The Spy Recap: You Are Either Him Or You Are Dead

This recap of Netflix Series The Spy Season 1, Episode 2, “What’s New, Buenos Aires?” contains significant spoilers. The Spy is based on the life of the Israeli spy, Eli Cohen. You can read the recap of the previous episode by clicking these words.

Episode 2, “What’s New, Buenos Aires?” is tense in the strangest of ways. Eli (Sacha Baron Cohen) moves in a staggered way and speaks almost like he is starring in the Room. All the characters do. But then, on the other hand, The Spy remains intriguing.

The main issue in Episode 2 is that Eli misses his wife. Unbeknown to him, she’s also pregnant, with Dan Paleg attending to her needs, ensuring she has company.

In Buenos Aires, Eli has teamed up with Julia, and she gets a sniff that he is still owning his Eli life. She’s furious, telling Eli he is now Kamel — Kamel is not married, and Nadia does not exist.

Eli’s spying skills are put to the test in Episode 2. He meets General Amin Al-Hafez; Eli confidently speaks to the man patriotically, referencing his newly created family and his manufactured pride. Amin Al-Hafez is paranoid about spies and asks for Eli’s parent’s burial location after plenty of questions.

While the General’s assistants research the burial location and Eli’s business, Eli turns the episode into a spy thriller. “What’s New, Buenos Aires” sees our character retrieving documents, while the assistants verify the burial ground and verify both the graves and business exist. But one of them is still suspicious and follows Eli home. Eli has stolen a camera that had photos of all the guests. Julia spots that Eli was followed by one of the assistants, which turns into a chase up a multi-floored building, and accidentally killing the man.

Despite telling Eli to stay put and lay low, he believes he has made a real connection with the General. He meets Amin Al-Hafez and showers him with gifts, and apparent loyalty.

Eli returns to Israel to learn that he now has a baby called Sophie. He is hesitant to go back, but despite Dan Paleg’s initial assessment that he should be removed from the mission, he tries to persuade Eli to continue his objectives due to the value offered last time. Maya questions Dan, and wonders if he has anything romantic with Eli’s wife, Nadia.

The Spy Season 1, Episode 2, “What’s New, Buenos Aires?” ends with Nadia cutely snuggling up to Eli and saying, “don’t leave us, please”.

Historic Observations

• In a strange side scene when speaking about marriage, alcohol, and women, Amin Al-Hafez’s wife feels Eli’s crotch area, knowing full well her husband was watching.

You can read the recap of the second episode by clicking these words.