In Prime Target Episode 4, things turned dark when Charan was killed shortly after discovering something suspicious about the explosion site where the House of Wisdom was unearthed. Andrea, devastated by the news in Baghdad, was urged to return home, but she insisted on analyzing the Bayt al-Hikmah, determined to make sense of the deaths of Charan and Mallinder.
Meanwhile, back in Cambridge, Edward infiltrated the Kaplar Institute, hoping to uncover their connection to prime numbers and the deaths of Mallinder and Safiya. With Taylah’s help, Edward discovered that Kaplar possessed all the CCTV footage of Safiya, Mallinder, and himself, footage that was supposedly monitored only by the NSA.
This revelation, combined with a cryptic conversation between Taylah’s boss, Jane, and her colleague Andrew, hinted at a disturbing alliance between Kaplar and the NSA. Did Episode 5 of Prime Target shed more light on this shadowy collaboration? Let’s dive in and find out!
What Happened in Prime Target Episode 5? A Recap
Episode 5 opens with a flashback to Paris in 2019. Jane is trying to recruit a young Taylah into the NSA while she is still heartbroken about the death of a friend and the fire at the Notre-Dame. Taylah seems a bit rudderless at this point, and hence, Jane’s convincing words about how she should use her skills for a good purpose instead of wallowing in self-pity sound helpful.
This brief interaction clarifies that their relationship isn’t strictly professional; they’re like family. Taylah and Edward land in Baghdad, where they are being tailed by Kasim, an employee or freelance agent for the NSA. Taylah informs Jane about her location and her intention of tagging along with Edward to meet Andrea and learn how the research into prime numbers, Kaplar, and the House of Wisdom is connected.
Unbeknownst to her, though, Jane and Andrew are planning to use Kasim to kill Edward, which pretty much confirms the theory that the NSA isn’t just monitoring academics but also keeping them from venturing too far in search of the truth. Here’s a breakdown of the major events:
- Andrea Meets Taylah and Edward: The new clip reveals the moment when Ed and Taylah share with Andrea that her husband Robert’s (David Morrissey) death is not what it seems while also divulging that they’ve had him under surveillance for a very long time. It’s a lot to take in for Andrea.
- Jane’s Betrayal: As Prime Target Episode 5 ends, Taylah makes it obvious to Jane that she knows she sent Kasim to kill Ed. Jane then scrubs through the CCTV footage from Baghdad that shows Taylah discovering Kasim’s body and picking up his earpiece. So they both now know that the other knows they know.
- Edward’s Close Call: Edward is almost assassinated but is saved by Bogdan.
- The French Connection: The team discovers a potential lead in France related to the House of Wisdom.
Why France? Unpacking the Ending
The episode concludes with Edward and Taylah heading to France. A few key factors drive this decision:
- The Mersenne Collection: Andrea and Edward come across a section of inscriptions in the House of Wisdom that had been eroded. Andrea found a French coin and noticed a paper-like material on the ruined writing. She hypothesized that the French had taken an imprint of the destroyed code before it was tampered with. Something resembling the symbols in the House of Wisdom was in the archives of the University of Orleans in France under the Mersenne Collection. Mersenne was a real-life French polymath.
- Taylah’s Discovery: Taylah realizes that Jane may be responsible for the death of her NSA colleague, Olson. She believes going to France is the only way to escape Jane and Andrew.
- The “Prime Finder”: The team hopes to find information in France that will help them create their “prime finder,” which is probably the code or device that can unlock anything in the world with the help of prime numbers.
Who is Jane working for?
The show has strongly hinted that Kaplar and the NSA are working together. Jane and Andrew are planning to use Kasim to kill Edward, confirming that the NSA isn’t just monitoring academics but also keeping them from venturing too far in search of the truth. Carter sanctioning an assassination is the last straw.
Prime Target: Episode 5 Review
Prime Target introduces a little tension in Episode 5 but is still grossly undermined by extremely obvious plotting. Personal relationships are so important to Prime Target. Edward is close to cracking in Episode 5, but audiences are there for those human moments. The revelation about Robert Mallinger that temporarily drives a wedge between Andrea and Edward is a perfect example.
What Does This Mean for the Rest of the Season?
The mother-daughter dynamic between a field agent and her station chief gives this episode an emotional obstacle that will continue to unfold in the future. Carter sanctioning an assassination is the last straw. Plus, the Agency-approved murder also raises some questions about Akram and the company he keeps. This opens up other avenues of story for invested audiences keen to follow Edward and Taylah down the rabbit hole.
Final Thoughts on Prime Target Episode 5’s Ending
Prime Target Season 1, Episode 5 clarifies that Jane must decide where her loyalty lies. Working both sides of the line and hoping to keep things professional with Taylah has proven impossible, and it’s affected Jane, too.
The show successfully appeals to both the head and the heat, and that combination helps keep the audience on their toes because there are always elements of each in play. The conflict between Jane and Taylah brings a fresh approach to the station chief vs. agent dynamic.
About Prime Target
Apple TV+ has unveiled the trailer for its upcoming spy thriller, Prime Target, produced by Ridley Scott and created by Steven Thompson (Sherlock, Doctor Who). The series follows Edward Brooks (Leo Woodall, The White Lotus Season 2), a brilliant mathematician on the cusp of a groundbreaking discovery involving a pattern in prime numbers. This discovery could unlock access to any computer system globally, but it also makes him a target for unseen enemies.
To protect himself and uncover the truth, Brooks teams up with NSA agent Taylah Sanders (Quintessa Swindell, Black Adam). Together, they delve into a web of conspiracy, facing threats from powerful adversaries determined to destroy Brooks and his work.
The star-studded cast includes Stephen Rea, David Morrissey, Martha Plimpton, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Jason Flemyng, Harry Lloyd, and Fra Fee, delivering gripping performances that promise to elevate this high-stakes narrative.
Set against a backdrop of international intrigue, Prime Target combines suspense, intelligence, and drama, making it one of Apple TV+’s most anticipated releases of 2025.
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