The Optimists

The Information and Analytical Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gets a new chief.

Biryukov tries to find support from his patron, but he considers the game of his protégés to be too dangerous and advises them to sit quietly.

At the cinema, Muratov secretly meets with a French producer; Biryukov raises the stakes again.

Biryukov and Ruta are in Paris as part of the Soviet delegation; everyone is waiting for the results of the negotiations; Biryukov meets German journalist Gaby Goetz, with whom he had an affair many years ago.

The Americans rescued Soviet sailors who have been lost at sea for 49 days; Biryukov receives a task.

Ruta agrees with the Izvestia correspondent that he will do an interview with Bykov; at the hippodrome, Muratov introduces his comrades to fartschik Ilya.