Spy City Review: My Enemy’s Enemy (Season 1 Episode 3)

Things finally escalate on Spy City Season 1 Episode 3, “My Enemy’s Enemy.” While the information we got in the first two episodes starts to coalesce, the reason why it took until three episodes is still up in the air. Still, this episode shows Spy City has the ability to be a good spy story.

Kidnapping the Russian spy Lubkov may seem like an extreme measure, but it shows how dedicated Scott is to both Severine and finding the killer of the scientist and his family. Scott seems to have lost the thread regarding the mole, though, which indicates distraction.

Indeed, Scott finds himself in several awkward situations here, and he doesn’t come across as a good person in any of them. He chokes Severine in a fit of rage, which is never acceptable, and when Eliza threatens him with blackmail, he acts like a petulant child.

Scott feels like a child throughout, here, as he regularly acts out and makes impulsive decisions.

Capturing Lubkov and then unceremoniously dumping him on the street, even though he’ll certainly be killed by his KGB masters feels like the burning of a key asset. He also turns poor Eliza into a femme fatale, forcing her to nearly seduce Lubkov, which is just creepy.

He also reconciles with Severine rather quickly after his choking of her; that she forgives him so quickly is honestly disturbing. Yes, we’re in 1961, so gender roles are still in a regressive mode, but having a moment of doubt for Severine would be good to see before she basically leaps back into his arms.

Eliza blackmailing Scott over his relationship with Severine is easily one of the most compelling plotlines, as she earnestly offers her silence in order to get herself transported away from East Berlin, to London, where she wants to go to university, with her troublesome boyfriend.

Never mind that her boyfriend does not want to leave East Berlin, which would lead to the conclusion that he doesn’t know about Eliza’s spying on his behalf. His being made aware of the sacrifices she’s made for him will hopefully come out in the following episodes.  

For all that Scott feels like a child here, it does make him more interesting; he’s no longer a stand-up guy, the poor, framed spy. He’s a threat to the continued, uneasy peace between East Germany and the West. Spy City will presumably stick to history, but that doesn’t mean things can’t get hairy for a moment or two.

Spy City is at its best when it’s about intrigue and thrills. Spy City Season 1 Episode 3 is short on thrills but high on intrigue. The writing appears to be taking off on a wild ride, and just as Lubkov is kidnapped and taken for a ride, we are too; what happens next is anyone’s guess.

Will Scott get revenge for the scientist’s death? That certainly seems to be what he’s leaning towards, as opposed to exposing the mole and saving valuable intelligence. Scott was wounded by the death of the scientist, and by Severine’s mild betrayal of trust, that much is clear

But will he recover his senses in time to prevent another Cold War blow-up? That remains to be seen.

What did you think of this episode of Spy City? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

Spy City airs Thursdays on AMC+.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

15 TV Characters Who Could Use Some Luck