CIA Throws Away Colin's Best Story With The Most Unsatisfying Ending

The following article contains spoilers for CIA season 2, episode 2, "Dead Drop".

Things are certainly heating up on CIA season 2. The second episode, "Dead Drop," saw the return of Toni (although only briefly), more questions from Bill about his father’s past, and a shocking confession on Bill’s part at the end of the episode that further seemed to confirm the darker path he's on in CIA season 2. Colin was also there, aiding an asset and seemingly deciding to let his past with Toni go.

Alas, this could mean that CIA just tossed Colin’s best storyline right out the window, because if there’s no tension between him and Toni as he tries to figure out his feelings for her, what was the point of bringing her back? Hopefully, that isn’t where the show is going, but it certainly seemed like the road it was starting down. If the show truly ended Colin and Toni’s betrayal narrative, it’s hard to see what his main storyline might be this season, unless it's just the continuation of Colin and Bill's changing dynamics.

CIA Ends Colin & Toni's Betrayal Narrative In Season 2 Explained

CIA season 2, episode 2, followed Colin and Bill as they helped one of Colin’s Russian assets. The asset had been poisoned and left with only a few hours to live, so he went to Colin to ask for assistance in finding the person who poisoned him in exchange for information that would keep American operatives safe. The storyline was predictably winding, but by the end, things had mostly resolved, and the asset passed peacefully in the one place he most wanted to be.

The whole mission seemed to affect Colin, which was surprising, given his propensity not to let anything get to him. At the end of the episode, he tore down papers and photos from a bulletin board related to Toni and burned nearly all of them (he set aside a single photo of her to keep).

Colin may not have completely let her go, and this certainly doesn't mean he's forgiven Toni's shocking betrayal revealed at the end of CIA season 1, but this was definitely the first step in doing so. The fact that he’s even taken this step seems to indicate there won’t be much, if anything, to their relationship this season.

Why CIA Could Have Kept Colin & Toni's Tense Dynamic For A Better Season 2

If the relationship is truly drawing to a close and Colin wants to let Toni go, the series is missing a huge opportunity. Toni is already working with the CIA again, though Nikki is keeping it secret from Colin (except he obviously knows, since he’s a spy). Season 2, episode 2's opening scene showed him listening in on a conversation between the other two about Toni coming back, and Colin obviously had strong feelings about it.

Season 2 could have had the two continuously butting heads when working together, which would have added incredible tension and fit this season’s apparent overarching theme of secrets and betrayals. Working with someone who betrayed you like that must be challenging, but if Colin is getting over it — and Toni — the tension lessens, and the show feels less engaging.

Sure, there’s plenty of excitement happening with Bill right now, but so far not much has happened with his story. Keeping things tense between Colin and Toni would have given Colin a clearer storyline this season (beyond helping Bill find out about his father) and raised the stakes for the entire CIA team.

However, burning all his notes and information on Toni may have meant nothing, and there will be more to their relationship. Or maybe they'll barely interact for the rest of the season. Either way, it will be interesting to see where CIA plans to take things next.