected her life. She collaborated with screenwriter Anna Symon, who adapted the show from Joan’s memoir.
Sophie Turner, best known for her role in Game of Thrones, is well-suited to bring Joan’s complex personality to life on screen. The series captures not only the excitement of Joan’s criminal activities but also her personal struggles as a mother.
The TV series Joan stands out as a gripping crime drama. It successfully blends the thrilling elements of Joan’s criminal life with the emotional depth of her journey as a mother. The show takes viewers through the highs and lows of Joan Hannington’s life, providing a window into a world where crime, family, and survival intersect.
Joan’s story is one of resilience. She overcame an abusive childhood, escaped an abusive marriage, and transformed herself from a struggling young mother into a powerful figure in the criminal underworld. Despite the dangers of her lifestyle, Joan managed to build a successful career in crime and create a better life for herself and her children.
While Joan highlights the allure of the criminal world, it also shows the consequences that come with it. Boisie’s death was a harsh reminder for Joan that the world she had chosen was filled with danger and betrayal. Her decision to leave the criminal world behind after Boisie’s death was a turning point in her life. She chose to prioritize her safety and her family over the thrill of her illegal activities.
In the end, Joan’s story is one of survival, determination, and transformation. Her life may have been filled with danger, but she was able to rise above it and create a new path for herself. The ITV series Joan does an excellent job of portraying the many facets of her life, making it a must-watch for fans of crime dramas.
Joan offers a compelling portrayal of the complex and dangerous life of Joan Hannington, skillfully brought to the screen by Sophie Turner. The series captures Joan’s journey from a struggling, abused mother to a cunning and successful jewel thief, all while balancing her desire to provide for her daughter.
The show doesn’t just highlight her criminal exploits but also goes into her personal struggles, creating a well-rounded depiction of a woman dealing with both motherhood and the criminal world. Through her relationship with her mentor and partner, Benny Boisie, Joan rises to the top of Britain’s criminal underworld, yet she ultimately faces the harsh consequences of her choices.
The series masterfully showcases the high stakes and danger that come with a life of crime, while also underscoring Joan’s resilience and determination to survive. After tragedy strikes with Boisie’s death, Joan chooses to leave behind her criminal past, seeking peace and privacy in her later years.
Joan is a powerful reminder of the complexities of human life, where survival and ambition often collide, making it a must-watch for fans of crime dramas and stories of personal transformation.
