Hey, when you’ve got Cyrillic in the episode’s title, you know it is time for a meeting with the Russians! But the episode starts as cleverly as they always do. Before the credits this time we catch Ellis and Hayes pinned down in crossfire from the Russians in a Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid scenario and freeze frame. Again, clever. Of course, we are going to backtrack to see just how they get into that predicament. Remember, we know that Hayes infiltrated the Saxton organization as a Russian interpreter, thanks to Wade Ellis, and that Jim Ellis is the driver who gets the negotiators to the sitdown. What is learned there is what is most on our minds.
Everyone is pumping themselves up for the big day post-credits. Ellis and Hayes in their parking garage meeting point out how they can’t fuck this up; Saxton gives Ellis more responsibility and makes him not just the day’s driver but a presence at the Russian’s table. Even Royce Saxton gets to go along as the money man. It is a big day for Izzie as well. She has rallied her fellow drivers to picket and fight for equal pay and such. As was hinted at in this episode preview, Izzy’s story escalates in this installment. Her story no longer seems like a B-story. That is something else we looked for in this episode, and how it impacts events.
Also impacting events will be Agent Grant, our criminal plant within Hayes’ office. He has been surveilling Hayes and snooping into her desks and records, and knows which little motel she has been setting herself up in as the interpreter. But still, there is yet another event that complicates matters. Remember, the wedding fireworks from an episode ago? Yeah, Greek Sal is ready to war with Saxton over it because the arranged marriage was a big deal gone sour. Ellis and Billy, Saxton’s capo, have a talk with Greek Sal’s men, and it doesn’t look good. In fact, Sal’s men are going to tail Ellis and see that whatever big business that Ellis mentioned goes as sour for them as Sal’s big deal. As Ellis pulls up to the motel to pick up the interpreter, Billy notices her talking to Agent Grant. She brushes it off and we wonder if it will bite her in the ass if all goes south. As usual, it is all setting up as a shitshow DUSTER-style.
It all leads up to hot water when the Saxton team arrives at the meeting place with Greek Sal’s guys still on their tail and Izzy has caused suck a ruckus that a TV crew shows up. Her boss, Mr. Temple, doesn’t like it and wishes to speak to the unavailable Saxton about the problem. But, what is the main focus of your attention in the last 20 minutes of the episode is the Russian sitdown, which commences over vodka for all. Royce was told not to mix alcohol with the medications he is on for his heart transplant, and his hesitancy to participate is obvious, but the Russians insist. Is he going to blow it? Also, the Russians are suspicious of Hayes. How is it that a black woman knows fluent Russian? And she is questioned on that very point. Billy, always a suspicious sort, notes her hesitancy. This is not going down as smoothly as the vodka. There is an exchange of suitcases on the table. Royce has a suitcase of money to swap with a suitcase filled with something unseen from Hayes and Ellis’ angle. What is it? As Royce begins to count out the payout, he starts to feel the effect of the drug interaction; he is botching the deal, and the Russians have grown nervous. But in one of those silly ways that this show is known for, Ellis makes some silly speech that eases the situation (that is where our title comes in – you can’t judge a book by its cover, which in this case means Royce).
The deal is made, but not all parties are out of hot water. Greek Sal’s guys are about to wreak havoc. And the threat to the Saxon’s shipping lines because of the protests needs to be addressed. How did Saxton know of that escalated issue if he was en route to the Russian meeting? Yeah, whatever. But Billy had the car plates of the mystery man at the motel lot. He pulls a gun on Hayes after the Russian deal and outs her as a Fed because the license plates traced back to a government license. Hot-tempered Billy is interrupted by Greek Sal’s guys, and we catch up to the shootout. Ellis tells Hayes never to reveal that he is Luna’s dad, and she gets the Duster in the end. So, just how does it end?
Well, let’s just say they survive the ordeals of the day, including Billy’s issue with Hayes, at least for now. All she needs to do is put on a crying jag, and Royce stands up boldly to Billy, putting him in his place. Ah, that’s a cool moment for Royce. Like we said, though, Izzy is not safe as Saxton’s ire over the trucking issue proves troublesome. But what is in the case? We continue the ride next week.
