The Cape Episode 1.02 Tarot

One week later, Vince is shopping in a surplus store when it's attacked by a couple of armed hoods. They force Vince onto the floor while they make the owner empty the register. While their backs are turned, Vince whips out his cape and takes them both out. The owner is almost beside himself with happiness, and insists Vince take his purchases for free.

The Secretary for the Bureau of Prisons, Patrick Portman, turns down ARK's application to take over the prison system. In return, Peter Fleming orders an assassin called Cain to poison Portman. As the TV news shows go into overtime about how Vince was Chess, Dana tries to comfort Trip. They're both struggling to deal with their loss; Trip believes The Cape is real and Dana doesn't know how to handle it.

The Cape breaks into Fleming's apartment to access computer files. While his back is turned both Fleming and Cain enter. Cain throws a fast-acting poison-tipped knife at The Cape, who collapses almost immediately. But before Cain can deliver the final blow, The Cape throws himself out of the window and falls to the street below. Vince's cape slows his fall. When he hits the ground, Orwell is there to pick him up in her car. Cain smashes through the driver's side window but Orwell drives off just in time.

Orwell takes Vince back to Trolley Park so Max can save him. On the way, they agree that they have to save Portman because if he dies, the penal system will become a revolving door for whomever Fleming wants out - or "game over" as Orwell puts it. Max injects a special concoction into Vince's neck. As it does its work, Vince flashes back to time spent with Dana when they were younger. They're discussing his Medal of Valor, something he got for "surviving." He says he was a different person then, someone she wouldn't like. In the present day, Marty visits Dana. Unaware that Marty set Vince up, Dana becomes visibly upset when Marty tells her they've found incriminating evidence against Vince in the form of hidden bank accounts. Listening from the hallway, Trip is in tears too.

The next morning, Vince wakes up stiff, bloody, and bruised but alive. He asks for the cape but Max won't give it to him; he tells Vince that he can't afford to make more mistakes. Instead, Max offers Vince train tickets for the chance to take his family far away. But Vince can't do it. Teaching his son to run from a fight isn't in the cards. Instead, Vince storms out - which is the exact reaction Max was hoping for.

Vince walks through Trolley Park until he stumbles across a hidden door. It leads to a huge hallway, most likely the train station office that's now in disuse. Recognizing this as his new home, he journeys back to Trolley Park, buying stuff to furnish it - starting with a generator. As his new place takes shape, he begins building a breakdown of ARK, Fleming and Chess on one of the walls, pinning up pictures and evidence that he hopes will allow him to put away Fleming for good.

Peter Fleming is playing a holographic, multi-layered, 3D chess game, moving pieces around by dragging their electronic images. They include Cain, Portman, and a tarot card reading "The Tower." Fleming spins the board around and everything comes together into a locked computer file marked "Siren." Meanwhile, Portman is leaving work and has no idea the janitor is Cain. As Cain readies a poison-soaked knife, Orwell comes running in. Bluffing that she's Diane Simone, a reporter who has been waiting for an interview, she quietly leads Portman to the safety of an elevator. Cain is told to "take the next one" as the doors close.

Vince uses a knife-throwing machine to practice evading the blades Cain's been throwing at him, but it proves too hard. Instead, Vince turns to developing a resistance to toxins, slowly poisoning himself so his body can build up the antibodies. He also creates a mask to hide his identity.

In an alley near Trolley Park, Vince beats up some hoods to get information about who's going to kill Portman. One of them, Linus, buys his freedom by promising to tell Vince at midnight at a bar called The Bottoms. Orwell approaches Vince with information. She has a tarot card depicting The Tower - the same one Cain has tattooed on his arm. She tells him that Cain isn't just an ARK mercenary for hire, but a master killer working for Tarot, a secret society of assassins.

Vince arrives at The Bottoms, where Linus tells him that Portman's murder is scheduled for tomorrow night. But before he can get any further, everyone in the bar, including Linus, suddenly keels over dead - poisoned by Cain. Vince visits Portman and convinces him to stay the course. Vince promises protection and proves it by preventing him from drinking a poisoned glass of scotch.

Dana meets with Travis Hall, who tells her the job she's applied for is already filled. But Dana - who's now back to using her married name of Faraday - stands her ground and convinces Travis that he needs her as a defense attorney. It works. Travis gives her the job.

Vince and Orwell are on a web video chat looking into Cain's background. Vince uses Marty's password to access ARK's mainframe to get more information. Cain was a gourmet chef who killed three of his wives. He was recruited into The Tarot while serving time at Owl Prison. They find his address and agree to split up; Vince will take the suspect's apartment while Orwell will keep Portman safe. Before Vince can leave, Max visits. Impressed with how Vince has been preparing himself, Max tells him that he's earned the cape back.

The Cape visits Cain's apartment but finds it empty. Meanwhile, Portman joins Fleming for dinner at The Oyster Bar. Orwell bluffs her way in, claiming she's a food critic, which catches the attention of the chef. It's Cain, who's already cooking up a dish for Portman that will kill him. They both recognize each other but don't let on; Orwell texts The Cape that she's found Cain at The Oyster Bar, just as Cain lures her back into the kitchen. A savage fight ensues - Orwell is a strong and resourceful woman - but just as Cain gains the upper hand, The Cape appears.

Orwell saves Portman from his poisoned meal. The Cape stays in the kitchen and after a powerful fight, finishes off Cain on the grill. Hearing the screams, Fleming runs into the kitchen to find Cain trussed up and burned along with The Cape - who then disappears before Fleming's eyes. Fleming laughs. He's impressed. Perhaps this game will go well after all.

At the council meeting, Portman goes ahead with his promise to stop ARK from taking over the city prisons. The news is met with applause. Meanwhile, Dana comforts Trip. telling him that no one can ever besmirch Vince's legacy because they both have intimate memories of the man - and the truth.