1/8/2024 Kick Recap - "Whatever That Was"

Lang meets with Ilya in the mountains, who explains what happened with Clark. Lang tells him he doesn't deserve the treatment he got, and he should have been respected more. Ilya isn't sure if he's still being hunted, he spoke to Arush and thinks that he might have been lied to. Lang is interested to get to the bottom of things before offering Ilya an official place to call home, Ilya says he spoke to Andi and Lang agrees it might have been a mistake they both made. Arush calls to meet Lang, so they meet in the oil fields.

Lang, Arush, Harry, and Luciano argue about how many chances Ilya had, and whether the blood out was deemed petty. Lang stands his ground and argues that Clark made a choice on a whim, and refuses to hear out the context that Luciano is offering. Arush tells Lang that they still hold Clark accountable to his decisions, but he was appointed to Underboss because he was trusted to make tough choices. Lang disagrees and argues with Arush about being emotional, Arush asks why he didn't take Ilya when they split in the first place. Lang doesn't want to justify the actions, and thinks that people should not just be blooded out and have reasons justified afterwards. Harry, Luciano, and Arush agree that not only do they stand by Clark's choice, they had context to make the decision for Ilya something to be expected. Arush brings up that Andi mentioned that they should talk about something else, but Lang isn't in the mood, so they leave.

Lang calls Ilya to meet in Paleto, and they gather to talk about their next steps. Ilya claims Clark's consequence wasn't a long time coming, and admits that he just didn't fit with the South anymore. Ilya tells Lang stories about how he followed orders many times in conflict with the Besties where they robbed him, bragged about robbing him, and still had to do jobs with them. Lang is astonished at the South for allowing them to disrespect Ilya, Ilya continues with more stories involving the Manor, eventually confirming Lang's suspicions of it being a build up. Lang tells Ilya that he should have brought Ilya when they split, because they think very alike. Lang tells Ilya about his intent to inform the south that there is no more split, and they want to officially separate into their own group, but he's worried that they'll have an issue with bringing Ilya along. Lang tells Ilya to get a fake ID and lay low until he moves on the plan, Ilya shows his fake ID and agrees.

Lang drives back into the city and contemplates the conversations he had. He picks up Martin at the Forge to go chat about everything so far. Martin mentions that he has missed calls from Teddy and Clark, so Lang has him call back to figure out what's up. Teddy was just calling about the HQ stuff, but Clark needs to meet Martin to chat, so Lang wants to speak to Martin first. Lang and Martin go to a nearby rooftop where Lang recaps the events from his talks to Ilya, and his talk with the Dons.

Martin meets with Clark and Lang hides in the trunk. Clark and Martin chat about their choices, and Martin gives advice about how he's changed the way he's operated in the city. Clark tries to explain himself, and the way he's held Zeek and other members in Cypress accountable. Lang can't handle being in the trunk, so he comes out and Martin acts surprised. Lang thinks that Clark reacted impulsively and emotionally, but Clark argues that the choice was made after many layers of pressure. Lang asks if their agreement to only blood out treasonists still stands, and Clark agrees that disrespect is not treason. Clark agrees that the disrespect of blooding him out was not his decision, nor that he agreed with it. Martin tells Clark he should have stood his ground and told the Dons that, but he didn't. After a long argument, Lang gives Clark the options for Cypress moving forward: separate fully, or figure some things out.

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Lang becomes a little more honest and speaks freely about the leadership and what the South has become. Clark is of the mind that things can still work out between the North and South, but Lang isn't confident. Lang gives Martin permission to kill him if he ever goes back on his word and folds to what the weak old ideologies were from before. Lang thinks Arush has changed his firm ways, and Luciano is not cut out for Don. Lang tells Clark that he misses him, but Clark is confident that Arush since returning has changed the way the South has been operating for the good. They leave, Lang expresses his worry for the South to start doing whatever they want if he brings Ilya to the North after.

Lang calls Ilya and gives Saab and Martin's numbers to him. Martin talks through the perspective shift to Lang, both sharing appreciation for the smaller group the North has become. Martin is worried about people trying to shoot Lang, and having to shoot more people he doesn't want to (Sadge). Martin asks about Zahn being brought back in if they officially separate, but this convinces Lang that regardless of their history, he shouldn't bring Ilya back. Lang wants to respect the decisions of a don, regardless of how painful things might seem. Lang still wants to split, but he doesn't want to use Ilya as the catalyst for the movement anymore.

Lang and Martin head into the mountains to meet with Edgar finally, Lang tries to explain how Edgar still reminds him of JP, but Martin doesn't see it. Edgar asks about JP, but Martin tries to tell him that it's a touchy subject. Martin jokes about everyone passing their phone to the right, but they refuse. Lang asks Edgar what their group is supposed to be, and what their goals are. Edgar needed help working on the quests he was given, and after the Faceless appeared, they got mixed into the quests. Lang thinks it's getting harder to trust each other, and is worried that they'll end up killing each other.

Edgar thinks the only way they can continue is if they maintain trust, Lang shares that he showed them the basement as a leap of faith so that they could trust him. Edgar thinks that they showed trust by showing Lang the cards and letting him take the book for days. Lang asks if Edgar knew Gigi was marked, Jay thinks that they should kill Gigi, but Edgar stalls and gives a false answer. Jay seems surprised that Edgar didn't tell him that Gigi was marked, but Lang and Martin think Jay is a terrible liar. They question why Gigi would lie about telling Edgar that she was marked, but Edgar claims he was never told by her. Lang tries to call Gigi, but she's not around.

Lang tells Edgar that he doesn't think they should work together anymore. Edgar argues that whether someone is marked or not isn't the issue, it's that people are being enticed or confused to work for the chaos of the Faceless. Lang pulls Martin aside to discuss their decision, Martin likes a good gamble, and is sick of Lang talking to Edgar in the sparring of words. They think they can sever the relationship and continue on their own, and return to making fun of Jay.

Lang and Edgar talk about Gigi's relevance and the potential of her being involved in ways both of them might not understand. Lang notes that Gigi is away for a few days, Edgar accuses Lang of killing her, Lang takes the time to press Edgar about his concern. Jay speaks up and agrees that Gigi has been stirring on both sides for days and he's unsure why she's relevant at all, but Edgar doesn't want to kill an innocent person. Edgar shares that he fears nobody in the city other than the Faceless, because they killed his family years ago. Lang thinks they're always in danger, no power, person, or entity are more dangerous than their every day. They argue about how the Faceless told Edgar that Skipper lied about what his mission was, but they circle back to saying they're capable of doing everything on their own.

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Jay wants to speak up, but Edgar doesn't want him to. Martin presses Jay with an OG Gulag Gang order to reveal it. Jay reveals that Edgar thinks Lang got Skipper and CJ to lie, and is using Gigi as a scapegoat (which is exactly what happened). Lang tries to press Edgar for his concern, and admits that it's true, to have him reveal his concern. Jay turns on Edgar, questioning why Edgar cares about Gigi, and why Skipper and CJ would lie. Lang connects that Skipper Jones and Charlie Jones are related, and Jay realizes that if they are lying they should also be killed.

og has to take a meeting, and doesn't return