HBO's 'The Brink' Recap: Episode 5: Will Tim Robbins, Jack Black Say "Swim, Shmuley, Swim?"

From the man who brought you the Austin Powers movies, director Jay Roach continues the political satire The Brink on HBO. In Episode 5, Swim, Shmuley, Swim, can Rafiq Massoud (Aasif Mandvi) and Alex Talbot (Jack Black), and Walter Larson (Tim Robbins) save some lives before World War III starts?

Held up at gunpoint, Zeke (Pablo Schreiber) tries to soothe the situation with the gunmen. Unfortunately, because his co-pilot doesn't speak the language, something is lost in translation. Luckily, Zeke manages to strike back, knock out the shooters, and finally steal their guns. 

Rafig and Alex make an non-secure phone call to Walter, who starts the conversation in ridiculous code. Alex has pulled off negotiations with General Ahmed Ali (David Diaan) but doesn't tell Walter that he expects a nuclear submarine on the way. Knowing that Pierce Grey is on the way, Walter has to stall for time. 

While walking across under the scorching sun, Zeke and his co-pilot realize they have no more water. The two pass out in the middle of the road and are picked up by strangers. Continuing to make people mad, Walter realizes that in order to prevent World War III, his luck depends on a little kid winning a swimming competition. 

Alex is overjoyed, thinking he's going to get a cushy job in Paris. Unfortunately, Rafiq gets a sudden call from his mother, who doesn't know where his sister, Fareeda (Melanie Kannokada) is. Because he is in love with Rafiq's sister, Alex thinks they should head on over and visit her school.

By the time they reach the school, the military has ransacked the place and destroyed half the building. Fareeda is okay but she needs to get her students to safe place. Alex is willing to risk his cushy job in Paris, if it means getting the girls to the embassy and facing Robert Kittridge again.  

Zeke and co-pilot wake up and find themselves inside a mansion. The people who rescued them happen to be wealthy millionaires, who are also thieves in the imports/exports business. While the co-pilot is oblivious while eating their food, Zeke realizes the couple won't let them leave. 

Alex finally arrives at the embassy with the seven students. At first, Robert Kittredge (John Larroquette) wants nothing to with them, but when he starts counting the number of girls,  his attitude changes. Realizing he will save seven virgin girls, Kittridge the religious nut. thinks he will be their savior and lets them pass.

Walter thinks he has stalled time but Pierce Grey has bad news for him.  General Ahmed Ali (David Diaan) has got on his private jet with Walter's money. Since Ali was using Alex to get to the money, everything Walter did was for nothing.

Readers, what did you think of Swim, Shmuley, Swim?