Atomic's third episode takes a breather, swapping desert chases for a soulful pause in a Benghazi safehouse, and it works like a slow-burn fuse.
Alfie Allen, leaving Game of Thrones' Theon behind, digs into Max's guilt over a child's death, his smuggler's edge softening into raw, relatable doubt. Shazad Latif, worlds away from Star Trek: Discovery's Ash Tyler, captivates as JJ, his Syrian flashbacks painting a broken man with quiet fire... his guarded trust with Max is the episode's pulse. Samira Wiley's CIA physicist Cassie, though only briefly in Beirut, cuts through with sharp intellect, teasing bigger moves.
The BGM weaves a moody undercurrent, amplifying the tension of hushed talks and a quick thug skirmish. Shariff Korver leans into character over chaos, crafting a reflective dive into loyalty and redemption, though action junkies might fidget.
Anchored by Atomic Bazaar's grim reality, it ends with a subtle, chilling cliffhanger - a cryptic hint at JJ's loyalties - that reignites the stakes. Not a banger, but a bold reset.
7.5/10: Atomic simmers, ready to spark again.
