We continue with the task force on the hunt for Volchek in Countdown season 1, episode 5. At the same time, he wants to know more about Meachum, but will he learn the truth?
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS for Countdown season 1, episode 5.
The new episode takes place in two timelines, as we slowly learn more about Volchek. The task force finally gets some details, but will it be too little too late as the task force is on the brink of being discovered? At the same time, Blythe needs to deal with his DA problem, and he has just the way to do it.
Volchek’s backstory revealed in Countdown season 1, episode 5
It didn’t take us too long to meet the man behind the big nuclear plan. We found out his origin story, which involved the suicide of his brother. Well, Countdown season 1, episode 5 takes us to the next part of the story, which saw Volchek attempt to grow his food business.
Once again, he was up against an American, and he decided to use some blackmail to make sure his business was picked rather than the American one. That led to retaliation, with the American business owner telling the Belarus government that Volchek had been embezzling funds.
Naturally, he had to run, but what about his wife? It turns out that he encouraged his wife and someone who could pass as him to get on a private plane. As the police rolled up, that plane exploded, with Volchek watching from the side. The Belarus cops didn’t care to actually do their due diligence and said that there were two people on the plane, meaning that he was presumed dead.
Well, he’s not, and now he’s a threat to Americans. Volchek clearly blames the Americans for everything that he has been through.
The task force figure out who Volchek is in Countdown
This entire backstory is explained to the task force as well. Knowing that the man behind the conspiracy has to be from Belarus, Blythe goes to see the consulate. Of course, the consulate isn’t interested in talking, so Blythe wants Shepherd to hack into the systems. That’s going to take time, so they need to find another way in.
Finau shares that his wife works for a catering company. If the consulate is having an event, it means that a catering company will have been hired. If it’s not his wife’s company, it’s one she will know and she does manage to get the name of the company. Meachum uses his charm and Bell uses the fact that they’re aiding with an FBI investigation to get the catering company to allow the task force to get into the event.
There is a tense moment, but it all works out. The next morning, a staff member logs into the computer that has Shepherd’s worm on it and she’s able to get all the information she needs about Volchek.
Blythe also has a DA problem
Throughout the last four episodes of the series, the DA has made it clear that he wants in on the investigation. Is this so he can protect Volchek, or is it because he knows it can help his career? Either way, Blythe doesn’t want him on it, and during Countdown season 1, episode 5, he pulls in a favor from a man called Tim Carmichael.
Sure enough, Carmichael makes it clear that he needs Blythe’s task force to work as intended. If he doesn’t, he’ll use his power to see the DA pulled down a peg or two. It goes to show that a good cop or agent at the top will have friends in the right places, but they have to be ethical and only use that power when it’s most needed.
Shepherd’s computer skills save the day in Countdown
As the task force is looking into Volchek, he is looking into the task force. More specifically, he wants to know who Meachum is, as one of his lackeys pulled up the security footage from the dance hall.
All the information comes back as Jack Walker, the alias that Meachum used when in prison. However, there’s a dead end to all of this, and Volchek knows that it’s an alias. Figuring out that Meachum had to be a cop working undercover, the search in the databases is on, and yes, Volchek’s men get into the LAPD database.
Fortunately, Shepherd has them covered. During her first week, she put in new photos for everyone. I do have to seriously question her decision in making Finau white. That doesn’t make sense at all. But at least Volchek isn’t onto the task force yet.
Countdown airs on Wednesday on Prime Video.
Stay up to date with the latest TV crime dramas with Precinct TV.