In my review of The Old Man Season 2, I joked that Season 1 was the “fuck around” side of things, while this season was the “find out” part. However, my previous review only discussed the first five episodes available to critics at that time. This week, Episode 6 takes us into brand-new territory.
It shows how much “finding out” Dan Chase (Jeff Bridges), Harold Harper (John Lithgow), and Zoe McDonald (Amy Brenneman) still have left to do. They have Suleyman Pavlovich (Rade Serbedzija) hot on their heels.
Julian Carson Returns in The Old Man Season 2 Episode 6
While Episode 5 ended with Chase and Zoe going to London, and Harper staying behind to track down the last message Morgan Bote (Joel Grey) sent before he died, Episode 6 does not start with any of them. Instead, it begins with Julian Carson (Gbenga Akinnabe), the man on Bote’s payroll.
Harper hired him last season to eliminate Chase—my, how times have changed. A young woman (Jessica Parker Kennedy) approaches him at his bus stop. He met her the night Harper hired him to kill Chase. She is happy to see him again and tries to start a conversation, which he initially shuts down.
However, he decides to roll with it. He tells her he just quit his job—having your boss murdered will do that. Sensing she also needs to vent about work, they decide to go out for dinner.
The young woman talks about how some jobs take a lot out of you while trying to make a difference. She starts to wonder if it is worth it. She realizes she has lost part of herself along the way. Carson admits that Bote, whom he calls his recently deceased best friend, had begun to wonder the same thing.
Now that Bote is dead, the question haunts Carson too. With this common ground established, a relationship begins to blossom between the two over the next few days. It feels wholesome enough to make us wonder which old man will come in and mess it all up.
The answer is Harper. He enters Carson’s apartment after figuring out that Carson was the one Bote emailed right before he died. Harper demands to see what was in that email. Carson tries to force Harper to leave by pretending he has no idea what Harper is talking about.
But Harper calls his bluff. He tells Carson he only managed to track him down because Bote’s protection ended when the old man died. Harper warns Carson that this means more of his enemies can find him and his girlfriend.
Eventually, Carson agrees to help Harper. Harper promises that if Carson helps him, he will help keep him safe. He reminds Carson that the walls Bote built for him are the same kinds of walls Harper had built around his life before it all came crashing down. But Harper cannot guarantee safety if Carson does not help him.
Chase and Zoe Head to London in The Old Man Season 2 Episode 6
Meanwhile, across the ocean, Chase and Zoe arrive at their London hotel under the names Henry and Marcia Dixon. Chase keeps it together until they check into their room. After that, his last conversation with Emily (Alia Shawkat) haunts him. He replays the moment he thinks he heard his daughter die.
Zoe tells him it is OK to be angry about the loss. However, he pulls himself together because anger will not help them figure out how to approach Nina Kruger (Rowena King), Faraz Hamzad’s (Navid Negahban) lawyer, whom they came to see. More importantly, they need to think about what to ask her.
Zoe tells Chase that Bote confirmed that Pavlovich is connected to the deal for Hamzad’s mineral deposit. Bote was not sure how exactly, but Zoe adds that Kruger likely knows more about it. Zoe says she must go into the meeting using the kinds of mind tricks she learned from Bote.
Chase also learned these tricks from Bote in the past. The thought of this new life she is starting and the new persona she needs to adopt feels overwhelming. It means she cannot trust or get close to anyone again. Whether this will bring luck or doom for her and Chase’s relationship remains to be seen.
The next day, Zoe waits alone for Kruger in a fancy bar, with Chase connected to her through an earpiece. He watches from the lounge above. As they wait for Kruger, Zoe becomes more nervous, especially since Kruger is well past fashionably late.
At least she and Chase manage to engage in some flirty banter over Hamlet, of all things. However, Zoe then shifts the conversation to a serious topic.
