'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' Season 2 Episode 7 review: Jordi Molla's Reyes steals the show as a ruthless leader bent on staying in power
This review contains spoilers for 'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' Season 2 Episode 7: 'Dios y Federación'
The term Dios y Federación is the state motto of Venezuela. It was first used as the rallying cry of the rebel forces during the Federal War. This episode is all about how one man's greed for power sees him go completely ruthless and over the edge. 'Dios y Federación' is the perfect penultimate episode as it narrates the story in two parts. It captures the political unrest created by Reyes (Jordi Molla) as he moves up the election. His attack on the US embassy is viewed as the perfect opportunity to establish himself as the leader protecting the country from foreign enemies, while Gloria Bonalde (Cristina Umaña) tries to convince the people and still continues to fight.
Meanwhile, Ryan (John Krasinski) and Marcus (Jovan Adepo) assemble a team by forming an unlikely alliance with mercenary Jost Van Der Byl (Arnold Vosloo) to rescue Greer. They raid the prisoner camp in the Venezuelan jungle only to find Greer missing and abducted back to the city.
'Dios y Federación' is about getting battle stations ready. The episode puts Reyes in the spotlight as the man ready to risk everything. He was portrayed as a slick customer since episode 1, however, the dark side is clearly out there for the world to see. Somewhere deep down, you can't help but feel that he's lost his edge and his hopes hinge on his loyalists to get him through as President again.
While things appear to be predictable at this stage, there also lies the feeling that there is one more twist. Coming back to Reyes, due credit to Molla as he bares his emotions, despite knowing that there will be the truth that would eventually come out. He dishes out a no-holds-barred performance as a ruthless leader and we get to see that sinister shade fade a little during his emotional encounter with his friend and general Ubarri (Francisco Denis), whom he kills.
Season 2 is at its gripping and compelling best in 'Dios y Federación'. For once, the focus moves away briefly from Ryan and gives the much-needed explanation and character breakdown of Molla's Reyes. The series Season has been an excellent watch and the improvement from season 1 is distinct.
'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan' Season 2 is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.