WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for The Terminal List: Dark Wolf episode 5.
The Terminal List: Dark Wolf episode 5, “E & E,” features several of the most thrilling action scenes of not only the entire series, but also The Terminal List franchise. After seemingly getting betrayed by Mossad agent Eliza, who shot Ben in the back of his bulletproof vest to destabilize him and take the Iranian nuclear tech, she is killed by a bomb in the final moments of episode 5.
Meanwhile, Raife learns that he’s been torturing a friendly member of German intelligence for information on who staged the ambush towards the end of The Terminal List: Dark Wolf episode 4. Interestingly, Haverford remains in the shadows throughout the entire episode, but it’s becoming very clear that his relationship with the one they call The Shepard may not be in the CIA or Mossad’s best interests.
Dark Wolf Episode 5 Features Multiple Adrenaline-Pumping Action Sequences
Between Raife’s gruesome torture scene in the quiet woods of Austria and Ben’s shootout sequence in Zurich with Eliza, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf episode 5 continues to pack some serious pulse-pounding punches with its multiple action sequences.
Rather than taking things down a notch following the sharply executed ambush scene in the last episode, Dark Wolf episode 5 raises the bar even higher with some impressive, hard-hitting stuntwork and firefights. These elements make you feel like you’re watching a John Wick or Jason Statham movie without having to go to a theater.
The Terminal List prequel continues to retain some of the psychological elements that were prevalent in James Reece’s character throughout the original series. Ben continues to hear distant church bells in episode 5, a callback to two classic rock songs, “Hell’s Bells” and “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” played earlier in the series.
Despite Ben’s attempts to be a “simple man,” he is far from it, and those lingering church bells seem to be calling him towards his dark and duplicitous fate. He forms a brief connection with Eliza, wanting to trust in her, and her death will likely leave a scar on him moving forward in the series, one of many sure to come.
Tal’s brutal fight scene at the end of episode 5 was wildly gripping and violent, to the point where it was impossible to look away. And lastly, that car bomb scene that took Eliza’s life was wildly unexpected, but it proved that she was not the one who set up the ambush. So the question, much like in the original series, remains – who did?
It’s also worth noting that we don’t get a chance to check in on Mo after he was shot during the ambush in episode 4. Landry also takes a backseat in this episode, which is honestly a good thing, and the unit is mostly split for the entire episode. They’ll have to regroup in episode 6 to pay respects for Eliza’s death, at the very least.
Betrayal Remains The Biggest Theme In The Terminal List Prequel
Taylor Kitsch’s Ben and Rona-Lee Shimon’s Eliza having a conversation with their faces close in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf
One of the most intriguing parts of a prequel series was diving into Ben’s past and gaining a better perspective on why he would betray James Reece like he did in The Terminal List. It’s pretty shocking to hear Ben claim to Eliza that loyalty is his top concern, considering what’s to come, but it makes sense for his Navy SEAL background.
There are still a lot of questions about Ben that haven’t been answered all that much in The Terminal List prequel. The series pivoted and leaned into the globe-trotting espionage thriller subgenre, which, for the most part, has made for a very entertaining product. That said, with only 2 episodes left in season 1, there hasn’t been much depth added to Ben’s character outside of his dishonorable discharge in Dark Wolf episode 1.
If one thing is clear after episode 5, it’s that both Raife and Ben are not only willing, but somewhat enjoy playing outside the rules and expectations of being a true soldier. This allows them flexibility, but they both lack the sense of honor that drove Jame Reece in the original series. On that note, I’m hoping Chris Pratt will return before the end of Dark Wolf season 1, but it’s looking like he was mostly there in episode 1 to pass the baton.
Ultimately, what The Terminal List: Dark Wolf episode 5 lacked in narrative cohesion, it made up for with thrilling action and unsettling violence. It still hasn’t really blown me away from a story perspective, but the technical skill that went into the series remains one of its strongest aspects. It would be great to get more insight on Ben before the season finale, all while keeping a close eye on Haverford.
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