She asks Chase where all his money comes from. He stays evasive, mentioning his work, some lucky blackmail opportunities, and investment ventures. Then, Zoe drops a bomb by asking him who “Lou Barlow” is. We do not know yet what kind of bomb this is, but the name makes Chase tense.
Zoe tells him that Bote mentioned this name to her when discussing Chase’s business dealings. She adds that she could tell Bote was being dishonest when he spoke of Lou Barlow. Chase explains that Barlow is the worst kind of person, someone he wishes he had never crossed paths with. This says a lot, considering what Chase does for a living.
Chase cuts off that line of questioning when he joins Zoe in the bar. He tells her it is time to leave since Kruger is clearly not coming. He calls her office to find out where she is, but her assistant only says she is not in and will not check messages because she is dealing with a personal matter.
Chase decides they need to find out Kruger’s location another way. After a quick stop for supplies, they return to the hotel. It turns out his fussing over what floor and room number to book during check-in is not just an old man’s eccentricity. It is actually part of his plan to get a good view into Kruger’s assistant’s apartment.
Chase and Zoe Track Down Nina Kruger in The Old Man Season 2 Episode 6
He approaches Kruger’s assistant, Anna, in the hallway outside her apartment. He tells her he is looking for a friend, and she is eager to help until he mentions he is looking for Kruger. Despite his warning that the next person looking for Kruger may not be so kind, Anna slips into her apartment and shuts the door on Chase.
Across the street, Zoe connects their computer to Anna’s phone using a device Chase built to listen in on her. Sure enough, Anna calls Kruger despite apparent instructions not to. She tells Kruger there is a man looking for her. Although Kruger does not answer, the plan works, and they manage to trace Kruger’s phone location.
Even though they get what they want, Zoe feels some regret over what they put Anna through. She wishes the manipulation had not come so easily to them. The next day, on their drive to Kruger’s place, Chase tells Zoe that he understands her feelings.
He lives with the knowledge that his actions are violent and that he breaks everything he touches. Zoe believes she also does the same. Neither of them appears happy about how their lives have turned out, but they acknowledge that they must move forward.
For them, moving forward means heading to a cottage on a beautiful property in the countryside. Chase goes up to the house alone to find the door broken and ajar. Inside, he sees Kruger sitting in an armchair, struggling to breathe, and hears someone moving around in the house.
He confronts the attacker in Kruger’s office and kills him. However, he discovers an empty vial in the attacker’s pocket. Chase carries Kruger outside and warns Zoe to stay away in case he has traces of the toxin on him. The attacker had an antidote in his pocket, but it was destroyed during the fight, meaning it is too late to help Kruger.
As she dies, Kruger tells them what the attacker was looking for. She directs them to a USB key in her study containing a message for Zoe. This message holds the information she wanted to share in person.
Kruger tells Zoe that Pavlovich used his mercenaries to take control of Hamzad’s mineral deposit and to kill the remaining members of the Hamzad family. She reveals that other important mineral deposits exist worldwide in areas that are not friendly to the U.S. or the U.K. Those who control these deposits are seeking to unite to control global access to rare earth metals.
We Learn What Pavlovich Wants in The Old Man Season 2 Episode 6
Kruger explains that although Pavlovich is currently a member of this cartel, other groups view him with suspicion. This is because “Henry and Marcia Dixon” have past ties to the CIA and own shares of his company. Pavlovich’s determination to sever that connection by any means necessary leads to Kruger’s death. This also explains why he wants Chase and Zoe dead.
After the message ends, Chase suggests that he and Zoe separate. He tells her to go to the police to contact Harper and update him on what is happening.
Zoe feels upset that Chase suggests they split up for her safety because that is not what she wants. While I support her desire to live her best new life, given that her partner is infected with a lethal airborne toxin and there is a hit out on her, this is not the time for false bravery.
Chase tells her that while she contacts Harper and keeps herself safe, he will turn himself in to Pavlovich. Chase knows that Pavlovich’s people are the only ones with the antidote he needs and promises Zoe that he will return.
