Countdown Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Blurred Edges

Thanks to an elaborate operation, Blythe and the team reveal Volchek’s identity on Countdown Season 1 Episode 5, “Blurred Edges.”

Picking up where the series left off, the episode begins with another flashback, this time to a corporate meeting as Volchek dips his toes in the food industry.

Bouncing back and forth between timelines, “Blurred Edges” continues telling the story of Volchek’s origin, leading him to target the United States in the present.

Still early on in the season, the pacing of the series is running steadily, but it could noticeably become a hindrance if the constant switching between timelines continues. While it’s a fun storytelling structure that allows Countdown to balance multiple storylines simultaneously, it doesn’t feel fulfilling enough to last the entire season.

Learning about Volchek’s past and how he got to his position is a noteworthy story, but we’ve yet to discover any connecting factors between timelines so far. The only relevant symbolism present in the past timeline is his continued run-ins with Americans, only further fueling the fire for his hatred toward them.

While trying to secure a deal for his company, Blue Lion, in 2018, an American named Matt Woodley undermines Volchek in an important business meeting. On the outside, it’s nothing more than your everyday business rivalry, trying to come out on top no matter what.

However, Volchek takes it a step further, taking personal offense due to Woodley’s nationality. After getting his contacts to dig up blackmail on the American, Volchek forces Woodley to withdraw his company’s bid, leaving Blue Lion to reign triumphant.

Volchek fails to anticipate the lengths to which Woodley would go to get his revenge, though. A year later, he successfully frames Volchek for embezzlement, forcing him to flee Belarus with his wife, Kira.

The only monumental aspect to derive from “Blurred Edges” and the constant flashbacks is learning the lengths Volchek will go to secure his safety. Rather than risk getting caught with his wife in their attempt to flee, he decides to fake his death, blowing the plane up just as the police arrive on the runway.

After all, they can’t continue investigating and searching for him if he’s dead. But this moment signifies how he won’t allow anyone, even those he loves, to get in the way of his objective.

Back in the present timeline, the team works closely together in a classic spy mission-esque outing that sees them undercover, infiltrating an enemy base office, and showcasing their skills as a crew.

Watching them navigate the Belarusian Consulate’s party so effortlessly is satisfying, but it ultimately lacks consistency. As Blythe leads Astapov to his office in an attempt to converse and distract him, everything is peachy up until Meachum must resort to a classic beatdown of two guards.

Meachum is no graceful swan taking Astapov’s men out, throwing them into walls, and destroying the security room down the hall. With them being the only people on the entire floor, there’s no way Astapov shouldn’t have heard the ruckus, interrupting his meeting with Blythe.

Nonetheless, the team managed to exit the consulate undetected, having secured the necessary information. Through this fun outing, they learn of Volchek’s true identity and his deadly past.

Aside from the action and perfectly executed teamwork, the more appealing aspects of the episode lie within the moments between Meachum and Oliveras.

On Countdown Season 1 Episode 4, “Bite ‘Em Down,” Oliveras slips up by using a portion of the brick she confiscated to frame someone and get the information she needs. It’s a moment that’s shoved to the side too quickly, but Meachum isn’t the type to drop something once curiosity strikes him.

Instead of conveniently forgetting their interaction, Meachum addresses it in a spare moment of peace at the office. It is a relatively brief interaction but one that highlights Oliveras’ secrecy, as well as the hypocrisy in Meachum’s actions.

As he questions Oliveras and disguises his nosiness as a form of concern for team safety, Meachum essentially calls himself out. He expects Oliveras to be 100% open and honest with him. Meanwhile, he’s blacking out on the job without saying anything to anyone.

While it’s hard to differentiate and choose which is more pressing, neither a potential junky on team or someone who could pass out at any moment is ideal.

For the team to be successful to the very end, the truth will eventually come to light. The question now is if Meachum will make it to the end to make the big reveal or if he’ll surprise his unit with his passing before they finish the mission.

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Countdown is available to stream on Wednesdays on Prime Video.

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