Episode 2.3

Episode 2.3 is the third episode of the second season of Bulletproof, and the ninth episode of the series overall.

Summary
ON THE MOVE - The search for a missing girl leads Bishop (Noel Clarke) and Pike (Ashley Walters) to Amsterdam, where they find themselves at the heart of a large human-trafficking operation run by the Markides family. Tensions between Alex (Stavros Zalmas), Mikey (Ben Tavassoli) and Eleanor (Gina Bellman) start to show, and the Unit are determined to exploit it. However, when the Dutch police refuse to play ball, Bishop and Pike must take the law into their own hands in order to keep their case alive. The episode was directed by Diarmuid Goggins and written by Noel Clarke.

Plot
Alex directs Bishop to an apartment within the same complex in which he previously had sex with Anna in. When Alex gets out a hammer, Bishop misreads the situation and produces a speech about not fearing Alex. Alex remarks the speech is sweet, but instead he uses the hammer to break the wall behind the bed and takes out a bundle of cash, remarking that they’re going to see someone — Alex jokes that he is glad Bishop is carrying a gun in his pocket as they may need it.

At the NCA office, Arjana asks Tanner about Pike’s absence, but Tanner is unwilling to reveal details due to policy. Arjana pleads and Tanner remarks that she will see what she can find out about the operation and when Pike may be home.

Arriving at the location Alex specified, Alex and Bishop approach Anthony, the man who Mikey shot previously. Alex apologies for Mikey’s behaviour and remarks that he ensures his family are in check and dishes out punishment where appropriate — but only him, nobody else. With this, Alex gestures to Bishop to go ahead, and — on the thought that Bishop is pulling a gun — Anthony’s men aim. Bishop is revealed to be reaching for the bundle of cash, however, which he hands to Anthony as an apology.

Tanner gives a briefing about the Markides and their laundering of narcotics. She asks Paige to connect this with the modelling agency, and she explains that the man who runs the agency has connections with Eleanor Markides — they are not sure what the connection is, however, as Scarlett explains that the agency moved properties before they could speak with them. Moving on to Munroe, he explains that Mikey hired Yustmanov (the angry mechanic) to kill Brandon, but he is in custody and unwilling to cooperate. Tanner becomes agitated and tells the team to find the model Jodie and keep her safe from the Markides.

After her meeting with Tanner, Arjana is given a location to meet with Pike. The two talk, with Arjana explaining that she doesn’t approve of Pike being away all of the time, and wants her family back. Despite this, Pike reveals that he is unable to return home, or tell her anything about the undercover operation he is on. They’re interrupted by a call from Mikey, in which he explains that he wants Jodie — the model the NCA is looking for — dead; he expresses the concern that if she talks, he is dead.

Following this, Pike and Bishop meet, and Pike reveals to Bishop that Jodie is in trouble from a hit placed on her by Mikey. The two receive a call from Paige at the NCA office alerting them that Jodie checked into a hostel; they agree to find her immediately. They arrive at the hostel but receive no reply when they knock on the door — they have no choice to kick down the door. When they do, however, Jodie runs, and they are forced to restrain her and forcefully put her into the back of their car. Unbeknownst to them, they are being followed by Straker’s men. The men pull up at the side of them and demand that they hand over Jodie, however the two refuse. Straker’s men cut them off, leading to Bishop exiting the car and shooting out the windows and tyres of the car. When they arrive at the drop-off location, Pike asks why Bishop has been acting erratically, however Bishop is reluctant to take the comments onboard. Instead, they agree to a fake photoshoot of a dead Jodie to present to Mikey.

They present the images to Mikey and he accepts, but the three are interrupted by Straker’s men who arrive angrily at Bishop’s actions. Bishop remarks that he didn’t know who they were, and could’ve been Brandon’s killers for all he knew. Mikey is convinced that they have done enough to prove themselves and invites the two into the Markdies empire for real — he reveals that they will be taking a trip to Amsterdam the following day on business.

Back at the NCA office, Jodie reveals that the modelling agency was largely a way for Straker to traffic women abroad. More specifically, through Eleanor Markides’ businesses in Amsterdam; she agrees to testify to Eleanor covering up Leanne Hadley’s murder. Tanner reveals that the team will assist Bishop and Pike as back-up on their mission to Amsterdam.

