1/2/2026 GTA Recap - "Operation Shmau-Shmau"
Lang and Saab wish each other a happy new year, before Saab divulges into the recap. The Besties wanted more ammo, Saab changed the deal to 50 gold bars. Saab takes CJ and Clark (who's been missing for a month) to meet with the Besties. Lang doesn't want New Babylon to be the new plug, they should only sell on trade days. The Besties didn't like the new deal, so they walked off. Saab shares his undercooked plan to bomb the Besties (disguised as the Faceless), so that they come crawling back. Lang laughs off the plan, but they build a new exchange rate of 15 gold bars for 1k ammo, twice a week only during trade days. After, Lang decides to push Saab to follow through on the bombing, but only they can know. Lang doesn't like that Clark was involved in things so high tier especially while he's been away, but the Besties started by contacting him first.
Lang wanders around NB overhearing the militia giving their resolutions. Skipper and Bjorn were in a police chase, Bjorn held the whole Besties block hostage, but they were eventually shot down by the cops. Lang needs Skipper caught up on all the politics, CJ recaps Lang on Bazin and Bjorn beefing, and Patrick being spotted around the Rest again. CJ thinks that Diego is not a burnt bridge, and that they can work on that relationship to get access to the Nu Epsilon building. The Faceless know that Falcon is dead, Lang is frustrated that their communication is lost so he logs back in to check things out. Eliza joins them, Lang responds to the chat and gets instructions that Charlie will contact 'Falcon' with new instructions. They think this might be a trap, now knowing that the Faceless know their Falcon agent is dead.
Jonathan Kane is Charlie's real identity. Ryan Kane was one of the early members of New Babylon that fled, and was eventually killed by Charlie. Eliza and CJ determine this information while they're in the Rest, but Eliza is pinged to a few places where they are led around the city. Eliza figures out the pings are coming from a Mr. Merryweather. After determining that it might be psychotic ramblings of an old man, they agree to regroup for more recapping after the town hall.
Lang cautions everyone of Big Mac's warrant, and reads a speech about being around. Skipper has everyone repeat their anthem, and hands it off to the militia who details catching the thief. Vill Ager gives news of his tow company (they had Bazin translate), Anya reminds everyone to get food at Ratatouille, and Lang ends the meeting. Jeff pulls Lang aside to see what he can do for the cause (Bazin First), and Lang speaks with Bazin to show that he still allies with his party. Lang and AC chat in the tunnel about how the ammo is being moved around, they would like a more concise structure that doesn't give as many people access.
Lang decides to give Bazin a chance at revenge, but Bazin considers the risks knowing that Lang might be sabotaging him again. Lang suggests bombing Chrome to get his revenge, Bazin tells Lang that if he's chased by Luciano, he will snitch. Lang hands him the bomb and tries to gather people up on the isle. Lang runs into Tyler Knox, giving him a bomb, and then regrouping with Eliza and CJ.
Eliza details all of the information she's learned from different sources, expecting something big to happen next week. Carmella calls to get support, she's running for mayor again. Lang finishes his chat and calls Bazin, wondering what happened. Bazin claims to have taken his revenge and planted the bomb in Lang's trailer instead. Lang tries to defuse the bomb, but fails and explodes. Rubble and flames cover the trailer, Lang's body lays beneath it as they try to pull him out safely.
Gigi takes Lang into the medical tent, Lang holds Bazin's hand and threatens to make it look like he died on his behalf as his revenge. Lang whispers that Bazin must take his place, CJ questions if Bazin planted the bomb, but Lang passes out.