1/28/2025 Kick Recap - "Terrible Day For Rain"
Lang runs some errands and stops by Mosley's to get a new 4 seater, changing his mind until he's done more research. Lang returns to Cypress, calling Martin up the water tower to chat. Lang sets up two folding chairs and a few beers, Martin takes a seat and they chat about Ilya. Lang recaps the conversation Ilya had with the South, deciding that it's best for Lang to put him out of his misery. Lang tells Martin about Edgar's death, and the funeral that he threw. Martin is shocked that Norman killed Edgar, and considers what Jay Hobbs is up to.
Lang and Martin chat about Clark's mindset, and the differences between the South and the North. Lang would prefer for the South to make decisions, so they can't blame him for controlling them still. Lang wants to recruit Cassie from jail, which means they have to break her out. Martin questions Lang's intent and the plan, but is down to work with the group Lang picks for it. Lang can't stop thinking about Ilya, but remembers that Sofia told him that she was hanging with Hydra, and that Sofia still talks to Clark. Lang mentions that he's always been paranoid, Martin speaks on the difficulty a lot of people have discerning between a gang and a family.
They go get equipped and changed, Ilya calls to meet on a mountain trail. Lang and Martin approach Ilya sitting on the hillside, Ilya shows them an unmarked grave where his brother Boris was buried. Ilya tells them about how he was connected to Luciano through Boris, and then worked into Cypress. Ilya reflects on his time with Cypress, his attitude, and his mistakes. Ilya pulls on Lang's suspicions of the south, mentioning that Yaya was alive, and he was allowed to stay. Lang let's Ilya vent about the south's mentality, and the irony behind their decisions, leading to his demise. Lang asks Ilya to wait in the car, Martin and Lang discuss tradictions and regret. Martin thinks that he might regret this decision, but the conflict of not standing on traditions he intended to set, will be worse.
Lang drives them down to the Cypress waters, and they stand on the docks where Lang delivers an impactful speech. Lang reflects on his regret of not bringing Ilya to the North, but wanted him to be an example for the South. He wanted them to hold their structure, believing in the strength that Ilya had. Lang agrees with most of what Ilya has said about Cypress, the principles they claim to keep, and the pettiness they have had issue with. Lang doesn't care to discuss the right or wrongs of Cypress anymore, if a Don makes the call, they have to live with it.
"When I inevitably take Cypress as a whole, I will make sure your memory is never forgotten." Lang hugs Ilya, stabs him in the chest, and carries his body into the Cypress waters. Martin asks why Lang decided here and not with his brother, Lang says "when you join Cypress, there's only one way to leave it". They leave the bloody knife at the door of South Cypress' warehouse. Lang calls for a meeting with the North, they meet at a new rooftop in Cypress. Lang tells them that Ilya is dead, and details the last moments they had together. He reiterates that if they are for Cypress, they must stick to the principles. He cautions everyone for riding the line between what is safe and dangerous, to use Ilya as an example to help reign in their choices. Lang doesn't like what the South has become, but doesn't have current plans to change it.
As Lang sends everyone away, Martin checks to see if he's alright. Lang wants Martin to help take things seriously and hold people accountable, Martin needs Lang's support so that he doesn't seem petty or flakey in his consequences. Lang calls Luciano back, informing him that Ilya is dead. Luciano is disappointed, wanting to hold a funeral whenever Lang is ready. Lang takes a ride to clear his head and calls CJ to the water tower to chat.