The second episode of Prime Video's "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," titled "Second Date," sees our spy couple, John and Jane Smith, embarking on a mission that takes them to the high-stakes world of an exclusive silent auction. The episode is a whirlwind of espionage, miscommunication, and unexpected twists, providing a deeper look into the complex relationship between the two protagonists.
The episode begins with Jane waking up alone, searching for her cat, Max, and finding him on the roof where John is meditating. Seizing the opportunity, Jane goes through John's belongings, only to be caught by him. This initial scene sets the tone for the episode, showcasing the underlying tension and lack of trust between the pair.
As Jane ventures out for breakfast, John decides to snoop through her things, finding some eyebrow-raising adult content on her laptop. Upon her return, Jane is confronted by a suspicious neighbor, played by Paul Dano, who inquires about a cat wreaking havoc in his garden. Jane denies owning a cat, further adding to the growing list of secrets between John and Jane.
The couple's next mission, assigned by their enigmatic recruiter "Mr. Hihi," involves attending a black-tie silent art auction. Their objective is to identify the highest bidder on an Andy Warhol piece, administer a single dose of truth serum, and record the ensuing confessions. The mission comes with strict instructions: no casualties, no witnesses, and absolutely no exceeding the serum dose.
Dressed to impress, John and Jane arrive at the auction, where John makes a last-minute decision to infiltrate the event as part of the catering staff. Inside, they identify real estate mogul Eric Shane, played by John Turturro, as their target. As Jane attempts to charm Shane, John feeds her information over their comms. In a bid to get Shane alone, Jane suggests a private encounter, leading to a bizarre scenario where Shane forces John and Jane to role-play as dogs and kiss for his amusement.
In a moment of miscommunication, both John and Jane inject Shane with the truth serum, causing him to become deliriously honest and reveal secrets about the auction attendees. The situation escalates as Shane, under the influence of the serum, has a severe reaction and dies. Left with a body to dispose of, John and Jane decide to hide Shane in their rooftop composter.
Following the failed mission, John and Jane are unable to sleep and find solace in watching cartoons together. In a surprising turn of events, Jane reveals that the adult content on her laptop was a setup to catch John snooping. The episode concludes with the pair sharing an intimate moment, which is promptly interrupted by a message from "Mr. Hihi" informing them of their mission failure and warning them that they have only two failures remaining.
"Second Date" is a testament to the show's ability to blend dark humor, suspense, and character development. While the mission goes awry, the episode strengthens the foundation of John and Jane's relationship, setting the stage for more complex and thrilling adventures in the coming episodes.