The following day, the Markides clan arrive at the runway to depart for their trip to Amsterdam. Mikey jokes that they won’t just work but will enjoy themselves too, however this is short lived as Alex arrives on the runway shortly after. Arriving in Amsterdam, Eleanor explains an upcoming deal with a wealthy family from Hong Kong, revealing that they will ship the first group of girls out when the deal is finalised. Mikey and the others go down below to the strip club before they open. Whilst inside, Bishop tells Pike to check in regularly and reveals that he is going to follow Alex.

The NCA team talk with the head of the Dutch team — a Dutch alternative to Tanner — and reveal that they’re close to finding the girls and have men on the inside. Paige asks her not to underestimate them as they have made real progress thus far.

Bishop and Alex talk, and Alex reveals that he believes Mikey killed Brandon out of jealousy over Brandon’s loyalty to Alex. Bishop agrees, and after checking in, the two share a drink. Scarlett becomes worried that Pike has missed his second check-in, but Munroe tells her to give him 30 minutes and then let him know.

At the club, Pike and Mikey talk about women, with Pike expressing his relationship troubles. Mikey offers him a line of cocaine, citing that it will make him feel better, but Pike is reluctant to take it. Mikey becomes suspicious that he could be a police officer, and Pike has no choice but to take the line.

During their conversation, Bishop reveals his history, and the two draw parallels between their need to do what they have to do to survive; Alex reveals that in some ways, he still is. Alex tells Bishop to have fun with the boys and leave him to sleep.

At the club, Pike is startled when Scarlett shows up unannounced. She remarks that she was worried about him not checking in, but the two are approached by Mikey who questions who Scarlett is. The two have no choice but to kiss to cover, but this is witnessed by Bishop who tells Pike they will talk about it later.

The following day, the Lius family arrives as planned, and are shown a catalogue of girls the Markides family are marketing. Things get rough when one of the men asks for younger girls, and Alex lashes out, breaking the deal. When Eleanor asks why, he remarks that they only stay under the radar for doing low-risk crimes — sex trafficking draws too much attention. The NCA office hears the entire conversation through Pike’s wire, including the location of the girls. They scramble the team, but Eleanor reveals they’re moving the girls and the deal is back on. Bishop alerts the NCA to this.

Down by the docks, Bishop and Pike witness the women being moved from Eleanor’s van to the Lius’ transport barge. Bishop realises that they must act fast, or risk the women being lost forever, but Pike tells him to remain in character and not break cover. Moments later, the NCA arrive along with the Dutch Police and a shoot-out begins. Paige is forced to shoot Patrick Straker and kills him immediately. Afterwards, Bishop and Pike realise that they must help Alex escape or risk their case being dead.

They pick up Alex and help him get to safety when a police chase ensues throughout the streets of Amsterdam. The boys are able to evade the police and Alex is safely picked up by Dezzy, but Bishop and Pike are surrounded by the Dutch police who are armed and angry. Joined later by Munroe, Scarlett, Paige, and Jonesy, the NCA find themselves in an armed standoff with the police, neither one of them willing to lower their weapons.

Main Characters

 * Noel Clarke as Aaron Bishop
 * Ashley Walters as Ronald Pike Jr
 * Lindsey Coulson as Sarah Tanner
 * Jason Maza as Chris Munroe
 * David Elliot as Tim Jones
 * Olivia Chenery as Scarlett Hailton
 * Lucie Shorthouse as Paige Pennington
 * Lee Ross as Richard Cockridge
 * Vanessa Vanderpuye as Arjana Pike
 * Ben Tavassoli as Mikey Markides
 * Stavros Zalmas Alex Markides
 * Gala Gordon as Anna Markides
 * Gina Bellman as Eleanor Markides

Recurring Characters

 * Morgan Watkins as Anthony
 * Vanessa Grasse as Jodie
 * Marcus Rutherford as Dezzy
 * Tom Forbes as Patrick Straker
 * Boris Hiestand as Hans
 * Lauren McQueen as Chantel
 * Whoopie Van Raam as Jenchen
 * Shin-Fei Chen as Liu