Objects in Mirror

***Objects in Mirror*** is the 14th episode of the third season of *SEAL Team* and the 58th episode of the series overall.

## Summary

Bravo Team travels overseas for a foreign training exercise to disguise their true mission – to rescue a high-value target that is being held hostage. Also, NASCAR driver Austin Dillon gives the team a special driving lesson.

## Plot

That entire SEAL Team, Bravo unit has gathered at the racetrack, where *Austin Dillon* has offered to help train them in some basic maneuvers. Everyone gets a chance to go around the track a couple of times, well he gives them tips over their intercom. They have also all been gifted personalized helmet and jacket from NASCAR. Jason is the last to go in Austin informs him that Clay has a better time than him. Ray warns him he shouldn't have said that to which Jason immediately increases his speed and takes on some risky maneuvers to win.

Jason goes to visit his girlfriend Natalie while she is still at work, excited to boast to her about his day at that race car track. He's very pumped full of energy still wearing his personalized helmet. Meanwhile, Spencer agrees to have coffee with Stella at a local café they used to frequent together. She mentions how despite the fact they haven't been there for months, the barista still knew their order. Clay then tells her that he is seeing someone.

Ray and Lisa meet each other at the shooting range. Especially after what happened in Venezuela, she has stepped up her time with her target practice. Sometime later that day at Clay is ordered to meet with Capt. Grayson. He arrives in his workplace uniform. Capt. Lindell orders him to stand at ease and explains, how impressed he is with his political involvement and leadership abilities. Both in dealing with Brett Swann and his Purple Heart, and getting justice for Amb. Nicole Marsden. is not a surprise since prior to this he been constantly told to stand down and back off. To which Lindell surprises him and offers him a spot for *STAY 21*. That new millennial program, that will fast-track his career to Admiral. Possibly a way to get him out of his hair, but also more likely due to his sappy and linguistic skills, and his ability to better understand the more complicated political issues that surround being in the military. This would allow him to point the direction to focus on new threats and this new post terrorism America. Clay is taken back and admits he will need to think about it.

Blackburn gathers the entire team in the war room. They will be departing that day for foreign internal defence training inside Türkmenbaşy. For a total of five days inside Turkmenistan. Jason volunteers Clay to continue. Clay informs the room, while mimicking Blackburn, the country is cozy with the Russians and led by a madman. The team shows displeasure, particularly Sonny and Ray. Eric clarifies offering to help their own special task force will gain America an ally in a hostile region. Jason then volunteers to play to continue the room discussion. Mimicking Blackburn, he informs the group that the country is politically stable but not without tension. The room is interrupted when they are surprised by Mandy and Lisa. Mandy informs them they are after *Sia Leteff*. A gifted engineer part of Pakistan's weapon program. Until he went missing two days ago. Intel says he went missing while working with Terkman operative agency. Believing they are going to force them to work on their nuclear weapon program. He will be held in a safe house 20 km from their base. Their entire mission to help the Turkmenistan is a Trojan horse to recapture this man.

Spencer quickly returns home to gear up to leave, but on his way out he is surprised to find Stella at his door. Teary-eyed she admits to only reason she came back to Virginia Beach was to see him. She admits she wants to get back together and loves him. Stunned into silence he says nothing and informs her he has to go to work and will talk with her later. On the plane ride over him and Sonny, who are now closer after Vic’s departure, confides into him about his situation. He is surprised considering how head over heels Clay was for Stella, that he didn't immediately take her back. Meanwhile, Ray admits to Jason he got a phone call from Vic. He is upset and blaming him for being fired from the seals.

The entire team arrives in Turkestan. They are at the base and met by their stoic faced counterparts of the military. Many don't speak English, but their commanding officer, Odeev does and eagerly introduces them all. He warns them not to be put off by some of their aggressive behaviour. They walk through their barracks where they would be sleeping for the next five days, meanwhile, the rest of havoc sets up base in order to figure out how to capture the missing Pakistaniaan. They go through some rather basic training with everyone sitting down taking notes as a couple of them teach in front of the class. Much to the annoyance of *Prenko*. He seems to be aware that the Americans are giving them a thorough in-depth lesson, and he is rather much like Sonny. Watching more hands-on action. Sonny takes the bait and insists their team is better than theirs. They agreed to a marksmanship test. If they win, the SEALs will give them a more in-depth training regiment, but if the Americans win, they will continue with their already organized training. Jason Moran Sonny he better win. As everyone is silently aware that Ray and Clay are the better shots. It comes down to a tie with both of them having missed a single target. However, Sonny ultimately prevails. Much to the intense relief of the rest of the team.

