After over two years of anticipation, The Recruit returned on January 30 with its second season. The first season, which introduced viewers to Owen Hendricks (Noah Centineo), a CIA lawyer thrust into espionage, concluded with a cliffhanger. In Season 2, Owen faces even greater challenges as he partners with Korean NIS agent Jang Kyun (Teo Yoo) to save Jang’s wife, Nan Hee (Sanghee Lee), who has been kidnapped by the dangerous Yakuza. The season ups the stakes, combining thrilling action with personal stakes for Owen and his allies.
In the penultimate episode, Owen devises a daring plan to rescue Nan Hee, who is held by the Yakuza in eastern Russia. The plan involves Owen and Jang Kyun posing as a Kidnap & Ransom company to secure Nan Hee’s release. To help with the mission, Owen seeks out Yoo Jin Hee (Shin Do-hyun), his childhood love, and convinces her to lend him her father’s boat. Despite her initial hesitation, she agrees but insists on joining the mission, revealing her own complex feelings for Owen.
The mission quickly faces complications once Owen and Jang Kyun reach the yacht where Nan Hee is being held. Initially, Jang Kyun is able to secretly communicate with his wife, signaling her to stay quiet about their relationship. However, a Russian Coast Guard boat intervenes, forcing the mission into chaos. Tensions mount as the Yakuza realizes the briefcase Owen brought is empty, leading to a violent confrontation. In a desperate move, Owen jumps off the yacht into the water, leaving Jang Kyun and Nan Hee behind in the hands of the criminals.
Noah Centineo as Owen Hendricks (Photo: The Recruit/Lionsgate Television)Owen’s Unyielding Determination to Save His Friends
Refusing to abandon his mission, Owen swims through freezing waters to reach a nearby Russian houseboat, where he overpowers the crew and contacts his CIA teammates, Lester (Colton Dunn) and Dawn (Angel Parker). Despite their concerns, Owen stubbornly refuses to give up on Jang Kyun and Nan Hee, telling them that he won’t lose his humanity in the process. Though his approach is seen as reckless, his commitment earns the respect of his CIA colleagues, even as they attempt to steer him away from further danger.
Owen’s mission hits another snag when Nichka (Maddie Hasson), a CIA operative, arrives to help him. She initially agrees to assist but soon reveals her true intentions. She has sold Owen and Jang Kyun to the Russian FSB, planning to trade them for a promotion and fortune. In a tense standoff, Owen manages to outsmart her, locking Nichka in the trunk of her car after a dramatic confrontation. This move keeps his plan alive, but the danger continues to escalate as Owen presses on with his mission.
As the stakes rise, Owen heads to an airfield where Jang Kyun and Nan Hee are being held, narrowly avoiding Russian guards and a landing plane. Just as things seem bleak for the captives, Owen arrives in a dramatic rescue, saving them from the compound. However, CIA Director Alton West (Nathan Fillion) has his own agenda and orders the elimination of Jang Kyun. In a twist, Nichka kills Dawn after an intense knife fight, further complicating the rescue. Owen and the hostages narrowly escape, but Nichka continues to pursue them, aiming to thwart their flight.
Noah Centineo as Owen Hendricks (Photo: The Recruit/Lionsgate Television)A Final Escape and a New Beginning for Owen
After a tense chase, Owen, Jang Kyun, and Nan Hee make their way to the water, where they are picked up by Yoo Jin Hee’s father’s boat. The Russian Coast Guard follows them, but a U.S. Navy submarine emerges, intercepting the Russians and allowing their escape. With the mission completed, Owen and Jang Kyun share a quiet moment aboard the submarine.
Jang Kyun is offered relocation to the U.S. in exchange for vital intelligence, and Owen finds himself in a new position, playing the role of a recruiter. Owen’s bond with Yoo Jin Hee also deepens, hinting at a promising future for their relationship.
The season ends with a hopeful tone as Owen and Jang Kyun reflect on their journey and the future ahead. Although there is no official announcement for a third season yet, the strong reception of Season 2 and the intriguing potential for future storylines suggest that fans can expect more action-packed episodes.
Owen’s continued evolution, his loyalty to his friends, and his budding relationship with Yoo Jin Hee lay the groundwork for a thrilling continuation of The Recruit. The series has proven its ability to balance personal growth and high-stakes espionage, making the future look promising for both its characters and its audience.
