Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Countdown Episode 8.The breakout hit series Countdown ended with another shocking cliffhanger and an important character’s life hanging in the balance. The latest episode, “The Nail in the Chair,” depicts Anton Volchek (Bogdan Yasinski) continuing to evade authorities and staying steps ahead of the joint task force seeking his downfall. Volchek is currently orchestrating a plan to detonate nuclear weapons in Los Angeles, and it looks like his goal is nearly complete.
Things went from bad to much worse in the eighth episode, with Volchek stabbing Special Agent in Charge Nathan Blythe (Eric Dane), the FBI agent leading the task force that is trying to stop Volchek. The episode ends with Agent Blythe bleeding out, his fate uncertain. The moment is highly reminiscent of an episode earlier in the season, “Happy Birthday Final,” which ended with Agent Blythe’s second-in-command, Agent Damon Drew (Jonathan Togo), getting shot and mortally wounded. We found out in the next episode, “Bite ‘Em Down,” that Agent Drew died in the hospital from his gunshot wound. Countdown cannot repeat the same mistake with Agent Blythe as the series did with Agent Drew because it cannot afford to lose him.
Another Shocking Moment for ‘Countdown’
Countdown creator Derek Haas appears to take pride in his ability to create moments that leave the audience in utter shock and disarray. Multiple episodes of Countdown end on nail-biting cliffhangers, and “The Nail in the Chair” was no exception to that rule. Previously, Countdown lured the audience into a false sense of security regarding Agent Drew, only to reveal his shocking demise in the fourth episode. Agent Drew came off as reasonably safe in the narrative after the show set up a potential season-long story arc for his character with the reveal in the series premiere, “Teeth in the Bone,” that Drew’s son Noah had died off-screen before the events of the series began. It seemed there was more to explore with his character, making Agent Drew’s death all the more unpredictable. But if Agent Drew felt safe, that was doubly the case for Agent Blythe as the leader of the task force. He’s easily one of the least expendable characters in the cast right now.
Minutes before the episode ends, the Belarusian ambassador, Lubomir Piskun (Zack Sayenko), agrees to a clandestine meeting with Agent Blythe, offering to hand over everything he knows regarding Volchek. Piskun had already unsuccessfully attempted to have his agents apprehend Volchek, but to no avail. Volchek, an expert in covert operations, always appears to have an escape plan prepared. Blythe’s arrival at the meeting alone made the situation that much more ominous before Volchek attacked him. Couldn’t Blythe have brought members of the task force with him for backup? Now, Agent Blythe looks to be Volchek’s latest victim. Although his untimely demise would be another surprising outcome, Agent Blythe’s potential death would open a massive can of worms for the series.
Why ‘Countdown’ Can’t Afford To Lose Agent Blythe Right Now
Countdown has already played a huge hand by killing off a character who appeared relatively safe within the main cast earlier in the season. Repeating that scenario with Agent Blythe would come off like a cheap gimmick. It’s a card that 24 often liked to play, to both its benefit and detriment, and it’s no coincidence that Countdown is being compared to 24 more than any other show. In many ways, Countdown plays like a spiritual successor to 24, with its serialized plot, similarly motivated villains, hard-nosed heroes, grounded action-adventure style, and, of course, cliffhanger endings. However, if Countdown should learn anything from 24, the lesson is that the shocking death of a main character should occur sparingly, and it should be used for maximum impact.
If the writers opt to kill off Agent Blythe, it creates multiple problems at a time when Volchek appears to be mere steps away from setting off nuclear weapons in LA. Agent Drew was Blythe’s right-hand man. If Blythe dies, the task force loses all of its upper leadership, which would massively hinder the team. The FBI would likely have to send in someone new to replace Blythe, but by that point, it would already be too late. Additionally, a scene way back in the first episode implied there are leaks and moles within the FBI.
During the series premiere, Mark Meachum (Jensen Ackles) speaks to Blythe, asking how he was able to form a joint task force so quickly. Blythe explains that a foreign agent was looking to buy off Department of Homeland Security officers, and he was rebuffed twice when attempting to open an official investigation. Blythe strongly implied that some of his superiors are corrupt, and he is unsure who in the FBI he can trust. Blythe trusts Meachum and the rest of the task force, but if the FBI sends in a new SAC, could the team do the same? Killing Blythe and replacing him at such a crucial point in their investigation plot would put the task force back at square one and cause a muddled narrative. Additionally, Blythe should get the opportunity to unravel the corruption within the FBI.
Eric Dane Brings a Strong Performance to ‘Countdown’
Dane has proven to be an amazing coup for Countdown with its incredible ensemble. He brings tremendous dignity, quiet strength, integrity, and supreme confidence to the role. With five episodes remaining in the season and Volchek still in the wind, it would be an absolute shame to lose Dane at this juncture. It has been an emotional experience watching Dane deliver such exceptional work, knowing the actor’s diagnosis with ALS. Nevertheless, it’s been great to see Dane leading such a high-quality, suspenseful action-adventure series. Hopefully, this is not the end of Dane’s run on Countdown. One thing is certain: the cliffhanger moments in Countdown, as in Episode 8, prove that weekly episodic releases were the correct move. Now, our collective hearts are pounding over the fate of Agent Blythe.
New episodes of Countdown stream every Wednesday on Prime Video in the U.S.
Countdown
- Release Date
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June 25, 2025
- Network
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Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Derek Haas
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Jensen Ackles
Mark Meachum
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Jessica Camacho
Amber Oliveras