Afterwards, Ray and Jason take a walk around the base. They are caulking everyone's movement while pretending to be out for fresh air. There interrupted by a guard who demands to know why they are outside their physical base. They insist they are just out for a walk, but he threatens to call the men. Jason doubles down and insists they are allowed out and they are guests of their country. Though they are both now worried they have drawn attention to themselves. And have to be much more subtle about how they observe the base.

Over the next four days, they go through drills with the team. Showing them how to enter and clear a room. Showing them the advantages of that attack dog with Cerberus and Brock, as well, every night the watch the base under the guise of working out. Spencer and Clay are often together, and able to note most of the ongoing's of the area. Everything has an exact time that it takes place. On the final night they are gathered, still under strictest secret supervision of the Turkish military. Where there is no way they can find a way off the base. On the final night, their leader offers them a night of drinking but Jason insists they must stay sober because they have a brain early day the next day. They all play cards for an hour hoping to shoo away their guardians to plan the subtle escape. However later when they had boss again asks if he sure they don't want a drink, Sonny insists they go out, and Jason asked if he knows of any good areas. He informs them that they are allowed off the base, but they can sweet talk him into letting them leave for just a short time.

Odeev sneaks them out of a truck all of them in the back. They are at a loud party where Jason, Trent and Steve secret of the leave to go pick up the Pakistan engineer. Ray, the team is aware is second in command, stays behind and makes sure everyone is aware of his presence. So decided to draw attention to themselves, hoping no one will notice Jason is missing. The three of them are sitting out in a car, waiting for the engineer to be transferred, to which they will immediately abduct him on-route. They are being guided by Eric, Lisa and Mandy back in America. They speed up to the car and are able to ambush and steel the man into their car.

Meanwhile back at the club Odeev has taken note that he cannot find Jason. The insists he's just out in the washroom but he begins to become suspicious. Ray calls Jason to hurry up as they don't want to blow their cover. However before anything can Escalade, Jason reappears with ants pensive bottle of vodka. Insisting he brought it to continue their wild night of partying as a thank you to their host.

Having completed their mission and not blown their cover the entire team flies back to the states. Full Metal is reading a book while Lisa goes over to join Clay. He briefly discussed his situation between Rebecca and Stella. Ray and Jason pick up their conversation from earlier about Vic. Or Jason insists he ignored a phone call in emails and never talk to him again. It feels like he should reach out.

Back at his home, Clay sits down up with Rebecca over some food. He has made his choice between the two women. Back at home base, Capt. Grayson spots Clay and insists they speak. He brings up having received a phone call recently from Vic. He commands rave for taking the time to reach out to him and help him. Despite everything he did, he rose above it all and helped out a fellow soldier. Vic called him to explain what an honourable man Ray was. Brady was pleased to see his efforts had not gone unappreciated. Meanwhile, Jason runs into Natalie and the two have an apparent falling out to which the breakup.

## Notes

* This episode takes place in Türkmenbaşy, Turkmenistan.
* A fallen eagle refers to a wounded soldier.

**Deaths**

## Trivia

* The episode title refers to the phrase *"Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear"* imprinted on the passenger side mirrors of an automobile.
* Towards the end Clay opens a bottle of wine for him and Rebecca. The logo identifies it to be 'Senses wine' - a wine brand founded by actor Max Thieriot who plays Clay.

## Cast

* David Boreanaz as Jason Hayes
* Max Thieriot as Clay Spenser
* Jessica Paré as Mandy Ellis
* Neil Brown Jr. as Ray Perry
* AJ Buckley as Sonny Quinn
* Toni Trucks as Lisa Davis
* Judd Lormand as Eric Blackburn
* Jusitin Melnick as Brock Reynolds
* Tyler Grey as Trent Sawyer
* Scott Foxx as Full Metal
* Adelaide Kane as Rebecca Bowen
* Alona Tal as Stella Baxter
* Emily Swallow as Natalie Pierce
* Jamie McShane as Captain Lindell
* Dita The Hair Missile Dog as Cerberus

**Others**
* Jared Farid Ward as Odeev
* Nick Gracer as Prenko
* Ali Saam as Guard Karagoz
* Austin Dillon as Himself
* Deja Soufka as Gate Two Guard