Lioness Episode 1: Sacrificial Soldiers

Joe is running a covert mission in Syria when one of her undercover assets realizes her cover has been blown after someone notices a small cross tattoo on her body. The asset hides beneath a compound and calls Joe for help, while Joe and her team watch a suspicious man crawling toward their outpost and try to figure out what is happening.

Joe initially tries to organize a rescue, but the situation turns chaotic almost immediately when enemy fire breaks out and the man near the outpost triggers an explosion. Joe and her team move closer by helicopter, but it becomes clear that there is no safe way to extract the trapped asset in time. After speaking with superiors and realizing the asset has been captured, Joe makes the painful decision to call in a drone strike on the compound, killing the people inside, including her own operative. The episode ends with the aftermath of that choice weighing heavily on Joe.

The episode also introduces Cruz Manuelos, a Marine in the United States who is trying to leave a violent and dangerous situation with her boyfriend. After defending herself and getting away, she catches the attention of the CIA, who see her as a possible candidate for the Lioness program. Joe is then shown selecting Cruz as her new recruit, setting up her entry into the program.