Jack, Sydney and Nadia learn that Irina Derevko (Lena Olin) is alive, and they head out to find her to thwart Elena Derevko's (Sonia Braga) Rambaldi scheme.
Sydney's theory that Sloane is trying to re-form the Alliance threatens her relationship with Nadia who refuses to believe her father is double-crossing the CIA. Meanwhile Vaughn learns the first of possibly many startling secrets about his father. Angela Bassett guest stars as CIA Director Hayden Chase.
After learning the awful truth about Nadia's childhood caregiver Sophia (Sonia Braga American Family Kiss of the Spider Woman ) APO races to track her down while an agent's life hangs in the balance. Meanwhile Sydney and Nadia question Sloane's trustworthiness now that his obsession with Rambaldi may have been renewed Jack has an unsettling meeting with Katya Derevko (Isabella Rossellini) and Vaughn asks Jack a surprising and momentous question. Angela Bassett guest stars as Hayden Chase.
Sydney, Vaughn, Jack and Dixon are stunned to learn the identity of their new boss; Sydney learns an appalling secret about Jack that threatens to destroy their relationship.