Robert Sutherland Fights for Political Survival in 'COBRA'

COBRA: Rebellion hit the halfway point of the series last week with a violent demonstration outside the International Defense Expo in which Polly Wright, a leading member of Planet Resistance and a close friend of Ellie Sutherland, was severely injured and died soon after. Ellie and the leader of Planet Resistance, Henry Wicks, were questioned by the police but released without charges: Ellie, because she doesn’t know anything, and Henry, because he’s a skilled liar. The police have not yet found Henry’s right-hand man, Nate Stephens (probably not his real name), who is currently in hiding, waiting for his as-yet-unidentified-handlers to get him out of the country.

Ellie’s involvement has been a public embarrassment for PM Robert Sutherland, who is trying to balance the roles of a loving father and an effective leader of the country. However, after years of friendship and secret mutual adoration, falling into bed with long-time colleague/mutual crush Anna Marshall probably wasn’t the best solution. But neither have any regrets the next day, although everyone probably observed her walk of shame. (How on earth does she keep a silk blouse in such pristine condition?) But there’s no time to think about the ramifications of this decision: There’s work to be done! 

First, the investigation has turned up a suspect in Polly’s death, PC Matthew Gilbert (Alan Donahue). Robert and Anna check in with Home Secretary Joseph Obasi on how to handle this, as there is a massive groundswell of sympathy for Polly, with a vigil the following evening. Feelings are running high about her death and the unpopular Civil Disturbance Bill, seen as permission for the police to use excessive force. Joseph is reluctant to suspend Matthew, as Anna and Robert suggest. Matthew is an all-around good guy who refused a promotion to a desk job. His colleagues highly respect him, and the government needs to keep the police on their side.

At the realization that there will be an investigation, Joseph balks, storming off to find his crony, Defense Minister Victoria Dalton, who encouraged the excessive force. (She also offers to send in the army several times per episode, which makes for a perfect drinking game.) They are both pissed Polly is being martyred, and Labour is milking this for all its worth, with Francine Bridge delivering a blistering statement on national TV. Eleanor James, Head of the Joint Intelligence Committee, also believes Matthew is squeaky clean but has to tell everyone that Henry was released on bail. She is still trying to determine where Nate is and who he’s working for. She suspects her former colleague and lover, Zelda Gere, knows more than she will admit (and we know she knows), so she invites Zelda to dinner to talk shop. 

Meanwhile, Ellie is staying with her mum, Robert’s wife, Rachel (who seems to have disappeared entirely from the series), and refusing to take calls from her father. Although in unusual circumstances, Anna assures him this is standard father-daughter stuff and advises him to be patient and not call constantly. When Ellie does answer the phone, she tells him not to call anymore. He tells her he’s sorry about Polly; Ellie responds she’s ashamed... ashamed of him. 

Francine meets briefly with Henry and shows him a photograph of Nate, who is still missing. Henry claims not to know him. Nate, it turns out, is at a small stone cottage in a bleak moorland landscape, awaiting his handlers, who have promised to take him to an airfield. From outside, the house is approached by several masked men, who find the building empty, save for a sleeping bag. Hiding in a rocky outcrop, Nate is furious and scared, with no idea who these men are. (The hunters may be Polly’s father, Dan Goddard, who has spoken to Matthew, mentioning their “friends in the desert,” aka ex-military.)

A COBRA is called, and suddenly, we’re back to the odd subplot about Princess Yadira, who remains Schrodinger’s victim. She’s currently making a personal appeal to Robert for help. Intelligence has found she’s living in a cousin’s villa in a remote and difficult-to-access part of Shirazia. Robert floats the idea of a rescue, knowing full well that the answer is absolutely not. (How about a theoretical covert plan, in case everyone changes their mind? Again, no.) If such a rescue failed, it would destroy peace in the Middle East, not to mention the deals the UK government struck with Shirasia. 

Thwarted, Robert takes Anna to the official opening of the new carbon capture site, the first project of the Shirasian agreement. Robert announces that by 2030, the site will help reduce climate change while creating jobs. However, the press only asks about Princess Yadira and the Godley Common disaster.

Police Commissioner Neil Millar (Cavan Clerkin) is concerned about Matthew, especially as the only blot on his record is an assault where the head wounds resembled Polly’s. No one will talk about it or why the case was dropped until we learn the man was his sister’s abusive ex-boyfriend; Matthew took the blame, but she’d been the one who’d struck him. However, Matthew has been suspended and is under investigation by the time this comes out, and the result is a police sick-out at Matthew’s home station, Croydon. (Since it’s illegal for the police to strike, they all call in at once, claiming they’re sick.) Police from neighboring divisions are brought in to cover Croydon’s sparse crew, so every area is understaffed. The “blue flu” has struck those areas too, and officers have been seconded from Transport and Ministry of Defense divisions, forcing the cancellation of all policed events such as festivals, sports, and concerts. 

Victoria recommends firing the strikers and, as usual, suggests bringing in the army (as they did for the Olympics, but it’s hardly the same situation). Robert considers it before realizing that he must arrange for military personnel to have the right of arrest. He tells Joseph to make a public statement, only to be handed the Home Secretary’s resignation. Speaking of former Home Secretaries, Archie Glover-Morgan finally turns up after a fun day at the Defense Expo with Crown Prince Samir and Peter Mott. Once they leave, three men (one of whom is Dan Goddard) come out of hiding, overpower the guards, and break into the Expo building. They set off a smoke bomb, smash a display case, and steal a high-grade military weapon.

Meanwhile, Audrey Hemmings decides to attend Polly’s vigil with Ellie and Frances and miraculously keeps the peace by reminding participants that police wear body cams, advising them to back up and remember why they are here. Frances catches up with Ellie as they leave and tries to see if she knows where Nate is while they share a packet of biscuits. Elsewhere, Eleanor mixes business with pleasure as she and Zelda reminisce about their past affair; in between, Eleanor pushes for information about Nate. Zelda admits that Nate had a minor connection with her company, Rhombus, but needs to stay out of trouble.

At Number 10, Robert receives the news that Matthew has disappeared, and Princess Yadira tried to escape and may not have survived. A few doors down, Mott and Victoria enter Archie’s office, announcing they plan to overthrow Robert and want him to join them. It’s been a rough couple of days as Robert and Anna kiss in one of the underground tunnels of 10 Downing Street. Of course, this is when a security guard appears at the top of the stairs and takes a photograph. There will be trouble ahead, but this is COBRA, and we expected nothing less.

COBRA: Rebellion continues with new episodes every Thursday at 10 p.m. ET on the PBS app, the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel, and (technically) on linear. However, most local PBS stations air it on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday as their schedule sees fit. (Please check your local listings!) The entire season is available for members on PBS Passport.