Jack Ryan: S2E1

Before we jump into a brand new season, here is a link that will take you to rest of the episodes:
TV Series Reviewed: Jack Ryan

Season 2 of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan begins with a very short recap of previous season followed by a fresh title song. The song is full of glimpses about what can be expected in the new season. We start with a Missile Launch in South China Sea. Later we see James Greer in Moscow and we are reminded that he went there at the end of Season 1. Greer has formed an ally for obtaining more information related to the missile launch and believes it has something to do with Venezuela. After his meeting we learn that poor Greer has a heart condition. Also, similar to last season (when Syria was the country being looked at by the CIA) we have a new country to focus this season. We see Jack explaining to fellow agents at the CIA why he feels Venezuela is the largest threat to the US. Oh wait...Why is Jack still in DC and not with Greer in Moscow?

After the lecture Senator Moreno takes Jack to his house for a surprise birthday party. It was good to see Jack in a friendly environment but I was expecting to see Dr. Cathy somewhere around this scene when Jack's personal life is depicted. Looks like it didn't work out between Cathy and Jack after all!
Immediately after the celebrations, we are back to work when we see Jack and Senator Moreno discussing about the same suspicious ship which Greer is also tracking. When Greer learns that Jack is the only one from the CIA who is going to Venezuela to track the same suspicious ship, he asks for a transfer there. Senator Jim and Jack meets president of Venezuela Nicolas Reyes along with ambassador Lisa. Obviously, Reyes denies the claim that Russia is secretly supplying the weapons to Venezuela. We also see General Ubbari admitting to his wife Cassandra that according to a secret poll, Reyes's opponent Gloria Bonalde has a chance of winning the elections. Also, Cassandra thinks that her husband should lead the country and neither Reyes nor Gloria.

The series does a good job in explaining why there is a political unrest in Venezuela. We also learnt at the beginning how this country can be an actual threat to the US and not the commonly expected countries like Russia, China or North Korea. We also see how different characters have different motives behind the same crisis situation.

Finally Jack and Greer meet at a bar where we see Jack is being eyed by a woman named Lena. After spending some quality time with Greer and Senator Moreno, Jack turns his attention to Lena. After sleeping together, Lena bugs Jack's room and leaves quietly. It is finally reveled why Jack did not accept Greer's offer. We also see a police captain accepting bribe to supply information and the next morning when Jack, Moreno and rest of the team is attacked we learn why the police captain was bribed. The episode ends on a high note when Jack is seen calling Moreno's family to inform them of Senator Moreno's death. One difference in Last season's threat and this season's attack is that this time, its personal for Jack as we saw how close Jack and Moreno have been. The police captain who was bribed earlier is also attacked at his home but he manages to escape after his dog bites the attacker. The series doesn't waste any time in hooking the audience to binge the next episode. Gracias!

Here's the link to the next episode:
TV Series Explained: Jack Ryan: Season 2 Episode 2