Ep 1. Intelligence: Plot

In the premiere episode of Intelligence season 1, titled "Intelligence: Plot," we are introduced to the world of high-stakes cyber security as it intersects with the personal lives of those tasked with protecting it. The show centers around Gabriel Vaughn, a former U.S. Army Ranger who suffered a traumatic brain injury while on a mission in Syria and was subsequently implanted with a microchip that allows him to access, analyze, and control electronic devices with his own mind.

Gabriel is a member of a top-secret NSA cyber-security team led by Director Lillian Strand, played by Marg Helgenberger. In their first mission together, they are tasked with thwarting a major cyber attack on the United States stock market, which has already resulted in losses of over $100 billion. But as they investigate the origins of the attack and the players involved, they discover a web of deceit and betrayal that goes far beyond just financial gain.

Through flashbacks, we see that Gabriel's military career was marked by heroic deeds, but also by a recklessness and disregard for authority that ultimately led to his brain injury. His recovery was aided by the introduction of the microchip, which not only boosted his cognitive abilities but also gave him an unusual insight into the motivations of those he encounters.

Gabriel's relationship with his new team is complicated from the start, as his unconventional tactics and brash personality clash with their more methodical approach. But he quickly proves his worth as he is able to use his chip to hack into seemingly impenetrable systems and uncover crucial information about their investigation. However, Gabriel's insistence on pursuing his own leads and hunches sometimes puts him at odds with his teammates and Director Strand.

Meanwhile, we also meet Riley Neal, a new member of the team brought in specifically to keep an eye on Gabriel and make sure he doesn't go rogue. Her initial skepticism of Gabriel's abilities and her own insecurities about living up to her predecessors are sources of tension throughout the episode.

As the team races against the clock to stop the stock market attack and identify those responsible, they become embroiled in a complex plot involving corporate espionage, political corruption, and international intrigue. Gabriel's chip proves to be both a valuable asset and a potential liability, as he struggles to maintain control over his own mind while using his enhanced abilities to track down the culprits.

Intelligence: Plot sets the stage for the rest of the season, introducing the major players and some of the themes that will recur throughout. The show combines action, intrigue, and a bit of humor, as it explores the intersection of technology and humanity in today's high-tech world. Will Gabriel and his team be able to stop the attack in time? Who is behind it, and why? And how will Gabriel's unique perspective and abilities shape the course of the investigation? These are just a few of the questions that viewers will be left pondering after the gripping premiere of Intelligence.