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The Terminal List: Dark Wolf Series Recap & Review - Episode 106: Pawns & Kings

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"Brotherhood in war proves that humanity thrives even in the darkest places." - unknown


I’ve heard series like this referred to as “dad shows.” Prime Video’s Reacher, FX’s Sons of Anarchy, The Shield, and Justified. All “dad shows.” The characteristics often consist of action, violence, crime, and justice. Vengeance is a big theme in these kinds of series as well. They often satiate an internal desire for heroism at any cost, especially at the defiance of authority. The main character is usually an anti-hero or rather a morally conflicted hero willing to bend and or break what they hold to be true if it means their foes fall as a result.


In Reacher the titular character is a walking wall of justice using everything from his fisticuffs to firearms and explosives. He is an incorruptible force, singularly focused on bringing his enemies to justice, whether that’s in handcuffs or in a body bag is entirely up to them. He is a nearly indestructible giant who either has the upper hand or has the means to get there. Always. And of course all the ladies want him. This is vicarious viewership at its most emphatic.


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Prime Video’s The Terminal List is a Navy SEAL fueled thriller brimming with action, military tactics, weaponry, murder, betrayal, and perhaps most alluring, vengeance. Chris Pratt plays James Reece, a broken but still highly efficient and extremely deadly SEAL determined to uncover a conspiracy that began with the betrayal of his unit and ended with his own wife and daughter murdered. And to add insult to injury, no one believes it’s really happening. He’s just suffering from loss and possible PTSD. Reece knows better and anyone, everyone, involved will meet their maker at the hands of the frogman with nothing to lose. 


At his side every step of the way is CIA operative, Ben Edwards. Loyal as they come, Ben will go to any length to help his friend fight some very real demons. But before he became CIA, he was of course a frogman just like Reece. Dark Wolf is the journey Ben goes on leading him from the rigid, team oriented SEALs to a more wild west, a no holds barred approach to fighting the enemy. The only problem is in this world, everyone begins to look like the enemy making it nearly impossible to trust anyone. This is Ben’s story before the events of Reece’s revenge odyssey.


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The Terminal List: Dark Wolf premieres on Prime Video, Wednesday, August 27, 2025 with three new episodes. A new episode will then premiere every subsequent Wednesday until the September 24th season finale. 



Episode 106 - Pawns & Kings 


No technical spoilers, however each recap addresses what happens in each episode. If you don't want to be spoiled, watch the coinciding episode first and then come back to my recap and review.


The truth of the convoy ambush is out and for Hastings, it’s the last straw. His morality simply won’t allow it. Edwards survives the bombing but not unscathed. His appearance will hold up for now but he must find refuge to mend his wounds and recharge before going on the attack. 


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Iran continues to face scrutiny and intense oversight from other countries over its possession of nuclear materials. This angers Rahimi and Al-Jabouri as they seek nuclear independence. And they hope to change this by acquiring the bearings that have so far evaded them. Also in Al-Jabouri’s crosshairs is Cyrus Rahimi’s brother, Vahid, who continues to go missing when it counts most. Cyrus vouches for him but this will only last for so long before Al-Jabouri expects action against Vahid for his behavior and love for Western culture. 


Injured and alone, Tal makes her way to rendezvous with the remaining team members. This is when she learns of Eliza’s fate. 


Edwards arrives first, greeted by Farooq, Landry, and Haverford. Hastings follows shortly after. This is when Hastings tells them that their attempted disruption of the sale of the bearings at the convoy ambush was in fact its own disruption being carried out by friendlies, not the enemy. This is when we discover that Haverford has Vahid Rahimi tied up and battered from torture. Haverford claims he is the “shepherd.” They give Vahid one last chance by calling his brother and assuring him he has the bearings and the deal will happen as planned. This is the last of little brother, Vahid. Little does Al-Jabouri and Cyrus realize, the couriers being sent to complete the deal will be Edwards and his team. The bearings they possess are fake. That said, Edwards and his team are unaware of the ace up Al-Jabouri’s sleeve that could expose them. 


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With the unwarranted death of a friendly, tortured by his own hands and now the execution of the “shepherd”, Hastings informs Edwards that he’s done and leaving this all behind. Edwards naturally reacts poorly. 


Now, the mission is at hand. The exchange of money for bearings. Nothing could possibly go wrong. 


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As all of this is taking place, Tal is still in the wind unconvinced of the “shepherd’s” death. She doesn’t trust Haverford and wants to prove her reasoning. She may be onto something.


Out of 10

Story: 9/ Acting: 9/ Directing: 9/ Visuals: 10

OVERALL: 9.5/10


Overall thoughts on Episode 106: Pawns & Kings

This is when all secrets are exposed. All cards on the table. All chips in the center and the penalty for losing is Iran becoming a nuclear power. More deception happens but it’s short lived and the response should be exacting and extreme. First, Al-Jabouri. Last? Their betrayer. 

“Even a pawn can take down a king.”


Season 1 Trailer:


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