The Marionette (The Night Agent)

The Marionette is the fifth episode of the first season of the Netflix series The Night Agent.

Synopsis
Peter visits someone close to Hawkins. Rose makes a key connection. Maddie’s night out takes a dangerous turn, spurring the Secret Service into action.

Plot
In a flashback to 4 years ago, Chelsea is graduating from the Secret Service Academy. Ben Almora gives a speech. Chelsea is surprised that her mother attended the ceremony. Even though her mother disagrees with her career choice, she still supports her daughter and believes in her.

In the present, Maddie Redfield is upset at her father, Vice President Ashley Redfield is using her as a campaign tool. Maddie confides in Chelsea that she sometimes likes when her father parades her in front of the media and voters, because at least he treats her better in those moments. Chelsea tries to cheer Maddie up.

At Georgetown University, Peter Sutherland meets Chelsea Arrington and questions her on who she was protecting the day of the metro bombing. Peter mentions that he is working under Diane Farr's orders and that Maddie may be in danger. She asks to get clearance first, before answering his questions.

While Chelsea calls Ben about Peter's question, Rose and Peter go to the university's library. Ben instructs Chelsea to divulge no information other than it was not Maddie Redfield. Ben later confronts Diane about Peter ambushing Chelsea. She informs him that she is not aware of the situation and that they must wait for Peter to check in before learning more. Ben claims he feels uneasy about Diane conducting an off-the-books investigation. Diane assures Ben that he has nothing to worry about if he is clean. He warns her to tread carefully and leaves. Diane tries to call Peter, but can't reach him.

At the library, Peter and Rose investigate the metro bombing. Peter dismisses Rose's suggestion to access Jamie Hawkins' computer and believes it would be better to talk to his widow instead. Rose stays behind to investigation the image of the ring worn by the killer.

Before leaving, Peter gives Rose his new burner phone and asks her to check in on him from time to time. Chelsea calls Peter just before he departs to let him know Maddie is not involved. Chelsea is confused when Peter brings up the café and does not answer when Peter questions who Osprey is.

Peter speaks to Jamie's widow, Cynthia. She admits that Jamie was close to the Campbells. She tells Peter that Jamie was investigating the Metro bombing and what happened to the Campbells. Her husband always doubted the PIF's alleged involvement in the metro bombing, instead believing government contractor Turn Lake Industries was responsible. On the day he died, he was due to meet the CEO of Turner Lake Industries. Turner Lake Industries is a government contractor.

At the White House, Ben arranges a meeting with Diane, President Michelle Travers and Vice President Ashley Redfield. Ashley asks about what Peter was doing at Maddie's university. He is not pleased to hear Peter has not spoken to Diane yet and that she has no information to give. Diane insists that Peter is loyal and there should be no issues. She explains that Peter and Rose are investigating the Campbells' case. Michelle orders her to get Peter and Rose back and make sure they are safe.

In the library, Rose further investigates the ring image, tracing the heraldry to the Serbian Pavelić family, relatives of the defunct Yugoslav royal family. Andrej Pavelić, a denounced Crown Prince of Yugoslavia and assemblyman, recently disappeared in Montenegro and a police sketch of a suspect matches that of Dale.

Paulo Bonetto meets a man and informs him that Maddie will be visiting him the following night. The man calms down Paulo, who is feeling nervous. He is sure everything will end well.

At the White House, Erik Monks takes a drug test and speaks to Ben, who is worried after reading Chelsea's report about the incident with Maddie at the bar. Ben wants to make sure Erik is doing well. He also asks about Erik's opinion of Chelsea, and mentions that Chelsea's friendship with Maddie could cause issues in the future.

At Georgetown University, Maddie gets Chelsea's help preparing for the art gallery opening. Chelsea asks if Maddie is hoping to impress someone there, but Maddie refuses to tell her more. Chelsea lends Maddie a necklace to go with her dress. The necklace has a lot of sentimental value to Chelsea, as it was passed down several generations, and her father worked very hard to buy back the necklace after it was pawned during hard times. The necklace reminds her to never give up hope.

Chelsea makes a last-minute decision to take Erik off Maddie's detail for the night. Erik questions whether she is letting her feelings towards him affect her decision. She fires back that she takes her job seriously because it's hard for a black woman to get her position, so she can't risk making a mistake. Erik agrees and says he wants to see her succeed. Chelsea tells him that her decisions are not personal, and that Maddie needs her after a rough morning with her father's visit.

Peter returns to the library and shares information that he got from Cynthia with Rose. Rose also shares what she learned about the missing Crown Prince who owned the ring. Before his disappearance, Andrej Pavelić was campaigning against US defense contractors conducting covert operations in the Balkans. The contractor is Turn Lake Industries, which is run by Gordon Wick.

Peter calls Diane to update her on what he has learned about Gordon and the ring. Diane asks them to bring the evidence to the White House. After the call, Rose finds out via the EFC website that Turn Lake Industries is a major political donor to Vice President Ashley Redfield.

Outside the library, Ellen and Dale are waiting for Rose and Peter. Ellen brings up the idea of having a baby, but Dale rejects it, as raising a baby doesn't fit into their assassin lifestyle. When Peter and Rose leave, Ellen and Dale follow them.

At the gallery opening, Maddie goes to the bathroom and escapes through the window. When Chelsea enters the bathroom to check on Maddie, she finds an apology note on the mirror. She calls for backup and Erik and the others rush to help.

Maddie visits Paulo's home. He has made her dinner, but Maddie wants to get intimate first. Suddenly, Maddie notices a man watching them. Paulo tells the man that Maddie will say what they need her to. Suddenly, the man shoots Paulo and drags Maddie out of the room, leaving a bloody trail.

Erik shares his suspicions of Maddie's professor, Paulo. He and Chelsea head to Paulo's home and find no sign of Maddie, but see Paulo's body and blood stains.

Main Cast

 * Gabriel Basso as Peter Sutherland
 * Luciane Buchanan as Rose Larkin
 * Hong Chau as Diane Farr
 * Fola Evans-Akingbola as Chelsea Arrington
 * D.B. Woodside as Erik Monks
 * Sarah Desjardins as Maddie Redfield
 * Eve Harlow as Ellen
 * Phoenix Raei as Dale
 * Enrique Murciano as Ben Almora

Supporting Cast

 * Kari Matchett as Michelle Travers
 * Christopher Shyer as Ashley Redfield
 * Greyston Holt as Paulo Bonetto