Director: John T. Kretchmer
Starring: Piper Perabo, Christopher Gorham, Kari Matchett, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Michael Steger, Lana Parrilla, Julian Acosta
Music: Christopher Tyng

South Bound Suarez (notice the ‘Led Zep’ titles?) is the third episode in the Covert Affairs television series, and easily the weakest of the series so far. The underlying story arc that is hinted at so broadly in the Pilot Episode is not advanced, and the inter office politics is also given pretty short shrift. Annie’s boss, Joan Campbell (Kari Matchett) and Auggie Anderson (Christopher Gorham) are mere window dressing in this episode. It’s even worse for Jai Wilcox (Sendhil Ramamurthy), who was introduced as a foil for Joan in Walter’s Walk. He has virtually nothing to do but stand around in the background. Another reason for the lack of inter-office tension is the absence of Peter Gallagher as Arthur Campbell. Gallagher was only listed on the credits as a ‘guest star’ in the first couple of episodes, so he won’t be appearing in every show – which is a shame, because it would appear the series needs him, and his character to keep the edge in the sequences at CIA Headquarters in Langley.

So this is pretty much an ‘Annie on a mission’ episode, which is not such a bad thing, but then it’s the type of thing that seasoned spy television watchers have seen time and time again. This episode opens at Georgetown University, Washington DC with Annie participating in what looks like a friendly game of soccer. Of course there is more to it than that. Her reason for playing is to coerce one of her opposition team mates into helping her with an assignment. The young man in question is named Diego (Michael Steger), and Annie needs his help to get to his sister Julia (Lana Parrilla) who is the private banker (and mistress) for a corrupt politician in Venezuela.

Annie turns the screws and explains to Diego that over the past few years Julia has helped Victor Ponces (Julia Acosta) skim $100 million in profits from US oil companies and the money is being used by people who wish to destabilize the government. Next she explains that the CIA will protect him and his sister and furthermore pay for his education in the US. He is currently studying to be a doctor. Diego isn’t so certain at the start. He feels that he would be betraying his sister, but he eventually comes around.

Back at HQ, Annie is assigned to escort Diego to Caracas, where an agent named Lopez will take over the mission. What the CIA don’t realise, however, is that Victor has had Lopez killed. Upon arrival at Caracas airport, Annie is told that Lopez has been out of contact for seventy-two hours and she may have to take control of the mission.

Diego takes Annie to meet his sister, Julia, and Annie explains her investigation into the financial affairs of Victor Ponces. Of course, as Victor’s mistress, Julia doesn’t believe that Victor is a bad man, and once again Annie is forced to turn the screws – a bit of not-so-subtle manipulation. Eventually Julia comes around and agrees to help.

The highlight of the episode is when Annie and Victor share a little drive in his hot red sports car. He suspects she is an agent, and Annie, who is asked to drive the vehicle, has to prove she isn’t. It’s actually a well handled, mildly suspenseful scene, and a hot red sports car, always adds to the glamour of a spy show.

As I said at the outset, this is a bit of a step down from the first couple of episodes, but is still highly enjoyable. The good news for Australian readers is that Channel 7 has picked up this series and the Pilot Episode screened last Monday. You can catch it on http://au.tv.yahoo.com/ if you missed it.