Back in the U.S., Harper sits in a diner where he meets Carson. Carson tells Harper that he wanted to escape the life he had when he worked for Bote.
He admits that he did receive an email from Bote, but he deleted it immediately. However, curiosity got the better of him, and he ended up looking at it. He confesses that the life he tried to leave is harder to escape than he thought.
Carson hands Harper a printout of the email Bote sent. It turns out to be a covert image of a group of people, including Pavlovich and Harper’s ex-wife, Marion (Janet McTeer).
While the episode is full quieter than the previous ones—more understated than eerily silent like last week—these final moments highlight that the entire episode was preparing for what will likely be an emotionally charged conclusion to the season.
Episode 6: A Turning Point
Episode 6 serves as a significant turning point for all characters involved. We see Chase grappling with the emotional weight of his past and his actions.
His relationship with Zoe grows increasingly complicated as they go deeper into a world filled with deceit and danger. Zoe’s character evolves, showcasing her struggle between wanting to connect with Chase and the harsh realities of their dangerous lifestyle.
Julian Carson’s unexpected storyline adds depth to the episode. His relationship with the young woman reflects a longing for normalcy amid the chaos that surrounds them. The scene at the diner between Harper and Carson reveals the psychological effects of their past actions, making it clear that these characters cannot escape the consequences of their choices.
The emotional stakes are raised as Kruger’s death marks a significant loss for Chase and Zoe. The urgency of the situation escalates, setting the stage for the upcoming episodes. Viewers are left wondering how these characters will show the intricate web of lies, danger, and their unresolved feelings for one another.
Themes of Trust and Betrayal
One of the recurring themes in The Old Man is trust and betrayal. As Chase and Zoe show their relationship, they face challenges in trusting each other. Chase’s past and the secrets he holds create a barrier between them.
Zoe’s discovery of Lou Barlow’s name symbolizes the underlying distrust that has developed. The episode highlights the struggle to balance personal relationships with the demands of a dangerous life.
Similarly, Julian Carson’s interactions with the young woman reveal the complexities of trust. Their budding relationship is put to the test when Harper’s sudden appearance threatens the fragile connection they’ve built. This theme resonates throughout the series, reminding viewers of the difficulties that arise when trust is broken.
The Complexity of Morality
The Old Man challenges the concept of morality, forcing characters to make difficult choices. Chase’s decision to turn himself in to Pavlovich illustrates the moral dilemmas he faces. He prioritizes Zoe’s safety over his own, demonstrating a shift in his character as he grapples with his past actions.
This moral complexity adds depth to the narrative, encouraging viewers to reflect on the choices made by each character.
The moral ambiguity is further shown through Harper and Carson’s storyline. Harper’s willingness to use Carson as a pawn in his game to protect himself reveals the lengths he is willing to go to survive. The characters are not painted in black and white; instead, they show a world filled with shades of gray, where survival often requires morally questionable decisions.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Characters?
As Season 2 of The Old Man progresses, the tension between characters escalates. Chase’s decision to turn himself in sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation with Pavlovich. Zoe’s determination to uncover the truth about Barlow and her growing sense of agency promise to lead her down a dangerous path.
The cliffhanger elements of Episode 6 leave viewers eagerly anticipating the next episodes. The stakes are higher than ever as relationships become more complicated and trust continues to erode.
The narrative is building towards an explosive climax, where all the threads interweave to create a thrilling conclusion.
As we move forward in the season, the scheme of themes such as trust, morality, and the consequences of choices will continue to resonate. Each character’s journey is intricately tied to their past, and their futures remain uncertain.
Episode 6 of The Old Man Season 2 enriches the story with emotional depth and suspense. The character developments and thematic scheme enhance the viewing experience, making it a gripping watch.
As the season unfolds, fans can expect more twists, turns, and emotional revelations as Chase, Zoe, and Harper show the dangerous world around them.
