Circle

*"You are not supposed to be here..."*WARNING: This article contains major spoilers. If you do not wish to know vital information on plot / character elements in QIA, you may want to avoid reading beyond this warning. We hold no responsibility for any negative effects these facts may have on your enjoyment of the series should you continue.

## Circle

Cover image for Season 3, Episode 21: Circle, showing The Tower in Austria

### Writer

Jonathan Thornton

*(This article is about the episode titled "Circle". For the article about the organisation, see: The Circle)*

*Circle* is the twenty-first episode of the third season of QIA.

## Summary

While the team are stuck in Norway in 1942, a coup within the ranks of The Circle threatens everything.

## Blurb

"Time is not linear. Time is a circle. And we are The Circle." - The Circle mantra

Previously dismissed as harmless quasi-scientific cultists, the mysterious organisation called The Circle is in fact far deadlier than anyone could have predicted. Already responsible for completely changing the course of Carlos' life, they are hell-bent on killing Sarah before she becomes Fran, her future alter-ego. But The Circle have grown complacent - at least according to Claudia Horne, their leader's own daughter. As she stages a coup within The Circle's highest ranks, the London Field Team are meanwhile trapped in 1942, while Sarah must once again judge who is a friend and who is an enemy...

## Synopsis

### Vienna

Claudia Horne is ready to stage her coup against Arvin Costlemach, with the help of her ally and boyfriend Rian Brady. After an impassioned speech to the Council, the highest members of The Circle debate, vote, and ultimately decide to replace Costlemach with Claudia. However, Claudia learns that Rian has made deals behind her back to guarantee her support, which angers her. Rashly deciding to expedite their crusade against Fran Grenouille, Claudia - who has returned to London - sends Rian to murder Sarah Cunnington in her prison cell, but the attack ends disastrously. Later, The Tower is somehow discovered and the Austrian authorities infiltrate it despite its defences that have kept it hidden from sight for years. The Tower is taken and all remaining members of The Circle are arrested, except for Costlemach and Mohamed Marzouq, who escape.

### Norway

The team are still stuck in Glittertind, following their run-in with Jacob Dorody. While Carlos Sánchez and Jack Harringer begin developing their friendship, Ethan Taylor and Zoey Hallett work on a way to bring down The Tower. Eventually, the prohiberazin wears off and Jack is able to get the team home again.

### Bronzefield

Sarah, out of Seg, meets her new cellmate, Kasia Jankowski - a woman with a fearsome reputation. However, after a visit from her sister Louise, Sarah learns that Kasia is not as violent or awful as people believe, and - with the help of PO Harry Hendricks (who tells her he will expect a favour in return in the future) - Sarah helps Kasia get her son onto her visiting list. Later that night, Rian Brady appears in their cell and tries to kill Sarah, but he is stopped by Kasia. After he is stabbed in the neck, Rian Jumps again, and when the guards arrive, Kasia - still grateful to Sarah - takes the blame for what looks like a fight between just the two women.

### London

Enora Gallou is thrilled to see her old friend Anthony Giry, and the two renew their friendship - which later turns into much more. Anthony expresses great interest in the QIA and their missions, but has a favour to ask - a Parisian gangster is after him. Enora says she will help, but in reality she knows that he belongs to The Circle and that he is possibly there to kill Carlos Sánchez. After making a damning bargain with Fran Grenouille, and with the work Ethan and Zoey are doing in 1942, Enora is able to provide intelligence to the Austrian authorities, leading to the fall of The Circle, and Anthony's arrest. Meanwhile, Claudia and Costlemach - who has escaped from the Tower - reconcile, but just moments later they are both murdered by Fran.

## Credits

### Starring

Sarah Cunnington

Tasneem Hafiz

Ethan Taylor

Tom Burt

Iulya Dalca

Carlos Sánchez

Zoey Hallett

### Also Starring

Enora Gallou

Anna Vogel

and Jack Harringer

### Guest Stars

Claudia Horne

Rian Brady

Anthony Giry

Brontë 'Fergie' Ferguson

Louise Harris

Kasia Jankowski

Filip Sterchevici

Mohamed Marzouq

and Arvin Costlemach

## Jumps

23rd May 2023, HMP Bronzefield *(Rian Brady)*

## Trivia

*Circle* marks the first appearances of Kasia Jankowski and Harry Hendricks, and the deaths of Rian Brady, Claudia Horne and Arvin Costlemach.

Hendricks is uncredited, as is a flashback appearance made by Stéfanie Roux.

## Availability

Episode 21 is available for purchase on Amazon. It will also be included in the Season Three, Part III box set.