“Give Us Some Good Lines” Sees The Captain Encounter an Uninvited Guest on The Sympathizer, May 5 on HBO

The upcoming fourth episode of the HBO limited series “The Sympathizer” is all about the complexities of the Captain’s double life as a spy, testing his loyalties as he navigates the challenges of espionage and the moral dilemmas that come with it.

“The Sympathizer” is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Viet Thanh Nguyen and premiered on HBO on April 14, 2024. The series is created by co-showrunners Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar, with Park also directing. It stars Hoa Xuande as the Captain, a North Vietnamese spy embedded in the South Vietnamese army who flees to the United States as the Vietnam War draws to a close.

In the latest episode, titled “Give Us Some Good Lines,” the Captain, now living in a South Vietnamese refugee community in Los Angeles, encounters an uninvited guest during his drive north to consult on a war movie. On set, he grapples with the volatile ego of the Auteur, the temperamental Hollywood actors, and his own emotional response to the film.

The episode explores the challenges of the Captain’s double life as a spy, testing his loyalties and forcing him to navigate the intricate web of deception and intrigue. With the fall of Saigon looming, the Captain must juggle his commitments to the communist party, the South Vietnamese army, his CIA handler, and his conscience.

“Give Us Some Good Lines” is written by Tea Ho, Don McKellar, and Viet Thanh Nguyen, and directed by Fernando Meirelles. It continues the exploration of the refugee experience, the Americanization of history, assimilation, and appropriation, with each episode offering a unique perspective and tone.

With its cerebral and challenging narrative, “The Sympathizer” demands investment from its audience but rewards them with an original and thought-provoking viewpoint on a pivotal moment in history.

Airing on HBO, Sunday, May 5, at 9:00 PM